Heredia – San Gerardo de Dota

Early in the morning you can enjoy the hotel´s beautiful gardens and observe the birds during one of the most active times of the day. Afterward, pick-up of your rental car, you need a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diner´s Cub) and your valid national driving license.
Head south towards San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca Mountain Range clad in Elfin montane rainforest, draped in bromeliads and mosses and other epiphytes. It is home to many endemic and elusive species of plants and animals. This is one of the best places in the world to spot the spectacular Resplendent Quetzal.

On the way, you can stop at Los Quetzales National Park for an optional hike (not included) or go straight to your hotel and take advantage of its hiking trails that are perfect for birding.

Please keep in mind that this is a mountain region and it can get quite chilly at night. Bring some warm clothes, as well as a weatherproof jacket or a poncho for when you go hiking.

Accommodation: Savegre Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activities: none

Emblematic birds: Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), King-tailed Silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys caudatus), Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris), Highland Tinamou (Nothocercus bonapartei)
Other important species: Tapir (Tapirus bairdii), Black Oak (Quercus costarricensis), White Oak (Quercus copeyensis), Montane Alligator Lizard (Mesaspis monticola), Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera), White Orchid (Sobralia Leucoxantha)

San Gerardo de Dota

The Savegre Lodge is surrounded by a spectacular cloud forest offering fantastic scenery and wonderful opportunities for great bird photography. You could not be in a better place, especially if you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the iconic bird playing such an iconic role in Mesoamerican mythology: the Resplendent Quetzal. The reserve has at least 30 km of walking trails, carefully designed to cater to the interests and physical capabilities of all visitors; at least half of these trails lead through primary forest. There are tours and activities for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, and it is generally agreed that this is a place full of sensory stimuli: Walking through the mystical cloud forest, listening to the birdsong, and with some luck, you might spot some of those perfectly camouflaged, amazing mimetic insects hiding on the tree barks.

Some optional tours, all of which can be booked at the hotel (shared, from 1-5 participants) are:
• Quetzal tour, 3 hours
• Full-day birdwatching-tour
• Half-day birdwatching-tour (also on a private basis available)
• Horseback riding tour
• Visiting the Savegre Waterfall

Accommodation: Savegre Lodge
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: none

San Gerardo de Dota – Turrialba

When you are ready to continue your journey head over towards Turrialba, passing through Cartago along the way. On the way, you will also pass through small towns emblematic of the rural life in this part of Costa Rica. Your hotel on this night is specialized in birdwatching and is also known for its fresh, homestyle cooking. A relaxing place in a homey ambiance surrounded by beautiful gardens and the sounds of the birds.

Important: the last part of the road (about 1.8km) is made of gravel, therefore a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended.

Accommodation: Rancho Naturista
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Included activities: none

Emblematic birds: Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata), Tawny-chested Flycatcher (Aphanotriccus capitalis), Purplish-backed Quail-Dove (Zentrygon lawrencii), White-crowned Manakin (Dixiphia pipra)
Other important species: White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica), Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor), Brazilian Free-tailed Bat(Tadarida brasiliensis)

Turrialba

The hotel has a private reserve with trails that you can explore on your own. Or, alternatively, you can organize an early morning private bird watching tour with a local English-speaking guide and, explore the various trails spotting some of the 450 species of birds that have been recorded in the area (tour not included).
On the balcony at Rancho Naturalista, the hummingbird feeders are renown to attract many species of hummingbirds, such as the
Violet-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica), White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora), Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy), Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii), Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus), Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (Chalybura urochrysia) and Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula). On the Verbena Hedges at Rancho Naturalista, the Snowcap is a frequent visitor along with the Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae) and the Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti).

Enjoy all three meals today and the welcoming hospitality in this lodge.

Other activities available in this region (optional, to be booked and paid for at the hotel):

• Morning or afternoon bird tour
• Cultural tours: Sugar mill tour, Spanish lessons, dancing lessons, painting class, cooking class
• Adventure tours: Swim in a mountain stream, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, canyoning, and zip-lining

Accommodations: Rancho Naturalista
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Included activities: none

Turrialba – Sarapiquí

Enjoy the morning in Turrialba and, after lunch here, continue the trip to the area of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. On the way, you will be passing through Costa Rica’s agricultural heartland with its as orange, coconut, yucca, macadamia nuts, papaya, and pineapple plantations. Sarapiquí is a ‘hot-spot’ for bird watchers, 54% of Costa Rica’s native bird species can be found here.
Your accommodations here will be at Selva Verde Lodge, which has been attracting birdwatchers from all over the world for decades. The Lodge protects over 200 hectares of rainforest that are home to more than 300 species or birds, as well as 120 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. The forest also protects a huge number of trees and plant species. The trail network allows you to explore the rainforest on your own. With a little luck, you will be able to spot some of the emblematic species of this region.

