- Phone: +506 2574-2319
- Email: info@aratinga-tours.com
Costa Rica is one of the world’s premier birding destinations, and this relaxed-paced itinerary showcases some of its most rewarding and accessible birding locations. From the lowland rainforests of Sarapiquí and Caño Negro to the Pacific forests of Carara and the cool highlands of the Talamanca Mountains, the tour offers excellent birding opportunities in a variety of habitats.
Designed for travelers who prefer comfort and flexibility, the itinerary combines carefully selected lodges, many with excellent birding right on the property, with relaxed private excursions led by experienced local guides. Each guide will adapt the pace and duration of outings to your interests and comfort level, creating an enjoyable birding experience focused on iconic species, quality observations, and unhurried exploration.
Costa Rica’s remarkable birdlife can be enjoyed without long hikes, rushed schedules, or demanding days in the field. This carefully designed itinerary combines comfortable lodges, accessible birding locations, expert local guides, and plenty of time to relax between outings.
Enjoy excellent birdwatching from lodge gardens, feeders, observation decks, boat excursions, and easy walking trails designed for comfortable wildlife observation.
Knowledgeable local guides help you find and identify Costa Rica’s most sought-after birds while adapting each outing to your interests and pace.
Enjoy well-paced excursions with time to appreciate each destination, observe wildlife, and relax between activities.
Spend your afternoons relaxing at the lodge, enjoying the gardens, photographing wildlife, or simply taking in the surroundings at your own pace.
Costa Rica is one of the world’s premier birding destinations, and this relaxed itinerary showcases some of its most rewarding and accessible birdwatching locations. From the wetlands of Caño Negro and the rainforests of Sarapiquí to the Pacific forests of Carara and the cloud forests of the Talamanca Mountains, you’ll enjoy excellent birding opportunities in a variety of habitats.
As with all Aratinga Tours itineraries, the route can be adapted to your interests, preferred travel dates, accommodation preferences, and available travel time.
DAY 1: SAN JOSE
Arrival in Costa Rica & Central Valley
DAY 2-3-4: SARAPIQUI
Rainforest birding, feeders & tropical wildlife
DAY 5-6:CAÑO NEGRO
Wetland boat tour & nocturnal birding
DAY 7-8-9: CARARA &TARCOLES AREA
River cruise, rainforest & dry forest birding
DAY 10-11-12: TALAMANCA HIGHLANDS
Highland birding, quetzals & feeders
DAY 13-14: SAN JOSÉ
Return to San José & international departure
Located just outside Costa Rica’s capital, Hotel Bougainvillea offers a comfortable start to your birding adventure. Its beautiful tropical gardens provide an excellent introduction to the country’s birdlife, with numerous common garden species often seen among the flowering trees and landscaped grounds.
The hotel’s peaceful setting and convenient location make it an ideal place to relax after your international flight before beginning your journey through Costa Rica’s most rewarding birding regions.
Birding highlights:
Beautifully integrated into the Caribbean rainforest, Selva Verde Lodge is a comfortable base surrounded by birds, monkeys, and lush tropical nature. The lodge’s gardens and forest trails offer excellent birding opportunities right from your doorstep.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy private guided visits to two of Sarapiquí’s finest birding locations. At Cope’s Gardens, active feeders provide easy views of many colorful species, while Cope himself joins you in search of Spectacled Owl and, with some luck, Crested Owl. You’ll also visit Pierella Gardens, where rainfoirest specialties such as White-collared Manakin, White-whiskered Puffbird, and the stunning Chestnut-colored Woodpecker can often be seen at close range.
Birding Highlights:
Surrounded by tropical gardens, Natural Lodge Caño Negro offers comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations in one of Costa Rica’s premier wetland regions. The lodge’s grounds attract a variety of birds and provide a relaxing setting to enjoy the area’s rich wildlife.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy a private boat tour through the Caño Negro Wetlands, one of the country’s most productive birding destinations and arguably the best place in Costa Rica to observe kingfishers. With some luck, all six American kingfisher species can be seen during a single excursion. We also include a nocturnal outing in search of fascinating night birds such as Great Potoo and Black-and-white Owl.
