Costa Rica Wildlife - 09th to 23rd March 2027

Tuesday 09th March 2027

Please arrive in San Jose (Juan Santamaria) International Airport no later than Tuesday 09th March. You will be welcomed by our guide and escorted back to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may also be able to do some photography on the hotel grounds

Overnight: Hotel Bouganvillea, San Jose (Dinner & Breakfast included)

Wednesday 10th March 2027

Today we start our journey over to the Central Pacific Lowlands. It is a unique zone of overlap where both northern and southern species can be seen in the same place. The lodge is located right by Carara National Park and is surrounded by lush tropical forest.

On route we head towards Dominican Beach where we will have lunch.

In the afternoon the group takes a tour along the Tarcoles River and Guacalillo mangrove estuary. Here is the largest population of American Crocodiles in Central America. You will see many of the biggest ones on the sand banks. Great opportunity for freshwater birds, waders and shorebirds.

Overnight: Hotel Punta Leona (All meals included)all the specialty birds of the region. We are likely to see include Highland Tinamou, Red-tailed Hawk, Black Guan, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Ruddy Treerunner, throated Mountain-gem.

Overnight – Savegre Lodge Lodge (All meals included)

Thursday 11th March 2027

In the morning the group takes a tour along the Tarcoles River and Guacalillo mangrove estuary. Here is the largest population of American Crocodiles in Central America. You will see many of the biggest ones on the sand banks. Great opportunity for freshwater birds, waders and shorebirds.

The afternoon, we will have a private tour around the Carara National Park in search of some of the rarer bird species to see.

Overnight: Hotel Punta Leona (All meals included)

Friday 12th March 2027

Savegre Valley Highlands

A pristine mountain valley located high in the Talamanca Mountains at 2200 meters of altitude (7220 ft) nestled in a steeply walled river valley where the cloud forest is filled with massive oaks and other highland native species. More than 50 endemic birds are found in the central highlands of Savegre. You will spend a full day in the valley looking for one of the most attractive birds in the world: The Resplendent Quetzal. While seeing a quetzal will be the main goal, the valley is also an excellent place for all the specialty birds of the region. We are likely to see include Highland Tinamou, Red-tailed Hawk, Black Guan, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Ruddy Treerunner, throated Mountain-gem.

Overnight – Savegre Lodge Lodge (All meals included)

Saturday 13th March 2027

Highland Endemics

More than 50 endemic birds are found in the central highlands of Savegre. Here we have the best chance to see a number of regional endemics found in these mountains, including fancy species such as Volcano Hummingbird, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, and both Yellow thighed and Large-footed Finch. You will visit Batsu garden, a place designed for bird photography.

Overnight – Savegre Lodge Lodge (All meals included)

Sunday 14th March 2027

Today we will be heading to a new location The premier birding lodge in Costa Rica, Rancho Naturalista is one of the finest birdwatching lodges in Central America. From the spacious balcony, you can observe numerous species of hummingbirds and other birds while enjoying a stunning view of the distant, smoking Turrialba volcano. It’s the perfect getaway for birders, photographers, and naturalists alike.

Rancho is more than just a beautiful lodge set in the verdant Caribbean Rainforest of Costa Rica. They are known for their main attraction, which is the many beautiful species of birds that live in their forest reserve, and for the ease of which you can observe so many species in just one area.

Rancho Naturalista consists of over 120 acres and connects with adjacent forested properties creating a large protected area of the Caribbean pre-montane rainforest. There is an extensive trail system of more than 7km which ranges in elevation from 880m to 1200m. These trails cross through a combination of advanced secondary and primary forest as well as an orchard containing many native fruiting trees highly attractive to birds and other wildlife.

On route we will have lunch at Casa Dowii. Casa Dowii is the ideal destination for bird enthusiasts and lovers of authentic flavors. Here, we invite you to immerse yourself in a world where you can delight in exquisite local delicacies while enjoying an unparalleled bird-watching experience

Overnight: Hotel Rancho Naturalista (All meals included)

Monday 15th March 2027

Today we will have some additional time around the Ranch photographing the many species of birds that come to the forest feeders.

We will also visit the Botanical Gardens of Catie. This is a beautiful location where giant bamboo hosts nestling anhinga’s, cattle egrets and boat-billed Herons to name just a few of the bird species this location has to offer.

