We gather at the Hotel Aeropuerto, located in Alajuela near San Jose's international airport. After spending the next morning birding en route, we proceed to our home for the next 2 nights, upscale Hotel Villa Lapas just down the road from Carara National Park. From there we go to the wonderful Selva Verde Lodge on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica near La Selva Biological Station for the next 2 nights. From Selva Verde we transfer to the lovely mountain ecolodge Savegre Mountain Hotel in San Gerardo de Dota, a valley high in the Talamanca Mountains. Finally, we return to the Hotel Aeropuerto near the international airport in San Jose.
HOTEL VILLA LAPAS
Villa Lapas is an upscale eco-lodge focused on the conservation of nature. It's located just 5 minutes from Carara National Park, making it an ideal location for visiting birders. The lodge also has its own private reserve where one can hike and bird on a network of trails through secondary growth forest. A small village across a short foot bridge offers pottery and various other shops.
Rooms feature 2 queen-size beds or a king-size bed. All rooms are air-conditioned and include private baths with hot water and showers. All rooms have private terraces overlooking the gardens, Tarcolitos River, or pool. Meals in the restaurant are buffet or a la carte and include wine service with dinner. Full bar service is available next to the dining room. TOP
SELVA VERDE LODGE
Selva Verde is an exceptional eco-lodge situated on a large private tract of primary rainforest. Birding on the trails is restricted to guests of the lodge. The lodge is very near the Sarapiqui River, La Selva Biological Station, and Braulio Carrillo National Park. The entrance area, dining area, and accommodations are dispersed around lush tropical gardens and inter-connected through a network of covered walkways.
Rooms are well-maintained and very comfortable. They feature single or queen-size beds and private baths with hot water. Rooms are well shaded by the forest and kept cool with the aid of ceiling fans. Meals are served buffet-style in a large open dining area overlooking the Sarapiqui River. Upgrades to larger rooms are available for an extra charge. TOP
SAVEGRE MOUNTAIN HOTEL
Savegre Mountain Hotel is located in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the midst of a precious ecosystem in the Talamanca Mountains. The hotel lies at the bottom of a steep-walled mountain valley, offering fine scenery for the enjoyment of visitors. The nearby cloud forest reserve is sanctuary for a large number of mammals and innumerable species of insects, amphibians, amazing plants and higher elevation birds, making it a paradise for birders. Over 170 bird species have been observed in the area and along the multiple hiking trails in the forest. The area is known as one of the best places in the country to observe Resplendent Quetzals, who live there year-round. The grounds include beautiful gardens with colorful flowers and hummingbird feeders attracting numerous hummingbirds.
All rooms include comfortable double beds, private bath with hot water, heating systems, and the amenities of first class service. The lodge restaurant offers meals served a la carte or buffet style, each providing a wide and delicious variety of international and traditional Costa Rican cuisine, as well as the house specialty - freshly caught rainbow trout. The lodge also offers a bar and lounge with large windows providing close-up views of hummingbirds at the feeders. TOP
