San Jose Trip Overview
This trip explores some of the best birding locations along the Pacific Coast of Puntarenas as well as Cerro de la Muerte, one of the best birding locations for the Resplendent Quetzal. We give the best experience for the least cost, and invite people to shop around to confirm this. You will find that we are by far the most cost effective tour company for the length of our tours and the quality of our accommodations. We use only the best guides, experienced people that know all of those hidden little places that will make your birding tour with us fantastic! We hope to see you on the tour!
Additional Info
Duration: 9 days
Starts: San Jose, Costa Rica
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Safaris
Explore San Jose Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting San Jose, Province of San Jose, Costa Rica
This trip explores some of the best birding locations along the Pacific Coast of Puntarenas as well as Cerro de la Muerte, one of the best birding locations for the Resplendent Quetzal. We give the best experience for the least cost, and invite people to shop around to confirm this. You will find that we are by far the most cost effective tour company for the length of our tours and the quality of our accommodations. We use only the best guides, experienced people that know all of those hidden little places that will make your birding tour with us fantastic! We hope to see you on the tour!
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome Dinner
Stop At: Santo Domingo de Heredia, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Province of Heredia
Arrival at the airport in Costa Rica. Transfer-in to the hotel in San José for the overnight.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Dinner
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Hotel Bougainvillea or equivalent accomodations.
Day 2: Boat ride on the Rio Tarcoles
Stop At: Tarcoles, Tarcoles, Tarcoles District, Garabito Municipality, Province of Puntarenas
In the early morning we will explore the gardens of the hotel, where we can find birds from the central Valley. After a welcome breakfast, we will travel from San Jose to the Pacific Coast (approx. 2 hours), where we will enjoy a traditional Costa rican lunch next to the Tarcoles river. A bit later, we will explore the river on a safari boat. This is a great opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife as we explore the mangrove forest and other brackish and freshwater habitats. After our river safari, we will do some owling.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Villa Lapas or equivalent accommodations.
Day 3: Visiting Carara National Park
Stop At: Carara National Park, Highway 34, Carara Costa Rica
We start the day birding the Carara National Park. This sanctuary protects an important transitional forest that includes three habitats and close to 430 species of birds. After exploring the park, we will continue down the coastal road to Hacienda Baru. Once a working farm the original owners decided to restore and protect this beautiful site. Today Hacienda Baru is a well known National Wildlife Refuge.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Hacienda Baru or equivalent accommodations.
Day 4: Birding Hacienda Baru
Stop At: Corcovado National Park, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula, Province of Puntarenas
After an early morning bird walk and a hearty Costa Rican breakfast we’ll continue driving down the coast to our next destination, Corcovado National Park. On the way to Corcovado we’ll stop at a couple of birding hotspots and also for lunch.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Bosque del Cabo or equivalent accommodations…
Day 5: A Full Day of Birding at Corcovado
Stop At: Corcovado National Park, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula, Province of Puntarenas
We spend the entire day birding Corcovado National Park.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Bosque del Cabo or equivalent accommodations.
Day 6: Birding the Talamanca Cordillera
Stop At: Savegre, Savegre, Province of Puntarenas
Today we head up to the highest mountain range in Costa Rica, Cerro de la Muerte. On the way we’ll explore a variety of habitats as we ascend from sea level to 3000 meters above sea level. After experiencing the Paramo forest with its unique biodiversity and amazing views, we’ll drive down to Savegre, an intermontane valley well known for its beauty and variety of wildlife..
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Trogon Lodge or equivalent accommodations.
Day 7: The Paraiso Quetzal Lodge
Stop At: Savegre, Savegre, Province of Puntarenas
After breakfast once again we board our vehicle for a short drive up to Paraíso de Quetzales, a well regarded Resplendent Quetzal Sanctuary, where we will explore several trails searching for a variety of highland birds. After lunch we will head back to Savegre for a relaxing afternoon.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Trogon Lodge or equivalent accommodations.
Day 8: Back to San Jose
Stop At: Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica
Today we leave the highlands behind and head down back to the central valley, on the way there, we’ll stop at a couple of birding hotspots, including a coffee plantation on El Guarco Valley. We’ll also stop for a local lunch on the way. Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll have some time to relax at our hotel before we meet for our farewell dinner.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea or equivalent accommodations.
Day 9: Leaving with Many Great Memories!
Stop At: San Jose, San Jose, California
Transfer-out to the international airport for the flight out carrying many fond memories of incredible birding adventures!
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
