Day 1: Arrival in San José

This is the arrival day; while no group activities are planned except for dinner, if you arrive early enough, you may wish to go birding in the hotel grounds where many species including Ferriginous Pygmy-Owl and Rufous-backed Wren can be seen. The night will be spent in a hotel not far from the airport.

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Day 2: San Jose to Tapir Valley Nature Reserve

After some optional early morning birding we will meet for breakfast, then board our vehicle and head north to Tapir Valley, where we spend one night. The drive can take anywhere from 3-4.5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. While most of the highly prized targets are most active at night, there are still many incredible animals to enjoy in the daytime. The gardens can be an incredible place to see hummingbirds like the Black-crested Coquette and Snowcap, some of the country’s most prized bird species. After dinner, we will venture out on a guided night walk in the jungle. Here we will search for different frogs, snakes, sleeping birds and lizards, and hopefully some mammals. The biggest target here is perhaps the Baird’s Tapir, a strange and elusive herbivore with a short prehensile trunk. Tapirs are the only group of odd toed ungulates in the New World, meaning their closest living relatives are the rhinoceroses. Another big priority here is the Tapir Valley Tree Frog. This small green tree frog is endemic to the Tapir Valley, and this nature preserve is the only place in the world to see it.

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Day 3: Tapir Valley Nature Preserve to Arenal

This morning will start with a guided birding tour through Tapir Valley Nature Preserve. There are hundreds of bird species found on the property, some of our highlights could include some scarcities like Yellow-eared Toucanet, Tody Motmot, and Great Curassow, as well as an astonishing array of tanagers, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and toucans. This morning will be a fantastic opportunity for people who have never been to the tropics to become familiar with many neotropical bird families. After our morning activity we will drive towards La Fortuna (3-4 hour’s drive) where we will be staying at one of the wonderful lodges in the vicinity of the Arenal Volcano. 

 

We will do some afternoon birding, while also keeping a vigilant eye out for reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and other cool invertebrates. While hiking the trails here we will be searching for the very rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird, one of Costa Rica’s most unique and iconic birds. After dinner we will go on a night walk to search for tree frogs like the famous Red-eyed Tree Frog, Masked Smilisca, and Hourglass Tree Frog. Other animals of the night we may find include, the variably colored Eyelash Palm Pitviper, Emerald Basilisk, Yellow-spotted Night Lizard, and even some mammals such as the Derby’s Woolly Opossum and Southern Opossum. 

 

Day 4: Arenal to La Selva Biological Station

This morning we will continue exploring the grounds of Arenal Observatory Lodge. We will continue searching for any targets we hadn’t found from the previous day. We will also be searching for mixed flocks of antbirds; these groups can contain elusive species like Spotted Antbird and Ocellated Antbird (typically only when there is an army antswarm present), Streak-crowned Antvireo and even the occasional Song Wren. We will continue down the trails in search of other cryptic birds, and we will place a focused effort on finding the elusive Thicket Antpitta. While the chances are very low, we will also be in the range for the enigmatic Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo. This mythical bird has been seen here many times over the years as it sometimes associates with the local ant swarms.  We would need some very good fortune to see it however.

 

After our morning at the observatory we will pack up the vehicle and leave for La Selva Biological Station, a two-hour drive away. This station is located in the heart of the Caribbean lowlands and will provide us with ample opportunities to search for an unbelievable cast of nocturnal animals. The reptile and amphibian diversity can be off the charts when conditions are right! Nocturnal reptiles like Yellow-spotted Night-Lizard, Cloudy Snail-eating Snake, Black Halloween Snake and Common Blunt-headed Tree Snake would all be epic finds. The invertebrate diversity is like no other and some of the potential highlights include oddities like Velvet Worms, Micrathena brevipes, Peruvian Shield Mantis, or the legendary Bullet Ant. The mammal diversity is also impressive here with species like Ocelot, Mexican Mouse Opossum and Lowland Paca all frequenting the area. 

