Great Green Macaw
Birding Costa Rica's Hot Spots
Bird-less-visited parts of Costa Rica on this all-inclusive two-week journey!
February 2-February 14, 2025
8 of 8 spaces remain
From $4,900
Trip Highlights
Carefully Crafted Itinerary
Visit varied habitats
Great Guide to Participant Ratio
Explore the diverse ecosystems of Costa Rica and discover a world of birding opportunities. Immerse yourself in the local culture and learn about conservation efforts from community leaders. Experience Costa Rica like never before on this unforgettable journey.
You'll bird from cloud forests above 5,000 feet to lowland tropical rainforests. The varied habitats greatly increase your chances of seeing more bird species.
Your primary guide, Luis Barrantes, is a Tico who knows the flora and fauna exceptionally well. Your other guide, the company owner, will be on his 27th trip to Costa Rica. There will be a maximum of 4:1 participant-to-guide ratio.
On this trip, you are not merely looking at birds and checking another one off your life list, though you'll do that hundreds of times, too. You will return home with a wealth of knowledge and will be an ambassador for Costa Rican conservation efforts. You will meet community leaders and hear from our guides about the conservation challenges locals face.
What Sets this Trip Apart from Others?
All-Inclusive: From the moment you step off your plane in San Jose to the moment of departure, all expenses are covered except some alcohol and items of a personal nature. Your registration covers your laundry, food, lodging, transportation, guides, and gratuities.
Meet Locals: At the trip's conclusion, you'll bird our guide's yard and tour his home to meet his spouse. Birding at his property always adds a few new species.
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Limited Group Size: No more than 7 other participants will join you on your journey. Small groups ensure much better bird spotting.
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Itinerary at a Glance:
February 2: Arrive in San Jose (SJO), Hotel Bougainvillea
February 3 & 4: Quelitales Hotel, Cartago
February 5 & 6: Ara Ambigua Hotel, La Selva
February 7, 8, 9: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal
February 10 &11: Flor de Bromelia, Monteverde
February 12: Hotel Bougainvillea
February 13: Fly home
We acknowledge that our travels impact the climate. To mitigate our carbon footprint, we work with Sustainable Travel International, a non-profit focused on offering true carbon offsetting. We calculate the footprint from everyone's travels and then purchase a carbon offset greater than our overall footprint.
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We also contribute to Observatorios de Aves de Costa Rica, an organization that works on bird conservation and education in Costa Rica.
Golden-hooded Tanager
Violet Sabrewing photo by tour participant Don Killer
Steve Eshbaugh's experience includes working as a naturalist in Yellowstone National Park and many years for private nature centers. He has worked mapping prairie dogs for black-footed ferret restoration efforts, as a field botanist, and on the Everglades Restoration Project. Steve has visited Costa Rica more than 25 times.
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He holds a bachelor's in botany and a master's in environmental education. Steve led his first trip to Costa Rica in 1999.
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Steve loves sharing his knowledge of the natural world with other travelers.
IBlue Dacnis
Sunbittern
Resplendent Quetzal
Scarlet-capped Manakin
Red-legged Honeycreeper