Costa Rica Unbound: The Ultimate Avian Expedition

Tour Highlights:

This 12-night, 13-day Costa Rica trip is all about exploring the best of the country's incredible birdlife and wildlife. We’ve designed this itinerary so you can take things completely at your own pace, without feeling rushed by a tag-along group. That said, local experts are on hand at every stop to point you toward the best secret spots and help you tick those bucket-list sightings off your list.

• San José to the Cloud Forests; Your adventure kicks off in San José. After a good night's rest, your rental car will be dropped off right to you. From there, it’s an easy drive up into the stunning cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota, tucked away in the high mountains (2,700m up!).

• Next Stop: Turrialba Valley; Head to a lush private reserve that’s home to over 450 different bird species. You can explore the dedicated bird trails on guided hikes, all while soaking in some seriously spectacular views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano.

• Into the Wild: Sarapiquí & La Selva; Heading on to Sarapiquí, you'll get the chance to head out on guided night walks to spot some fascinating nocturnal birds. Of course, no proper birding trip would be complete without a visit to the famous La Selva Biological Station. You'll explore this wildlife haven both on foot and by boat as you cruise down the San Carlos River, keeping an eye out for exotic plants and creatures.

• The Grand Finale: Arenal; To wrap up an unforgettable trip, you’ll head to the iconic Arenal Volcano. Here, you’ll hike right around the base of the famous peak, wandering through lush rainforests and old lava flows that are absolutely teeming with local birds and wildlife.

Best time to travel:

While Costa Rica is a great year-round birding destination, due to an abundance and continuous fruiting cycle of many different plant species,  our itinerary is best undertaken in the months January-April, as this is both winter in the northern hemisphere and a great time to escape, and also when many migratory species from North America arrive to overwinter. Any month of the year is special, but we would probably advise against travel in September and October, when the rains are heaviest, and the temperature in the rainforests can become uncomfortable.

Bird Species:

The amount of birdlife is incredible, making a self-drive birding trip simple and accessible to everyone. Beyond the usual species you can expect, such as quetzals, macaws, a variety of hummingbirds, and toucans, you may also spot an ornate hawk-eagle, the great antshrike, white-throated magpie-jay, or even the Nicaraguan grackle. There are also heaps of tanagers, warblers, wrens, ibises, and woodpeckers to be found. And don’t worry, you’re guaranteed to get well acquainted with Costa Rica’s national bird, the clay-coloured thrush. They’re absolutely everywhere!