 

Day 5: La Selva Biological Station to Tapirus Lodge

After a long night walk the previous day, clients can decide to either rest up in the morning or go on their own self-guided walk along the easy trails on site. We will depart La Selva Biological Station and begin our two hour drive to Tapirus Lodge. Traveling here brings us further along the Caribbean lowlands and gives us more time to explore this region's endless diversity. This area will provide us with ample opportunities to search for endemic birds like the scarce Lattice-tailed Trogon and the ultra-rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird. The forests surrounding the lodge are also home to many incredible mammals like Baird’s Tapir, Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, and White-nosed Coatimundi. We will have dinner here at the lodge and then go on a night walk to find some more denizens of the dark. On the right night, the frogs here can be abundant and very diverse, with many of Central America’s most iconic frogs found here. Amongst the highest priorities is Sylvia’s Leaf Frog, also known as the Tiger Tree Frog due to their bold orange and black striped ventral pattern. The large Gliding Leaf Frog is one of the largest tree frogs in Central America and can be found abundantly here when conditions are right. Lastly, this region will provide us with our best opportunity for finding the Coronated Tree Frog, a large frog with a bony ridge rising on the top of its head giving it a distinct crowned appearance. 

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Day 6: Tapirus Lodge to Veragua Rainforest Lodge

This morning will provide us with the opportunity to search for any targets in the area we have still not found. Alternatively, if we arrived later than planned the previous day, we will be able to spend the day birding in the area. Morning time is the best time to search for the Baird’s Tapir, where a few very habituated (yet still wild), individuals can be seen on most days. We will also be able to see many species of birds that call the forests here home. Some possible highlights include White-ruffed Manakin, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, and Carmiol’s Tanager. We will continue birding and herping near the lodge in the early morning before leaving for our next stop. Today we will head towards Veragua Rainforest Lodge to settle in for the next night. The jungles of the Caribbean lowlands have some of the most concentrated epicenters for biodiversity in the country. We will be able to explore the Veragua Rainforest and other surrounding places for many new species. Here will be searching for many different mammals, such as Mantled Howler Monkey, Kinkajou, Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth, and even Honduran White Bats. The herp diversity here is also incredible with three species of dart frogs, including the Striped Poison Dart Frog. Some reptiles found here include the Rainbow Galliwasp, Rainforest Hognose Viper, and Yellow-headed Gecko.  While we will have another opportunity at searching for the rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird, we will also prioritize finding the endemic Sulphur-rumped Tanager. This tanager is only found very locally along the Caribbean slopes of Costa Rica and Panama, its gray stout appearance is complimented wonderfully by its lemon yellow rump. We will then also do a night walk here to search for critters like Northern Turniptail Gecko, Yellow-flecked Glassfrog, Striped Rocket Frog, Peruvian Shield Mantis, and False Tree Coral Snakes.

 

Day 7: Veragua Rainforest Lodge to Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center

Today’s timing will be based on how successful we were at finding our previous day’s targets. We may spend the whole morning hiking the trails here or leave after breakfast for our next hotel. Regardless, we will leave the lodge and head towards our next accommodation, a 90-minute drive away. The accommodation will be close to our next main location, the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center. The reserve is privately owned by a local herpetologist, who has discovered several species of salamanders and frogs. The property here is home to one of the most endangered frogs in the Americas, the Lemur Leaf Frog. This delicate frog has a patchy distribution in Costa Rica and Panama, with its most charming feature being its lemur-like eyes. The night walk here can be very difficult at times, so it is important to bring a hunger for adventure, rain jackets and hiking poles. However the jungles here are home to many strange invertebrates like Velvet Worms, Wandering Spiders, and Helicopter Grasshoppers. Aside from the rare Lemur Leaf Frog, it will also be possible to find several species of glass frogs like the Ghost and Reticulated Glass Frogs, as well as Sylvia’s Leaf Frog, Rufous-eyed Brook Frog, Lancaster’s Tree Frog, and Ridge-headed Salamander.

