Definitive Costa Rica birdwatching tour

Birding Costa Rica is nothing short of extraordinary. Few places in the world can rival its tremendous and easily-accessible ecological diversity.

Costa Rica boasts 850 species of birds, 208 species of mammals, 50,000 species of insects (including thousands of species of moths and butterflies) and 2,000 species of orchids!

Visit Braulio Carrillo, one of Costa Rica's largest national parks with a huge expanse of virgin forest, where we will have our first taste of tropical rainforest birding.

Spend two days in La Selva National Park, one of the most accessible tracts of moist lowland rainforest in Costa Rica. The reserve is well maintained with an excellent network of trails and has recorded over 400 species of birds.

Travel via La Virgen del Socorro, a forested canyon on the Caribbean slope and a favorite of bird watchers for years, and La Paz Waterfall Garden to the famous Arenal Volcano.

Visit Arenal's hanging bridges, a delightful canopy tour which allows close views of feeding flocks of birds at eye level. This has to be one of the most exciting series of suspension bridges and canopy walkways in the country.

Explore the fantastic, bird-rich forests of the Carara Reserve and the nearby Tarcoles River, with a spectacular boat trip around into the mangroves and up the narrow waterways that lead off the river.

The tour concludes with trips to the highlands and the heart of Quetzal country for possibly the most beautiful bird in the world, the Resplendent Quetzal; and the alpine heights of Cerro de la Muerte and the Paramo habitat with its own set of avian inhabitants.

The after-tour extension will include private transfers to and from the famous Rancho Naturalista, where you will have time to relax and enjoy birding from the balcony.

The tour departs from San Jose, Costa Rica. The pricing is provisional and based on double occupancy. The price includes: airport transfers, all accommodations, meals beginning on Day 2, professional guide services, transport throughout the tour in air-conditioned coach, local park and reserve entrance fees, two boat trips, and services of the leaders, Luke Tiller and a local guide.

DAY 1: Plan to arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica in the evening. Upon arrival, you will be transferred a short distance to our lovely hotel set on ten lush acres of landscaped tropical gardens. Overnight San Jose.

Broad-billed Motmot

DAY 2: A look around the grounds of our hotel will introduce us to a few of the more common bird species such as Clay-colored Robin, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Hoffmann's Woodpecker, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Rose-throated Becard, and Plain Wren. We can also look for special birds such as Blue-crowned Motmot, Long-billed Starthroat and if we are lucky even Gray-necked Woodrail.

After breakfast we will drive to Braulio Carrillo National Park located just 20 kilometers northeast of San Jose in Costa Rica's central highlands region. Created in 1978 and named after the nation's third Chief of State, Braulio Carrillo, this is one of Costa Rica's largest national parks and contains a huge expanse of virgin forest where we will have our first introduction to tropical rainforest birding. As we take a short walk on the narrow trails we will look out for Violaceous, Black-throated and Slaty-tailed Trogon, as well as Broad-billed Motmot and we will hope to encounter a mixed flock which could hold Blue-and-gold, Speckled, Black-and-yellow, Olive and Tawny-crested Tanagers, Yellow-eared Toucanet and a host of other spectacular birds. From here we will go to an old butterfly garden where our target species will be the delightful little Snowcap as well as Violet-headed Hummingbird and occasionally Black-crested Coquette.

After lunch, we will head toward our accommodation close to La Selva National Park. Along the way we will keep an eye out for Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Amazon Kingfisher and any raptors that may be perched on trees along our route. We should have time in the afternoon to visit the approach road to La Selva OTS (Organization of Tropical Studies) one of the most accessible tracts of moist lowland rainforest in the east of Costa Rica. This road can play host to a huge range of species that we will also look for over the next two days. Night at La Selva.

Collared Aracari

DAY 3: This morning we will take an early boat ride on the Sarapiqui River where we hope to encounter the skulking and shy Sungrebe, plus a variety of water loving birds, reptiles and mammals including Otter. As we head up we expect to get close views of Southern Rough-winged Swallows and Mangrove Swallows that often follow the boat as we proceed. We'll search the quiet area on the side of the river for Green Ibis, Green and perhaps Amazon Kingfisher while keeping watch for Collared Aracaris, Red-lored Parrots, and Orange-billed Parakeets feeding in the trees. If we are really lucky, we'll spot a Pale-billed Woodpecker or even a brilliant white Snowy Cotinga. In the afternoon, we will explore the trails at La Selva Biological Station run by the Organization of Tropical Studies and one of the most accessible tracts of moist lowland rainforest in the east of Costa Rica.

La Selva Reserve is well maintained with an excellent network of trails and has recorded over 400 species of birds. Here we will be looking for Great, Little and Slaty-breasted Tinamous, Blue Ground-Dove, Great Potoo, Broad-billed and Rufous Motmots, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and possibly Bare-necked Umbrellabird! Along forest streams we will search for the spectacular Sunbittern and with luck the rare and beautiful Agami Heron.

