| Begins in San Jose Saturday Evening |
 |
$TBA |
Mar 10-18, 2012 (9 days, 8 nights)
Single Supplement = $TBA |
Costa Rica is the preferred destination for birders visiting Central America for the first time because the birding is superb and relatively easy while excellent accommodations are located near all the prime birding sites. Our Costa Rica Hotspots tour covers broad altitudinal zones on both Pacific and Caribbean slopes, allowing us to see about 300 species in a week. We'll bird Carara National Park near the central Pacific coast, La Selva Biological Station and nearby areas on the Caribbean slope, and the Talamanca Mountains south of San Jose where Resplendent Quetzals are most readily seen. We'll stay at fine eco-lodges throughout the tour except our first and last nights when we'll stay at a nice hotel near the airport.
DAY 1 - ALAJUELA
International flights arrive in the afternoon or evening. Participants gather at the Hotel Aeropuerto near Alajuela just outside San Jose, a 5-minute taxi ride from the international airport. Everyone is met at the hotel by our tour leader. Night in Alejuela.
DAY 2 - OROTINA & TARCOLES
Depart early and drive down the Pacific slope toward the lowlands, stopping at a reliable roost site of Black-and-white Owl in Orotina town plaza. We often see Two-toed Sloth there as well. En route look for Turquoise-browed Motmot and White-throated Magpie-Jay and raptors such as Gray Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, and Yellow-headed Caracara. At the Tarcoles Bridge look for Scarlet Macaws flying along the river. We've also seen the endangered Yellow-billed Cotinga there.
Afternoon boat trip on the Rio Tarcoles, going into the estuary to look for Panama Flycatcher and Mangrove Warbler and upriver to look for Fasciated Tiger-Heron, kingfishers, crocodiles, and Black Spider Monkeys. The exact time depends on the tides. Remainder of afternoon birding the road toward Tarcoles village and near the boat launch. We usually see Mangrove Black-Hawk and sometimes also Zone-tailed Hawk. It's a good place to see Scarlet Macaws flying along the river or sometimes perched and also parrots such as Orange-fronted Parakeet, Orange-chinned Parakeet, White-crowned Parrot, White-fronted Parrot, White-lored Parrot, and others. The road is good for several species of flycatchers, tanagers, and euphonias. Night at Villa Lapas.
DAY 3 - CARARA NATIONAL PARK
Carara National Park is situated in a transitional zone between northern and southern Pacific coastal areas of Costa Rica. The habitat is dry transitional forest. Due to its location, the park attracts a nice combination of northern and southern species where their ranges overlap, making it a superb birding locale.
Depart very early this day to bird the Laguna Meandrica Trail, which courses through secondary forest and offers the greatest diversity of bird species at Carara. The trail is wide, level, and easy walking. The trail is very good for antbirds such as Barred Antshrike, the near endemic Black-hooded Antshrike, Dot-winged Antwren, and Chestnut-backed Antbird. Five species of trogons (Black-headed, Baird's, Northern Violaceous, Black-throated, and Slaty-tailed) are likely. We expect to see Orange-collared Manakin, sometimes the more scarce Lance-tailed Manakin, the skulky Rufous-breasted Wren, and the range-restricted Black-bellied Wren. Likely tanagers include Gray-headed, White-lined, and Cherrie's. Likely euphonias include Thick-billed, Yellow-throated, and Spotted-crowned. Other possibilities are Orange-fronted Parakeet, Red-lored Parrot, Stripe-throated Hermit, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, White-whiskered Puffbird, Lineated Woodpecker, and Thick-billed Seed-Finch. At the far end of the trail are some ponds where we usually find Boat-billed Heron, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, and other aquatic birds. Afternoon bird the Headquarters Trail, which winds through primary rainforest and features a different species mix. Specialty birds found in this mature forest include Great Tinamou, Black-faced Antthrush, Spectacled Antpitta, and Riverside Wren. Night at Villa Lapas.
DAY 4 - CARARA TO SELVA VERDE
Return to Carara National Park to pick up species missed the previous day or bird the lodge grounds. Bird activity around the lodge varies so we'll adjust accordingly. We sometimes see Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Green-breasted Mango, Charming Hummingbird, and Long-billed Starthroat around the lodge.
Depart mid-morning for the Caribbean slope, stopping at a restaurant en route for lunch. Late afternoon bird around Selva Verde. Previously, the Sarapiqui River outside the dining area has been a reliable place to see Sunbittern. It wasn't there in 2010 but could be back by our visit. Woodpeckers, flycatchers, and finches are possibilities in the open woodland around the lodge. Sometimes Great Green Macaw fly overhead or perch across the road at a roosting site. The macaws are now well protected in Costa Rica and are starting to make a comeback. Night at Selva Verde.