 

Day 8: Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center to the Talamanca Highlands

After breakfast and birding, we will say goodbye to the lowlands and head towards the iconic Talamanca Highlands. This major mountain range runs from west of San José into western Panama, with its highest peaks reaching up to 12,500ft (3800m). Due to this intense topography, this bioregion has the highest level of endemism in all of Costa Rica. We will make several stops to look for regional endemic birds like the gorgeous Golden-browed Chlorophonia or the elusive Wrenthrush. We will head up roads that give us access to some of the highest points in the area. These high peaks will provide us with ample opportunity to search for Montane Alligator Lizards, Volcano Juncos, Red-legged Webfoot Salamanders, or even the erratic Peg-billed Finch.  After the stops throughout the day we will arrive at our accommodation for the next two nights. An optional night walk will be available in which we will search for different nocturnal animals, such as the endemic Bare-shanked Screech Owl, Cerro Utyum Robber Frog, and if we are very lucky, Cacomistles a strange member of the racoon family. We spend two nights at one of several lodges in the area

 

Day 9: Talamanca Highlands and nearby valleys

Today we will be searching for endemic reptiles and amphibians in the area. The highest priority of today will be to search for the endemic Talamancan Pitviper and Costa Rican Montane Viper. The Talamancan Pitviper was only discovered in 2016 and boasts a stunning array of black and lime green mottling. We will be joined by a local herp guide to ensure the best chances at finding these elusive snakes, as well as viewing the snakes in a safe environment, for both us and the snakes. As we search for these snakes, we will also stop to enjoy birds like the iconic Resplendent Quetzal and Spangle-cheeked Tanager. If we are lucky, we may come across the endemic Costa Rican Telipogon, an endemic orchid found only along the slopes of the Talamancas. 

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Day 10: Talamanca Highlands to Quepos

We will spend the morning searching for the Resplendent Quetzal. Oftentimes lodge guides know of an active nest, making it likely that we will get great looks at this beautiful and iconic species. The glistening emerald and ruby feathers of this bird are of legendary status in the avian world. Depending on our timing, after the early morning search for the quetzal and breakfast we may continue searching for a few of our missing reptile and amphibian targets. After an early lunch we will begin our 4-hour drive to Quepos. Once we arrive at our accommodation for the night we will settle and prepare for our first mangrove boat tour in Isla Damas. This will be our only night tour in the area. Entering the mangroves with a local company at night will give us the chance of viewing the rare Northern Silky Anteater, as well as different reptiles in the mangroves like the Mangrove Cat-eyed Snake or sleeping basilisks and iguanas. 

 

Day 11: Quepos to San José

We will revisit the mangroves in the morning to look for anything we haven't seen yet. We will have another opportunity at finding the Northern Silky Anteater sleeping in the branches, roosting Proboscis Bats, or a Northern Tamandua as it forages. The mangroves are also home to several monkeys, such as Central American White-faced Capuchin and Central American Squirrel Monkey. As we travel through the tangled roots and looming mangroves, we will also be searching for several birds like the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird, several kingfishers, Boat-billed Heron, Scarlet Macaw, Common Black Hawk, and Bare-throated Tiger-Heron. After the boat ride, we will drive to San José, and spend the night at a hotel close to the airport.

 

Day 12: Departures from San Jose

The tour ends this morning for those not joining the Osa Peninsula Extension. Transportation to the airport will be available.

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Osa Peninsula Extension

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Day 1: San José to Sierpe

We will depart San Jose very early and head to Esquipulas Rainforest, where we will be focused on getting some great looks at a few more epic birds. We will be targeting the White-crested Coquette, an endemic hummingbird with a “funky hairdo”, which visits the flowers at the lodge. As we look for the coquette we will search for other local birds like Fiery-billed Aracari, Golden-naped Woodpecker, and Red-capped Manakin. Other major targets are the rare White-tipped Sicklebill and the stunning King Vulture. After some birding here we will have lunch and then continue our journey towards the peninsula. Upon arriving we will settle into our accommodation for the next two nights. Tonight we will be joined by a local guide to search for different reptiles, amphibians and mammals. With some luck we may find species like Rosenberg’s Gladiator Frog, Chiriqui Glass Frog, Berthold’s Monkey Lizard, Granular Glass Frog, Bare-hearted Glass Frog, Lowland Paca, and Kinkajous.

