Song of the Forest: Costa Rica Birding Expedition
Embark on a captivating birdwatching adventure through Costa Rica’s lush landscapes with the “Voices of the Forest” tour. Begin in Alajuela, where you’ll explore the vibrant wildlife before heading to Arenal, home to diverse bird species near the iconic volcano. Continue to Monteverde, where the cloud forests offer rare sightings of resplendent quetzals and more. Visit the Palo Verde National Park in Guanacaste, a sanctuary for migratory birds and rich wetlands. Finally, return to Alajuela, completing your unforgettable journey through Costa Rica’s most bird-rich habitats.
Itinerary
Welcome to Costa Rica! Once you have passed immigration and customs and stepped out of the airport doors, you will meet one of our travel representatives with a sign reading your name. He will drive you to your hotel in Alajuela.
Accommodation: Xandari Resort & Spa (1 Night)
The Northern Plains of Costa Rica showcases some very scenic countryside towns. Small agriculture communities and cattle ranches cover rolling hills and deep valleys. The plains, rainforests and rivers make the north central a must-see in any Costa Rica program. The main attraction is the iconic Arenal Volcano. Feel transformed by the beauty and variety of our wildlife and tropical jungle. Get ready for a life changing adventure!
Arenal Observatory Lodge is a great spot for birdwatching because of its location within a private reserve surrounded by Arenal Volcano National Park. With over 500 bird species recorded in the area, it offers diverse habitats—forest, open fields, and water sources—that attract both resident and migratory birds. Its extensive network of trails and observation decks provides excellent opportunities to spot toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, and more.
Accomodation: Arenal Observatory Lodge (2 Nights)
Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.
The Bus Boat Bus consists in a private or collective transportation option in which you will be picked up right in your hotel in the Arenal and La Fortuna area. We will drive up towards the Arenal Lake where we will board a boat to cross the lake, observing along the way panoramic views of the Arenal Volcano, Chato Hill, Arenal Lake, the Tilaran mountain range, and more. Once across the lake we will again board a minivan to continue on to Monteverde and the hotel of your preference. This drive is about 1.5 hours.
What’s there to do in Monteverde? (Note, activities are optional if not included in our proposal)
Tours are available for all nature lovers or first-time nature explorers alike. Considering the size of the reserve, hanging bridges and trails are good for hiking and sight-seeing. There is even a special private birding tour if you’re interested in learning more about these famous flying species. For the more active we offer zip lining! As the weather here is quite chilly and misty, due to the village being high up in the Tilaran Mountain Range, do bring some thick clothes and a light jacket to stay warm.
Accommodation: Valle Escondido (2 Nights)
Anyone who has come to Costa Rica for bird watching has heard of Monteverde, the famous cloud forest. Monteverde is one of the legendary and classic bird watching spots where more than 350 bird species have been identified. Located at an altitude ranging from 1400 to1700 meters above sea level, this area is home to hundreds of tropical birds. Apart from the popular quetzal and toucan there are other species living in the area including wood creepers, flycatchers and migratory species like orioles and grosbeaks. Another bird that lives here is the three-wattle bellbird which is not often seen.
Included: Entrance fee, transportation and bilingual guide.
Located in the heart of the Nicoya Peninsula, Rancho Humo is a hidden gem for birdwatchers seeking unforgettable encounters with Costa Rica’s rich avian biodiversity. This private reserve, part of a larger sustainable eco-project, protects over 1,000 hectares of wetlands, tropical dry forest, and mangroves — a mosaic of habitats that attracts more than 250 bird species throughout the year.
Birdwatchers can expect to see a stunning variety of resident and migratory birds, including: Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, Jabirus (the tallest flying bird in Central America and one of the rarest),Boat-billed Herons, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Snail Kites, Northern Jacanas, Turquoise-browed Motmots,
Laughing Falcons, And many species of hummingbirds, kingfishers, and raptors
Accommodation: Rancho Humo (2 Nights)
Spend the day unwinding at your hotel or exploring the area at your own pace.
