Birdwatching Adventure!

"Costa Rica"

Scarlet macaws, marine turtles, hummingbirds, sloths, leaf cutter ants, quetzals, marine toads, monkeys, blue morpho butterflies, tanagers, poison arrow frogs, crocodiles, toucans, bats, iguanas, parrots - the list of Costa Rican wildlife seems endless and there are many opportunities to see these animals. Without doubt, Costa Rica's conservationist attitude and activity is the most developed in Latin America. The wonderful array of national parks and private preserves and their attendant wildlife and scenery draws travellers from all over the world. Join us on this complete different way to explore Costa Rica's wonders!

The Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrive at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport. Our guide meets you at the gate and drives you to the Herrudura Hotel.

Day 2: The Quetzal Experience
Santa Maria de Dota is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the resplendent Quetzal! This magnificent bird of the cloud forest, much sought after by nature lovers, is easily visible at Trogon Lodge, where we spend two exciting days. Trogon is a very peaceful place, where we enjoy walking through the cloud forest. We follow the hiking trails covered with tree ferns, palms and multicoloured mushrooms, lichens and bromeliads. Overnight at the Trogon Lodge. (B L D)

Day 3: The Quetzal Experience - Las Cruces Biological Station
We spend the morning at Trogon Lodge, exploring the infinite mysteries of this biologically rich zone. After a delicious lunch, we head our way to Las Cruces. Discover the richest botanical collection in Central America and learn about the flora and fauna of a mid-elevation forest at this leading research station in Southern Costa Rica. Exotic plants, breathtaking birds, and personalised service welcome guests to the Las Cruces Biological Station. Visitors walk on well-maintained, gently sloping trails though enchanting grounds filled with the richness of tropical colours and scents. Palm and bromeliad collections are outstanding, along with heliconias, gingers, bananas, bamboo, and many others. Guests enjoy the Orchid Trail, Tree Fern Hill, and the Hummingbird Garden. Las Cruces is a favourite spot for bird watchers, who may see scarlet dacnis, silver-throated tanagers, trogons, blue-headed parrots, violet sabre wing hummingbirds, and turquoise contingas. Visitors have a unique opportunity to experience tropical nature and to learn about it in a place where scientists and students from around the world come to research and study. Overnight at Las Cruces Biological Station. (B L D).

Day 4: Las Cruces Biological Station
After breakfast, join a 2 and a half walk guided by a naturalist tour guide. Seize the rest of the day at leisure, and explore this marvellous site! Overnight at Las Cruces Biological Station. (B L D)

Day 5: Coopeunioro at Peninsula de Osa
After breakfast, we head towards the Peninsula de Osa. The drive itself is a great bird watching opportunity! Once we get to La Palma, we get ready for the adventure of driving on a truck to Cerro de Oro. Cerro de Oro Ecotourism Lodge, in the heart of the Osa Peninsula, is definitely for adventure lovers with its challenging hikes and verdant nature in the virgin forest of Corcovado. The Cerro de Oro Ecotourism Lodge is owned by a small cooperative, previously dedicated to gold mining. They made a conscious decision to seek a better alternative for its communal development based upon nature conservancy. CoopeUnioro offers the visitor the opportunity to experience the mystic and flora and fauna of Corcovado National Park, including bird species such as macaws and toucans. Visitors may enjoy the sounds of howler monkeys or in the evening the solitude of the starlit heavens amid a jungle like atmosphere. Other attractions on site are tours along the Rincon River (not included in price), organic agriculture plantations, and medicinal plantations, as well as gold extraction observation. Overnight at Coopeunioro. (B L D)

Day 6: Birdwatching at Los Patos
After a delicious homemade breakfast, we go on a Bird watching tour to Los Patos, which is part of Corcovado National Park. In this fabulous park, denominated as the most biologically intense place on earth by National Geographic Society, scientists identified at least 500 species of trees, 285 birds, 139 mammals, 116 amphibians and reptiles. The canopy trees reach 100 ft. or more. Tall, clean boles, often with impressive buttresses, and a wealth of lianas and epiphytes characterise such forests; many palms and broadleaf herbs occur in the understory. Habitat par excellence of antbirds, manakins, toucans, puffbirds, and other Neotropical families. Overnight at Coopeunioro. (B L D)

Day 7: Birdwatching at El Silencio
Amid 1000 hectares of diversity, El Silencio offers a nature-oriented experience in areas of Costa Rica rarely explored. A working agricultural cooperative, El Silencio also offers the opportunity to observe ecologically sensitive agriculture and the cultural adventure of the co-op members as they seek to develop their region. In the province of Puntarenas, El Silencio is located 18 miles south of Manuel Antonio National Park, near the town of Savegre. Some of the activities available are: horseback riding, hiking, visit to the waterfalls, and visits to the co-op member's crops, such as vegetable oil produced from native palms and non-traditional organically grown crops. Overnight at El Silencio. (B L D)

Day 8: Birdwatching Adventure to the Waterfalls
Nowhere is this feeling of oneness with nature more prevalent than in the virgin waterfalls of El Silencio. To visit them all you need to do is hike, or ride a horse or why not do both! We ride up the mountainside to an altitude of 310 ms. and observe the Savegre River Valley and the Pacific Ocean in all its splendour. We continue on foot down the mountain along a well-maintained nature trail and soon the tell tale sounds of rushing water warns that we reached the first or two unique and unforgettable experiences. This, the larger of the two waterfalls, is set amid lush vegetation where the water flow carved a natural pond. In this pond under the falls and surrounded by the sounds of nature, as the rays of sunlight strive through the canopy to reflect over the waters, we find the real meaning of El Silencio - The Silence of Nature! A little further, down the trails, the second waterfall is no less inspiring. While smaller, it also possesses a natural pond but midway up the falls, nature constructed a natural Jacuzzi! Overnight at El Silencio (B L D)

Day 9: Back to San Jose
After breakfast, we head back to San Jose. Overnight at Herradura Hotel. (B L).

Day 10:
Transfer to the International Airport Juan Santamaria for the return flight or continuation of your journey (B).

General Information

Rated: Easy
Prices upon request

Included:
7 nights accommodation, all land transportation, meals as specified in the itinerary, guided services, activities specified in the itinerary.

Not included:
Meals not mentioned, personal expenses, tips, beverages.

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