Compare Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans by Road Scholar vs Costa Rica: See & Experience it ALL in 11 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 Arrive San José, Check In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner San José

Participants must book flights that arrive into San José no later than 4:30 p.m. if they plan to attend the program orientation. Some Road Scholar gateways require the use of overnight flights in order to arrive in San José by the suggested time. Please contact your Road Scholar Program Provider at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com if you made plans to arrive a day early and would like assistance in booking your hotel. Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. The species and numbers of birds we see will depend on seasonality and local conditions at the time of the program. Information on elevation regarding sea level is included in the daily schedule as it relates to species of birds that may be present at specific elevations. Walking distances and times during birding field trips are variable due to factors such as birds in a given area, group size and general ability. Transfers to and from program activities will be by bus, unless specified otherwise. Stops built into the schedule are generally every 1.5-2 hours of travel. Costa Rica’s weather varies by region. In the thick forests of the Caribbean coast and Northern Plains, expect high humidity and temperatures between the 70s and high 80s year-round. The North Pacific has lower humidity levels, but temperatures often in the 90s during the dry months, December to April. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Meals on our program feature local cuisine. In many cases, they will be plated and served set meals; in others, we will have buffets with multiple options. Beverages include coffee, tea, water; other beverages are usually available for purchase. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s sleep for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

Day 2 Transfer to Ensenada, Tropical Dry Forest Birding Tempisque

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 80 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking 1.5 to 2 miles; patchy forest with uneven, undulating terrain. Elevations up to 3,000 feet.

We will be joined by a local expert who will give us a presentation introducing tropical birding. We’ll then check out of the hotel, board our bus, and set out on a relaxing ride to El Santuario La Ensenada, the wildlife refuge in the Gulf of Nicoya area. We expect to arrive in time for lunch and will check in to La Ensenada Lodge upon arrival.

Little used trails throughout the refuge make for excellent birding in the forest around the lodge. Around mid-afternoon, we’ll head out looking for dry forest species such as the Turquoise-browed Motmot and the Black-headed Trogon. This region of northwestern Costa Rica is characterized by an endangered life zone known as semi-deciduous or Tropical Dry Forest. Prolonged periods with very little rain have determined not only the forest’s structure, but also adaptations and specializations of plant and bird life. This area has its own unique species and is important to thousands of resident and migratory birds. Ensenada Wildlife Refuge is a private refuge created to protect not only the Tropical Dry Forest, but also the natural lagoons, mangrove, and estuarine habitats connected to the Gulf of Nicoya.

We’ll venture into the reserve for nocturnal birding. Using powerful lights to spot eyes, we’ll look for species such as night hawks, screech owls, nightjars, potoos, and thick-knees.

At the hotel.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 3 Gulf of Nicoya Study Cruise, Lodge Grounds Birding Tempisque

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Walking up to 1 mile, undulating trails. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 16 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off a cruise vessel, on/off a tractor-pulled cart. Elevation approximately 180 feet above sea level.

We will have an early morning (pre-breakfast) walk on the lodge grounds. For another fascinating kind of birding, we’ll go on a study cruise in the Gulf of Nicoya, navigating canals and inlets of mangrove swamps that offer great opportunities to observe shore birds and marine species. We might also see endemics such as the mangrove black hawk and mangrove warbler. We’ll ride back to the lodge at the end of our field trip.

Next, we’ll go on a tractor-pulled cart ride around the lodge grounds, observing grasslands, lagoons, and salt ponds that are ideal for spotting shorebirds such as stilts and sandpipers. We’ll pause at a lookout point on the grounds to watch a beautiful Costa Rica sunset, then return to freshen up and relax before dinner.

We will take a walk around the grounds with our Group Leader to see what kinds of bird life are present. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 4 Transfer to Caño Negro, Birding Northern Flatlands Caño Negro

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 85 miles, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours riding time. Walking up to 1 mile; uneven terrain. Elevation from 100 to 330 feet.

