We will arrive at San Jose International Airport in the afternoon or evening, then spend our first night at a fine hotel 30 minutes from the airport. We could easily find our first few exciting species on the spacious grounds of the hotel, including Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Blue-crowned Motmot, and Gray-necked Wood-Rail. Overnight at the Orquideas Inn.

We will travel by van to Rancho Naturalista Lodge, which is situated at about 3000 feet on the Caribbean slope. Rancho has the reputation of being one of the finest birding lodges in the entire country. We'll explore a trail or two and find several life birds, perhaps a Keel-billed Toucan, Black-headed Saltator, or Yellow-billed Cacique. Our first Snowcap and Violet-crowned Woodnymph are likely at the hummingbird ponds and feeders. After a nice dinner we'll settle down to the sounds of Mottled Owl and Pauraque, and our first of three nights at Rancho.

We have two entire days to explore the trails, forests, gardens, and ponds at Rancho Naturalista. There is the possibility of many different walks and the option of birding from the Upper Porch. More than 130 different birds have been seen from the Porch, including Black-crested Coquette, Blue-crowned Motmot, and Chestnut-headed Oropendola. Recently I met a couple that had stayed at Rancho for three days. During that time they found a total of 120 species, 70 of which were seen from the Porch! The hummingbird ponds were discovered 15 years ago and have become one of Rancho's biggest attractions. The ponds regularly attract six or more different hummingbird species for their daily baths: Snowcap, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and Violet Crowned Woodnymph are a few of the regulars. It has also produced rarities such as Tawny-throated Leaftosser and the endemic Coppery-headed Emerald. Woodland walks are likely to yield great birds such as Broad-billed Motmot, Brown-billed Scythebill, Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager, Black-and-yellow Tanager, White-crowned Manakin, and Black-headed Antthrush. Much of our birding will be with the help of a resident guide, an expert who birds the grounds daily. A few excursions after dark may yield Short-tailed Nighthawk, Mottled or Spectacled Owl, and a nocturnal mammal or two.

We'll have some time this morning to bird from the Porch, check the ponds, and look for a few more forest species, then ride to Cartago and into some exciting highland habitat to look for one of the most beautiful birds in the world, the RESPLENDENT QUETZAL. We'll arrive in the Talamanca Mountains late in the day at Savegre Mountain Lodge, our home for the next two nights. After a superb dinner we may go out to look for Bare-shanked Screech-Owl or Dusky Nightjar.

This is probably the easiest place in the country to see Resplendent Quetzal: we've found them feeding and nesting less than 100 feet from our cabins! We will have a wonderful time exploring the woodland trails and birding along the Rio Savegre. This area may yield Sulphur-winged and Barred Parakeets, Collared Trogon, Ruddy Treerunner, Dark Pewee, and Golden-browed Chlorophonia. We were once treated to a nesting Streak-breasted Treehunter and we often find a hummingbird nest. We'll search for Ochraceous Pewee, a very unusual forest species. The feeders at the lodge abound with hummingbirds including Green Violet-ear, Gray-tailed Mountain-gem, and Fiery-throated, Magnificent, Scintillant, and Volcano Hummingbirds. Walks along the Rio Savegre may yield Yellow-bellied Siskin, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, American Dipper, Torrent Tyrannulet, and Rufous-browed Peppershrike. In the orchard we can usually find Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher and Acorn Woodpecker. We have seen Ornate Hawk-Eagle here by day and Bare-shanked Screech-Owl at night. A second night at Savegre Mountain Lodge.

After breakfast we'll begin the next leg of our adventure. We will leave the mountains and drive to Punta Leona, strategically situated along the coast in the Pacific Lowlands. Some of birds that we may see on the grounds of the lodge include White-whiskered Puffbird, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. These can all be seen while we take our breaks between the REALLY good birding walks! On at least one evening we'll go to the Tarcol River Bridge for the flight of Scarlet Macaws and Red-lored and Yellow-naped Parrots. The Central American Crocodiles are always a big favorite, as was the Spotted Rail we found there on one of our tours, the first record for the entire Carara region. One year a Yellow-billed Cotinga put on an excellent show. Our next three nights are all at Punta Leona Beach Resort, possibly drifting off to the sound of a Northern Potoo…….zzzzz.

