ITINERARY

Day 1               San Jose

Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, you will be met by a representative of Residencia de Golf and transferred to your hotel. Following check-in, enjoy an orientation session. Overnight at Bougainvillea Hotel (D)

Day 2               Turrialba
After an early morning breakfast, we drive east along the Río Reventazón drainage, a broad valley separating the northern cordilleras from the southern Talamanca range. The range is home to many endemic species such as Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Gray-tailed Mountain Gem, Black-bellied Hummingbird, and Flame-throated Warbler. Located at the northern tip of the range, the Tapanti Reserve is composed of premontane and lower montane rainforest at altitudes ranging from 3500 to 5500 feet. Species such as the Black Guan, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Ruddy Treerunner, Prong-billed Barbet, and the scarce Barred Becard inhabit the mid-elevations, while higher up Dark Pewee, Black-and-Yellow and Long-tailed Silky-Flycatchers, Yellow-winged Vireo, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo and Zeledonia are possible. After a morning birding these two distinct zones, we continue on to the Rancho Naturalista Lodge, our base for the next two nights. The lodge is part of a 125-acre ranch set in premontane rain forest at an altitude of 3000 feet. Most rooms offer panoramic views of the countryside, including the volcanoes of Irazú and Turrialba. Overnight at the Rancho Naturalista Lodge. (B,L,D)

 Day 3               Turrialba

The Rancho Naturalista is one of the few lodges in Costa Rica that caters specifically to birders. Well over 400 species have been recorded in this region, with an impressive 250 or more being seen from the lodge balcony. It is situated in premontane forest at generally lower elevations than Tapanti. Here, species characteristic of foothills and mid-elevations such as Snowcap, Brown-billed Scythebill, Immaculate Antbird, and Slaty Antwren mingle with the Great Tinamou, Purple-crowned Fairy, and Keel-billed Toucan that are more typical of the lowlands. While the Caribbean influence is predominant, diversity is further increased by species such as the Whistling Wren that are confined to southern Costa Rica and a few Pacific species, including Hoffman’s woodpecker, that drift eastwards along the Reventazón valley. We will spend the first hour after dawn birding from the lodge balcony with spectacular views of the Irazú volcano as a backdrop (clouds permitting). Morning and the afternoon walks explore trails above the lodge. Overnight at the Rancho Naturalista Lodge. (B,L,D)

 Day 4               Selva Verde
After an early breakfast, we head towards the Caribbean lowlands. First stop will be at the 1000-acre private rainforest reserve belonging to EARTH University, near the town of Siquirres. EARTH is a regional university that is a leader in the field of tropical agro-ecosystems and environmental research. Here we get our first taste of lowland rainforest birds, and specialties may include the Blue-headed Parrot, the endemic Red-fronted Parrotlet, and the rare Pied Puffbird. From here we continue north to Selva Verde Lodge, located on the beautiful Rio Sarapiquí and just a stone’s throw from the famed Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) research station at La Selva. On arrival at Selva Verde, you will have time to relax by the Sarapiquí River or to continue birding the extensive lodge grounds. These include a 500-acre rainforest reserve preserved and managed by Holbrook Travel. Fruiting trees are often full of mixed frugivore flocks. These include a variety of flycatchers, tanagers, honeycreepers, and manakins and the shy Sunbittern is resident along more secluded parts of the river. Though their occurrence is irregular, Selva Verde is gaining a reputation for its frequent sightings of the endangered Great Green Macaw, and is currently collaborating with international efforts to save this charismatic species. This macaw specializes on the fruits of rainforest giants such as the “almendro” (wild almond) tree – and the largest specimen in Costa Rica is to be found in Selva Verde’s rainforest reserve. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5               Selva Verde

After an early breakfast we will drive to OTS La Selva research station, the largest rainforest reserve in the northeastern lowlands. La Selva is also unique in that it is the only lowland reserve joined to the highlands by a continuous forest corridor. This is essential for a surprising number of birds that migrate up or down the mountain slopes according to the season. Some descend in the summer to breed, while others come in the winter months when fruits and flowers can be scarce at higher elevations. Today we will bird second growth habitats and explore trails through the primary forest. More than 400 species have been recorded at La Selva, and it is one of the richest sites for birds in Central America. Singling out species among so many is difficult, but among the more commonly seen birds are the Crested Guan, Mealy Parrot, Bronzy Hermit, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Black-throated Trogon, and Rufous Motmot, as well as a host of woodcreepers, antbirds, flycatchers, tanagers, and emberizids. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge. (B,L,D)