Accommodation: Selva Verde Lodge
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Included activities: none

Emblematic birds: Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus), Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias), Snowy Cotinga (Carpodectes nitidus), Agami Heron (Agamia agami)
Other important species: Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas), Brown Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni), Black Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata), Mountain Almond Tree (Dipteryx panamensis), Blue Jeans Poison Frog (Oophaga pumilio)

Sarapiquí

Today, we recommend a morning hike on the lodge’s trails or a morning visit to the Tirimbina Reserve (at an additional entrance fee). As a non-profit organization, the Tirimbina Reserve protects the rainforest and promotes conservation. In this humid tropical forest, influenced by the Caribbean climate, there are both endemic birds as well as migrating birds that are found in September and October.

Other activities available in Sarapiquí area are (optional, to be arranged and paid for at the hotel):

• A guided chocolate tour at the Tirimbinas reserve, learn everything you ever wanted to know about the process of making chocolate from cacao seeds.
• A visit to the Ecofarm ‘Finca Surá ‘ where you gain an insight into the local life and agricultural growing methods.
• There are also some adventure activities available, such as rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking, a night hike and more!
• Or relax at the lodge, go for another hike on your own, discovering the trails of the hotel´s own reserve.

Accommodations: Selva Verde Lodge
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: none

Sarapiquí – Boca Tapada

Today continue your journey to Boca Tapada, a hidden gem, off the beaten track. This remote region is situated on the Río San Carlos, in the far north of the country, near the border of Nicaragua. Here, life continues at a slower pace and in harmony with nature.
Your Eco-Lodge for the next two nights is located just north of Boca Tapada, in the middle of the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge, which protects an area of 60.000 hectares. It is situated right on the shores of a lagoon and is a perfect place to spot for birds and other animals.

Your stay includes a guided morning walk in the rainforest, free use of canoes on the lodge’s small canal, planting a tree, and a visit to the local school of Boca Tapada (during school months). Other tours, such as a boat trip on the San Carlos River, can be booked at the Lodge at an additional fee.

If you wish as close a contact with nature as possible, the hotel has Tree Houses (Bungalows in the trees), perched more than 12 meters above the forest floor, in extraordinary trees in the rainforest, providing an excellent eye-to-eye view with the wildlife that is busy in the canopy.

Accommodation: Maquenque Eco-Lodge (upgrade to Treehouse available)
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: guided morning walk in the rainforest, free use of canoes on the lodge’s small canal, planting a tree, and a visit to the local school of Boca Tapada (during school months)

Emblematic birds: Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus), Slaty-tailed Trogon (Trogon massena), Ocellated Antbird (Phaenostictus mcleannani), Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana), Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma)
Other important species: White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica), White-faced Monkey (Cebus capucinus), Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra), Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)

Boca Tapada

You have all day at your disposal to explore the private reserve, the waterways or pursue any of the included activities at this lodge. Or, just enjoy the pool and relax in the beautiful scenery of the lodge grounds.

Other optional activities available that are not included, are e.g. horseback riding tours, or a visit to a botanical garden.
Near Maquenque there is a lodge called Pedacito de Cielo, famous for its great food. If you want to sample it, make a reservation and meet the friendly local owners.

Accommodation: Maquenque Eco-Lodge (upgrade to Treehouse available)
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: guided morning walk in the rainforest, free use of canoes in the lodges small canal, planting a tree, and a visit to the local school of Boca Tapada (during school months).

Boca Tapada – Arenal

Continue your journey to La Fortuna, known for the famous Arenal Volcano. Although the volcano has been inactive since 2010, its perfect cone-shape is very impressive. You can enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and jacuzzi, as well as the 800-meter (0.5 miles), paved access trail through gardens and rainforest and around 11 km of well-maintained trails.
Many interesting optional activities are available in this region, such as relaxing in one of the numerous hot springs, hiking through old lava fields in the Arenal National Park, or taking a tour through the canopy via hanging bridges, go mountain biking, horseback riding, river rafting, hiking, or visit the La Fortuna waterfall, take an adrenaline-fulled zip-line tour, or go on a boat ride through the Caño Negro Reserve to spot crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, and birds.

