Low Season Special – Caribbean Elusive Birds

Today, you’ll be transferred with your guide from San Jose to Cartago. On arrival, we’ll visit to the Tropical Agricultural Center for Research and Higher Education (CATIE), a leading institution in agriculture, agroforestry, and natural resource management. Spanning 2500 acres, CATIE showcases thousands of plant species, including cacao, palms, coffee, orchids, and ornamental plants. The botanical gardens feature 95 exotic tree and plant species, and the center houses 4400 genetic plant samples.

We’ll be visting the botanical gardens, the educational center, and also visit the ponds housing up to 200 bird species – the fruit here is incredible, so we’ll get the chance to taste tropical fruits grown on-site. Your guide will highlight interesting plants, trees, and help you spot the region’s top bird species, offering an exceptional birding experience with over 70% of all Costa Rican hummingbirds.

We’ll be on the lookout for the near-endemic species such as White-tailed Emerald Hummingbird, Snow-Capped Hummingbird, White Bellied Mountain Gem, Crimson Fronted Parakeet, Tawny Chested Flycatcher, Black throated Wren, Stripe Breasted Wren, Canebrake Wren, Yellow Crowned Euphonia, Tawny Capped Euponia.

The next day, we’ll spend the whole day searching the the beautiful gardens of Hotel Quelitales. Located near Cachi in the Orosi Valley, it offers an enchanting retreat nestled in the mountains at the base of Tapanti National Park.. Renowned for its exceptional location for middle-elevation species and hummingbirds, Quelitales has documented 31 different hummingbird species on the premises. The owners have meticulously landscaped their gardens with nectar-rich plants and feeders, creating an enticing environment for a diverse range of species. The gardens are a frequent sighting spot for several species of Ant Pittas, and the property boasts a small waterfall where the Green Fronted Lancebill can often be spotted perched along the river.

Other targets Highland Tinamou, Scaled Antpitta, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Green-fronted Lancebill, Coppery-headed Emerald, Cabanis’s Ground-sparrow, Barred Parakeet, Green Hermit, Purple-crowned Fairy, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-bellied Mountain-Gem, Purple-throated Mountain-Gem, Violet Sabrewing, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Noteworthy species also observed in the area include Black-breasted Wood-Quail, Sooty-faced Finch, and Black-thighed Grosbeak. Additional highlights encompass Black Guan, Collared Trogon, Plain Antvireo, Zeledon’s Antbird, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Spotted Barbtail, Tufted Flycatcher, Ochraceous Wren, Black-faced Solitaire, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Slate-throated Redstart, and Spangle-cheeked Tanager.

With more than 500 bird species recorded, the hotel is a paradise for birders!

Where you will be staying: Hotel Quelitales

Today, you’ll journey with your guide from Cartago to the port of La Pavona, a 4-hour drive during where you’ll be birding along the way. From the port of La Pavona, you’ll embark on a 90-minute boat transfer to Tortuguero, providing excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore Evergreen Tortuguero Lodge, the sole hotel in Tortuguero seamlessly integrated into the heart of nature. Nestled amidst towering trees and vibrant vegetation, the lodge offers an ideal setting to explore this unique and magical area, characterized by tropical designs.

Our targets include the Central America near endemics such as: Snowy Cotinga, Lovely Cotinga, Olive backed Euphonia, Yellow Crowned Euphonia and Costa Rican Woodcreeper

The next day, you’ll go on two incredible boat trips in the canals of Tortuguero with your private guide and on a private boat. The first journey will take place early in the morning, before breakfast, offering the prime time for spotting birds and wildlife. The second excursion is scheduled for late afternoon when the day cools, and rainforest creatures become more active. Each excursion will last for 2 hours.

Keep an eye out for various wildlife, including Capuchin Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, river otters, anteaters, sloths, and, if fortunate, one of the jungle cats.

Bird species on our target list include Great Green Macaw, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Lesser Greenlet, White-Ringed Flycatcher, Red-breasted Blackbird, Purple-throated Fruit Crow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Water Thrush, Veery, Sungrebe, Least Bittern, Green Ibis, Pygmy Kingfisher, and Shiny Cowbirds, among others.

Where you will be staying: Evergreen Tortuguero Lodge

Today, after enjoying breakfast at the lodge, you’ll embark on a boat journey with fellow guests and your guide around 8:30 a.m. Cruising for approximately 90 minutes through the picturesque canals, you’ll reach the port. From there, your guide will accompany you to the next destination in a waiting vehicle.

From the port of La Pavona to Arenal, your drive will take approximately 4 hours. During the journey, you’ll make a stop to explore the enchanting Cope’s Gardens and enjoy lunch. Owned by local birder and artist Jose Albert Perez, Cope’s Garden is a haven for birders and photographers. The finca features a small yet highly productive garden with a natural pond, fruit feeders, hummingbird feeders, and photography blinds, providing excellent opportunities for capturing bird shots without causing disturbance.

