Description
In the Costa Rican native language, they are called the Colibris. Regardless of the name people use to refer to them, they are tiny fellows who have captured the attention and heart of birdwatchers. Maybe their small size, perhaps their accelerated maneuvers or iridescent coloring, reasons may vary. You can be sure, however, that Costa Rica inhabits more than 50 hummingbird species. This tour program will lead travelers to various locations where these feathery creatures live. Species will vary from Volcano to Violet Sabrewing, Violet-Headed Hummingbird, and many more. The itinerary will also include some of the essential highlights of Costa Rica, such as the Sarapiquí, Turrialba, and San Gerardo de Dota regions. It also contains several activities for nature lovers, such as rainforest hiking, a visit to the La Selva Biological Station, explanations of the different Costa Rican ecosystems, and a professional presentation about hummingbirds conducted by a local expert. As with all our tours, this package adheres to our high standards of service and accommodations while providing opportunities for genuine adventure and cultural discoveries during your stay in Costa Rica.
If you would like us to customize your Costa Rica Expeditions, make sure to fill out the Costa Rica Wishlist.
Request a QuoteItinerary
Day 1 – Travel to San Jose, Costa Rica
Rich rainforests, exotic wildlife, and hundreds of bird species welcome you to Costa Rica. This tour program will visit the most important places related to over fifty hummingbird species. Your tour begins in Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose, as visitors are greeted by a local professional who will attend to you in your requested language.
Meals are not included today.
Day 2 – San Jose to Sarapiqui
Travel to Sarapiqui and experience an exciting change in altitude as you descend from 3000 to 1600 feet above sea level. Begin your adventure with an early ride to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. You will have the chance to drive on the outskirts of the city of San Jose and experience the busy lifestyle of this very populated area. Upon leaving the town, the landscape will become a combination of active volcanoes and coffee plantations located in the central mountain range. While traveling to Sarapiqui, there will be a chance to spot cloud forest hummingbird species. Once at your lodge, you will take an exploration stroll to get familiar with the property’s grounds and become familiar with the bird species that inhabit the place.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – La Selva Biological Station
During the morning, explore La Selva Biological Station (OTS), located within the boundaries of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. With its 1,614 hectares (3,988 acres) of old-growth and undisturbed tropical wet forest, this station has become a pioneer site in education, research, conservation, and ecotourism in Costa Rica since 1953 of the first privately-owned protected areas in the country. In the afternoon, devote time to looking for hummingbird species such as Long-tailed Hermit (Phaethornis superciliosus), and Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis)
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 – Travel to Turrialba
Travel to the area of Turrialba. On the way to this latitude, the group will detour the Braulio Carrillo National Park boundaries in search of two essential hummingbird species, Violet-headed and Snowcapped. After time in this location, continue to the Rancho Naturalista Lodge, one of the most beautiful birdwatching lodges in Central America. Several hummingbirds and many other birds can be seen right from the spacious balcony, where you also have a great view of the distant smoking Turrialba volcano. The Rancho Naturalista Lodge has been considered an excellent getaway for birders, photographers, and naturalists. Rancho Naturalista Lodge welcomes you with high possibilities of sharing hummingbird species such as Violet-Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania Colombica), White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga Mellivora), Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy), among others.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5 – Explore Rancho Naturalista Private Reserve
A morning stroll through the grounds of Rancho Natulista is a must. The primary goal for the day will be to encounter hummingbird species such as Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) and Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (Chalybura urochrysia). Return to the Lodge for breakfast and continue exploring the Turrialba area as you immerse yourself in a refined ride. Next, visit a coffee plantation and get an entire explanation of how coffee plantations produce such a unique product. At the time, the fields created a safe environment for many migratory bird species. During the afternoon, explore other parts of the protected areas of Rancho Naturalista, which will offer spectacular photo opportunities.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 – Guayabo Archeological Site
Get to know about the Guayabo Nacional Monument, considered the most significant archaeological site in Costa Rica. Located about 11 miles north of Turrialba, this 232-hectare monument was uncovered in 1968 by Carlos Aguilar Piedra, an archaeologist at the University of Costa Rica. The site was declared a national monument in 1973. After this visit, explore the small town of Turrialba as you return to the Lodge. During the afternoon, keep birding on the grounds of Rancho Naturalista.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7 – Visit Tapanti National Park
Today there is the birding time at Tapanti National Park. Tapanti National Park protects the northern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca and is a refuge for birds in the area. At this park, you will have chances to watch the White-bellied Mountain-gem (Lampornis hemileucus), Green-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae), Black-bellied Hummingbird (Eupherusa nigriventris), Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus), among dozens of tropical bird species.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 – Travel to San Gerardo de Dota
San Gerardo de Dota’s mountain lodges offer outstanding accommodations and fantastic views of the Central Mountain Range’s lower elevations. Nature lovers will appreciate the wide variety of birds found in this latitude. Around 200 bird species inhabit the misty forests, including tanagers and the world-famous resplendent quetzals, who mate during the first months of the year. The flora that characterizes this region includes oaks and tropical plant species.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 9 – Explore San Gerardo
The activities around the Lodge will keep you busy as you explore this unique life zone. Take guided strolls through the day to witness the beauty of a premontane-moist forest in the heart of Costa Rica.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 10 – San Gerardo to San Jose
Say goodbye to the mountains area as transportation takes you back to San Jose. Then, you will pass through the old capital of Costa Rica, Cartago.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 11 -Travel Back Home
It’s time to return home with vivid memories and beautiful pictures of Costa Rica’s abundant tropical wildlife and natural wonders.
Breakfast is included (after 7:00 am)
Includes
Activities:
- Visit Braulio Carrillo, National Park
- Hike at La Selva Biological Station
- Hike at the grounds of Sarapiqui Lodge
- Hike at Rancho Naturalista Reserve
- Tour at Tapanti National Park
- Tour at Guayabo National Monument
- Morning Bird Walk in Sarapiqui
- Morning Bird Walk in San Gerardo
- Morning Bird Walk in Turrialba
Meals:
- 9 Breakfasts
- 9 Dinners
Transportation:
- A shuttle from the airport to the hotel
- Air-conditioned ground transportation throughout the country
- A Shuttle from the hotel to the airport