 

Day 2: Sirena Day Trip

Today we will embark on a day trip into the heart of the Osa Peninsula. We will leave early for a two and a half hour boat ride among Sierpe's mangroves towards the pristine Pacific coastline of the Osa Peninsula. Along the way we will search for Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey, Yellow-billed Cotinga, American Crocodile, and Baird’s Tapir. Our destination is the Sirena Ranger Station, which is surrounded by the last true wilderness of Central America. The trails surrounding the Ranger Station have been a reliable place for several epic mammals. Baird’s Tapir is once again possible, however we will also  intensely search for  Northern Tamandua and White-lipped Peccary, species that is in steep decline and increasingly rarer every year. Perhaps we will get lucky and see one of the most desired bats in the world, Northern Ghost Bat, as it quietly perches under leaves. We will return to Sierpe late in the afternoon, and explore the forests surrounding Sierpe during one last guided night hike. We will continue searching for as many species as possible in this epicenter of herpetofaunal diversity. Aside from the previous night’s targets, we may come across species like Scorpion Mud Turtle, Bromeliad Boa, Osa Caecilian, Allen’s Worm Salamander, and Banded Snail-eater
 

Days 3-5: Piedras Blancas National Park and surroundings

After breakfast, we will begin our drive to Escape To Sylvan Lodge, where we will stay for three nights. The jungles here are home to five Poison Dart Frogs, including the two Costa Rican endemics, Golfo Dulce and Granular Dart Frogs. Other animals present are Lowland Paca, Central American Boa, Forest Flame Snake, and Ocelot. We will search for the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, a scarce denizen of the forest found only in and around the Osa Peninsula. Another high priority target will be the endemic White-tailed Hognose Viper, a snake with an intricate pattern that blends it into the understory. Our time here will provide us with several opportunities to join a trained biologist on a night of bat netting. While we will not be allowed to handle the bats, it will provide us with a unique opportunity to view several bat species up close and personal, like Spix’s Disk-winged Bat, Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat, Heller’s Broad-nosed Bat, Seba’s Short-tailed Bat, with one night dedicated to catching the famous Common Vampire Bat.​

 

Day 6: Return to San José

Today we return to San José; the drive takes about five hours, so we will have time to look for more wildlife either around our lodge or at stops along the way. We'll spend the night at a hotel near the airport.

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Day 7: Departures from San José

The tour ends this morning for those not joining the Osa Peninsula Extension. Transportation to the airport will be available.​​​

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Trip Considerations

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PACE: Moderate-Intense. The mornings and nights will offer us the best opportunities for wildlife activity. The timing of each day will vary since some days we will prioritize nighttime activities, and other days we will prioritize morning and midday activities. Most days will allow for mid-day breaks, and we will be checked in to each night’s accommodation prior to all of the nighttime activities, allowing guests to “sit out” if needed. We will be changing hotels almost every night on this tour, allowing us to see more places and increase our total species count, but it does mean many one-night stays. 

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PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. There are very few feeder options along this tour. All major activities will include hiking in varying terrain and elevations. Weather can always impact trail conditions and clients should be prepared with proper rain gear, footwear and hiking poles. The long days can also be physically impactful, so it is important for clients to pace themselves and sit out of certain activities when needed.  On one of the days we will be at high elevation, at over 9840ft (3000m), although all of the time in the  mountains will not involve any tough walking at this elevation.

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CLIMATE: The middle of the day can be hot and humid when in the tropical lowlands (maximizing between high 80’s to mid 90’s Fahrenheit/27-33C), with the nights only being slightly cooler in temperature. While we will not be visiting in the wet season, weather conditions can be rainy and windy at any time, so it is important to pack raingear especially for time along the Caribbean slopes, where the rain is present year-round. The mountainous parts of the Talamancas will be cooler than the tropical lowlands. For this reason it is important to pack a warm jacket, and even base layers for the night. While daytime temperatures in the mountains will be much warmer (averaging in the mid 70’s to low 80’s Fahrenheit) it is good to pack an extra light layer. 

