Costa Rica is one of the world’s great birding destinations, home to spectacular species like the Resplendent Quetzal, Scarlet Macaw, Three-wattled Bellbird, and the elusive Bare-necked Umbrellabird. On this 11-day journey, we’ll explore a remarkable range of habitats—from Pacific dry forest to Caribbean lowlands to misty cloud forest, seeking out some of the most iconic birds of the Neotropics.

But this trip is about more than just what we see—it’s about understanding why these places still exist. While Costa Rica is now considered a global leader in ecotourism and conservation, it once had one of the highest rates of deforestation in Central America. What changed? And what can the rest of the world learn from it?

Join Birding Man Wildlife Tours on an immersive journey through Costa Rica’s wild places, where exceptional birding, rich biodiversity, and one of the world’s most inspiring conservation success stories come together.

Birding Man Wildlife Tours is passionate about supporting conservation through sustainable travel. Having spent time living and doing research in Costa Rica, Birding Man founder and guide Ryan Dibala has remained in close contact with several different communities in Costa Rica. He has professional working relationships and friendships with several of the guides who will be leading this tour. You can feel great about your dollars directly supporting local "Ticos" and the projects they are working on.

The lodging used on this trip is second to none in class and ambiance. In San Jose, we will stay in what has been called an oasis of calm at Hotel Robledal only a half hour from the airport. We will transfer to the Punta Leona Beach Club and Nature Resort at the intersection between dry and wet tropical forest where you will have a chance to enjoy Costa Rica's Pacific beaches. We will spend two nights here, exploring Carara National Park and the Tarcoles River during the day. Afterwards, we will head north towards La Fortuna, where we will spend 2 nights at Finca Luna Nueva, a regerative farm and ecotourism lodge. From there, we will head east towards the Caribbean slope and into the lowland Caribbean jungles of Sarapiqui at Yatama Eco Lodge. Then we head south towards Los Quetazales National Park for our grand finale at Savegre Lodge. Finally, we will come full circle and spend our last night once again at Hotel Robledal. At each location, we will eat great food prepared with care while enjoying first class service and unrivaled natural beauty.    

Meet group at the Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose. Transfer to Hotel Robledal. Welcome dinner and orientation. 

Birding and breakfast on the hotel grounds. Transfer to the Rio Tarcoles bridge where we can observe American Crocodiles basking in the sun. Birding in Carara National Park followed by our check-in to Puerto Leon Beach Club. Afternoon relaxing and birding on the beach. Dinner at Puerto Leon.

Wake early for breakfast and transfer to the Rio Tarcoles to board our boat for a river cruise. We will likely get up-close views of American Crocodiles and have a chance to see birds like Scarlet Macaw, Double-striped Thick-knee, American Pygmy-Kingfisher, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, and Crested Carara. We will have lunch at nearby Cerro Lodge and then return to our hotel near the beach.

This morning we will have breakfast and head to a private farm in San Ramon, where Three-wattled Bellbirds breed. These spectacular birds put on an incredible show and it is an experience you won't soon forget. Afterwards, we will continue north to La Fortuna, where we will check into our rooms at Finca Luna Nueva. We will spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the grounds of this wonderful regenerative farm.

Today we will bird around the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park. In the afternoon, you will have the option to break free and enjoy the nearby hot springs if you'd prefer not to continue birding in the afternoon. We will return to Finca Luna Nueva for dinner.

Today we will enjoy a guided tour along the trails of the famous La Selva Biological Station. This area is well-known for research and species diversity. Our guided tour at La Selva Biological Station will be educational and exciting, as we'll have the chance of seeing Great Green Macaws, toucans, monkey, sloths, anteaters, peccaries, frogs, and snakes.

After lunch, we will continue towards our next adventure: Yatama Eco Lodge. This is by far the most remote place we will visit and it will give us the best chance to find more elusive wildlife. Our guide will talk to us about the history of Yatama and what it has taken for them to preserve this fragile ecosystem. Parrots, toucans, currassows, monkeys, snakes, frogs, anteaters, coatis, and tapir are all possible here.

Today we will enjoy birding the trails around Yatama. There is so much to see here, including multiple resident troops of howler and spider monkeys and many incredible birds, including Long-tailed Tyrant, Red-capped Manakin, and King Vulture! The time will fly by as we explore this tropical paradise! After dinner, we will set out on a night hike to discover nocturnal species of birds, insects, tree frogs, and snakes. 

Today we will stop at various spots to bird to break up the long drive to Los Quetzales National Park and are home for the next 2 days: Savegre Lodge. We will have some time in the late afternoon to relax and enjoy the grounds of Savegre. Dinner will be served at the lodge.

Today we will wake early and head to Paraiso Quetzal, one of the best places in the country to find Resplendent Quetzal, a bird of unparalleled beauty belonging to the trogon family. It is breeding season and therefore the Quetzals should be easier to find. We will visit several nearby farms looking for birds like Fiery-throated and Scintillant hummingbirds, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Black-faced Solitaire, Silvery-throated Jay, and Flame-throated Warbler.

One of the unique qualities of today is the chance to meet several local farmers who are working to protect the birds of the Savegre Valley.

Today we will ascend into the paramo, the high altitude tropical grassland that supports unique species, like the Volcano Hummingbird, Volcano Junco, Timberline Wren, Fiery-throated Hummingbird (pictured), and Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher. Ascending to over 11,000 feet, we will take in an ecosystem that is very different from all we have experienced prior to it.

Afterwards, we will head north, stopping at several prime birding locations before arriving back in San Jose for our final group dinner.

Today we will have breakfast and transfer to the airport. We will say goodbye to the group and depart to our respective homes.