11-Day Tour
This birdwatching and photography tour has been carefully designed to offer a deep and relaxed experience, traveling from south to north through some of the most biodiverse regions of Costa Rica. Each day is planned to allow for unhurried observation, rest periods, excellent cuisine, and accommodations immersed in nature.
Tour Details
Day 0: Arrival in Alajuela (one day prior to the start)
- We recommend participants arrive one day earlier to have a buffer in case of any travel issues.
- Transfer to a nearby airport hotel for rest.
Day 1: Alajuela – Villa Lapas (Central Pacific)
Departure from Alajuela after breakfast.
Stop in Orotina for a snack or coffee.
Arrival at Villa Lapas for lunch and check-in.
Afternoon birding around the lodge.
Day 2: Tárcoles & Carara National Park
Boat tour on the Tárcoles River to see waterbirds and crocodiles.
Short visit to Carara National Park.
Free afternoon or short walk near Villa Lapas.
Day 3: Villa Lapas – Esquipulas – Santa Juana
Departure around 8:30 a.m. towards Esquipulas.
Lunch and Coffee Tour in Esquipulas.
Transfer to Santa Juana Lodge, dinner and rest.
Day 4: Esquipulas – Manuel Antonio – Santa Juana
Early departure to Esquipulas for birding before 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast at the property and nature walk.
Afternoon visit to the Manuel Antonio area to enjoy the sunset.
Return to Santa Juana Lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 5: Santa Juana – Cerro de la Muerte – Savegre/Dantica
Drive to Cerro de la Muerte.
Stop at La Georgina for coffee and search for the Volcano Hummingbird.
Lunch at Doña Miriam’s restaurant with birdwatching.
Check-in at Savegre Lodge or Dantica Lodge for overnight stay.
Day 6: San Gerardo de Dota – Paraíso Quetzal
Early outing to observe Resplendent Quetzals and high-elevation birds.
Lunch at Paraíso Quetzal Lodge.
Relaxed afternoon or photography in the hotel gardens.
Day 7: Cerro de la Muerte – Quelitales
Transfer to Hotel Quelitales.
Lunch at the hotel.
Free afternoon for rest or light exploration on your own.
Day 8: Quelitales
Birding in the hotel’s gardens, feeders, and trails. Lodge or Dantica Lodge for overnight stay.
- Free day for photography or relaxing in the natural surroundings.
Day 9: Quelitales – Rancho Naturalista
Transfer to Rancho Naturalista.
Lunch at the lodge and afternoon photo exploration.
Check-in and rest at Rancho Naturalista or nearby lodging.
Day 10: Rancho Naturalista – Tranquil Garden
Morning birding on the lodge’s trails.
Visit to Tranquil Garden for additional bird photography.
Final night at Rancho Naturalista.
Day 11: Rancho – Airport (SJO)
Transfer back to Alajuela.
- Drop-off at hotels near Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Day 7: Cerro de la Muerte – Quelitales
Transfer to Hotel Quelitales.
Lunch at the hotel.
Free afternoon for rest or light exploration on your own.
Day 8: Quelitales
Birding in the hotel’s gardens, feeders, and trails. Lodge or Dantica Lodge for overnight stay.
- Free day for photography or relaxing in the natural surroundings.
Day 9: Quelitales – Rancho Naturalista
Transfer to Rancho Naturalista.
Lunch at the lodge and afternoon photo exploration.
Check-in and rest at Rancho Naturalista or nearby lodging.
Day 10: Rancho Naturalista – Tranquil Garden
Morning birding on the lodge’s trails.
Visit to Tranquil Garden for additional bird photography.
Final night at Rancho Naturalista.
Day 11: Rancho – Airport (SJO)
Transfer back to Alajuela.
- Drop-off at hotels near Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Day 0: Arrival in Alajuela (one day prior to the start)
- We recommend participants arrive one day earlier to have a buffer in case of any travel issues.
- Transfer to a nearby airport hotel for rest.
Day 1: Alajuela – Villa Lapas (Central Pacific)
Departure from Alajuela after breakfast.
Stop in Orotina for a snack or coffee.
Arrival at Villa Lapas for lunch and check-in.
Afternoon birding around the lodge.
Day 2: Tárcoles & Carara National Park
Boat tour on the Tárcoles River to see waterbirds and crocodiles.
Short visit to Carara National Park.
Free afternoon or short walk near Villa Lapas.
Day 3: Villa Lapas – Esquipulas – Santa Juana
Departure around 8:30 a.m. towards Esquipulas.
Lunch and Coffee Tour in Esquipulas.
Transfer to Santa Juana Lodge, dinner and rest.
Day 4: Esquipulas – Manuel Antonio – Santa Juana
Early departure to Esquipulas for birding before 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast at the property and nature walk.
Afternoon visit to the Manuel Antonio area to enjoy the sunset.
Return to Santa Juana Lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 5: Santa Juana – Cerro de la Muerte – Savegre/Dantica
Drive to Cerro de la Muerte.
Stop at La Georgina for coffee and search for the Volcano Hummingbird.
Lunch at Doña Miriam’s restaurant with birdwatching.
Check-in at Savegre Lodge or Dantica Lodge for overnight stay.
Day 6: San Gerardo de Dota – Paraíso Quetzal
Early outing to observe Resplendent Quetzals and high-elevation birds.
Lunch at Paraíso Quetzal Lodge.
Relaxed afternoon or photography in the hotel gardens.