Birding Trip to Costa Rica
Dates:
April 14 - 23, 2025 – 9 days
Cost: $3550 per person (twin sharing)
Group Size: Min: 4 Max 9 Single supplement: $900.
Deposit: A $750 deposit is required to confirm your spot.
All deposits and payments are refundable till 120 days prior to departure date minus a $750 cancelation fee.
FAQ for this trip
The clouds descend upon you. There’s a sense of excitement in the air as you wait in the damp forest. Suddenly, movement! The quetzal makes an appearance with its resplendent feathers and perches on a close by branch. Time stops in the forest for a fleeting moment. And that’s when you remember you’re in that enchanting land called Costa Rica.
We invite you to join Mowgli Expeditions for a unique bird watching trip to Costa Rica as we travel to some of the country’s most amazing places for bird watching.
Itinerary summary:
Day 1: San Jose arrival
Day 2: Sarapiqui
Day 3: Sarapiqui (La Selva Biological Research Station)
Day 4: Arenal Volcano National Park
Day 5: Arenal and then onto to San Jose
Day 6: Los Quetzales National Park
Day 7: Los Quetzales National Park
Day 8: Los Quetzales NP to San Jose
Day 9: Depart from San Jose
Expedition itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Upon arrival in San Jose we shall be picked up from the airport and transferred to our boutique hotel for our overnight stay, where we can relax, rejuvenate and look forward to our adventure. The hotel where we shall be staying at is like an art gallery and displays one of Costa Rica’s best private collections of art. Overnight Stay: Hotel Studio. Meals D
All photographs below are from the last trip.
Day 2 - Sarapiqui
We shall depart for Sarapiqui, driving through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park to reach La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge. It’s an amazing lodge next to a river with fantastic views of the running river.
In the afternoon, we shall go birding in the trails surrounding the lodge. We can find several species of birds here including the pale-billed woodpecker, golden-hooded tanager and white-collared manakin.
Not only are the surrounding forests full of endemic birds, there is a good chance that you will find the enchanting howler monkeys in the trees. Overnight Stay : La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge or similar.
Meals B, L, D
Day 3 – La Selva Biological Research Station.
La Selva Biological Station is a research station that protects an ancient primary tropical rainforest. This reserve is so rich in flora and fauna that researchers from all over the world come to study the tropical ecology and endangered ecosystems here.
We shall go for an early morning guided nature walk here and we as birders are sure to enjoy walking the trails as over 400 bird species have been identified here. We hope to see Great Curassow, Crested Guan, Slaty-tailed trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Rufous Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Pied Puffbird, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari and many more species. There is also a good chance of spotting howler monkeys, collared peccary and sloths.
In the afternoon, we shall head to a local restaurant to enjoy some authentic local cuisine for lunch. After lunch our guide shall take us birding along the trail outside the research station, where there are chances to see the rare Great Green Macaw.
The evening would be spent relaxing at the lodge- maybe spending time at the small butterfly garden or enjoying a swim in the pool surrounded by the tropical forest. Overnight Stay : La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge or similar. Meals B, L, D
Day 4 – Arenal Volcano National Park
After breakfast we shall head to the Arenal volcano. The national park here has all of Costa Rica's allure - incredible trails, magnificent views, abounding wildlife and the country's most spectacular volcano.
We shall go for birding in the evening and hope to find Green Honeycreeper, Laughing Falcon, Red-lored parrot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Keel-billed Motmot, Emerald Tanager and more.
After dinner, we shall head to the forest for a night safari(optional) with a local naturalist. We hope to find sloths, dart frogs, nocturnal birds and other creatures than inhabit the forest here.
Overnight Stay : Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge or Arenal Observatory Lodge Meals B, L, D
Day 5 – Arenal
We shall start the day by going for some early morning birding around the lodge. We shall return to the lodge for breakfast. We shal spend early afternoon also here walkig the trails. We shall then have have lunch before heading back southeast to San Jose for the night before we head to our next wonderful destination further south. Overnight Stay: Hotel Studio. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 : Los Quetzales National Park
After breakfast, we shall depart from San Jose and make our way through the beautiful Costa Rican landscape to our next destination, Los Quetzales National Park - another cloud forest, Los Quetzales gets its name from Central America’s key bird species, the Resplendent Quetzal. It’s a great location to spot these dazzling birds, along with toucans, other trogon species and more. We shall stay here for two days to ensure we get plenty of time birding here. Night stay at the Toucanet Lodge. Meals B L D
Day 7 : Los Quetzales National Park
The partnership between the small local farms and the birding guides here is a great example of “Co-operation for Conservation” where the locals benefit from providing habitat for the quetzals. The farmers at the various partnering farms also let the guides know if the quetzals are nesting on their farm and where and the lodges and guides share some of their revenue with the farms. We shall get to see this partnership first hand by visiting a farmhouse in hope of seeing the resplendent quetzal on which this national park is named. Night stay at the Toucanet Lodge. Meals B L D
Day 8 : Los Quetzales National Park
The area around the lodge is just wonderful for birding and so in the morning we shall go birding again in the area and hope to find several more species of birds.
After lunch we shall depart from Los Quetzales and head back to San Jose city. We shall have some time to buy some souvenirs and Costa Rican Coffee from the souvenir shop at the hotel before having dinner and then getting some rest. Night stay at the Studio Hotel. Meals B L D
Day 9 : Depart San Jose
After a leisurely morning and breakfast, reflecting on our experiences in Costa Rica, we shall be transferred to the airport for our flight back home.
NOTE: The order and sites visited and other arts of the itinerary may vary due to weather, road conditions, and other factors.
Come join us for this memorable trip!
A short video of the Quetzal at Los Quetzales NP from a previous trip.
