Beautiful trip! David and Lali provided overall excellent leading. Local birding guides very knowledgeable and helped us spot the many birds we saw and heard. David was always ready to do more birding during open times. Driver Ricardo not only got us safely from place to place, but joined us on birding walks and helped spot and identify birds. Beth and Lali also were great spotters and identifiers of birds. Additional birding was enjoyed at the wonderful lunch spots during the week. Food. So delicious everywhere. Lali gave enthusiastic explanations of food as we travelled, from observing and tasting at the open air market to menus with unfamiliar dishes. The market tour, Cacao farm and coffee farm tours, gave us valuable encounters with Costa Rican people and culture. Added to this was time spent with Costa Rican friends of Lali, who shared with us more about the country’s history and culture. Lodgings were lovely and comfortable.

I can’t recommend this trip highly enough as it was one of the most immersive, enjoyable, and well-organized travel experiences I’ve ever had. David is not only an incredibly knowledgeable birder with an amazing ability to find birds, but also someone who genuinely cares about people, conservation, and supporting local sustainable businesses. Every location felt thoroughly chosen, the pace was just right, and I always felt safe, welcomed, and completely immersed in the beauty and culture of Costa Rica. Lali Hess was a welcome addition to this tour and added so much to the experience. Her knowledge of the local culture and food brought another dimension to the trip and she made every meal and stop even more meaningful. Together they created an experience that was educational, relaxing, and unforgettable. What truly made this trip exceptional though, was the people. Although many of us were strangers (I knew no one previously) when we arrived, our fellow travelers were patient, kind, encouraging, and always looking out for one another. By the end of the trip, it felt like less a tour group and more like a family. If you are looking for incredible birds, breathtaking scenery, authentic local experiences, exceptional guides, and new friends you didn’t know you needed, this is the tour to book! BE WARNED - you may come home with a heart full of memories, a camera full of amazing photos, and a strong desire to start planning your return to Costa Rica.

Well planned trip with variety of activities mixed in with birding. Fun group of people, delicious food, comfortable accommodations and fantastic leaders. Hope to participate in another Indigo Birding trip in the future.

The Flying Banana Tour to Costa Rica was well organized, exciting, and fun. Our leaders were knowledgeable, and helpful in every regard. The itinerary each day included wonderful opportunities for bird sightings and the meals and accommodations were excellent. Small groups make it easier to navigate and build friendships. Our driver was skilled, knowledgeable about local birds, and took great care to make us comfortable. The tour guides and selected outings were interesting and hospitable. I hope to join other tours with Indigo Birding.

Truly an experience that words can only begin to describe. As a first-time birder, I learned so much! David is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and kind, making everyone feel welcome and engaged throughout the trip. Lali's extensive knowledge of Costa Rica, along with her deep understanding of the country's culture and cuisine, was one of the many highlights of the experience. The accommodations were comfortable, the food was fantastic, my fellow travelers were wonderful company, and Ricardo, our driver, was outstanding. I can't wait to do it again!