We will have an early morning (pre-breakfast) walk on the lodge grounds. After checking out, we will board our bus and ride to the Caño Negro area in the northern flat lands. Often described as Costa Rica’s Everglades, Caño Negro acts as an expansive drainage basin for numerous rivers in the country’s northern section. Like the Everglades, this large “water filter” attracts numerous species of birds and waterfowl and has been protected as a wildlife reserve. Much of the flooded estuary dries up during the dry season when many of the birds migrate, then return with the rains. Caño Negro’s most common visitors are birds.

Arriving at the lodge, we'll check in and get our room assignments. We will continue our birding adventure with a walking field trip around the grounds to look for birds such as the Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Neotropical Cormorants, American Anhinga, Northern Jacana, American Widgeon, Wood Stork, White Ibis, Black-bellied Tree Duck, Northern Shoveler, Snail Kite, Green-backed Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and Blue-winged Teal and possibly the Jabiru. This is one of the best places to see the Nicaraguan Grackle, whose only Costa Rican habitat is Caño Negro and other marshy areas just south of Lake Nicaragua.

At leisure. Enjoy a walk or simply relax.

At the hotel.

At a restaurant en route.

At the lodge.

Day 5 Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Ride Caño Negro

Getting on/off a bus. Early morning (pre-breakfast) boating field trip in Caño Negro lagoon. Getting in/out of small, flat-bottom boats in the wetlands, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours morning and afternoon. Walking up to 1 mile, uneven terrain.

After a snack of coffee and cookies, we will take a short bus ride to the dock and board a boat for our early morning boating field trip through the wetlands. Our Group Leader will provide commentary on wetland bird species as we go. This remote, 22,000 acre tropical wetland teems with wildlife. Aboard our boat, we will explore a portion of Costa Rica considered by many to be the best example of Mesoamerican wetlands. As we glide along lagoons and canals, be on the lookout for some of the 350 species of birds found in the refuge, including the largest colony of Neotropic Cormorants in Costa Rica, a colony of Nicaraguan Grackle, and egrets, anhingas, Roseate Spoonbills and other waterfowl. We may also spot caiman, crocodiles, and monkeys. We’ll return to the lodge for breakfast, then head out on foot to bird for more species around Caño Negro town and the edges of the reserve. At the end of the activity, we will return to the lodge.

After lunch we’ll be joined by a local expert for a presentation that will provide insights into the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Wetlands. Next, we'll learn about the importance of the wetlands as a habitat for birds during another boating field trip. Caño Negro is one of the country’s most important wetlands areas, protected by the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for conserving and sustaining wetlands. Adding to the diverse local bird population, thousands of migratory birds return here annually, whether for a short stay or to winter over. Caño Negro is also one of the few nesting spots for the endangered Jabiru Stork. We’ll return to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for early morning activities, check out, and transfer.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 6 Transfer to Sarapiquí, Copearte Sarapiqui

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 82 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking a couple of miles; birding trails in primary and secondary rainforest, undulating terrain, hot/humid conditions. Elevation at Sarapiquí approximately 220 feet.

We will check out of the hotel, board our bus, and transfer to Sarapiquí. Situated in the Caribbean lowlands, 40 miles from San José, Sarapiquí is one of the richest sites for birds in Middle America with well over 400 species recorded. Nearby, the La Selva Protection Zone and the Braulio Carrillo National Park form the only significant corridor of forest on the Caribbean slope linking the highlands with the lowlands — a corridor crucial to birds and animals that undertake seasonal altitudinal migrations. Upon arrival, we will check in and have an orientation to the lodge.

Our next field trip will be to Copearte, a garden run by a local artist and photographer with a passion for nature. The grounds have been designed to maximize opportunities for birding and photography and feature ponds that attract aquatic species as well as blinds from which participants can photograph birds despite weather conditions. A local expert will lead our exploration around the grounds as we keep a look out for bird species that have been spotted on the grounds previously: Collared Aracari, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Black-crowned Antpitta, and Pied Puffbirds. We'll return to the lodge after completing our activities.

We’ll walk around the lodge grounds with our Group Leader to look for nocturnal species. The rainforest comes alive after sunset with the calls of its nocturnal inhabitants. As we listen to the sounds, try to distinguish one from another. Frogs, owls, bats, tepezcuintles (pacas), moths, and various other creatures come out just as most of us are getting ready for bed.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 7 La Selva Biological Station, The Great Green Macaw Sarapiqui

Getting on/off a bus: about 25 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking several miles; birding trails in primary and secondary rainforest, undulating terrain, hot/humid conditions. Elevation approximately 180 feet above sea level.

