Birding highlights of Costa Rica 9 days/8 nights

Day 1

    

San Gerardo de Dota

Day notes

Your trip begins! We are happy to be your host in our country.  We will take of every single detail to make your holiday a fun and unforgettable one.

The Irazu Volcano is the highest volcano in Costa Rica, standing at 3,432 meters (11,260 feet) above sea level. It's an active volcano that last erupted in the 1960s, and since then it has been a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Our tour of the Irazu Volcano National Park will take you on a journey through lush forests, past bubbling hot springs, and up to the summit of the volcano. From there, you'll have panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

You will see different types of forests and ecosystems we’re going to observe, as well as birds, plants and much more about the natural wonders of the highlands. In clear-sunny day, you can see both, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Once we get to the Paramo, we’ll be at the top of the third highest peak of Costa Rica: The Bella Vista Hill, from where we are going to observe several volcanoes and other peaks of interest.

San Gerardo de Dota is a little known destination in the remote mountains south of Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose. The village is set deep in a valley, but is surrounded by the towering Talamanca mountains. Among the quiet forests of San Gerardo de Dota live a variety of animals and a wide selection of birds, including the famous Resplendent Quetzal and dozens of hummingbird species.

Transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO] to Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa

Details  
Mode

Transfer

Pick up

Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]

Drop off

Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa

Transfer

Check-in to Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa

Included:

After Breakfast at your hotel meet your Naturalist guide and driver and depart for San Gerardo de Dota with a stop to explore the Irazu Volcano National Park and the Paramo at Cerro de la Muerte.

2 Nights at Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve and Spa

Day 2

    

San Gerardo de Dota

Day notes

The day is yours to enjoy!

Planned

Included:

Full day to explore the area and look for the species that live in the Cloud Forest like the majestic Quetzal.

Day 3

    

Osa Peninsula

Day notes

The Osa Peninsula boasts some of the most pristine and secluded beaches in Costa Rica. From the rugged and wild Playa Matapalo to the tranquil and palm-fringed Playa Carate, there are numerous stretches of sandy shoreline where you can relax, swim, or take leisurely walks. Some beaches even offer excellent surfing conditions for those seeking a bit more adventure. 

Check-out from Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa

Transfer from Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa to Danta Corcovado Lodge

Details  
Mode

Transfer

Pick up

Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa

Drop off

Danta Corcovado Lodge

Transfer

Check-in to Danta Corcovado Lodge

Planned

Included:

Depart for the drive down to the Pacific Lowlands at the Osa Peninsula known as one of the more Biodiverse places in the planet.

2 Nights at Danta Corcovado Lodge

Day 4

    

Osa Peninsula

Day notes

The day is yours to enjoy! Visit the beach or just relax at your hotel.

Planned

Included:

Full day to explore the area with your guide

Day 5

    

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

Day notes

A tour of Cinchona in Costa Rica is an unforgettable experience that will take you to the heart of one of the country's most beautiful and historic regions. Cinchona is a small village in the province of Alajuela, located about an hour's drive from San Jose. It is named after the cinchona tree, whose bark contains quinine, a key ingredient in the treatment of malaria. The village is home to the famous Cinchona Botanical Gardens, which feature over 700 species of plants, including numerous exotic orchids and bromeliads. The gardens are also home to many species of birds, including toucans, hummingbirds, and tanagers.

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, not to be confused with the popular beach destination of Puerto Viejo de Limon, is located in the province of Heredia and life in this small town revolves around the Sarapiquí River, a tributary of Río San Juan, the river that marks the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The town is surrounded by a number of wildlife and nature reserves. You can also take a boat along the Sarapiqui River, where you may observe sloths, crocodiles and monkeys, are popular among those who prefer a more serene ride to the rapids.

Check-out from Danta Corcovado Lodge

Transfer from Danta Corcovado Lodge to Puerto Jiménez Airport [PJM]

Details  
Mode

Transfer

Pick up

Danta Corcovado Lodge

Drop off

Puerto Jiménez Airport [PJM]

Transfer

Scheduled Flight from Puerto Jiménez Airport [PJM] to Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]

Details  
Mode

Scheduled Flight

Departure

Puerto Jiménez Airport [PJM]

Arrival

Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]

Scheduled Flight
Planned

Transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO] to Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge

Details  
Mode

Transfer

Pick up

Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]

Drop off

Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge

Transfer

Check-in to Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge

Included:

Your driver will take you to Puerto Jimenez Airstrip where you and your guide will take a local Flight Puerto Jiménez - San José.

Your driver will drive to your next destination with the luggage.

Once in San Jose another of our drivers will be waiting for you to continue to Sarapiqui stopping at Mirador de Cinchona for a snack and look at the birds there.

Continue to Pierella Garden for a walk around the gardens and Lunch

2 Nights at Hacienda La Isla Lodge

Day 6

    

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

Day notes

La Selva Biological Station is located in the heart of the rainforest in Costa Rica, and is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The station is home to over 400 species of birds, including toucans, macaws, parrots, and hummingbirds, making it a paradise for birding enthusiasts.

Today you will go on an exciting adventure that will take you on a journey down one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Our expert guides will lead you on a gentle float down the river, providing you with a unique perspective of the surrounding wildlife and landscape. As you sit back and relax on your raft, you'll have the chance to spot a variety of animals, including monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and numerous bird species.

Included:

Early Morning Birding ay La Selva Biological Station

Afternoon Safari Floating Tour at Sarapiqui River

Day 7

    

Turrialba

Day notes

With some stunning views of Costa Rica’s rural countryside, Turrialba is a charming little town in the lush and beautiful Central Valley in Cartago province. Famous for being a white water rafting hotspot and base camp, this town lies 53 km east of the capital city San Jose and is an excellent place to tour the pre-Columbian ruins at Guayabo, or the rarely visited but lovely Turrialba Volcano National Park.

Check-out from Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge

Transfer from Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge to Rancho Naturalista

Details  
Mode

Transfer

Pick up

Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge

Drop off

Rancho Naturalista

Transfer

Check-in to Rancho Naturalista

Planned

Included:

Depart for Turrialba

2 Nights at Rancho Naturalista

  

Day 8

    

Turrialba

Day notes

Enjoy a morning of birdwatching in Turrialba. Then get ready to tour the Guayabo National Monument which comprise the archaeological site, which consists of a group of pre-Hispanic architectural structures made of stone river pebbles.

Included:

Morning Birdwatching in the area

Afternoon Guayabo National Monument

Day 9

    

End of Itinerary

Day notes

We hope you had a great stay in our country! You will be transported to the airport. Have a great flight!

Check-out from Rancho Naturalista

Transfer from Rancho Naturalista to Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]

Details  
Mode

Transfer

Pick up

Rancho Naturalista

Drop off

Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]

Transfer
Planned

Departure from Airport

Included:

Depart for the drive back to San Jose Airport for your flight back home.

 

***Flight back home must be later than noon

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