Dates:
April 14 - 23, 2025 – 9 days
Cost: $3550 per person (twin sharing)
Group Size: Min: 4 Max 9 Single supplement: $900.
Deposit: A $750 deposit is required to confirm your spot.
All deposits and payments are refundable till 120 days prior to departure date minus a $750 cancelation fee.
FAQ for this trip
The clouds descend upon you. There’s a sense of excitement in the air as you wait in the damp forest. Suddenly, movement! The quetzal makes an appearance with its resplendent feathers and perches on a close by branch. Time stops in the forest for a fleeting moment. And that’s when you remember you’re in that enchanting land called Costa Rica.
We invite you to join Mowgli Expeditions for a unique bird watching trip to Costa Rica as we travel to some of the country’s most amazing places for bird watching.
Itinerary summary:
Day 1: San Jose arrival
Day 2: Sarapiqui
Day 3: Sarapiqui (La Selva Biological Research Station)
Day 4: Arenal Volcano National Park
Day 5: Arenal and then onto to San Jose
Day 6: Los Quetzales National Park
Day 7: Los Quetzales National Park
Day 8: Los Quetzales NP to San Jose
Day 9: Depart from San Jose
Expedition itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Upon arrival in San Jose we shall be picked up from the airport and transferred to our boutique hotel for our overnight stay, where we can relax, rejuvenate and look forward to our adventure. The hotel where we shall be staying at is like an art gallery and displays one of Costa Rica’s best private collections of art. Overnight Stay: Hotel Studio. Meals D
All photographs below are from the last trip.
Day 2 - Sarapiqui
We shall depart for Sarapiqui, driving through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park to reach La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge. It’s an amazing lodge next to a river with fantastic views of the running river.
In the afternoon, we shall go birding in the trails surrounding the lodge. We can find several species of birds here including the pale-billed woodpecker, golden-hooded tanager and white-collared manakin.
Not only are the surrounding forests full of endemic birds, there is a good chance that you will find the enchanting howler monkeys in the trees. Overnight Stay : La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge or similar.
Meals B, L, D
Day 3 – La Selva Biological Research Station.
La Selva Biological Station is a research station that protects an ancient primary tropical rainforest. This reserve is so rich in flora and fauna that researchers from all over the world come to study the tropical ecology and endangered ecosystems here.
We shall go for an early morning guided nature walk here and we as birders are sure to enjoy walking the trails as over 400 bird species have been identified here. We hope to see Great Curassow, Crested Guan, Slaty-tailed trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Rufous Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Pied Puffbird, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari and many more species. There is also a good chance of spotting howler monkeys, collared peccary and sloths.
In the afternoon, we shall head to a local restaurant to enjoy some authentic local cuisine for lunch. After lunch our guide shall take us birding along the trail outside the research station, where there are chances to see the rare Great Green Macaw.
The evening would be spent relaxing at the lodge- maybe spending time at the small butterfly garden or enjoying a swim in the pool surrounded by the tropical forest. Overnight Stay : La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge or similar. Meals B, L, D
Day 4 – Arenal Volcano National Park
After breakfast we shall head to the Arenal volcano. The national park here has all of Costa Rica's allure - incredible trails, magnificent views, abounding wildlife and the country's most spectacular volcano.
We shall go for birding in the evening and hope to find Green Honeycreeper, Laughing Falcon, Red-lored parrot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Keel-billed Motmot, Emerald Tanager and more.
After dinner, we shall head to the forest for a night safari(optional) with a local naturalist. We hope to find sloths, dart frogs, nocturnal birds and other creatures than inhabit the forest here.
Overnight Stay : Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge or Arenal Observatory Lodge Meals B, L, D
Day 5 – Arenal
We shall start the day by going for some early morning birding around the lodge. We shall return to the lodge for breakfast. We shal spend early afternoon also here walkig the trails. We shall then have have lunch before heading back southeast to San Jose for the night before we head to our next wonderful destination further south. Overnight Stay: Hotel Studio. Meals B,L,D
Day 6 : Los Quetzales National Park
After breakfast, we shall depart from San Jose and make our way through the beautiful Costa Rican landscape to our next destination, Los Quetzales National Park - another cloud forest, Los Quetzales gets its name from Central America’s key bird species, the Resplendent Quetzal. It’s a great location to spot these dazzling birds, along with toucans, other trogon species and more. We shall stay here for two days to ensure we get plenty of time birding here. Night stay at the Toucanet Lodge. Meals B L D
Day 7 : Los Quetzales National Park
The partnership between the small local farms and the birding guides here is a great example of “Co-operation for Conservation” where the locals benefit from providing habitat for the quetzals. The farmers at the various partnering farms also let the guides know if the quetzals are nesting on their farm and where and the lodges and guides share some of their revenue with the farms. We shall get to see this partnership first hand by visiting a farmhouse in hope of seeing the resplendent quetzal on which this national park is named. Night stay at the Toucanet Lodge. Meals B L D
Day 8 : Los Quetzales National Park
The area around the lodge is just wonderful for birding and so in the morning we shall go birding again in the area and hope to find several more species of birds.
After lunch we shall depart from Los Quetzales and head back to San Jose city. We shall have some time to buy some souvenirs and Costa Rican Coffee from the souvenir shop at the hotel before having dinner and then getting some rest. Night stay at the Studio Hotel. Meals B L D
Day 9 : Depart San Jose
After a leisurely morning and breakfast, reflecting on our experiences in Costa Rica, we shall be transferred to the airport for our flight back home.
NOTE: The order and sites visited and other arts of the itinerary may vary due to weather, road conditions, and other factors.
Come join us for this memorable trip!
A short video of the Quetzal at Los Quetzales NP from a previous trip.