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ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent throughout, with three cooked meals, and full-time electricity. Most hotels will have WIFI and hot water, but it is important to understand some places in Osa Peninsula may experience difficulty in providing these amenities at all times. Oftentimes, the WIFI is only accessible in public areas (e.g. reception and restaurant areas), in Costa Rica and not necessarily in each room. Patience is therefore appreciated but adaptability is required. We will be changing accommodations almost every night, with many single night stays.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: This is an Enigmatic Wildlife Tour (EWT), meaning photography is not the top priority. Assuring everyone sees the wildlife will take precedence. Most wildlife will be seen from trails or boats. The only feeders on this tour are operated by lodges and local restaurants, but there will be no main activities focused on these. Feeders will often be present at our accommodations, allowing anyone that wants to sit out of an activity to have some adequate entertainment. The feeder locations will be the best locations for photography, since the birds are more accustomed to people. As we search for our tour’s main targets the photography opportunities will be more limited, especially when considering mammals. Clients are encouraged to bring camera gear for when photo opportunities arise.

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GEAR: Binoculars are the most essential item for wildlife viewing, but photographers are encouraged to bring their cameras and lens. The guide will have a scope which you are welcome to use. If you would like to bring your own scope you may do so. A tripod is always welcome but keep in mind that all of our photography will be opportunistic which means you will have to be quick. Monopods are often a better, quicker and more portable option. However, neither a monopod or tripod is necessary to join this tour. Since we will be focusing on several groups of animals it would be best to bring an array of lenses. The most fitting lens will be a lens with a focal length between 300mm and 500mm, to allow optimal reach for birds and mammals. For reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and plant photography a macro lens is best, between the 60mm and 105mm length.  

 

Proper hiking gear and attire are essential, remember to know your own limits and comfortability, please plan so accordingly. Sunglasses and wide-brim hats are highly recommended for our walks. Mosquito head nets and insect repellent will not be provided, so if you are concerned about insects, it is good to bring both. Other gear requirements are good footwear (like hiking boots with good traction and ankle support), hiking poles, and a day backpack (something that will be sufficient for carrying camera gear, snacks, enough water, etc.), and sunscreen. In the case of hiking poles, most people don’t consider it to be necessary and regret not bringing them once they have arrived on the tour. I highly encourage everyone to bring hiking poles due to the varying terrain and trail conditions we will experience. In case of rain, a waterproof bag and rain jacket are recommended. It’s always best to prepare for the worst conditions! Lastly, many activities will take place at night. A flashlight and/or rechargeable headlamp are required too.

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WHEN TO GO: This is an excellent time to visit Costa Rica, as we will be avoiding the heart of the wet season. The lack of consistent rains will reduce the cancellation of activities due to intense weather that can happen at other times of year. Late February and early March is when many birds are active, as well as the highest frequency of encountering most of our reptile and amphibian targets. Many of our mammal targets are possible year-round, but March seems to have a higher probability of finding them than some other months. 

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Other Information

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TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all Western European countries. Visas are currently only required of nationalities mainly in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; if you are unsure, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 11 on the main tour; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 5 on the extension, if taking part in that too; meals on the main tour from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 12 (if you have a very early departing flight, you may miss the included breakfast on the last day); If taking the extension, the included meals are from breakfast on day 1 of this to breakfast on day 6 (unless you leave before breakfasts are served at the hotel); safe drinking water throughout; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the morning of day 2 to the night of day 11 on the main tour; from Day 1 through to the evening of Day 5 of the extension if also joining that too; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person, (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour or other guests at the same hotel); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 11 of the main tour in a suitable vehicle with a local driver; and if taking the extension from the morning of Day 1 through the afternoon of day 5 on that part; entrance fees to birding sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance).

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WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the TROPICAL BIRDING tour leader; tips for luggage porters in any city hotels (if you require their services); international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.