Best of Birding in Costa Rica

Best of Birding in Costa Rica Day by Day Itinerary

One of the top reasons for visit Costa Rica, has to be its biodiversity and part of that lure are the large variety of birds. Probably the best place to spot birds in the whole of Central America, about 850 different bird species are registered in this country. There are a couple of places where you have the biggest chance to spot the most beautiful ones in their natural habitats. Spot species like the resplendent quetzal, the scarlet macaw, the lesser yellow-headed vulture, the keel-billed Toucan, different species of hummingbirds like the mangrove hummingbird, and many more!

Spot them at the beaches, in the tropical dry forest, in the mangroves, in the cloud forest, tropical rainforest, during rainy season as well as dry season… You can stay at an all-inclusive resort with luxury accommodation or travel to the remote birding lodges. Whether you visit the famous La Selva or the Arenal Observatory Lodge just outside of La Fortuna, your stay in Costa Rica will be marked by many glorious sights! There are many places to go bird watching from the Caribbean side to Osa, to Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, but this tour will focus on the Central valley, Southern Zones and Central Pacific. Check out our itinerary for the best of birding trip in Costa Rica!

Day 1:

We will personally meet you at the international airport in San Jose Costa Rica and hand deliver a custom welcome package just for you. A private driver will wait for you and they will take you to your Hotel Bougainvillea. The birds of Costa Rica are waiting for you!

Day 2:

In the morning you will be picked up in your hotel to visit San Gerardo de Dota – one of the best areas for birding. Once you have arrived, you will check in to Trogon Lodge. Take it easy and relax tonight because tomorrow is a big day!

Day 3:

The San Gerardo Birding tour is one of a kind. Your guide and tour operator will help you and point out the best spots along the way to take some great photos. You will feel like you are in a totally different world because of the unique terrain and sights.

Day 4:

On your fourth day, you will go on a quetzal tour. Have your binoculars at hand and be ready to spot this famous and very elusive bird. Los Quetzales National Park is home to three different kinds of rainforests and 14 ecosystems! It is the ideal place for a birding vacation in Costa Rica. You’ll see the Resplendent Quetzal, of course, in addition to woodpeckers, trogons, macaws and different species of hummingbirds. The biodiverse area is also home to sloths, felines and some of the most astonishing flora and fauna in Costa Rica. Tropical birding has never been so exciting!

After the birding tour, it is time to pack up and head to Dominical, close to one of Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches. You will stay in the hotel Hacienda Baru. This superb little eco-lodge is nestled between the jungle and the ocean. Enjoy the evening and get ready for the next day.

Day 5:

On your sixth day, it is time for the Lowland Birding Tour. Experience a different setting in the Dominical area right by the beach. Explore the rainforest through various trails as the guide points out the most popular birds of the area. If you would lie to incorporate some other tours like horseback riding on the beach, don’t be afraid to ask!

Day 6:

Now we will take you to Jacó, a beautiful beach destination. You will check into the Punta Leona Hotel and enjoy the sunset on the beach! There are a large number of birds to spot in this area like Toucans, Hummingbirds, Quetzals, and Macaws.

Day 7:

Today you will go through the Tarcoles Mangrove. Take the boat tour through the canals and try to spot as many animals as you can. This area, close to Carara National Park, is known for its large variety of birds as well as crocodiles! Be prepared to spot a wide variety of different bird species like the American Egret, Great Tinamou, Keel-billed Toucans, Boat-billed Herons and more.

Day 8:

Today you will further tour the Jaco area and explore the vast variety of flora and fauna Costa Rica is so famous for. You can hope to spot the scarlet macaw and many other birds as well as several monkey species.

Day 9:

It is time to head back to San Jose to spend your last night at Hotel Bougainvillea. How was your Costa Rica Trip? Did you spot all the birds you were hoping to see?