The Itinerary

Day 1

Your ACTUAR expert birding guide and your driver will meet and greet you at the International Airport in San José and take you to the locally-owned Quetzal Paradise Lodge in the mountains at Los Santos region, the best place in the country to see the Resplendent Quetzal and explore the Cloud Forest. Overnight at Quetzal Paradise.

Services included:
  •  Bilingual birding guide 
  •  Bus driver
  •  Dinner 
  •  Lodging at Quetzal Paradise

Day 2

Take an early morning birding tour to see the beautiful Resplendent Quetzal. Early Quetzal Observation Tour. The Quetzal is considered to be one of the most beautiful birds in the world. These birds nest in the nearby cloud forest, where they can be seen year round, but are more frequently sighted April-May. In addition to the Quetzal, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and many other species can be seen here, making this area famous for bird watching. In the afternoon, go birding in the extensive oak forests of Parque Nacional Los Quetzales. Overnight at Quetzal Paradise.

Services included:
  •  Bilingual birding guide 
  •  Bus driver
  •  Breakfast, lunch and dinner 
  •  Quetzal tour
  •  Lodging at Quetzal Paradise

Day 3

Your guide and driver will take you to El Copal Reserve near Tapantí National Park and Turrialba. According to the Ornithologist Association, one of the best spots for birdwatching! Over 380 birdspecies have been identified in the forest of El Copal Reserve, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. It is part of a biological corridor between Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park and La Amistad International Park.

The community shares their traditional activities like sugar cane cultivation, cattle raising and making “tapa de dulce”, the native hard brown sugar. After a hearty campesino lunch, go birding in the El Copal Reserve. Amazingly beautiful rareties are combined in this area, such as Snowcap, Lovely Cotinga, Scale Antpitta, White-collared Manakin. At dinner, learn about El Copal’s conservation association. Overnight at El Copal.

Services included:
  •  Bilingual birding guide 
  •  Bus driver
  •  Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  •  Entrance to El Copal Reserve
  •  Lodging at El Copal Reserve
  •  Local guide

Day 4

The sun is out by 5:00am and some birds are active a bit earlier. A tall canopy forest hike with your guide is followed by breakfast and continue birding on open spaces. Lunch at midday and back in the forest. Breakfast & lunch included. Optional trip: that afternoon to Guayabo National Monument, site of small pre-Columbian ruins. Overnight at El Copal.

Services included:
  •  Bilingual birding guide 
  •  Bus driver
  •  Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  •  Entrance to El Copal Reserve
  •  Lodging at El Copal Reserve
  •  Local guide

Day 5

Your guide and driver will take you to Laguna Madre de Dios, one of the only Costa Rican nesting sites of the Agami Agami, a beautiful heron. Continue on to Casa Calateas on the Caribbean coast, where you might be able to observe the spring raptor migration. 

Services included:
  •  Bilingual birding guide 
  •  Bus driver
  •  Breakfast at El Copal 
  •  Lunch and dinner at Casa Calateas
  •  Lodging at Casa Calateas
  •  Local guide

Day 6

Birding and wildlife observation in Cahuita National Park. This visit also allows you the chance to get to know some of Talamanca’s favorite birds: Toucans, parrots, hawks, mannequins, tanagers, hummingbirds, magpies, woodpeckers, as well as birds endemic to Talamanca and so much more. Also, enjoy the beach and if you are up to, take a snorkeling tour. Overnight at Casa Calateas.

Services included:
  •  Bilingual birding guide
  •  Bus driver
  •  Breakfast and dinner at Casa Calateas
  •  Lunch at a local restaurant in Cahuita 
  •  Entrance to Cahuita National Park
  •  Lodging at Casa Calateas

Day 7

Early morning birding in the Carbon Dos Reserve. If you are traveling between the months of September-November or February-March, you will observe the impressive phenomena of the raptor bird’s migration.– Return to San José, staying at Hotel 1492. Dinner on your own in San José. 

Services included:
  •  Bilingual birding guide 
  •  Bus driver
  •  Breakfast and lunch at Casa Calateas
  •  Lodging at Hotel 1492
  •  Local guide 

Your guide and driver will pick you up at 9 in order to get you to the airport for your flight. Fly home with happy memories of Costa Rica!