Overnight: Hotel Rancho Naturalista (All meals included)

Tuesday 16th March 2027

Today we will visit the property of a local artist named Cope. He is a well-known local artist and environmentalist who has turned his property into an amazing nature reserve and viewing gallery. With fruit and nectar feeders and well-placed natural perches, this is a photographers and birders dream. You will watch a variety of honeycreepers, tanagers, pigeons and hummingbirds coming and going, while the pool attracts Wood-rail and Pygmy Kingfisher. Orange-billed Sparrow and even White-tipped Sicklebill are possible here and everything is so close and in perfect light.

We will also have the opportunity for Multi-Flash photography with Hummingbirds as well as Macro photography with frogs, snakes and many other exciting critters.

Overnight: Selva Verde Lodge (All meals included)

Wednesday 17th March 2027

Today we spend the morning at an Ecological Garden. This small oasis in the expanding clear-cut of Costa Rican land is now home to dozens of native species, from the 50+ identified bird species. This is also home to a thriving population of rare White Honduran Bats and many species of Butterflies. There will also be an opportunity to photograph frogs and other interesting insects here.

Overnight: Selva Verde Lodge (All meals included)

Thursday 18th March 2027

This morning, we head to a local Macaw rescue centre. Despite being a rescue centre it is a fantastic location for the critically endangered Green Macaws and endangered Scarlet Macaws. The birds are wild and have been released from the rescue centre. We will have opportunities for both flight and portrait photography with the Macaws. Amongst the gardens you may also get chances to photograph White-faced Capuchins.

In the afternoon we will head towards our new lodge but beforehand we will visit the feeders at Lagarto Lodge. Lagarto Lodge is unspoiled and virtually unvisited spot, where photographers can explore the Rain Forest at their own pace while staying at a cozy jungle hideaway. Laguna Lagarto is located in Northern Costa Rica near Boca Tapada and the Rio San Carlos River. The Lodge Rica offers 1250 Acres (500 Hectares) of virgin tropical rainforest with an incredible variety of fauna and flora. 350 different species of birds have been counted. The lodge has feeders for big birds like toucans, parrots, oropendolas, as well as tanagers and other birds.

Overnight: Maquenque Lodge (All meals included)

Friday 19th March 2027

After breakfast we head back Lagarto Lodge Feeders. First thing in the morning is waiting for the birds to visit the feeders. From the lodge balcony you’ll wait for the King Vultures to land near the hide and then spend the morning in the best hide in the country where you can watch and photograph this splendid bird no further than a few feet away. There is also opportunities to photograph both the Turkey & Black Vultures as well. In the afternoon we will return to Lagarto Lodge feeders and also the feeders and lagoon at our lodge

Overnight: Maquenque Lodge (All meals included)

Saturday 20th March 2027

Today we will have the opportunity to photograph Tapirs from hides and also spend time around the lodge at the amazing feeders it has to offer.

We will also have the opportunity for Multi-Flash photography with Bats as well as Macro photography with frogs, snakes and many other exciting critters.

Overnight: Maquenque Lodge (All meals included)

Sunday 21st March 2027

After breakfast we will make our way to our final lodge where you will spend a full day visiting the Caribbean foothills of Cinchona, one of the best feeders to see and photograph an interesting number of local endemics that are found in the mountains of this side of Costa Rica only. The list of birds is long, but some common birds are Crimson-collared Tanager, Coppery headed Emerald, Northern Emerald Tucanet, Violet Sabrewing, Prong Billed and Red Headed Barbets. We can stay here as long as we wish before finishing the journey to our lodge which has feeders and gardens offering many more species.

Overnight: Arenal Observatory Lodge (All meals included)

Monday 22nd March 2027

This morning will be spent around the lodge’s feeders, gardens and trails.

After lunch we will head into the town of Fortuna where you will visit a private feeder that is very good for finding both sloths species and Black and White, as well as Boat billed Herons, one of the most wanted freshwater birds.

In the evening, we will take a night walk to the frog pond to see what has decided to come out at night. Photography will be done by spotlight.

Overnight: Arenal Observatory Lodge (All meals included)

Tuesday 23rd March 2027

Departure Day

First activity in the morning is a birding walk in the lodge trails for the last birds of the trip. After breakfast we will head to a local store where you can buy any presents or memorabilia to take home with you. We will stay here for lunch (not included) before we leave for the international airport (short trip of approx 1.5 hours) and catch your return flights home.

Wednesday 24th March 2027

Arrive back in the UK