Early this morning we will set out on a field trip to the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) La Selva Biological Field Station. With our Group Leader, we’ll continue birding in this well-known preserve for Manakins, tanagers and flycatchers along La Selva’s easy, paved trails. La Selva was established in 1954 as a farm dedicated to the improvement of natural resources management through experimentation on mixed plantations. It was purchased in 1968 by the non-profit Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and declared a private biological reserve and station. It has become one of the most important sites in the world for tropical rain forest research. La Selva comprises 3,900 acres of tropical wet forests and other lands. A home for more than the half of the 886 species of birds in Costa Rica, the station is located within the tropical and pre-montane wet forest. The OTS consortium includes 63 universities and research institutions from Latin America, the U.S., and Australia. We will return to the lodge in time for lunch.

After lunch, we'll enjoy a bit of "down time" to rest and recharge our batteries at the lodge. Late in the afternoon we will make our way back to La Selva Biological Station and do more birding from its trails. Returning to the lodge, we’ll gather with a local expert for a lecture on the Great Green Macaw and learn about its story of success.

We’ll go on another night walk around the lodge grounds to look for nocturnal species. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At La Selva Biological Station.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 8 Transfer to Arenal, Fortuna Town Arenal

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, undulating terrain in primary and secondary tropical forests with volcanic soil. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 60 miles, approximately 2 to 2.5 hours (depending on local conditions). Elevations range from 2,405 feet near the lodge to 2,723 feet at La Fortuna Town.

We will set out on an early morning (pre-breakfast) birding walk on lodge grounds. After checking out, we will board the bus and begin our ride to Arenal with birding stops en route. The foothills and mountains surrounding Arenal Volcano National Park form a lush natural corridor between the Tilaran Range highlands and the northern lowlands, providing excellent habitat for many tropical species of flora and fauna. The park itself consists of primary rainforest, while the volcano’s impressive and nearly perfect cone shape dominates the landscape. This was Costa Rica’s most active volcano, which began its present eruptive cycle in 1968 until 2010.

We expect to arrive at the lodge in the early afternoon and stretch our legs with a birding walk on the lodge grounds. We may be able to spot species such as hummingbirds, including the Black-crested Coquette, White-necked Jacobin, Stripe-throated Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and possibly the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. We’ll then return to the lodge for check in.

At leisure. Walk the grounds of the lodge or just relax. Prepare for early morning activities.

At the lodge.

At a restaurant en route.

At the lodge.

Day 9 Arenal Sky Walk Arenal

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 8 miles, approximately 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Walking a few miles; hanging bridges, rainforest trail conditions, uneven ascents/descents. Elevation approximately 2,460 feet.

Early at the lodge, we will have coffee and cookies, then set out for a birding walk along grounds and trails. After breakfast, we will board our bus and ride to the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges for an expert-led walking field trip along the undulating “terrain” of suspension bridges that take us through the primary rainforest. We’ll have a bird’s eye view of this pristine natural reserve through the lush vegetation surrounding us. Among the bird species we might see are mixed flocks including Streak-crowned Antvireo, Slaty Antwren, Spotted Woodcreeper, White-fronted Nunbird, and Scarlet-rumped Caciques. Other birds often seen here include Keel-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Spotted Antbird and the Short-tailed Hawk. We’ll return to the lodge at the conclusion of our field trip.

We’ll ride towards Lake Arenal then we'll set off on foot in search of Keel-billed Motmots and White-fronted Nunbirds in surrounding areas.

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 10 Transfer to the Central Valley, Cloud Forest Birding San José

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; about 85 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking on uneven forest trails.

After checking out, we'll board the bus and begin our drive back to San José. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at a local finca to do some birding and learn about a conservation project aimed at cloud forest conservation and restoration. We'll explore the misty trails and walk among epiphyte-laden trees, mosses, and ferns in search of the birds who call this unique and vulnerable environment, home. Then we'll return to the main house in time for lunch.