If there is time and daylight left, we will also bird the approach road, an excellent spot where we will look for Yellow-tailed Oriole, Purple-crowned Fairy and Red-footed Plumeleteer, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Golden-ringed Flycatcher, White-whiskered Puffbird, Great Antshrike, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift and we even have the chance to spot Short-tailed Nighthawks as they fly out of the forest. Night at La Selva.

Violet Sabrewing

DAY 4: This morning after breakfast we more on toward our next destination visiting La Virgen del Socorro along the way, La Virgen is a forested canyon on the Caribbean slope and has been a favorite of bird watchers for years. Here we could find Swallow-tailed Kites, Immaculate Antbird, Sooty-faced Finch, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Torrent Tyrannulet, American Dipper, Mourning, Wilson's, Blackburnian and Chestnut-sided Warblers, Blue-and-Gold Tanager and possible rarities such as White-tailed Sicklebill or even Lanceolated Monklet. We will also visit a café which overlooks a spectacular waterfall.

Golden-browed Chlorophonia

This former restaurant now only serves birds, mostly hummingbirds and is frequented by such gems as Green Hermit, Violet Sabrewing, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-bellied Mountain-Gem, Brown Violet-Ear, Black- crested Coquette, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, the endemic Coppery- headed Emerald and sometimes the superb Black-bellied Hummingbird. Bananas are put out to attract Prong-billed and stunning Red-headed Barbets, Common Bush-Tanager, and Buff-throated Saltator, while the surrounding trees and garden hold Blue-throated Toucanet, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and even Sooty-faced Finch.

After lunch at La Paz Waterfall Garden, we will continue on to our next accommodation at the base of the famous Arenal Volcano. Around the lodge itself are many different species which include the rare Keel-billed Toucan, plus Passerini's Tanager, Black-headed Saltator, Amazon Kingfisher, Brown Jay, Thicket Antpitta, Whistling Wren and the superb looking Ocellated Antbird. In the grounds we could see Black-crested Coquette, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph, Purple-crowned Fairy, Little Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, and Brown Violet-Ear, while at the bird tables we could see such delights as Montezuma's Oropendola, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis as well as Hepatic, Blue-Gray, Golden-hooded, Bay-headed and Emerald Tanagers. Hopefully, clear skies will allow us a view of the imposing and still active volcano. Night at Arenal.

Passion Flower

DAY 5: No doubt, it will be difficult to tear ourselves away from the lodge feeders and we plan to bird the grounds and gardens of this wonderful lodge before breakfast. After breakfast, we will visit Arenal's hanging bridges, a delightful canopy tour which will allow us to get close to feeding flocks of birds all at eye level. Tanagers, toucans, flycatchers, and White-fronted Nunbird are all possibilities and, for birders, this has to be one of the most exciting series of suspension bridges and canopy walkways in the country.

With the volcano rumbling in the background we hope to get unprecedented views of birds in the treetops without straining our necks including Long-tailed Tyrant, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-cowled Oriole, Yellow-billed Cacique, Bright-rumped Attila, and Crested Guan as well countless warblers and tanagers. Later in the day, we will return to our wonderful lodge birding along the way. Night at Arenal.

Crimson-collared Tanager

DAY 6: This morning after breakfast, we will head for an area of the dry Guanacaste where we will look for a few special birds such as Long-tailed Manakin, Double-striped Thick-Knee, Banded Wren, Nutting's Flycatcher, White-lored Gnatcatcher, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, and Olive Sparrow. Then we will continue on to our lodge, positioned close to the Carara National Park. In and around the lodge grounds butterflies and birds abound and we will look for Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Fiery-billed Aracari, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Violaceous Trogon, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Buff-rumped Warbler and even Tent-making Bats.

DAY 7: Today we have several opportunities to visit the fantastic, bird-rich forests of the Carara Reserve. During breakfast we might see one of the resident Short-tailed Nighthawks hawking over the river. Then we visit Carara Reserve where many of this region's special birds can be found, including once again the magnificent Scarlet Macaw.

Other birds we will look for include Gray Hawk, Double-toothed Kite, King Vulture, Lesser Swallow-tailed and White-collared Swifts, Costa Rican Swiftlet, Baird's, Black-headed, Black-throated and Violaceous Trogons, White-whiskered Puffbird, Dotted-winged Antwren, Spectacled Antpitta, Black-faced Antthrush, Bi-colored and Chestnut-backed Antbird, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Long-tailed, Blue-crowned, Orange-collared and Red-capped Manakins, Northern Bentbill, Golden-crowned Spadebill, Western Long-tailed Hermit, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Blue-throated Goldentail, Squirrel Cuckoo, Blue-black Grosbeak, Gray-headed Tanager, Plain Xenops, Long-billed Gnatwren, and Orange-billed Sparrow. Woodcreepers should include Tawny-winged, Wedge-billed, Northern Barred and maybe Long-tailed, and there is always the chance of a Yellow-billed Cotinga or the superb Northern Royal Flycatcher displaying its fabulous crest.

