Costa Rica Birding North

Upon arrival into San Jose, you will meet your driver for a transfer about 25 minutes to Heredia, situated in the hills overlooking the Central Valley.

Arrive at Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn for overnight. Discover this intimate inn tucked away amid 10 acres of fruit trees and dramatic tropical flora. Surrounded by towering Higueron trees, the inn showcases spectacular views of the Central Valley below. Known for its inventive gourmet cuisine, Finca Rosa Blanca prepares a bounty from its very own orchard and organic garden!

Explore the grounds of Rosa Blanca and the surrounding coffee farm in the early morning, and discover a wealth of birdlife in our own backyard. Enjoy the high-altitude coffee farms of the region while looking for bids like Wild Parakeets, Mot Mots, and Bonking Bell Birds.

This afternoon, experience how organic coffee is grown, harvested, dried, and processed. Discover how coffee ages, how it was discovered, traded, and consumed, and the entire process of cultivation and harvest. In the production facility and roasting house, see first-hand the long journey of coffee berries, including cleaning and drying the berries, and a multitude of roasting methods. Learn how experts rate and discern fourmet coffee by participating in coffee cupping. Finish at the coffee bar where you will learn to make a cappuccino, cafe latte, and esspresso. Finally, relax on the spacious deck and enjoy the view while you sip your favorite java beverage. Overnight Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn.

Today you will be picked up and driven approximately 3 hours to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This high-elevation forest of dense, chaotic vegetation is great for hiking and bird watching.

Arrive at Monteverde Lodge, a comfortable accommodation with beautiful gardens, a restaurant and bar, and a large Jacuzzi, ideal for after-hike soaks.

Discover Curi-Cancha Reserve which protects 237 acres of forest. About 50% of the reserve is fully-recovered forest, 45% consists of secondary forest, and the remaining 5% is open areas. There are over 200 species of birds found in the reserve, including the Resplendant Quetzal. Your guide will be an experienced naturalist in the region. The reserve has a total of 3 miles of trails with easy access. Overnight Monteverde Lodge.

Early morning pick up for transfer by ground about 1 ½ hours to Rio Chiquito, a small town on the shore of Lake Arenal. Here, you will board a small boat and transfer across the lake (approximately 15-25 minutes, depending on wind conditions). The boat will dock at the Arenal Dam where you will ground transfer to your hotel at the Arenal Volcano. Although the volcano is currently in a resting phase, the region offers an abundance of exciting opportunities.

Arrive at the Arenal Observatory Lodge for overnight. Set on a ridge facing the spectacular Arenal Volcano, Arenal Observatory Lodge offers the adventurous traveler the unique experience of a private nature reserve. Please note that the Observatory Lodge is located in a secluded natural setting, approximately 30 minutes away from the main roads of Arenal.

This afternoon, enjoy on-site at Arenal Observatory Lodge. An experienced guide will show you the best birding spots and aid in the identification process. Often, the birds found in the afternoon are very different from the species found in the morning hours. This makes the afternoon tour worthwile even for those who have already enjoyed the morning tour!

The Arenal Hanging Bridges is an ecotourism project with eight fixed and six hanging bridges built with the latest techniques. Birdwatchers will meet with an ornithologist guide. The great diversity of the environment allows for an array of species. Regularly, you can find between 50-60 species of birds, which makes it one of the most productive birdwatching walks in the country. After your 2.5 hour hike, take some time to catalog all the species you've found. Overnight Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Dawn is magic at Arenal Observatory Lodge. Breathe in the fresh air. Enjoy the quiet trails while the surrounding forest trails buzz to life. Join an experienced guide this morning on a quest to fulfill your birding bucket list. There are a diversity of habitats within the private reserve which means you can expect to find a diversity of species, over 500 in fact. Tanagers, toucans, trogons, and maybe even the elusive umbrella bird - there's no telling!

This evening, explore El Silencio Private Reserve, a nearby property with over 100 hectares of forest. Walk through the primary and secondary forests led by your professional naturalist guide in search of bird species of every color and size. Overnight Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Today private ground transfer about 3 hours to the Poas Volcano region. Arrive at Poas Volcano Lodge for overnight. This unique mountain lodge is tucked away in the highland pastures with beautiful views of the Central Highlands. Set on a farm on the edge of Poas Volcano National Park, the lodge is accessible to a small local village and the attractions of the cloud forest region. Enjoy the trails created through the farm, where you discover virgin cloud forest, and possibily even spot a Resplendent Quetzal!

The Poas Volcano Lodge's setting between the two national parks makes it a unique destination for birders! A professional guide will help you find the unique species of the highlands including hummingbirds, euphonies, and hopefully the Resplendent Quetzal! Discuss your unique birding interests with the hotel concierge at check-in. Overnight Poas Volcano Lodge.

After breakfast, meet your transfer by ground to the boat dock Pavona. Board the boat with your naturalist guide and depart on the 1-hour boat trip (shared with other guests) to Tortuguero on the Northern Caribbean Coast. Arrive at the Tortuga Lodge & Gardens for overnight. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the pool or plan tours with the help of your concierge.

Free days at Tortuga Lodge. Two on-site experiences are included per day.

Both days included a Private Morning Boat Tour with Birding Guide. Leave the lodge by boat (shared with other guests) with your guide to explore the creeks of Tortuguero National ParkReturn to the lodge in time for lunch. Overnight Tortuga Lodge & Gardens.

Inquire with the concierge at check-in to book additional daily excursions. Overnight Tortuga Lodge & Gardens.

After breakfast transfer to the local airport for a short flight to San Jose. Upon arrival transfer to the international terminal for departure.