Accommodation: Arenal Observatory Lodge
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: none

Emblematic birds: Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens), Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata), Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), Passerini’s Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii), Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis)
Other important species: Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata), White-faced Monkeys (Cebus capucinus), Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus), Coati (Nasua narica)

Lago Arenal – Palo Verde

Enjoy a free early morning guided walk on the trails of the Arenal Observatory Lodge. The walk is guided by a local naturalist guide and departs every morning at 8:30 am from the reception. The duration is approximately 2.5 hours. The walk takes you across hanging bridges, through lush tropical gardens, and into the primary and secondary rainforest. Your guide will stop along the way to point out interesting aspects of the ecology and wildlife of the tropical rainforest you are passing through. The tour is heading for the beautiful waterfall of the Danta River and finishes by a cattle pastures, where the lodges open-air Jungle Bus will transfer you back to the hotel. Possible wildlife sightings include many of the 400+ species of birds, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, coatis, anteaters, sloths, green iguanas, snakes, and insects.
Afterward, head towards the Palo Verde National Park. This is a must-see destination for birdwatchers! The last section of the road to the park leads through rice fields on both sides. Keep your eyes peeled as many birds can be spotted here. Your accommodation for the next two nights is a biological station. Although the rooms and services are basic, the location is superb, right inside the national park and by the lagoon with its many resident birds.

Additional information:

• Since the Biological Station is located inside the National Park, you must pay an entrance fee (currently around USD 12 per person and day).
• For safety reasons, hiking in sandals or barefoot is prohibited.
• Make sure to protect yourself from insects, especially during the wet season, but also at other times. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, a hat, and don’t forget the insect repellent.
• Meal schedule: Breakfast 06:30 am, lunch: 12:00 noon, dinner: 06:00 pm. Meals cannot be taken at other times.
• The roads are in good condition. However, drive careful and watch out for the animals.

Accommodation: OTS Biological Station
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Included activities: none

Emblematic birds: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor), Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)
Other important species: Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Peccary (Pecari tajacu), Palo Verde Tree (Parkinsonia aculeata), Real Guayacan Tree (Guaiacum sanctum), Pochote Tree (Bombacopsis quinata)

Palo Verde

Palo Verde is a fairly secluded area of swamp, mangrove, lagoons, marshes, grasslands, and forest, where at least 279 species of birds such as storks, egrets, ibises, darters, divers, and spoonbills may be observed. Birding is particularly good here during the months of January, February, and March, when the Guanacaste region is very dry and the Palo Verde National Park represents an important source of water for the animals that live in the region, which includes numerous species of waterfowl. During the North American winter months, the mangroves turn into a temporary residence for many migratory species. There are numerous hiking trails in the national park.

Accommodation: OTS Biological Station
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included activities: none

Palo Verde – Carara

Today, continue to the Central Pacific region. On the way there, you can stop at the Tárcoles bridge, famous for the crocodiles that can be seen in the river bed. Your hotel is located relatively close to the Carara National Park (entrance fee not included), a beautiful park protecting one of the last transitional forests, where tropical dry and tropical wet habitats meet. Carara is one of the best birdwatching areas in all of Costa Rica. Fiery-billed araçari and the chestnut-mandibled toucan are common in this region. Also, scarlet macaws can be seen in flight as they migrate daily between the wet forest interior and the coastal mangrove swamps.

Accommodation: Macaw Lodge
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included activities: none

Emblematic birds: Fiery-billed Araçari (Pteroglossus frantzii), Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao), Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Other important species: Common Basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus), Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor), Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho peleides)

Carara

Today enjoy the nice setting of the lodge. You might like to take a morning walk before breakfast. Afterward, you could visit the waterfalls on the hotel’s property, where you can take a dip and admire the beautiful setting in the forest.
In the afternoon, you could arrange a boat tour through the Mangroves in Guacalillo (optional), known as the richest mangrove forest on the Central Pacific coast. The Guacalillo Estuary and the Tárcoles River provide an opportunity to observe one of the largest crocodile colonies in the world, as well as one of the most important conservation areas for the beautiful scarlet macaw. With its colors bright red, orange, blue, and yellow, and its long tail and pointed wings, it is easy to recognize the scarlet macaw as it flies above the boat, and you can easily hear it in the tops of the mangroves in the estuary. This ecosystem is an important mating and nesting ground for many species of birds and also shelters numerous mammals and reptiles.

Accommodation: Macaw Lodge
Included today: Breakfast, dinner
Included activities: none

Carara – San José Airport or extension program

Today it is time to head back to San José/Alajuela for your return flight home. Allow plenty of time (3h30min recommended) to deliver your rental car back to the office near the airport. A shuttle will take you from there to the terminal for check-in. If your flight departs early in the morning we recommend booking an additional night in the Central Valley.

Included meals: Breakfast (depending on flight schedule)