Costa Rica | Birding Northern Costa Rica with Mario Córdoba and Debbie Jordan

Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, you'll be met by a Holbrook representative and transferred to Hotel Bougainvillea. Gather this evening for a welcome dinner and trip orientation.

Depart this morning for the northern lowlands, traveling through the lush Caribbean slope. En route, stop for lunch at Mirador Cinchona, a roadside restaurant known for excellent food and birding opportunities. Continue to the remote and biodiverse region of Boca Tapada, located on the banks of the San Carlos River within Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge. Over 400 bird species have been identified here, including Roseate Spoonbill, Jabiru, Muscovy Duck, Agami Heron, Keel-billed Toucan, Great Curassow and many more. Settle into Boca Tapada Lodge and enjoy late-afternoon birding on the grounds. After dinner, an optional guided night walk offers the chance to observe nocturnal wildlife and amphibians.

Begin the day with an early morning birding excursion in Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge. Spanning over 50,000 acres, this refuge has been a protected area since 2005 and is a key stronghold for the endangered Great Green Macaw, which feeds on the almond trees common in this area. Explore the mosaic of tropical forest, rivers, and lagoons, home to a rich diversity of birds including toucans, trogons, and woodcreepers. In the afternoon, embark on a peaceful boat tour along the San Carlos River towards the border with Nicaragua, searching for riparian and aquatic species such as the elusive Sunbittern, Green Ibis, and several species of kingfisher. Other animals to look for along the way include monkeys, turtles, iguanas, and crocodiles.

Depart early this morning for Laguna del Lagarto, a lodge and private reserve well known for its close bird photography setups, frequented by toucans, trogons, and hummingbirds. Later, return to Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge to continue birding and exploring. Highlights may include Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-necked Puffbird, and soaring King Vultures.

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive from the Caribbean lowlands into the Tilarán Highlands, a transition from tropical rainforest to cloud forest. En route, stop at The Nest Nature Center looking for White-collared Manakin, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, and Striped Owl. Arrive at Bosque de Paz, a serene lodge and biological reserve located in the lush cloud and rainforests of the Cordillera Central of Costa Rica. Bosque de Paz is nestled in a natural biological corridor and is the perfect spot to marvel at the exuberant biodiversity of centennial trees loaded with orchids, bromeliads, mosses, and ferns, which are surrounded by impressive mountains, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls. Because of its fortunate location between Poás Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco National Park and the tireless work of the González Sotela family toward reforesting and conserving the existing primary and secondary forests in its 1,235 acres, the reserve is home to around 300 of the more than 900 bird species in Costa Rica. Arrive in time to enjoy an afternoon focused on hummingbirds like the Scintillant Hummingbird, Magenta-throated Woodstar, and Green Hermit.

Spend the next two days exploring Bosque de Paz. The reserve's trails are easily accessible and feature the cloud forest's lush foliage, including wild orchids, ferns, and epiphytes, ideal for macro and landscape photography. At the lodge, the communal areas are perfect for relaxing, learning about the orchid collections and the scientific research conducted here, or finding an interesting book in the library. Enjoy birding on the ample terrace, with possible sightings of species such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Scaled Antpitta, Black Guan, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Three-wattled Bellbird, Wrenthrush, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Black-faced Solitaire, American Dipper, and Golden-browed Chlorophonia. Feeders attract a variety of highland hummingbirds, including Purple-throated Mountain-gem and Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, while the surrounding forests host species like the Slate-throated Redstart.

As the day unfolds, venture into the forest trails to capture macro shots of orchids, mosses, and other forest textures, while watching for mixed flocks of tanagers and barbets. Bosque de Paz's orchid garden and research initiatives have contributed to the discovery of several new species of epiphytic plants, increasing Costa Rica's documented plant diversity. The garden is home to about 230 species, including three new to science. In the afternoon, enjoy the feeders which offer chances for species like the Northern Emerald Toucanet and Red-headed Barbet. As dusk falls, join a guided night walk that may reveal glass frogs or other nocturnal wildlife under the glow of your macro light. End the evening with dinner and a farewell briefing.

After breakfast, travel to San José International Airport in time for afternoon departures. Please book flights to depart after 1 pm. One group transfer included. Additional transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.