Costa Rica | An Introduction to Neotropical Birding

Upon arrival in San José, you will be met and taken to Hotel Bougainvillea in Santo Domingo, a suburb of the capital. The hotel has 10 acres of botanical gardens, which host over 600 species of plants. More than 300 bird species have also been recorded here. Check-in begins at 3 pm. Elevation is 3,839 feet.

This morning, meet for breakfast and an orientation in the hotel restaurant, followed by an introduction to tropical birding from a local expert. Check out of the hotel and start your journey to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. En route, stop for birding at Cinchona if road conditions permit. This afternoon, arrive to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve and take a hike in the reserve with your guide. Selva Verde's reserve protects 500 acres of rainforest, and the lodge offers many covered walks, birding trails, and lookout points, with opportunities to see species such as the Keel-billed Toucan, Great Green Macaw, White-winged Becard, Sunbittern, Acadian Flycatcher, and Wood Thrush. Boots are available for use if the trails are muddy. Take an optional walk this evening to discover nocturnal frogs and insects. Elevation change: From 3,000 feet above sea level in San José to approximately 225 feet in Sarapiquí.

Begin the day with early morning birding. After breakfast, set out to explore the reserve again on a different trail. Selva Verde's reserve is home to one of the largest almond trees in all of Central America, which provides habitat for the endangered Great Green Macaw. This afternoon, explore Tirimbina Biological Reserve on a guided hike. The trails at Tirimbina are designed to afford excellent opportunities for viewing rainforest biodiversity. As a large proportion of life in the rainforest thrives in the canopy layer, visitors can experience the richness of treetop flora and fauna from a 328-foot suspended canopy walkway spanning one of the many stream valleys in the reserve. After dinner at Tirimbina, enjoy an informative talk on the lives of bats.

Depart early this morning for the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station. Established in 1968, La Selva is world-renowned for scientific research on rainforest ecosystems. Be on the lookout for the Snowy Cotinga, Rufous Motmot, Crested Guan, Great Tinamou, Pied Puffbird, and Spectacled Owl as possible sightings. Return to the lodge for lunch then take a boat ride on the Puerto Viejo River. Later this afternoon, enjoy a guided birding hike, or take in the river views from the patio overlooking the Sarapiquí River.

Early this morning, check out of the lodge and depart for San Gerardo de Dota. En route, stop at Nectar and Pollen Reserve where some interesting possibilities include the Snowcap, Long-tailed Tyrant, Cinnamon Woodpecker, White Hawk and others. Have lunch en route, and then check in at the hotel in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca Mountains that sits at an elevation of about 7,220 feet. The forest surrounding the hotel is home to massive oaks, colorful plants, and an incredible variety of animal life: birds, insects, mammals, and amphibians. The famous valley is a paradise for birdwatchers, with more than 170 species recorded here. The crown jewel is the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal, which lives in the region year round. After settling in at the lodge, spend some time walking around the extensive gardens, where you may find resident Talamanca Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear, White-throated Mountain-gem, Volcano Hummingbird, and the tiny Scintillant Hummingbird. Fiery-throated Hummingbird and Violet Sabrewing are seasonally present, and even Flame-colored Tanager and Slaty Flowerpiercer come in for up-close views, offering excellent photo opportunities.

Spend the morning exploring the upper trails at Savegre in search of Resplendent Quetzal and some of the other species present here. Board 4x4 vehicles to travel up to the beginning of the trail system. The large centennial oaks of the forest are laden with lichens and mosses that contrast with the colorful bromeliads, adding to the striking atmosphere of this forest. Explore the trails in search of such specialties as Spotted Wood-Quail, Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Resplendent Quetzal, Collared Trogon, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Ruddy Treerunner, Ochraceous Pewee, Barred Becard, Wrenthrush, and Golden-browed Chlorophonia, just to name a few. After lunch, continue birding around the lodge and area trails. Dinner is at the lodge this evening.

After some early morning birding around the lodge, have breakfast and begin the journey back to San José. En route, stop at Paraíso del Quetzal for lunch. Upon arrival at the hotel, check in and take some time to freshen up and relax. Attend a farewell dinner this evening.

Transfer to the airport for flight home.