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Home > Tropical bird watching in Costa Rica

                     Tropical bird watching in Costa Rica                      

A trip to the heart of the Costa Rica's biodiversity. Esencia have specifically designed this itinerary for bird lovers. Accompanied by an enthusiast guide, explore the must-see parks and nature reserves.

Map

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Juan Santamaria Airport - Alajuela
  • Day 2: San José - Boca Tapada
  • Day 3: Boca Tapada
  • Day 4: Boca Tapada - Monteverde Reserve
  • Day 5: Monteverde Reserve
  • Day 6: Monteverde Reserve
  • Day 7: Monteverde Reserve - Palo Verde National Park
  • Day 8: Palo Verde National Park
  • Day 9: Palo Verde National Park
  • Day 10: Palo Verde National Park - Tamarindo
  • Day 11: Tamarindo
  • Day 12: Tamarindo
  • Day 13: Tamarindo - Juan Santamaria Airport

TRAVEL BOOK

Day 1: Juan Santamaria Airport - Alajuela

Welcome to Costa Rica ! Reception at the Juan Santamaria International Airport near San José , at 1150 meters above sea level in the heart of the Central Valley.
First contact with Costa Rica, your private driver will give you your travel documents and will take you to your hotel.

Your english speaking guide will escort you to your hotel.

Night at Xandari Resort & Spa.
Prima Villa.
Included : private transport, english speaking guide, continental breakfast , room

Day 2: San José - Boca Tapada

Morning departure to the north of the country near the border with Nicaragua.
Arrival in San Carlos Valley, where you will drive to Pital. The adventure begins here: you will leave the comfort of a paved road to take a track up to the village Boca Tapada.

Arrival at the lodge.

You will go on the trails of the lodge with your local guide that will teach you all about the nocturnal wildlife .

Note: You can sleep in rooms in the trees. Contact us!

Dinner and night at Maquenque Lodge ** .
Standard room.


Included : english speaking guide, guide expenses, fuel, car rental, insurance, room & breakfast, dinner (no drinks), local guide, excursion (shared)

Day 3: Boca Tapada

Early in the morning, you will leave with your local guide through the gardens and the swamp of the reserve before entering the rainforest . The Maquenque refuge is home to the Ara ambigua and many other bird species .
In the afternoon , you will also visit the lodge garden and will plant a tree on the property.

Suggested activities:
- Horseback riding
- Visit to the town El Castillo in Nicaragua
- Canoeing in the lagoon

Lunch and dinner at the lodge.

Night at Maquenque Lodge ** .
Standard room.
Included : room & breakfast, lunch (no drinks), dinner (no drinks), local guide, excursion (shared), excursion (private)

Day 4: Boca Tapada - Monteverde Reserve


Today, you will discover the area by boat, great way to immerse in nature and watch the local flora and fauna (birds, crocodiles etc.)
Stop at the small local school and share with students and teachers.
On the way back, stop at Finca Doña Flor, for a tour and tasting of local products.
Lunch at the lodge .

Note : 4 hours tour ; from 8:30 to 12:30
Free morning time in the surroundings of Boca Tapada.
Then departure to the Monteverde region, cradle of fair trade, famous for its cloud forest .
Note: About 3 hour drive

Night at hotel Monteverde Lodge and Gardens ****.
Forest view downstairs room.
Included : room & breakfast, local guide, excursion (shared), excursion (private)

Day 5: Monteverde Reserve


Morning hike at the heart of the Biological Reserve of Santa Elena and its Cloudy Forest, in one of the wettest area of the country. You will wander in an opulent vegetation, where most trees seem prehistoric and are covered with moss.
It's a perfect opportunity to watch the numerous birds and animals living in the forest and to admire the stunning view on the Arenal volcano and the Guanacaste plains.

Visit a coffee plantation to learn about coffee from the seed to the mug! The visit includes a professional explanation of the whole process (seed collection and delivery of grain).
The Monteverde region is ideal for discovering the authentic culture of Costa Rican coffee, you'll get to taste it at the end of visit.
You will also have the opportunity to discover two typical products of Costa Rican agriculture with a little introduction on cocoa and sugar cane.

Night at hotel Monteverde Lodge and Gardens ****.
Forest view downstairs room.
Included : entrance fees, local guide, excursion (private), room & breakfast

Day 6: Monteverde Reserve

Discover the biological reserve consisting of a cloudy forest in Monteverde. You can observe the cloudy forest from different walking paths. Approximately 400 bird species, 490 butterfly species and more than 100 mammal species and identified there. Add to this the 2500 plant species (including 500 of orchideas) and thousands of insects species.

Night at hotel Monteverde Lodge and Gardens ****.
Forest view downstairs room.
Included : entrance fees, room & breakfast

Day 7: Monteverde Reserve - Palo Verde National Park

Leave in the morning to go to the Guanacaste province, the land of the proud and colorful Sabaneros cowboys.
Arrive in Palo Verde at mid-day.

Note : About 4 hour drive.

Staying at Rancho Humo, you have unlimited access to the tracks of the hotel.
The birdwatching is also included.

Night at Rancho Humo ***.
Standard Room.
Included : room & breakfast, lunch (no drinks), dinner (no drinks), transfer arrival

Day 8: Palo Verde National Park

You will go for a boat ride in the National Park Palo Verde. The park protects more than 18410 hectares of land, much of which is flooded during the rainy season, creating wetlands conducive to passage and the prolonged stay of different species of birds.