Boat-billed Heron

In the afternoon we may visit the nearby Tarcoles River where we canexpect to find a wealth of waders and water birds including Roseate Spoonbill, White Ibis, Black Skimmer, Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, Brown Pelican, Collared Plover, Magnificent Frigatebird, Zone-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Yellow-headed Caracara and Mangrove Black-Hawk. In the woodlands there are Scarlet Macaw, Laughing Falcon and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, while nearby we can look for Gray-necked Woodrail, Mangrove Vireo, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Mangrove Warbler, Panama and Northern Scrub Flycatchers, Painted Bunting, Green-breasted Mango, Mangrove Swallow, Great Kiskadee, Scrub Greenlet, Olivaceous Piculet, Blue-Gray and Cherrie's Tanager, and Black-striped Sparrow. Night near Carara National Park.

DAYS 8–9: Early this morning, we will take a spectacular boat trip around into the mangroves and up the narrow waterways that lead off the river Tarcoles. Here we can hope to once again see the secretive Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, a bird very few people have ever seen in Costa Rica, as well as the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird, Prothonotary Warbler, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Mangrove Black-Hawk, Boat-billed Heron, and maybe a Plumbeous Kite or two.

Later in the morning, we will travel to the highlands and our idyllic lodge set beside a gorgeous river. When we arrive, the lodge feeders should be buzzing with Volcano, Scintillant, and Magnificent Hummingbirds, Green Violet-Ear, Green-crowned Brilliant, and White-throated Mountain-Gem. We have the rest of today and all day tomorrow to explore the surrounding forest, gardens, and river trail all set in a pristine location in the heart of Quetzal country.

Resplendent Quetzal

The bird life and scenery here are spectacular and we will concentrate on finding some of the more localized species such as Black-and-Yellow Silky-Flycatcher, Black Guan, Sooty Robin, Flame-throated and Black-cheeked Warblers, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Yellow-thighed Finch, Large- footed Finch, the mouse-like Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Silvery-throated Jay, Spotted Wood-Quail, Buff-fronted Quail-Dove, Flame-colored Tanager, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, and Buffy Tuftedcheek, as well as more widespread species such as Slaty Flowerpiercer, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Magnificent Hummingbird, Black-capped, Tufted and Yellowish Flycatchers, Yellow- winged Vireo, Acorn Woodpecker, and Rufous-browed Peppershrike.

The real prize bird of this area, and one we have even seen within the grounds of our lodge, is the much sought-after and possibly most beautiful bird in the world, the Resplendent Quetzal. With Swallow-tailed Kites, White-throated Swifts, Sulphur-winged Parakeets, Mountain Elaenia, Ochraceous Wren, Yellow-bellied Siskin, and Blue-hooded Euphonia this will certainly be a place to remember. Nights at Savegre.

Zeledonia

DAY 10: This morning we will toward the alpine heights of Cerro de la Muerte and the Paramo habitat which plays host to its own set of avian inhabitants. Volcano Hummingbirds should still be around and we hope to add views of Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Timberline Wren, Black-cheeked Warbler, and Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager. This is the habitat of the Volcano Junco, and we will also look for Large-footed Finch, and the tricky but beautiful Zeledonia. Once we've found our quarry, we will continue back to San Jose and our lovely garden hotel for the night. Night San Jose.

DAY 11: Today we will transfer from the hotel to San Jose airport for the return flights home with many wonderful memories of the birds and wildlife of resplendent Costa Rica.

Small groups, experienced leaders, good food and congenial company. Those are the hallmarks of a High Lonesome tour. Our pace is comfortable and our approach is relaxed. And we still produce tour lists to compare with anyone.

How do we do it?

By knowing our localities and using leaders whose experience allows them to outperform others where it matters — in the field.

Environmentally Aware

We are strong advocates of habitat protection and donate a percentage of our earnings to conservation organizations annually. And we aren't focused solely on birding. We take a special interest in each destination's culture and natural history, always respecting the need for preservation. We are fully insured and obtain Federal permits where necessary. Federal lands are accessed by a per client fee that is reflected in the cost of the trip.

Luke Tiller leads some of the our trips in association with Sunrise Birding. He is a British expatriate birder originally from London, England. He has travelled extensively in Europe and North Africa and now lives in Connecticut. He has quickly made his mark on the local birding scene, and in recognition he was honored to be invited to join the board of the Connecticut Ornithological Association last year. Luke is passionate about finding birds and sharing the excitement of doing so with others. He heads up Sunrise Birding’s North American Office, leading tours as well as continuing a local presence in Connecticut. His sense of humor, patience and his unswerving drive to get travellers the desired birds is highly valued by his loyal following.