Costa Rica’s Rare Birds & Wildlife Special

Today, after breakfast, you’ll travel for about 3 hours (depending on how many stops you make for birds) from the Central Valley to the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains and the town of San Gerardo de Dota. You’ll pass through farmlands, rolling green hills, and begin to gain elevation. Keep a sweater or fleece handy; you’ll notice the drop-in temperature as you climb above the paramour and into the mountains. You’ll make several stops along the way to look for the endemic species of the different habitats.

Savegre Lodge is a lovely mountain lodge set within its own private reserve in the Talamanca Mountain Range. Travel over the highest peaks in Costa Rica, through the paramo, and into a gorgeous valley of white oak trees and lush forests, reaching one of the richest birding areas in Costa Rica. We’ll be exploring the highlands, looking for the Resplendent Quetzal, Flame-throated Warblers, Long-tailed Silky Flycatchers, and much more.

After check-in, enjoy a delicious lunch, then meet your guide for a birding walk around the gardens and trails of Savegre Lodge.

Where you will be staying: Savegre Lodge

Today, we’ll be visiting the private reserve of Savegre Lodge. You will get to transect the trails with your guide, engrossed by the beauty of the white oaks and golden moss in this stunning forest. The array of bird species is truly astounding. Savegre stands out as the prime location to spot the Resplendent Quetzal, along with the endemic Flame-throated Warbler, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher, and the Yellow-thighed Finch.

In the afternoon, we’ll go on a leisurely on-foot birding session along the river in search of dippers and phoebes. You’ll then get to unwind in the beautiful gardens surrounded by hummingbirds, tanagers, and warblers as the sun sets!

Where you will be staying: Savegre Lodge

We will depart after breakfast, heading northeast towards the town of Turrialba. Along the way, we will pass through Cartago, the original capital city of Costa Rica, and continue through the countryside, passing small towns, picturesque green hills, rivers, and forests, with opportunities for birding.

Our accommodation for this leg of the journey is Rancho Naturalista, widely acclaimed as one of the premier birding lodges in Costa Rica. Some regard it as one of the finest bird watching lodges in Central America. From the spacious balcony, you can observe several species of hummingbirds and numerous other birds. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a splendid view of the distant smoking Turrialba volcano. Rancho Naturalista serves as an exceptional retreat for birders, photographers, and naturalists alike.

Where you will be staying: Rancho Naturalista

We’ll start the day early in the morning when the birds are most active. You’ll get to relax on the balcony for a quick cup of coffee, observing the bird feeders (they are very active), whilst also keeping an eye on the lanterns to see whether the Red-throated Ant Tanager makes an appearance.

After breakfast, we’llgo on a walk along the trails in a private forest reserve to search for specific target species. We’ll be keeping an eye-out for various species foraging together in the canopy and understory of the forest. Return to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. In the late afternoon, venture into the forest for a short walk to the Hummingbird Pools, where hummingbirds gather to dip in the fresh spring water of the stream each evening. Nestled in the cool green of the forest understory is an observation deck above a rainforest stream. Here, you will have an amazing view into a private world as you sit and enjoy the breathtaking sight of these beautiful gems of the rainforest.

We’ll be looking for the striking Purple-crowned Fairy, the Snowcap adorned with its gleaming white cap, and the vibrant hues of the Violet-crowned Woodnymph, among other captivating species. In addition to hummingbirds, various other avian wonders frequent this area, including the Tawny-throated Leaftosser, the Dull-mantled Antbird, Great Tinamou, and many more.

Where you will be staying: Rancho Naturalista

After breakfast, we will drive northeast towards the Caribbean Coast and the remote, lush Pacuare Reserve, a scenic drive of about 3 hours. Upon reaching the small town of Matina, we will leave the coaster and board a boat to navigate the river, ultimately arriving at the lodge.

Picture a hidden place nestled in a dense jungle forest along the Caribbean Sea, resembling a quasi-island surrounded by the ocean and canals. The lodge is only accessible by boat, and this locale boasts no electricity. As howler monkeys, egrets, herons, and kingfishers herald your arrival, leave behind crowds, traffic, and luxury for a unique opportunity to experience raw nature. The primary goals during your stay are to witness two incredible acts of nature: the nesting of the Agami Heron and the Leatherback Sea Turtles.

Note: Staying at the Pacuare Reserve offers a rustic experience with no electricity or WiFi, providing only basic comforts. Some bedrooms have shared baths, while others share the downstairs shower. Cabins feature a shared shower and bathroom. Room assignments will be made approximately 30 days before arrival based on the group’s composition.

Where you will be staying: Casa Grande Ecolodge

Prepare for an extraordinary day as we start the morning by exploring the canals of Southern Tortuguero by boat. Following this, we’ll visit the nesting site of the Agami Heron. We’ll be birding around the surrounding forest, and end the day by participating in the Leatherback Turtle Census in the evening. While we’ll break for meals at the lodge, today promises a full immersion into the wonders of nature.

Where you will be staying: Casa Grande Ecolodge

This morning, post-breakfast, we will embark on a boat journey from Parismina, returning to the small port at Matina to retrieve our coaster. From there, we’ll head northwest for approximately 3 hours to the quaint town of Sarapiqui. Along the way, we will traverse banana groves, pineapple plantations, small towns, and farms before checking in at our accommodation, Tirimbina Lodge. Tirimbina Lodge isn’t just a premier birding lodge; it also serves as a crucial research center that hosts scientists and students from across the globe. The private reserve boasts a diverse array of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. In the late afternoon, your guide will lead you on a walk around the grounds and the reserve at Tirimbina Lodge. This presents an excellent opportunity to spot the Great Green Macaw, among other Caribbean species.

Today, we will start our day with an early morning breakfast and then head to one of the top birding destinations in the country, La Selva Biological Station. We will spend the morning exploring the trails and gardens. The species richness of La Selva is outstanding, with more than 2,077 species of plants; 125 species of mammals (72 of them bats); 470 species of birds; 48 amphibian species; 87 species of reptiles; 45 species of freshwater fish; and tens of thousands of insects, arachnids, and other arthropods.

In the early afternoon, we will break for lunch and then head west towards the Arenal Volcano. We will drive through beautiful rolling hills, farmlands with fields of yucca, groves of bananas, and acres and acres of pineapples. Soon, the majestic peak of the Arenal Volcano will appear on the horizon. We will arrive at the Observatory Lodge for check-in.

Arenal Observatory Lodge is a preferred destination for birding in Costa Rica, with more than 500 species of birds found on the grounds and surrounding forest.

Where you will be staying :Arenal Observatory Lodge

Today, we will spend the day with our Naturalist Guide exploring the trails and gardens around the Observatory Lodge. This is truly one of the best places in Costa Rica for spotting wrens, antbirds, tanagers, hummingbirds, raptors, cotingas, woodpeckers, woodcreepers, and so much more. It’s a true birdwatchers’ paradise. The forest is also home to many mammals. We will be looking for agoutis, anteaters, armadillos, peccaries, and much more. Let’s enjoy this fabulous day of birding and interaction with nature.

Where you will be staying :Arenal Observatory Lodge

As our exceptional birding and wildlife tour draws to a close, the morning brings the inevitable moment of departure. We will bid farewell to our hotel and embark on a transfer back to the SJO Airport for our journey homeward.