Rancho Humo couldn't have a better location, between the wetlands of the dry tropical forest, and the mangrove swamps of the Tempisque River. It is one of the best costarican areas for birdwatching, where the star is the Jaribu Stork, the biggest bird in Central America. Nothing better to spot them than a boat safari, surrounded by this breathtaking environment. Other activities are available:

- Horseback riding
- Tour in Palo Verde National Park
- Tour in Barra Honda National Park
- Boat tour in Río Bebedero
- Day tour at the beaches (Samara, Playa Carillo, Guiones)
- Turtle nesting in Ostional
- Cultural tour at Santa Cruz, Guaitil and San Vicente (known for its china)
- Zipline etc.

Staying at Rancho Humo, you have unlimited access to the tracks of the hotel.
The birdwatching is also included.

Night at Rancho Humo ***.
Standard Room.
Included : local guide, shared transport, room & breakfast, lunch (no drinks), dinner (no drinks), transfer arrival

Day 9: Palo Verde National Park

You will go for a ride on the Rio Tempisque. Enjoy this tour to discover the surroundings of the Rio Tempisque, near the Palo Verde National Park and Isla de Pajaros (Bird Island), is an ideal place to enjoy the abundance of wildlife and the flora.


Rancho Humo couldn't have a better location, between the wetlands of the dry tropical forest, and the mangrove swamps of the Tempisque River. It is one of the best costarican areas for birdwatching, where the star is the Jaribu Stork, the biggest bird in Central America. Nothing better to spot them than a boat safari, surrounded by this breathtaking environment. Other activities are available:

- Horseback riding
- Tour in Palo Verde National Park
- Tour in Barra Honda National Park
- Boat tour in Río Bebedero
- Day tour at the beaches (Samara, Playa Carillo, Guiones)
- Turtle nesting in Ostional
- Cultural tour at Santa Cruz, Guaitil and San Vicente (known for its china)
- Zipline etc.

Staying at Rancho Humo, you have unlimited access to the tracks of the hotel.
The birdwatching is also included.

Night at Rancho Humo ***.
Standard Room.
Included : local guide, shared transport, room & breakfast, lunch (no drinks), dinner (no drinks), transfer arrival

Day 10: Palo Verde National Park - Tamarindo

Free time to enjoy the beautiful places. Then, departure towards the Pacific coast.
Along the way you will pass by Liberia, known as the White City, the capital of Guanacaste.

Note: 2 to 3 hour drive

Night at the Capitan Suizo Hotel****.
Superior Room.

Included : breakfast buffet , room

Day 11: Tamarindo

Free day to visit the Tamarindo area.
You will have the opportunity to discover the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, o the Santa Rosa National Park, to enjoy the typical villages of Guanacaste or to do some birdwatching from Palo Verde Park. Many activities are possible including beautiful horse-back riding excursions.

Suggested activities - contact us:
- Observation of nesting green turtles (November to January)
- Kayak in the mangroves
- Miravalles Volcano (hot springs, hiking)
- Barra Honda National Park (caves)
- Excursion in Nicaragua (colonial city of Granada, Masaya typical markets)
- Horseback riding, fishing, surfing
- Golf course 18 holes
- Catamaran Tour
- Tenorio National Park

Night at the Capitan Suizo Hotel****.
Superior Room.

Included : breakfast buffet , room

Day 12: Tamarindo

Free day to visit the Tamarindo area.
You will have the opportunity to discover the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, o the Santa Rosa National Park, to enjoy the typical villages of Guanacaste or to do some birdwatching from Palo Verde Park. Many activities are possible including beautiful horse-back riding excursions.

Suggested activities - contact us:
- Observation of nesting green turtles (November to January)
- Kayak in the mangroves
- Miravalles Volcano (hot springs, hiking)
- Barra Honda National Park (caves)
- Excursion in Nicaragua (colonial city of Granada, Masaya typical markets)
- Horseback riding, fishing, surfing
- Golf course 18 holes
- Catamaran Tour
- Tenorio National Park

Night at the Capitan Suizo Hotel****.
Superior Room.

Included : breakfast buffet , room

Day 13: Tamarindo - Juan Santamaria Airport

Transport from your hotel to the Tamarindo airport.

You will take a domestic flight from Tamarindo to San Jose.
Note 1: 1 Flight hour; schedules and company specified later
Note 2: Limited weight of luggage (12 kg per person approx)

Three hours before departure time is the connection with your international flight.

Meals are not included

IMPORTANT: depending on the time of your international flight, plan to sleep the night before in San Jose.
Included : private transport, domestic flight

Xandari Resort & Spa   Alajuela

Level : 4*
Included : continental breakfast , room

The Xandari Resort & Spa is a hotel that combines luxury and originality with a great decoration and a personalized staff. In one of its 24 villas, you can relax and enjoy the hotel facilities and its view of the Central Valley.

Maquenque Ecolodge   Boca Tapada

Level : 3*
Included : room & breakfast, dinner (no drinks), local guide, excursion (shared)

Option : Bird watching

Included :
excursion (private)

Option : Safari

Included :
excursion (private)

Night hotel   Monteverde Reserve

Level : 4*
Included : room & breakfast

Hotel Rancho Humo   Palo Verde National Park

Level : 3* sup
Included : room & breakfast, lunch (no drinks), dinner (no drinks), transfer arrival

Capitan Suizo Hotel   Tamarindo

Level : 4*
Included : breakfast buffet , room

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