Birder's Paradise

Registration Form (English PDF file)
Registration Form (French PDF file)

Costa Rica, with its rich biodiversity, has become a very important international destination for admirers of tropical avifauna.

Join us on this journey. Visit three unique primary rainforest destinations, each offering up to 300 species of birds for your viewing pleasure. Our experienced guide, Eugenio Garcia Lopez, is a a former park ranger and a biologist who studied under the renowned Alexander Skutch, author of the respected field guide "The Birds of Costa Rica".

Trip details: 11 days
2004 Departure dates: November 13
2005 Departure dates: February 2, April 13
Cost: $1395 CAD (approx $1150 USD) land (air sold separately)
based on double occupancy
$180 CAD single supplement

Medium fitness recommended
Minimum: 6 participants maximum 10

Custom trips for groups possible at other times

Itinerary

Day one
Acclimatizationi:
After a short taxi ride, arrive at a small hotel known for its hospitality and service. This is a chance to get acclimatized to the country and other participants, learn a little more about the trip, share a wonderful meal together and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Days two to four
El Copal:
Drive through the beautiful Orosi Valley to El Copal, a primary forest reserve not yet discovered by birding groups. Stay at a rustic but clean and comfortable eco-lodge run by the local community and enjoy good wholesome food typical of the area. The reserve is a transition between a tropical humid forest and a tropical very humid one with a strong influence on the flora and fauna coming from the three nationalparks that surround the reserve. More than 300 bird species have been identified here. The avifauna of El Copal includes permanent resident species, altitudinal migratory species and latitudinal migratory species.

Some of the many species that can be observed at El Copal include: Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Great Black Hawk, Crested Eagle, Sunbittern, Maroon-Chested Ground-Dove, Brown-Hooded Parrot, Ochraceous Pewee, Blue-and-Gold Tanager, and Emerald Tanager.

Days four to seven
Dúrika:
Dúrika is a biological reserve and the home of one of the most successful self-sufficient communities in the world. It is a place of unique scenic beauty and has all the elements to provide an unforgettable bird watching experience. The reserve, located in the alamanca Mountain Range, protects a biological corridor of more than 7500 ha. and is home to more than 340 bird species. Thirty of these are endemic to this region. The Reserve contains four different ecosystems: subtropical moist-wet forest (elevation 1000 m.), lower montane rain or "cloud" forest (elevation 1500 m.), elfin moss forest (elevation 2600 m.) and montane oak forest (elevation 2500 m.).

This special combination of ecosystems allows the visitor an opportunity to observe an incredible variety of bird species, as well as many other species of flora and fauna. The Great Curassow, Black Guan, Spotted Wood-Quail, Black Hawk-Eagle, King Vulture, American Swallow-tailed Kite, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Red-Headed Barbet, Streaked Xenops, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Zeledonia, Silvery-Fronted Tapaculo and the White-Ruffed Manakin, are just a few of the species you might see.

Days seven to ten
Southern Pacific Coast:
Travel to an exquisite nature retreat set amidst fabulous primary coastal rainforest perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific. This site has a strong environmental focus. It is situated on the edge of Ballena National Park, the only marine park in the country and the breeding ground for Humpback whales. The owner, who was largely responsible for the park designation, has created a stunning property. The buildings are handcrafted from materials on-site, solar panels provide electricity and most of the food is grown organically. The beach is secluded and the lush forest is home to an abundance of wildlife, including white-faced and howler monkeys.

Some of the bird species that can be observed here are: the Great Tinamou, Blue-Footed Booby, Frigate Bird, Collared Forest-Falcon, Bat Falcon, Mealy Amazon, Bronzy Hermit, White-Necked Jacobin, Fiery-Billed Aracari, Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan and Barred Antshrike.

Experience a night hike in the rainforest. Enjoy an optional boat ride to Ballena Island for snorkeling.

Days ten to eleven
Central Valley:
Travel by coach through the Central Valley to Atenas, recently named by National Geographic as having the best climate on the planet. Stay at a small inn renowned for its hospitality and food.

Day eleven
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.

Registration Form (English PDF file)
Registration Form (French PDF file)