Birdwatching Trip
Discovering the Birds of Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Your driver will be waiting for you atJuan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an elevation of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley, to take you to your hotel.

You’ll then meet your English-speaking contact at your hotel for a brief discussion during which you can go over the rest of your trip and any important details to keep in mind.

Overnight stay at a hotel in the capital, ideally located for picking you up and offering a pleasant setting.

The start of your adventure… You’ll head to the Arenal region. You’ll begin your day by picking up your rental car, then set off for the La Fortuna region and the majestic Arenal Volcano (1,635 meters).

Approximate driving time: 3 hours.

At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a relaxing moment at a hot springs resort in an intimate setting. The hot waters come directly from the Arenal Volcano’s hot springs and never come into contact with the magma.

Spend the night at a beautiful lodge in theArenal region, offering views of the volcano and featuring its own nature reserve.

Today’s itinerary: a walk across the suspension bridges. You’ll enjoy a roughly 3-kilometer trail through the primary forest and across about fifteen suspension bridges high above the canopy, from which you’ll have breathtaking views of the tropical vegetation and Arenal Volcano—butabove all ,it’s theperfect spot to observe the many species of birds that call this region home!

Then you’ll have the afternoon free to potentially go birdwatching in other areas of Arenal… Spend the night at a beautiful lodge in theArenal region, offering views of the volcano and featuring its own nature reserve.

A day of exploration in the Caño Negro region to observe the birds of this hotspot!

Early in the morning, you’ll set off for the Caño Negro region to enjoy a wonderful day of discovery.

Approximate drive time: 2.5 hours.

The reserve is a protected area consisting mainly of vast expanses of pastures and wetlands. This landscape is bisected by the “Rio Frio” River, which, during the rainy season floods (particularly around July), forms a lake spanning over 800 hectares that temporarily widens the waterways.

Exploring the reserve and wildlife viewing: You’ll certainly have the opportunity to see numerous crocodiles, caimans, monkeys, tapirs, and large flocks ofmigratory birds. A boat ride through the mangroves is scheduled for the morning, followed by an afternoon hike dedicated tobirdwatching. Overnight stay in a comfortable, secluded lodge surrounded by the natural beauty of Caño Negro.

We’re off to another must-see destination for birdwatchers: Palo Verde National Park!

Drive from Caño Negro to Palo Verde. Arrival in Palo Verde around midday.

Approximate driving time: 3.5 hours.

Free afternoon to enjoy the region and the many trails available at your lodge.

You’ll also have a birdwatching tour included with your lodge stay to explore this unique Costa Rican ecosystem, home to a vast number of species. Overnight stay at a luxurious lodge in the Palo Verderegion,featuring excellent dining and a vast nature reserve. 

You’ll set out on a boat tour through Palo Verde National Park.

The park protects more than 18,410 hectares of land, much of which is flooded during the rainy season, creating marshy areas that are ideal for the passage and extended stay of various bird species.

You’ll visit Palo Verde National Park, one of Central America’s most important sanctuaries for migratory species.

Overnight stay at a luxurious lodge in the Palo Verderegion,featuring excellent dining and a vast nature reserve. 

In the morning, set out for the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula to explore the Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve!

Drive from Palo Verde to Karen Mogensen. Along the way, you’ll pass through the village of Jicaral. Approximate driving time: 2 hours.

Arrival at the entrance to the Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve, where you’ll leave your rental car before continuing on foot to Cerro Escondido (Hidden Mountain).

Note: Approximately a 3-hour drive. You’ll have lunch at the picturesque Rancho Guayacan on the outskirts of the Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve before beginning the hike up to the lodge.

Along the way, you’ll stop at the famous Velo de Novia (Bride’s Veil) waterfalls. You’ll then have the chance to cool off by swimming at the base of the waterfalls in the river’s many natural pools.

At dusk, you’ll set out to try to spot red-eyed frogs as well as other animals and insects that are more active at night.

Note: Approximately 2 hours of walking; moderate difficulty, including river crossings.

Overnight stay and dinner at an authentic eco-lodge located in the heart of Cerro Escondido.

At daybreak, you’ll head out with your local guide to go birdwatching around the property.

After a hearty, traditional breakfast, you’ll hike one of the trails through the reserve, then depart from Cerro Escondido to reach the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. You’ll end your stay with a beach getaway to enjoy the stunning Pacific beaches. Route from Karen Mogensen to Malpaís

You’ll pass through varied landscapes before reaching the small beach town of Malpaís.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours.

Overnight stay at an intimate hotel offering a beautiful view of the ocean.

A free day to enjoy the Malpais region, its beaches, and its tropical vegetation.

Today, you can relax and choose one of the following activities:

– Snorkeling

– Hiking, horseback riding

– Surfing, stand-up paddleboarding

– Cabo Blanco National Reserve

– Whale and sea turtle watching

– Montezuma and its magnificent waterfalls

– Yoga

Overnight stay at an intimate hotel offering a beautiful view of the ocean.

A free day to enjoy the region and the various activities offered by your hotel.

After a delicious breakfast, you can enjoy the beaches, relax, and take part in whatever activity you’d like.

Overnight stay at an intimate hotel offering a beautiful view of the ocean.

In the morning, we’ll begin our return trip to San José, but with one last stop in the Central Valley.

Route from Malpaís to Naranjo

In Paquera, you’ll take a ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to Puntarenas, and then continue by road to Naranjo.

Approximate travel time: about4 hours by car; 1 hour 30 minutes by ferry

Overnight stay in a deluxe room at an intimate hotel offering a magnificent view of the Central Valley. 

Your last day in the Land of Green Gold! This day marks the end of your trip.

You’ll head to the airport to catch your international return flight, after first returning your rental car and then taking the transfer provided to the airport.

Have a safe flight!