Birding Highlights
Perched on a hillside overlooking the Tárcoles River basin, Tarcoles Birding Lodge offers comfortable accommodations and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Scarlet Macaws are frequently seen flying past at eye level, providing unforgettable sightings right from the lodge.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy a private guided excursion to Carara National Park, one of Costa Rica’s premier birding destinations, where we search for Trogons, Antbirds, Woodpeckers, Woodcreepers, and many other tropical forest species. We also include a relaxing boat tour on the Tárcoles River, an excellent opportunity to observe aquatic birds and mangrove specialties such as Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, and Mangrove Yellow Warbler. Another highlight is a private excursion with a local bird photographer near Orotina, where we look for regional specialties such as Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, and Pacific Screech-Owl.
Birding Highlights:
Located in the heart of the endemic-rich Talamanca Highlands, Quetzal Paradise Lodge offers comfortable accommodations, beautiful mountain scenery, and excellent birding right from the lodge grounds. Trails wind through attractive gardens and cloudforest, while the lodge’s feeders attract a constant stream of hummingbirds, providing exceptional observation and photography opportunities from just a few feet away.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy a private half-day excursion at a relaxed pace in search of the iconic Resplendent Quetzal and other highland specialties such as Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and Volcano Hummingbird.
Birding Highlights:
Set among rolling coffee plantations overlooking Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Hotel Buena Vista provides the perfect setting to conclude your birding adventure. The hotel’s peaceful gardens, pleasant climate, and sweeping panoramic views offer a relaxing atmosphere to reflect on the many birds and landscapes encountered during your journey.
Conveniently located near San José International Airport, the hotel allows for a stress-free final evening before your included airport transfer on Day 14.
Tour Finale Highlights:
PRICING & INCLUSIONS
Designed for birders who value comfort and flexibility, this self-drive adventure combines excellent lodge-based birding, private guided excursions, and easy access to many of Costa Rica’s most sought-after bird species, all at a relaxed pace.
Prefer not to drive? This itinerary can also be arranged with private transportation and a dedicated birding guide throughout the tour.
Pricing is based on 2 participants sharing accommodation and traveling independently in a rental vehicle. Alternative room configurations and private transportation options are available upon request.
From US$ 6000
From US$ 6300
From US$ 6560
Low Season: September 1st – October 31st 2026 + May 1st – June 30th 2027
Mid Season: July 1st – August 31st 2027
High Season: November 1st 2026 – April 30th 2027
Interested in this tour? Contact us for a personalized quotation, including options for a fully guided journey, upgraded accommodations, or additional activities.
Many of Costa Rica’s finest birding lodges have limited availability during peak travel periods. Early reservations are strongly recommended.
Every traveler is different. Explore our private Costa Rica tours and discover the itinerary that best matches your interests and travel style.
Explore Costa Rica’s four major ecosystems on an unforgettable birding adventure.
Search for Costa Rica’s endemic birds while exploring the country’s most important birding regions.
Capture Costa Rica’s spectacular birds and wildlife with carefully planned photography opportunities.
Wake up to the sounds of tropical birds, enjoy unforgettable encounters with Costa Rica’s most iconic species, and experience the country’s remarkable biodiversity at a comfortable and unhurried pace. Let us create your perfect Easy Birding adventure.
With Love Travel WordPress Theme you will have everything you need to create a memorable online presence. Start create your dream travel site today.
With Love Travel WordPress Theme you will have everything you need to create a memorable online presence. Start create your dream travel site today.
Discover the World, one Full Adventure at a Time!
1080 Brickell Ave - Miami
United States of America
info@travel.com
Travel Agency +1 473 483 384
Info Insurance +1 395 393 595
