Costa Rica: Beyond the Classic
Trip Overview
Costa Rica is a premier destination for birding and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a rich diversity of habitats that support an incredible array of species. This trip will take you to some of the country’s most celebrated wildlife areas—an ideal introduction to tropical America.
From lush lowland rainforests to misty mountain cloud forests, this journey showcases a range of Costa Rica’s natural wonders. Beginning near San José, we’ll head down to the wildlife-rich coastal lowlands, where colorful birds, monkeys, sloths, and other tropical species thrive. As we travel through the country’s vibrant ecosystems, each day will offer new encounters and surprises.
Our final days are spent in the cool highlands of the Talamanca Mountains, surrounded by ancient oak forests and breathtaking views. This region offers a completely different perspective on tropical birding—quiet trails, cooler air, and a chance to see iconic species like the resplendent quetzal. Throughout the week, your expert guides will help you spot, identify, and appreciate the incredible biodiversity all around you.
Whether you’re an experienced birder or new to tropical nature travel, this trip is designed to delight. With carefully selected lodges, small-group camaraderie, and access to some of Costa Rica’s best wildlife locations, it’s an adventure not to miss.
Join Wild Birds Unlimited of northern Colorado and Reefs to Rockies on this fun, weeklong adventure through the wildest parts of beautiful Costa Rica!
Itinerary
Day 1 | San José
Afternoon or evening arrival in San José, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for the first night of our Costa Rican adventure. The hotel is nestled within an award-winning, 10-acre tropical botanical garden—widely recognized as one of the most beautiful in the country.
Accommodations: Hotel Bougainvillea
Meals: None
Trip starts and ends at the San José International Airport (SJO).
Day 2 | San José to Dominical
Not only are the hotel gardens stunning, but they also attract a variety of birds, making for a perfect introduction to Costa Rica’s avifauna. We’ll enjoy a morning of birding right outside our door, followed by a brief orientation over breakfast. Then we’ll begin our journey west to the Pacific coast. Along the way, we’ll stop at Carara National Park, home to one of the country’s largest populations of scarlet macaws. A walk through the coastal rainforest may reveal parrots, hummingbirds, trogons, antbirds, frogs, iguanas, monkeys, and more. By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Dominical, a relaxed coastal town that will be our home base for the next three nights.
Accommodations: Villas Río Mar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3 | Manuel Antonio
Today we visit Manuel Antonio National Park, famed for its mix of tropical beauty and abundant wildlife. With luck, we’ll encounter both two-toed and three-toed sloths, multiple monkey species, toucans, parrots, and a wide range of other birds and mammals. We’ll return to our hotel for a relaxing dinner and time to share highlights from the day.
Accommodations: Villas Río Mar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4 | Dominical
Another immersive day in the coastal rainforest awaits. Today’s destination is Hacienda Barú, a private wildlife refuge with a well-maintained trail system that offers easy access to the area’s rich flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and of course, more tropical birds. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy some downtime at the hotel, followed by an early dinner at one of our favorite venues in the region. This evening, we return to Hacienda Barú for a guided night tour—an exciting opportunity to experience the rainforest after dark and encounter a different cast of creatures. Don’t worry, we won’t stay out too late—rest is important!
Accommodations: Villas Río Mar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5 | Dominical to San Gerardo de Dota
After exploring the lowlands, it’s time to head into the mountains. As we ascend into the cloud forest, you’ll notice a dramatic change in climate and scenery. While the humidity persists, the air cools noticeably—pack warm clothes; you’ll be glad you did! At Paraíso Quetzal Lodge, we’ll be immersed in pristine cloud forest, home to a fascinating array of species, including the iconic resplendent quetzal. Hummingbird activity here is spectacular, both in diversity and sheer numbers. The contrast with the lowlands may have you wondering if we’re still in the same country!
Accommodations: Paraíso Quetzal Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6 | San Gerardo de Dota
We’ll begin the day with a gentle walk through the cloud forest in search of quetzals and other highland species. Later, we’ll visit additional hotspots in the area, including the renowned Batsù Garden—famous among birders and photographers for its feeding station that attracts colorful tanagers, thrushes, woodpeckers, and a dazzling variety of hummingbirds. We’ll return to the lodge for a cozy final evening together and our farewell dinner.
Accommodations: Paraíso Quetzal Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7 | San Gerardo de Dota to San José
After breakfast, we will travel back to San José to connect with our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast
Plan your departure flight from SJO Airport at 1 pm or later.
About Your Naturalist Guides
Arlet Quirós Calvo is a biologist and naturalist with a deep passion for wildlife, storytelling, and guiding. Born and raised in Los Santos, Costa Rica, and now based on the Osa Peninsula, she weaves together science, nature, and human connection to create unforgettable experiences for travelers. Arlet holds a master’s degree in natural resources management with a focus on biodiversity and is dedicated to helping others foster a deeper connection to the natural world. She’s thrilled to co-lead this expedition and share some of the most remarkable places in her home country.
Kyle Carlsen from Reefs to Rockies is excited to co-lead this expedition alongside our local Costa Rican naturalist guide. With a strong background in avian research and conservation, Kyle brings extensive field experience and a track record of published work in journals, books, and magazines. His travels have taken him across North America, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia, deepening his expertise in diverse ecosystems. Kyle ensures that every journey he leads is not only educational but also inspiring.
Details
Price: $3975* per person based on two people sharing a double occupancy room. Add $665** if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.
Inclusions: accommodations; all meals starting with breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 7; private ground transportation; two naturalist guides; daily guided wildlife viewing with spotting scope available; activities as listed; and entrance fees. A donation to support Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be made on behalf of all participants.
Exclusions: flights; passport fees; travel insurance (we can provide a quote); dinner on arrival day; gratuities; activities not listed; and personal expenses.
*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees assessed at time of payment based on card used.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a room, we’ll do our best to pair you. If we are unable to find a roommate for you, the private room supplement will apply.
Group Size: 7-10 participants + 2 guides. We are known for having smaller group sizes with a better participant to guide ratio than most companies offering similar itineraries.
Level of Difficulty – Moderate: Most of our birding will involve primarily nature walks on a variety of terrain, though mostly even at elevations between sea level and 10,000 feet above sea level. Most walks will be 1-3 miles in length with a total distance of up to five miles on a given day.
Conservation Impact
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies works to conserve birds and their habitats through science, education, and land stewardship across the Rockies, the Great Plains, Mexico, and beyond—supporting native bird populations, the land, and the lives of people. A donation to support Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be made on behalf of all trip participants.