Among the common visitors at Cope’s Garden are various hummingbirds, including the coveted White-Tipped Sicklebill, Purple-Crowned Fairy, Bronze-Tailed Plumeleteers, Stripe-Throated Hermit, Rufous-Tailed, and the Long-Billed Hermit. Other bird species include the Pygmy Kingfisher, Red-Legged Honeycreeper, Shiny Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Blue and Grey Tanagers, Palm Tanagers, Crimson-Collared Tanagers, and the Grey-Necked Wood-Rail. Cope is knowledgeable about the roosting sites of several owl species and a Great Potoo, including the Crested Owl and the Spectacled Owl. If present in the area, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph owls during your visit.

The next day, will be a  day of birding at the Arenal Observatory Lodge! The lodge is a must for bird watchers and nature lovers in the Arenal area. Nestled in the unique Caribbean foothills at the base of the Arenal Volcano, this region boasts a diverse mix of highland and lowland bird species, making it a hotspot for avifauna. The lodge has documented over 400 bird species, solidifying its status as a premier location for birding, nature observation, and bird photography in Costa Rica.

The fruit feeders at the lodge provide an ideal opportunity to observe and photograph common species up close. Montezuma Oropendolas, Brown Jays, Black-cheeked Woodpeckers, and a variety of tanagers like Blue-gray, Palm, Golden-hooded, and Passerini’s frequent these feeders. Even the vibrant Keel-billed and Yellow-throated Toucans may make an appearance. Beneath the feeders, additional species such as White-tipped Doves, Grey-chested Doves, Black-striped Sparrows, Orange-billed Sparrows, and the impressive Great Curassow can be spotted.

Exploring the garden trails unveils a diverse birding experience. Verbena gardens near the pool offer a chance to spot the elusive Black-Crested Coquette, White-throated Thrush, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Bay-headed, Rufous-winged, and Emerald Tanagers. Keep an eye out for the sought-after Lovely Cotinga, a precious bird of Costa Rica that occasionally appears in the garden area. Along well-maintained forest trails, you might encounter mixed species flocks or swarms of army ants, revealing species like the Song Wren, White-breasted Wood-wren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Golden-crowned Warbler, Tawny-crowned Greenlet, and more. Fruiting trees attract Bay-headed Tanagers, and army-ant swarms create opportunities to observe Bicolored, Spotted, Immaculate, and Ocellated Antbirds. The elusive Thicket Antpitta, a ground-bird, may also be found in the area.

Throughout the day, be vigilant for raptors in the sky, including Black Hawk-eagles, White Hawks, and Barred Hawks. In the evening, the lights along the access road may attract a Black-and-white Owl hunting for moths. Alongside the rich birdlife, keep an eye out for Mantled Howler Monkeys, Central American Spider Monkeys, White-nosed Coatis, Tamanduas, Agoutis, armadillos, various bat species, and Opossum species. With a private guide, you’ll spend the day exploring the area and searching for the top bird species.

After a lovely day at the lodge, we’ll make a quick  visit to the Arenal Volcano, to indulge in the local thermal hot springs. Fueled by the geothermal activity of the Arenal volcano, the underground-heated water brings up earth’s minerals to the surface, offering therapeutic benefits known since ancient times. These hot springs are renowned for alleviating stress and tension in the body and mind while detoxifying the skin. Eco Termales, the smallest of the Arenal Hot Springs, ensures a serene rainforest setting by limiting visitors to no more than 100 at a time. Ideal for couples, families, and groups seeking an authentic experience, the hot springs are owned by the local Hidalgo family. With four pools ranging in temperature from 91º F to 105º F, guests can enjoy a unique experience, including a pool with a refreshing waterfall. Your guide will accompany you from your hotel to Ecotermales, a 20-minute drive, where you’ll spend two hours immersing yourself in the mineral-enriched hot springs. Following this rejuvenating experience, indulge in an authentic Costa Rican meal at the Ecotermales restaurant, once the Hidalgo family’s residence and still boasting colonial architecture. After the meal, your guide will drive you back to your hotel, leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Where you will be staying: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Today marks your departure from Arenal with your guide for a approximately 3.5-hour journey back to San Jose. Your guide will make stops along the way for birding, showcasing new bird species and intriguing sites. Don’t hesitate to ask for stops to capture memorable photos.

Experience a spectacular view of some of Costa Rica’s top tanagers, along with other bird species, at the observation deck and trails of San Luis. Your guide will assist in spotting the area’s key bird species from the observation deck and along the trails. While the trails include steps and two hanging bridges, if you prefer staying on the deck, that’s perfectly fine. San Luis stands out as one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems.

Target species include the Emerald Tanager, Speckled Tanager, Bay Headed Tanager, Blue and Gold Tanager, Mixed Flocks, Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, and many more.

Where you will be staying: Hotel Villa San Ignacio

Today, your guide will accompany you back to San Jose Airport for your flight home. The transfer will be arranged to ensure you have ample time for check-in, as San Jose International Airport recommends guests to check in at least 3 hours before their flight departure. Safe travels!