DAY 5 - LA SELVA BIOLOGICAL STATION
All day birding La Selva Biological Station, where over 400 species have been recorded. Action along the access road can be incredible. Possibilities include Pied Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Collared Aracari, Keel-billed and Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, Rufous-winged, Cinnamon, and Pale-billed Woodpeckers, Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Fasciated and Great Antshrikes, Rufous Piha, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Bright-rumped Attila, White-ringed Flycatcher, Band-backed Wren, Long-billed Gnatwren, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Crimson-collared Tanager, Olive-backed Euphonia, Golden-hooded Tanager, Thick-billed Seed-Finch, Orange-billed and Black-striped Sparrows, Black-headed Saltator, Black-cowled Oriole, and Chestnut-headed Oropendola. A few hummingbirds come to feeders outside the dining area. The most interesting species is the Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, usually found near the resident living quarters. Sometimes Great Curassows appear in the grassy area around the dining hall.
Access to the trails through primary forest at La Selva has become increasingly restricted in recent years to limit impact from the many groups who visit. Because our guide is Costa Rican, we can sometimes get special access. Species we've seen before in the forest include Great Tinamou, Crested Guan, Vermiculated Screech-Owl, Crested Owl, Northern Violaceous and Slaty-tailed Trogons, Chestnut-colored and Lineated Woodpeckers, Northern Barred and Black-striped Woodcreepers, White-collared Manakin, and various flycatchers and tanagers. On our way back to the lodge we'll look for Nicaraguan Seed-Finch at a little-known site where it can sometimes be seen. Night at Selva Verde.
DAY 6 - EL TAPIR NATURE RESERVE & SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Optional early morning birding around lodge grounds. Depart for the central highlands, stopping en route at El Tapir Nature Reserve, an excellent place to find the prized Violet-headed Hummingbird, Black-crested Coquette, and Snowcap. Other hummingbirds often present are Green-breasted Mango, Green Thorntail, Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Blue-throated Goldentail, and Violet-crowned Hummingbird.
Arrive Savegre Mountain Hotel, nestled in a valley of the Talamanca Mountains, late afternoon. View hummingbirds coming to lodge feeders near the entrance. Most are highland specialties such as Green Violetear, Gray-tailed and Purple-throated Mountain-gems, Green-crowned Brilliant, Volcano Hummingbird, and Scintillant Hummingbird. Other hummingbirds coming to the feeders include Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Magnificent, and sometimes the beautiful Violet Sabrewing. Night at Savegre Mountain Hotel.
DAY 7 - SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Early birding walk to look for Resplendent Quetzals. The quetzals nest in different places every year, so we'll rely on the resident guide at the lodge to give us directions on where they are. In recent years they've been mostly up on the ridgeline because a squatter has been cutting down almond trees lower down, which is the main food source for quetzals. Reaching them on the ridgeline entails a moderate uphill hike with switchbacks.
Following breakfast drive into the highlands above the lodge on a private road to look for the near endemic Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, a species we saw in 2010. After being dropped off, bird our way downhill back to the lodge. Possibilities include Black Guan, Resplendent Quetzal, Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Mountain Thrush, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, and the oddly different Yellow-thighed Finch.
Mid-day view hummingbirds coming to feeders. Possibilities include Magnificent Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, and Gray-tailed Mountain-gem among others. Afternoon birding another area near lodge. Night at Savegre Mountain Hotel.
DAY 8 - THE TALAMANCA HIGHLANDS
Morning bird the River Trail, a fairly easy somewhat downhill trail following the river on lodge property. Resplendent Quetzals sometimes nest in the riverine forest along this trail. Other birds of interest include Tufted and Yellowish Flycatchers, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Ruddy-capped and Black-billed Nightingale-Thrushes, Flame-throated Warbler, Collared Redstart, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, and Yellow-thighed Finch. We may also find the very secretive Zeledonia.
After lunch depart for San Jose, stopping first at Georgina's Restaurant up the road to view especially Fiery-throated Hummingbird, which we won't see at Savegre. Then drive to San Jose, arriving before dark. Night at Hotel Aeropuerto in Alajuela.
DAY 9 - END OF TOUR
Tour ends with breakfast at the hotel. International flights home.
For more information on the places we stay, please click on the ACCOMMODATIONS tab above. Feel free to call us any time at 877-247-3371 (inside US) or 303-325-5188 (outside US) with any questions you may have or to register for this memorable tour.
