Day 2 – Today, we change the Central Valley for the Caribbean Lowlands, where we will look for Barred hawk, White hawk, Prong-billed and Red-headed Barbet, Violet Sabrewing, Torrent Tyrannulet, Silver-throated Tanager, American Dipper, Green Thorntail, Coppery-headed Emerald – which is endemic to Costa Rica – and many more.

Day 3 – We explore the trails around of Selva Verda reserve in search of Keel-billed Toucan, White-winged Becard, Sunbittern and the endangered Great Green Macaw; as well as mammals including Howler and White-faced Monkeys, Agoutis and Coatis, amphibians and reptiles such as Green Iguanas, Emerald Basilisks and the world-famous Red-eyed Tree Frogs, Green and Black Frogs and Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frogs.

Day 4 – This morning we have an early start and visit the La Selva field station. The 2,500 acres of reserve consist of over 90% virgin forest. Over half of Costa Rica’s more than 900 recorded bird species have been spotted at La Selva, including toppers such as the Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Great Antshrike, Red-capped manakin, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Striped Cuckoo, Agami Heron, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Slaty Spinetail, Sunbittern and more.

Day 5 – After breakfast, we travel to Rancho Naturalista, home to over 400 species of birds. Highlights include Ruddy Quail-Dove, Grey-headed chachalaca, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Lineated Woodpecker, White-crowned Manakin, Thicket Antpitta, Great Tinamou, Barred Forest-Falcon, Immaculate Antbird and the Snowcap—the lodge’s star bird!

Day 6 – Today, we look for birds and other wildlife along the lodge’s forest trails, where we will have a chance to see some of the more elusive birds: You may catch a glimpse of the Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, White-winged Becard, Long-billed Gnatwren and Eye-ringed Flatbill.

Day 7 – This morning we drive to the Tapantí Highlands, which are home to specialties such as Cabanis’ Ground-Sparrow, Coppery-headed Emerald, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Green-fronted Lancebill and more. Even right at our hotel’s feeders, we can see beauties like White-tipped Sicklebill and Black-bellied Hummingbird.

Day 8 – This morning, we depart for the Talamanca Highlands, where we will try to find beauties such as Talamanca, Volcano or Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Flame-throated Warbler, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Ruddy Treerunner, Large-footed Finch, Black-and-Yellow Silky-Flycatcher and many more.

Day 9 –  This is the day we go look for the mythical creature that in pre-columbian mesoamerican cultures was connected to the feathered snake god Quetzalcoatl: the Resplendent Quetzal. At the Quetzal spot, we may also see Emerald Toucanets, Fiery-colored Tanagers, Marbled Wood-Quails, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatchers, Buffy Tuftedcheeks, Golden-browed Chlorophonias etc. In the afternoon, we roam our lodge’s trails looking for Black-cheeked Warblers, White-throated Mountain-Gems, Volcano Hummingbirds and more.

Day 10 – Today we cross the continental divide, from the Caribbean or Atlantic basin to the Pacific. We will make a stop en route to catch a glance at two endemics that inhabit the subalpine paramo: Volcano Junco and Timberline Wren. Upon arrival to our hotel late afternoon, there may still be enough day light to enjoy the Fiery-billed Araçaris, Baird’s Trogons, Bay-headed Tanagers, Long-billed Hermits and more.

Day 11 – When the tide is low, we will go to Ballena Marine National Park and visit the famous Whale Tail or Moises’ Path, a place where the water splits and leaves a sandy trail, allowing us to walk out towards the reef. The rest of the day we spend exploring the Cristal Ballena Reserve, looking for birds, sloths and monkeys. 

Day 12 – During an early morning boat ride through the mangrove-lined canals of the Tarcoles river, we look for Mangrove Vireo, Mangrove Yellow Warbler, Nightherons, Tigerherons, Pelicans and the tiny Mangrove Hummingbird which is endemic to Costa Rica. After the tour, we have lunch and leave for Macaw Lodge in the Central Pacific Lowlands, situated on the edge of humid tropical forest and humid pre-montane forest.

Day 13 – We start the day with an early morning, relaxed birding walk around the lodge – with a delicious breakfast in between – enjoying Blue-crowned Manakins, Fiery-billed Araçaris, Bicolored Antbird, Orange-chinned Parakeets and plenty more. There is also an interesting botanical garden with over 500 ornamental, medicinal and edible plant species from around the world.

Day 14 – Your trip has come to an end and we will drive you to the international airport of San José in time for your flight. We hope you enjoyed the tour and wish you a safe journey home.