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Costa Rica's Birding Hotspots
2009 Costa Rica Highlights Birding Tour

* Specific birding locales subject to adjustment based on guide recommendations and local conditions.

Carara National Park
Selva Verde Reserve
La Selva Biological Station
Colonia Virgen del Socorro
Braulio Carrillo Nat. Park
San Gerardo de Dota
Cerro de la Muerte

March 7-15, 2009
(9 days, 8 nights)

Price $TBA

Collared Aracaris in Costa Rica - © Laura L Fellows and Exotic Birding tours

Sat
Mar 7

San Jose
Hotel Aeropuerto

Included Meals: D

Tour begins with dinner and orientation in the evening at the Hotel Aeropuerto in Alajuela, near the San Jose international airport.

Sun
Mar 8

En Route
Orotina
Carara National Park
Rio Tarcoles Bridge
Villa Lapas

Included Meals: BLD

After early breakfast, depart for Pacific lowlands and Carara. Much of the morning birding en route, looking particularly for Turquoise-browed Motmot and White-throated Magpie-Jay. Stop in Orotina to look for Black-and-white Owls at known roost. After lunch birding Headquarters Trail or Laguna Meandrica Trail in Carara National Park.

Mon
Mar 9

Carara National Park
Rio Tarcoles
Villa Lapas

Included Meals: BLD

Early morning birding along first part of Laguna Meandrica Trail in Carara National Park. Lunch at restaurant. Late morning boat trip on Rio Tarcoles. Afternoon birding in Carara National Park.

Tues
Mar 10

Colonia Virgen del Socorro
Miradores Restaurant Overlook
Wetlands near Puerto Viejo
Selva Verde Reserve
Selva Verde Lodge

Included Meals: BLD

After early breakfast, transfer to Selva Verde Lodge birding en route. Birding stop at Miradores Overlook to see hummingbirds such as Coppery-headed Emerald and view San Fernando Falls. Additional stop to bird area around Colonia Virgen del Socorro for Tawny-crested Pygmy-Tyrant and other birds. Check-in at lodge mid-day. Lunch at area restaurant. Afternoon visit to nearby wetland to look for Green Ibis. Late afternoon birding around lodge looking for Sunbittern and other species including Great Green Macaws that roost nearby.

Wed
Mar 11

La Selva OTS
Selva Verde Lodge

Included Meals: BLD

Early AM departure for La Selva Biological Station. Bird entrance area outside and inside gate all morning. Lunch in area restaurant. Afternoon birding along rainforest trails across river seeking tinamous and other forest species.

Thurs
Mar 12

El Tapir Nature Reserve
Braulio Carrillo Nat. Park
San Gerardo de Dota
Savegre Mountain Hotel

Included Meals: BLD

Early checkout and departure. Look for hummingbirds such as Snowcap and Black-crested Coquette at El Tapir Nature Reserve. Morning birding near Quebrada Ranger Station in Braulio Carillo National Park. Lunch at restaurant en route. Afternoon transfer to San Gerardo de Dota in Talamanca Mountains.

Fri
Mar 13

San Gerardo de Dota
Savegre Mountain Hotel

Included Meals: BLD

All day birding in private reserve owned by lodge, including River Trail and possibly trails above lodge. View hummingbirds at feeders. Look for Resplendent Quetzal, which nest above lodge and along River Trail.

Sat
Mar 14

San Gerardo de Dota
Georgina's
Cerro de la Muerte
Talamanca Highlands
San Jose
Hotel Aeropuerto

Included Meals: BLD

Early morning birding around lodge. After breakfast check-out. Morning birding highlands of Cerro de la Muerte and roadside areas in the Talamanca Mountains for high altitude specialties such as Timberline Wren and Volcano Junco. Stop at Georgina's Restaurant to look for high-elevation hummingbirds. Afternoon transfer to San Jose, arriving before dinner.

Sun
Mar 15

San Jose
 

Included Meals: None

End of tour. International flights home.


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