Day 1 - La Ensenada National Wildlife Refuge
Upon arrival at Costa Rica’s Liberia Airport, transfer to La
Ensenada Lodge and Wildlife Refuge. The lodge is located on the Tempisque River in the Province of Puntarenas. The area along the river is known for its dry forest system, attracting a variety of birds such as herons, bellbirds, ibis, pelicans, and others. Upon arrival at the lodge is a welcome orientation and an introduction to birding in Costa Rica. Overnight La Ensenada Lodge (D)
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Day 2 - Palo Verde National Park
This morning take an early boat ride on the Tempisque River for birdwatching. The river passes through Palo Verde National Park and encompasses mangroves, swamp, and both freshwater and saltwater lagoons, providing a crucial habitat for various species of crocodiles, monkeys, and birds. The area attracts millions of birds including species such as the Roseate Spoonbill, White Ibis, Little Blue Heron, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Boat-billed Heron, and Tropical Kingbird. This afternoon take a tractor ride to the lagoons and salt ponds for more birding. Enjoy a guided night walk after dinner to observe owls and nocturnal wildlife. Overnight La Ensenada Lodge (BLD)
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Day 3 - Hacienda Solimar
Begin with early morning guided birdwatching followed by breakfast and departure to Hacienda Solimar. At Hacienda Solimar, observe a variety of birds among the dry scrub including the Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Spot-breasted Bobwhite, and several different species of wildfowl, heron, egret, raptor, and kingfisher. The deciduous forest of the area is home to parrots, orioles, woodcreepers, warblers, antbirds, raptors, owls, and nightjars. After lunch return to the lodge for afternoon of birding during a boat ride on the Tempisque River. Overnight La Ensenada Lodge (BLD)
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Day 4 - Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
This morning take one last boat ride on the Tempisque River among the mangroves. After a late breakfast, depart for Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge with lunch en route. Caño Negro was declared to be Costa Rica’s first Ramsar site in 1991 and is comprised of permanent and intermittent lakes, forested wetlands, and flooded areas. It is considered to be one of the four most critical wetlands in the world and a key migratory route for birds traveling from the north. Before dinner at the lodge, spend the afternoon observing a selection of the over 350 species of birds found here. Highlights include the Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Black-bellied Tree Duck, Northern Shoveler, Snail Kite, Green Backed Heron, Bluewinged Teal, Wood Stork, Northern Jacanas, and the Great, Snowy, and Cattle Egret. Overnight Caño Negro Natural Lodge (BLD)
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Day 5 - Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Before breakfast take a boat ride along the channels and lagoons of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge for some early birding. The rest of the morning is free to relax and explore the grounds. Later enjoy another opportunity to view kingfishers, herons, grackles, tanagers, woodpeckers, swallows, and honeycreepers, among others. This is one of the only habitats in Costa Rica where the rare Nicaraguan Grackle can be spotted, so keep your eyes peeled! Dinner at the lodge. Overnight Caño Negro Natural Lodge (BLD)
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Day 6 - Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve
Begin with an early morning guided bird walk before breakfast and departure for the Sarapiquí region. Afternoon birding on Selva Verde’s private property, a tropical rainforest reserve founded by the Holbrook family in 1985. Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve is renowned for its commitment to ecological preservation and sustainability. The reserve is home to a large assortment of avian life including several types of heron, egret, hawk, falcon, macaw, hummingbird, flycatcher, warbler, sparrow, and tanager. Specific species that are often spotted at Selva Verde include the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, Crimson Tanager, Wood Thrush, Violet Crowned Woodnymph, and Grey-necked Wood Rails. Selva Verde is also home to the endangered Great Green Macaw. The Great Green Macaws can occasionally be found here, feeding on the giant fruiting almond trees in the rainforest. Dinner at the lodge followed by a guided night walk in the rainforest. Overnight Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve (BLD)
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Day 7 - La Selva & Tirimbina Reserve
Depart at dawn to journey to the world famous La Selva Biological Station for early morning birding in the tropical wet forests. La Selva consists of approximately 2,500 acres of land, over 90% of which is virgin forest. The area averages over 13 feet of rainfall each year, making it a prime spot to observe water birds. Over half of Costa Rica’s 895 recorded bird species have been spotted at La Selva, including the Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Red-capped Manakin, Great Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Striped Cuckoo, Slaty Spinetail, Yellow-tailed Oriole, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon at Tirimbina Reserve. Tirimbina consists of two kinds of humid tropical forest that attract over 300 bird species, including tinamous, herons, hawks, owls, trogons, woodcreepers, antbirds, and flycatchers. After dinner at the lodge, take another guided night walk. Overnight Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest
Reserve (BLD)
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Day 8 - Rancho Naturalista
After early birdwatching and breakfast, depart the lodge for Rancho Naturalista. Set at an altitude of 2,970 feet, Rancho Naturalista’s balcony and many rooms provide stunning views of Turrialba Volcano and Irazú Volcano. Spend the afternoon observing some of the over 400 species of birds attracted to the exotic fruits, flora, and hummingbird feeders at the lodge. Highlights include
the Ruddy Quail-Dove, Grey-headed Chachalacha, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Lineated Woodpecker, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Great Tinamous, Barred Forest-falcon, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Immaculate Antbird, and the beautiful Garden Dinner at the lodge. End the day with a night walk with your expert guide. Overnight Rancho Naturalista (BLD)
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Day 9 - Rancho Naturalista
Today will be spent exploring the grounds of Rancho Naturalista and its many trails throughout the forest. An extended stay at Rancho Naturalista will provide a chance to see birds of differing sleep cycles and increase your chances of spot the more elusive birds. You may catch a glimpse of the Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Long-billed Gnatwren, White-winged Becard, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Bananaquit, and the Eye-ringed Flycatcher. Overnight Rancho Naturalista (BLD)
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Day 10 - San José
Early morning birding at Rancho Naturalista. After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and return to San José. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Overnight Hotel Buena Vista (BLD)
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Day 11 - Departure
After breakfast transfer to San José International Airport for your flight home. (B)
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