Enjoy your last night in the country and take some time to relax as you prepare for your departure tomorrow.
Accommodation: Xandari Resort & Spa (1 Night)
What´s Included
Accommodation Services:
- 1 Night at Xandari Resort & Spa, Breakfast Included
- 2 Nights at Arenal Observatory Lodge, Breakfast Included
- 2 Nights at Valle Escondido, Breakfast Included
- 2 Nights at Rancho Humo, Full Board Included
- 1 Night at Xandari Resort & Spa, Breakfast Included
Transfers services:
- Private Transfer from International Airport to Alajuela
- Private Transfer from Alajuela to Arenal
- Shuttle Transfer from Arenal to Monteverde (Bus-Boat-Bus)
- Private Transfer from Monteverde to Tempisque (Rancho Humo)
- Private Transfer from Tempisque (Rancho Humo) to Alajuela
- Private Transfer from Alajuela to International Airport
Excursions:
- SIB | Half Day Bird Watching in Monteverde
- Early Morning Bird Walks at Selva Verde. Included: Bilingual Guide and entrance fee.
- Canoeing Caño Negro (3hrs). Included: Bilingual Guide and entrance fee.
- Birdwatching Tour-Bosque de Paz. Included: Bilingual Guide and entrance fee.
- Birdwatching Tour at Carara National Park. Included: Bilingual Guide and entrance fee.
International flights
A Basic Bird-Watching Equipment Checklist
Binoculars
Perhaps the most useful piece of equipment a birder should have is a pair of binoculars. Without binoculars, a beautiful bird sitting high in a tree could remain nothing more than a small speck in the distance. To avoid such frustration, it’s important to invest in a quality pair of binoculars with magnification capabilities. Bring WATERPROOF binoculars. With the wonderful advent of a variety of quality, mid-priced binocs, most birders coming to Costa Rica have optics that are waterproof and therefore will not fog up in humid conditions.
Journal and pen
If you’re an avid bird-watcher, you may want to document your findings. Keeping a journal will help you remember what birds looked like, the noises they made, and other important details so that you can identify them when you get back from your birding expedition.
Smart phone
Smart phones have revolutionized birdwatching. It’s like having a field guide in your phone, except it’s better. Like a field guide, it provides illustrations and range maps. Plus, some birding apps have programs that allow you to filter characteristics to help you identify your bird.
Spotting scope
Binoculars may help you get a better view of birds in your general area, but if you’re trying to see a bird that’s extremely far off in the distance, you’ll likely need the aid of a spotting scope. In addition, spotting scopes are useful for getting a more detailed look at birds so that you can better identify them.
Camera
Many birders enjoy bringing cameras along with them on their bird-watching excursions. Snapping a few photos of the birds can be beneficial for identifying them later. Plus, you’ll likely end up with some incredible photographs due to the artistic and graceful nature of birds.
Zip lock bags
Use those ziplock bags as an extra measure of security for the stuff we would rather keep dry such as cameras, ipods, digital recorders, batteries, medicine, socks, and other articles of clothing.
Clothing
Earth-toned clothing is best. Birds have a highly-developed sensitivity to color, as evidenced by females choosing brightly-colored mates. This means that brightly-colored clothes are visible to birds. Shoes should be comfortable, closed-toed, and waterproof depending on your conditions.
Field guide
Looking at beautiful birds in their natural habitat is fun on its own, but having the ability to identify the different birds can enrich your experience. By bringing a field guide with you, you’ll be able to classify birds based on the guide’s illustrations and descriptions. Garrigues and Dean is perfectly sized for travel and is an excellent field guide for Costa Rica. The classic Stiles and Skutch tome is also a great guide and is chock full of information but its size is somewhat prohibitive for travel.
The Birds of Costa Rica, written by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean
Price From US$ 1,915.00
Price Per Person, based on double Occupancy.