Continuing our transfer, we expect to arrive in San José late afternoon and check in to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and departure in the morning.

At the lodge.

At the finca we’ll enjoy a family-hosted meal.

At the hotel. During our farewell dinner, we’ll discuss the final bird count and share our favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Day 11 Program Concludes In Flight

Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Day 1: A Social Gathering on the Sand & Horseback Riding

Our tour to Costa Rica starts in Tamarindo. This beach village is a popular destination for couples and families looking for a good time. Tamarindo is the epitome of everything Costa Rica prides itself on. Let's head to the beach, where there is likely to be a gathering/party of some sort. On a side note, Tamarindo is also home to leatherback turtles. The day ends with horseback riding on the beach and in a nearby valley.

Day 2: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar & Appetizers & Going Snorkeling

We go on an excursion today. Passing by the beaches in Brasilito and then Potrero, we stop at Flamingo beach so we can go swimming. Afterwards, we do a cruise into the bay. We are provided with snorkeling gear, local appetizers and access to an open bar. Enjoy the sunset while “sipping on some bubbly.”

Day 3: Zip-Lining & a Night Expedition in a Cloud Forest Reserve

We relocate from Tamarindo near to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. There we go on a zip-lining tour. We return in the evening for a night tour.

This reserve draws roughly 70,000 visitors a year. It consists of over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest and 6 ecological zones, 90 percent of which are virgin forest. A high biodiversity-consisting of over 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 reptilian and amphibian species and thousands of insects-has drawn scientists and tourists alike.

Day 4: Rappelling, Climbing & Hiking & Bathing in Natural Hot Springs

We relocate from Monteverde to the town of La Fortuna. Shortly thereafter, we are taken on an adrenaline-pumping adventure to the Lost Canyon. There we climb and hike and otherwise go waterfall rappelling. Lunch is included on today’s tour.

After the Lost Canyon, we are taken to one of the many natural hot springs in La Fortuna. More specifically, we are taken to a resort called Ecotermales Fortuna. There we bathe as well as eat. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 5: Walking Over Hanging Bridges & Swimming Under a Waterfall

Today we are taken on a tour to the nearby surroundings. First is Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, which features cool-looking bridges hanging in the tropical rain forest. Next is La Fortuna Waterfall, where we can go swimming. Following the waterfall is lunch, which is included on today’s tour. Lastly for today is Arenal Volcano National Park. It offers a nice hike amid tropical scenery. The volcano measures at least 1,633 meters (5,358 feet) high and is estimated to be less than 7,500 years old.

Day 6: An Intimidating Volcano

We go on a daytrip today. We are taken to Tenorio Volcano National Park. The jewel of this national park is its volcano, from which it receives its name. Tenorio Volcano consists of 4 volcanic peaks and 2 craters. Thermal springs and small geysers dot the area, as do rivers, waterfalls and lagoons. The upper area of the park is dominated by primary cloud forest, while the lower regions are carpeted with rain forest. The summit can be reached via the Lago Las Dantas Trail, which winds up the volcano and passes through forested terrain before eventually reaching the peak. From the park’s entrance, it takes about an hour to hike up to the peak/main viewpoint. Lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 7: The Country's Most Famous Beach

We relocate from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. We see why this town is so popular with tourists. Its national park receives almost 150,000 visitors annually. Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica at its most tropical. Let's head to the beach.

Day 8: White Sand & Taking a Surf Class

The day starts with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests. The second half of the day is spent taking a surfing class.

Day 9: Discovering Wildlife Inside an Animal Kingdom

Before relocating to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, we are provided with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests.

Day 10: The Most Stunning Volcano in Costa Rica & a Coffee Plantation Visit

We go on a daytrip today. We are first taken to Doka Estate. There we are provided with breakfast followed by a guided tour of a coffee plantation. Next, we visit Poás Volcano National Park. There we are provided with a guided tour. Please note that Poás Volcano National Park is often closed due to eruptions. If this is the case during your visit, then this park would need to be removed from today’s itinerary. Lastly, we visit La Paz Waterfall. There we are provided with lunch as well as a guided tour.

Day 11: Our Tour Ends This Morning

San Jose is the final destination on our tour around Costa Rica. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the international airport.