Birdwatching Getaway

10 Days

Overview

Magical places that offer great birdwatching possibilities. Even if you are not an avid birdwatcher, we’ll bet that you will be ending up being enthusiastic. We highly recommend including the services of a Professional Master Naturalist Guide for better interpretation in the field. ”Guides take the hassle out of travel”.

Start the journey at Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range where at least half of all Costa Rican bird species can be found, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the mountain where you can touch the clouds, ending up at Copey de Dota Valley, an insider for nature and bird lovers. 10 Days total.

Please let us know if there­ is any modification you would like to make to suit your travel expectations better. We will be happy to assist you with proper logistics.

Highlights

  • Bird spotting Guided Walks
  • Enigmatic Cloud Forests
  • Quetzales National Park
  • Misty atmosphere

Tenorio Volcano National Park

Located in the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range, this park has a rainforest that protects species of wildlife of regional importance. Within the area, the Tenorio Volcano, with its four cones, it offers natural scenic overlooks that allow appreciate the plains of the Pacific and Caribbean. “It is a magical place that offers a variety of possibilities to appreciate the wonders of nature and difficult to find phenomena

Tenorio Volcano is an inactive andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica. It is the main geographical feature of the eponymous Tenorio Volcano National Park.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Monteverde is a small community in the mountains of northern Costa Rica, just over 2 hours from the capital and the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia.
Monteverde is privileged and internationally recognized thanks to its natural exuberance. Part of the fascination generated by this beautiful area comes from its diversity of landscapes. The variety of ecosystems and virgin forests and the commitment of people to protect and enjoy them is remarkable in Costa Rica. Monteverde is a community founded by a mixture of American Quaker immigrants and Costa Rican country people.

At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, you can embrace the misty atmosphere, which serves as one of the most coveted ecotourism destinations in Costa Rica. The reserve encompasses a 26,000-acre biozone, brimming with a wonderful diversity of wildlife and plant life. There is no doubt that the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a true paradise for nature lovers.

 San José

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica (Area: 44.62 km²) .Located in the center of the country, in the mid-west of the Central Valley.
San José exerts a strong influence because of its proximity to other provinces (Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago) and the country’s demographic assemblage in the Central.

The city offers many options for hotel accommodations and has several historic buildings such as the Melico Salazar Theater, National Museum, Metal Building, Children’s Museum, Costa Rican Art and Design Museum, Museum of Jade (recently renovated).

Copey de Dota Valley

Copey the Dota Valley is almost 200 meters above sea level and surrounded by the mountains of the Los Santos Forest Reserve, the Los Quetzales National Park and the Cerro Vueltas Biological Reserve is the picturesque Copey de Dota Valley, a small community of a little more than 800 inhabitants who base their economy on the production of high-altitude fruit trees, the production of cheeses, as well as the harvest of one of the best coffees in the world.

Activities that more recently have been complemented with ecotourism. Copey, named for the abundance of this shrub, which bears the scientific name “Clusia rosea”, is home to more than 200 species of birds, the most attractive of which is the Quetzal. It complements this attraction with an atmosphere of tranquility in the one that the visitor can disconnect and recovery that is memorable.

Tenorio Lodge

Located between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes at an altitude of 1,640 ft,
Built on our 17 acres property, in the middle of Heliconias gardens, of fruit trees and tropical vegetation surrounding two natural ponds, the Lodge was designed to offer its guests quietness, relaxation, and serenity.Hundreds of birds can be found along its trails.

Among the activities we suggest, you should visit the heart of the Tenorio Volcano’s National Park, the “Río Celeste”, well known for its astonishing and enchanting turquoise-blue colour.

Bungalows

Each one of the 12 spacious Bungalows- 45 m2 each have an exceptional view towards the Tenorio volcano.

In Room:  Terrace and private bathroom with hot water, king bed, a sofa.  Round table with two chairs, smoke alarm, ceiling fan, standing fan, mini bar, coffee maker, safe, hair dryer, umbrella. All windows are equipped with mosquito nets.

 Fonda Vela

 Fonda Vela is a property that is wide and spacious, full of nature and tropical gardens; with 9 hectares of land, and spacious rooms, here, you will be able to just relax and enjoy Monteverde.

The rooms are cozy, yet elegant, and comfortable with large windows that help bring the outdoors inside. You will have all the commodities so you can simply relax, and recharge energies after a full day of adventures in Monteverde.