 Day 6               Bosque de Paz

After a final early morning walk at Selva Verde, we will travel southwest to Bosque de Paz, a private 2500-acre reserve linking the Poás Volcano National Park with the Juan Castro Blanco national park. Nestled in the spectacular Toro river valley, close to the continental divide, the reserve’s pre-montane and montane cloud forests span an altitudinal range from 5000-8000 feet above sea level. The owners use profits from the lodge to add land to the reserve, to promote scientific research, and to actively encourage conservation among local landowners. Around the lodge, with its extensive and sensitively designed trail system, one can find many birds typical of the cloud forest ecosystem. Even the legendary Resplendent Quetzal is a frequent visitor in the non-breeding season. You will arrive in time to begin exploring this magical area that is often bathed in cool mist. Overnight at the Bosque de Paz Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 7               Bosque de Paz

Today you will enjoy a full day of birding in the private reserve at Bosque de Paz, where over 300 species of birds have been recorded. Its name (“Forest of Peace”) is well chosen--few places are as tranquil, unspoiled or as exhilarating, and the owners send a clear message that true peace is impossible without respect for the environment. Today begins on the doorstep of the lodge at 4500’ elevation – an altitudinal zone favored by the quetzal. We will bird the slopes just above the lodge in the hope of discovering mixed species flocks, or a glimpse of the rare Solitary Eagle that has frequently been seen in this area. The late morning and afternoon will be spent exploring the trail system. A few of the birds typical at this altitude include the Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-breasted Wood-Quail, Ruddy Pigeon, Violet Sabrewing, Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-throated Mountain-Gem, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Streak-breasted Tree-Hunter, Scaled Antpitta, Three-wattled Bellbird, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Black-faced Solitaire, Azure-hooded Jay, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and Yellow-thighed Finch. Overnight at the Bosque de Paz Lodge. (B,L,D)

 Day 8               Carara Reserve

After early morning birding and breakfast at Bosque de Paz, we will depart and begin the descent through the Central Valley to the Pacific lowlands. Situated in the rain shadow of the highest mountains, the northern Pacific lowlands are extremely dry for a large part of the year. However, the lowlands are progressively more humid towards the south. Each area has its own distinctive bird forms. For the next two nights we will be based near the Carara Biological Reserve, situated in the transition zone between dry and wet forests. This gives us access to two rather different sets of birds. The area also has the added attraction of marshes, coastline, and the mangrove fringed Tarcoles river estuary for water birds. Our base for the next two nights will be Hotel Villa Lapas, 10 minutes from the beach and adjacent to the Carara Biological Reserve. Preserving what remains of the central Pacific coast's once-abundant forests, the Carara Biological Reserve is an 11,600-acre refuge for endangered species. The lodge comprises of several villa style buildings, and is itself an excellent birding locality. Overnight at Hotel Villa Lapas. (B,L,D)

 Day 9               Carara Reserve

The morning will be spent birding the seasonally wet forest of the Carara Biological Reserve. Carara is famous for its small population of Scarlet Macaws, but it also marks the northern-most limit for many rainforest birds. Several species endemic to the Pacific coast rainforests can be found here, including Beryl-crowned Hummingbird, Baird’s trogon, Fiery-billed Araçari, Black-hooded Antshrike, Orange-collared Manakin, Riverside Wrens, Black-bellied Wrens, and Cherrie’s Tanager. After lunch in view of the Pacific Ocean, you will enjoy a boat ride on the Tarcoles River to observe water birds such as the Boat-billed Heron, and will also take time to look for the endemic and endangered Mangrove Hummingbird. Overnight at Hotel Villa Lapas. (B,L,D)

 Day 10             San José

This morning, before transferring to San José, we will spend our last morning looking for some of the species characteristic of the drier northern Pacific. Double-striped Thicknee, Yellow-headed Caracara, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Rufous-naped Wren, White-throated Magpie-Jay, and Streak-backed Oriole are some of the birds we may encounter. We will also endeavor to find the spectacular Long-tailed Manakin with it’s strange but haunting courtship behavior. After birding, we will proceed to Hotel Bougainvillea, located just five miles outside the capital city of San José. The hotel is located in a quiet hideaway surrounded by coffee plantations and citrus orchards. Here, over a farewell dinner, we will savor the experiences that are sure to provide you with vivid memories for a long time to come. Overnight at . (B,L,D) 

INCLUDES

• All 9 night hotel accommodations
• Escorted by an experienced local driver/guide
• Most meals as indicated
  B= breakfast
  L = lunch
  D= dinner
• Airport transfers in Costa Rica
• All activities and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary.

Not included

• International flight
• beverages
• tips and gratuities
• Travel cancellation insurance

Accommodations

• Bougainvillea Hotel
• Rancho Naturalista Lodge
• Selva Verde Lodge
• Bosque de Paz Lodge
• Hotel Villa Lapas