Costa Rica

Northern Emerald-Toucanet © Brad McKinney

Visits two of the best areas of Costa Rica, with a remarkable cross section of tropical birds and habitats; comfortable accommodations and good food throughout; good birding right around each lodge; excellent introduction to Neotropical birding, plus many regional endemics.

The highlight of our tour will be our visit to the Caribbean lowlands and the world-famous La Selva OTS Field Station. Here, amidst the tall lowland rainforest, second-growth, and open country, nearly 400 species of birds have been found. Brilliant parrots, trogons, jacamars, toucans, and tanagers grab one’s attention at first, but we will also come to appreciate the more somberly-clad woodcreepers, antbirds, flycatchers, and wrens.

We will also visit the temperate forests on Cerro de la Muerte. This environment is home to more regional endemics than any other part of the country, and distinctive species like the Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Flame-throated Warbler, Collared Redstart, and Large-footed Finch are typical. The fabulous Resplendent Quetzal is found throughout these forests.

The tour includes a boat trip along the Sarapiqui and San Juan rivers where we have seen riverine forest species such as Green Ibis or Buff-rumped Warbler as we look for a fruiting tree that will allow views of other bird species.

Good accommodations and food throughout; travel by bus (only one lengthy drive); moderate walking, mostly in easy terrain; midday breaks on many days; pleasantly cool to hot and humid temperatures.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird © David Ascanio