 Junior Suite

Junior Suites are the best room category.  Ample spaces offering the most comfortable experience.  The Junior Suite has 1 King Bed + 1 Queen Bed.

 

Hotel Auténtico

Hotel Auténtico is located away from the big chain schemes, preserving the style and family hospitality! Their daily goal is to offer every guest a unique and different service that contains elements of our Costa Rican culture while learning more about our traditions and customs. The Hotel provides a relaxing, business-inspired sanctuary through the energy of Midtown San José.

 Standard Deluxe Room

Standard Deluxe Rooms have been recently renovated. They are equipped with one king bed or 2 twin beds.

In Room:  20m2, Air -Conditioning, hot water, LED cable TV, WiFi, telephone, coffee maker, safe, an alarm clock and a hair dryer.

 

Toucanet Lodge

Toucanet Lodge is a small business family that is in the heart of the Los Santos Forest Reserve, in which the visitor will have the opportunity to relax surrounded by the enigmatic cloud forest, which is the home of the majestic Quetzal, a sacred bird of the Mayans. As well as having the opportunity to live the experience of tasting one of the best coffees in the world.

Junior Suite

Junior Suites are spacious rooms with a king bed, fireplace, Jacuzzi, coffee maker and small refrigerator and a terrace with views of the mountains that surround the hotel

Itinerary

After passing through migration and customs, you can meet your Costa Rica Travel Adventures  Spanish Driver. He will be holding  a sign with your name on. Transfer to your hotel; Tenorio Lodge.  Driving distance is 1 hour approximately.

[gallery ids="2412,2413,2414"]

Two full days to enjoy birdwatching and hiking throught the scenic overlooks.

During your stay, 1 personalized birding tour leaded by an experienced local guide spotting scope and a bird guide. There is a high chance to seeing rarities such as the ornate Yellow-Eared Tucanet, and Cephalopterus Glabricollis.

[gallery ids="2416,2417,2418"]

Mid-morning,  your Spanish Speaking Driver will meet you for your private ground transfer from Bijagua- Tenorio Lodge to the area of Monteverde.
Drive takes 2:30 hours approximately.

[gallery ids="2426,2427,2428"]

Early morning transfer to the Monteverde Reserve (20 minutes transfer each way).

The trail system of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers short, intermediate, and long hikes that wind through varying forest. There is recovered secondary forest and primary, untouched forest. The lower part of the reserve is warmer, with drainages and a small waterfall. A longer hike leads up to the Continental Divide, through the dwarf forests that have adapted to the winds that continuously sweep the ridgeline. This reserve is the best place to observe the Resplendent Quetzal, which if you're lucky can be seen January through July.

[gallery ids="2429,2430,2434"]

Morning is free for you to enjoy birdwatching or hiking on your own.
After lunch on your own, your Spanish Speaking Driver will transfer you back to San José; driving time is approximately 3 hours.

[gallery ids="2435,2436,2437"]

Early morning pick up by your Spanish Speaking Driver.  He/ She will transfer you along the scenic mountains until reaching Copey de Dota Valley, your third birdwatching spot.
Length of the transfer is approximately 2 hours.

[gallery ids="2438,2439,2442"]

Full day to enjoy birdwatching and hiking throught the scenic overlooks.

During your stay, the Quetzal Tour is scheduled.
A gentle 1.5 km walk through the cloud forest will lead you to the quetzal’s habitat. The hike will take approximately two hours, led by a professional guide equipped with a spotting scope and a bird guide. The guide will provide detailed explanations along the way.

[gallery ids="2443,2445,2447"]

After lunch, depart with your Spanish Speaking Driver  back to San José ( transfer time is approximately 2 hours ).

[gallery ids="2457,2458,2459"]

Your Transfer Guide and your Spanish Speaking Driver will be on time to get you to Juan Santamaría International Airport; 3 hours before your scheduled departure flight for check in purposes.

The Trip Cost Includes

  • Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
  • Transportation to and from!!
  • Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
  • Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
  • Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
  • First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
  • All the required permits and paperwork

The Trip Cost Excludes

  • Costs of obtaining passports, visas, or tourist cards.
  • Excess baggage fees.
  • Personal expenses such as room service, beverages, and laundry.
  • Personal communications charges.
  • International airfare.
  • Sightseeing or meals not specified in the itinerary.
  • Personal insurance coverage (strongly recommended)
  • Gratuities.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Birdwatching Getaway