Birding Trip to Costa Rica!
Are you ready for the birding adventure of a lifetime?
Wild Birds Unlimited of Hilton Head and Eco-Adventures, LLC are once again partnering to bring you a fantastic opportunity to see birds in one of the world's birding hotspots -- Costa Rica! Our next birding trip happens April 17-25, 2021.
If you were on our September 2019 trip, please note that our latest adventure features some new locations.
This trip is limited to 12 participants.
Read below for all the details including prices and how to reserve your space now.
Please note that travel to and from Costa Rica is not included in this itinerary. All participants are responsible for their own airfare.
Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday, April 17 - Arrival to CR
Upon arrival at San Jose International Airport (SJO) you will be transferred to the Bougainvillea Hotel. Transfers will be arranged from the San Jose Airport to the Bougainvillea Hotel according with time of arrival.
Set among 10 acres of lush gardens, this family-owned hotel is a comfortable haven where guests enjoy the tropical beauty of Costa Rica.
The group will gather in the evening at the hotel’s restaurant to go over the itinerary and next day’s activities.
Dinner and overnight at Bougainvillea Hotel.
Day 2: Sunday, April 18 - Caño Negro
Breakfast at Bougainvillea. Departure to Natural Lodge Caño Negro near Costa Rica’s border with Nicaragua.
The Natural Lodge Caño Negro is a bird watching paradise. It’s surrounded by tropical gardens and is adjacent to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. This 800-hectare fresh water lagoon is one of the top
bird watching destinations in Costa Rica. The refuge was created in 1984 to protect the biologically intense Rio Frio and its floodplain. It is a place of great biodiversity due to its location in the intersection of the Pacific lowlands and the Caribbean coastal area.
Although remote, our lodge offers great comfort and luxurious amenities. Afternoon exploring the hotel surroundings. Dinner and overnight at Natural Lodge Caño Negro.
Day 3: Monday, April 19 - Caño Negro
Early morning bird walk through the lodge’s trails followed by breakfast. After breakfast we will depart to explore the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge by boat. We will see many species of wading birds and hope to catch a glimpse of the elusive collared anteater.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we will continue to explore the hotel’s grounds and nearby wetlands.
Dinner and overnight at Natural Lodge Caño Negro.
Day 4: Tuesday, April 20 - Arenal Volcano
After breakfast at Natural Lodge Caño Negro, we depart to the Arenal Observatory Lodge.
The Arenal Volcano entered an active phase in July 1968, when an eruption devastated two villages at its base. Since 2008, the volcano has been in a passive phase, with a constant expulsion of gas and water vapor from its main crater. Many species of tropical birds, monkeys, sloths and other animals live in this area. The photo opportunities are fantastic.
The rooms and restaurant at Arenal Observatory Lodge offer amazing views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. The hotel grounds, surrounding forest and waterfall trail have abundant wildlife and great bird watching opportunities. Afternoon exploring the hotel gardens and rainforest.
Dinner and overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge.
Day 5: Wednesday, April 21 - Arenal Volcano
Early morning bird watching through hotel grounds, which have many feeders. Breakfast at hotel restaurant.
Leisurely morning walk around the hotel grounds and surrounding rain forest. Good possibilities to see sloths, monkeys, toucans and other animals. Many species of tanagers and honeycreepers can be seen on the hotel grounds including the beautiful Green Honeycreeper and Golden-hooded Tanager.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon exploring the Arenal Area and the Bogarin Trail. An ideal site to see local favorites such as the Uniform Crake, Keel-billed Motmot and a diversity of hummingbirds. This trail is also famous for an abundance of sloths.
Overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge.
Day 6: Thursday, April 22 - Monteverde
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will depart to the Monteverde area and the Fonda Vela Hotel, our home for the next two days. The Fonda Vela Hotel is an exquisite small hotel adjacent to forest. The hotel offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains and the gulf of Nicoya.
Lunch en route at a local restaurant.
On our way to our hotel we will stop at the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges. Exploring the forest canopy this way is a unique opportunity, since 60 percent of life forms live in the treetops. You’ll enjoy this point of view that is the norm for birds and monkeys but not usually accessible to people.
Dinner and overnight at the Fonda Vela Hotel.
Day 7: Friday, April 23 - Monteverde
Early morning bird watching at the lodge grounds.
Breakfast at the lodge.
After breakfast, we will visit the Reserva Curi-Cancha, a great example of the benefits of eco-tourism. This wildlife refuge is owned by the Lowther family, who bought the 205-acre property in 1970. At the time, half of the property was rain forest and the other half was pasture. Since then, the family has allowed the forest to re-take the pasture. This combination of secondary and primary forest is an ideal site for visitors to see sloths, monkeys and other animals.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.
The uniqueness of the cloud forest cannot easily be described in words; one most experience it to understand the magic of this forest. Due to the high humidity, the trees, leaves and most surfaces here are covered by a myriad of mosses and other epiphytes. A walk in a pristine tropical cloud forest can move people to tears. Dinner and overnight at the Fonda Vela Hotel.
Day 8: Saturday, April 24 - Fonda Vela, depart to San Jose
Early morning bird watching in the hotel gardens. Departure to San Jose, where we return to the Bougainvillea Hotel.
Lunch en route at a local restaurant.
The group will gather in the evening at the hotel’s restaurant for our farewell dinner.
Overnight at Bougainvillea Hotel.
Day 9: Sunday, April 25: Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transportation to San José International Airport.
Payment Information
Participants:
Maximum of 12
Price per person:
$3,300, double occupancy. $400 single supplement.
Price includes:
- Private transportation on microbus with air conditioning
- Private naturalist guide services
- Lodging at the hotels/lodges described
- Meals
- Activities and entrance fees as described
- Taxes
- Gratuities to hotel and restaurant staff
- Gratuities to local guides
Price does not include:
- Round-trip airfare to Costa Rica
- Personal expenses (passport, medical expenses, souvenirs, etc.)
- Travel/medical insurance
- Alcoholic beverages/bar tab
Payment Policy
In order to participate on this trip, a $500 down payment per person is required. The remaining balance should be paid no later than January 17, 2021.
Payments can be made by check to Eco-Adventures, LLC. Send your payment to:
Carlos Chacon
21 Park Circle
Bluffton SC 29910
Final balance due no later than January 17, 2021.
For Additional Information
Please contact Carlos Chacon at [email protected] or by phone at 843-290-0804