The Forest Canopy Circuit: A Paradise for Bird Lovers

Welcome to Costa Rica! For your added comfort, our representative will be waiting for you just outside the airport doors, holding a sign with your name. After clearing immigration and customs, you’ll be greeted and escorted by your private transfer, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride to your hotel in Alajuela.

Carara National Park is a unique transition forest on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific, where dry and humid ecosystems meet, creating rich biodiversity. Covering 4,700 hectares, it’s famous for its large population of Scarlet Macaws and as a habitat for birds, monkeys, and giant crocodiles along the Tárcoles River. The park features accessible trails, waterfalls, and diverse flora, making it a top spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.

Uvita is a laid-back village south of Dominical, known for its lush hills, quiet beaches, and the stunning Marino Ballena National Park—famous for humpback whale sightings and its whale tail-shaped sandbar. It’s ideal for off-the-beaten-path travelers and hosts the annual Whale and Dolphin Festival. Nearby waterfalls like Cascada Verde and Catarata Pavón offer great spots for swimming in crystal-clear waters.

Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.

San Gerardo de Dota is a hidden gem nestled in the Talamanca Mountains, south of San José. Known for its cool cloud forest climate, it’s a haven for birdwatchers—home to the Resplendent Quetzal and many hummingbird species. With scenic trails, waterfalls, and peaceful eco-lodges, it’s an ideal retreat for nature lovers and a serene stop before heading back to the airport.

Nestled in the lush Caribbean foothills of Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains, Rancho Naturalista is considered one of the top birding lodges in the country—and for good reason. With over 450 bird species recorded in the area, it offers an unparalleled experience for bird enthusiasts of all levels. What makes Rancho Naturalista truly special is the combination of its unique location, experienced local guides, and carefully maintained trails and feeders that make birdwatching easy and rewarding. Whether you’re enjoying a coffee on the veranda or hiking through the surrounding forest, you’ll be surrounded by incredible birdlife. Some of the iconic species commonly seen at Rancho include: Snowcap, White-collared Manakin, Keel-billed Toucan, Golden-hooded Tanager, Rufous Motmot, Black-crested Coquette, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Blue-crowned Motmot, Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Sunbittern.

Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.

Sarapiquí is a hidden gem for nature lovers, offering rich biodiversity and outdoor adventures like hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding, and white-water rafting on the Sarapiquí River. The area blends farmland with tropical rainforest and is home to important ecological research. A visit to the Tirimbina Biological Reserve (optional) offers easy trails and a stunning 200-meter hanging bridge leading to a jungle island—perfect for exploring Costa Rica’s wild side.

Boca Tapada is a remote rainforest haven in northern Costa Rica, ideal for bird and nature lovers. Home to the endangered Great Green Macaw and rare Almendro trees, it borders the vast Maquenque Biological Reserve, which protects wetlands, rivers, and rich biodiversity. Explore by boat or canoe on the San Carlos River, spotting wildlife like crocodiles, herons, and kingfishers in this unspoiled natural paradise.

Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.

The Poás Volcano National Park is certainly one of Costa Rica´s most popular destinations. The massive crater filled with an impressive blue sulfuric pool demonstrates its volcanic activity by giving off smoke into the air, a show worth taking the short 1.5 hr drive from San José for. It is always favorable to enter the national park early in the morning.