Birding excursions will be planned for the entire day, with a nice siesta after lunch. I remember one such day here several years ago: three sit-down meals, a 2-hour mid-day break, nice, relaxed pace, and 174 species of birds, the most I have ever seen in one day anywhere! The River Trail at Carara is famous for its incredible birding walks which may include Yellow-billed Cotinga, White-whiskered Puffbird, Boat-billed Heron, Northern Royal Flycatcher, King Vulture, Orange-collared Manakin, and Three-wattled Bellbird. You'll get great views of FOUR different species of trogons. The habitat at the Figure Eight Trail is good for Crested Guan, Great Tinamou, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Black-tailed Flycatcher, and Spectacled Antpitta. A whole new group of birds is likely on our Tarcol River/Mangrove boat ride, including the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, Turquoise-browed Motmot, and perhaps Double-striped Thick-knee. After dark a few possibilities include Pacific Screech-Owl, Striped Owl, and Pauraque. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is more readily found during the day.

Our final destination is Arenal Volcano. Arenal is considered the most active volcano in Central America; we will see and hear it many times during our stay. We may also see Olive Tanager, Rufous Motmot, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Tropical Parula, and Green Honeycreeper as we walk the Waterfall Trail and watch the feeders from the dining room. We'll spend our days exploring these and other trails near Arenal. You can expect flocks of tanagers mixed with migrant warblers and vireos. There are always a lot of forest birds including Great Currasow, Crested Guan, Little Tinamou, and a variety of antbirds. On two different occasions our tour groups have had the privilege of finding a male Bare-necked Umbrellabird, one only 50 feet away for a prolonged scope view! We'll search for Slaty-tailed Trogon, Muscovy Duck, Double-toothed Kite, and Bay Wren near Lake Arenal. We will spend three nights at the Hotel San Bosco in Fortuna, with a beautiful and safe view of the volcano.

This morning we will drive to the town of Los Chiles and spend the day aboard a comfortable, shaded boat exploring the Cano Negro Wildlife Preserve on the Rio Frio, where birdlife abounds. Expect great looks at Sungrebe, Boat-billed Heron, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and Great Potoo. Other more difficult possibilities include Green Ibis, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, and Northern Potoo. The photographic opportunities are excellent and the boat captain is very knowledgeable. This is my favorite boat ride in all of Costa Rica. This will be the grand finale to a wonderful tour. We will spend one more night at the Hotel San Bosco in Fortuna with a great dinner in one of the local restaurants.

This morning we'll drive to San Jose to arrive at the International Airport in time for our mid-day flights home, the end of two weeks of incredible birding adventures in Costa Rica.

PLEASE REMEMBER that if two weeks if too long for you to be away, we will adjust the length of your tour to your specific needs. Contact the BIRD TREKS office for details.

The Costa Rica Special will be led by Bob Schutsky who has led more than 35 previous tours to this beautiful, friendly country. Bob knows the birds and the habitats and how to be in the right place at the right time. He will do his best to give you a bird-filled, worry-free tour.

$4195 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations are available at an extra charge of $795. If single accommodations are unavailable at a particular location, as sometimes occurs, you will be refunded that portion of your extra charge.

Expert guide service with both Bob and the resident guides, transfers to and from the airport and transportation between lodges, entrance fees, ALL meals, and lodging for 12 nights. ALL tips are also included in the tour fee, except for anything that you may wish to give to your driver, boat captains, and tour leader(s).
Does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature, airport departure tax, or international airfare to and from San Jose. Upon request BIRD TREKS will help you obtain the best possible airfare.

A $1000 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 15 December 2007. Send your deposit SOON so that we can secure the least expensive airfare to San Jose and reserve your spot on this great tour.

We offer the services of our exclusive BIRD TREKS travel agent, Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 22 years of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail lori@baileytravel.com. By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.

With written notice more than 90 days prior to the first day of the tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $100 service fee. With 30-90 days notice, you will receive a 50% refund of the full cost of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice. You will receive a full refund if you provide a replacement for your spot on the tour. No partial refund can be given once a tour begins. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the following link to Access America or contact BIRD TREKS for information on obtaining this coverage.