Luxury Birding Adventure in Costa Rica - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Drive to Turrialba, Birding Tour

Welcome to Costa Rica! Touch down in the thriving capital, San José, a cultural hub ringed by mountains and volcanic peaks that rise from the fertile Central Valley. Here you'll pick up your rental car and hit the road for the two-hour journey east to Turrialba. Its eponymous volcano, which is the country's second-tallest, towers 10,958 feet (3,339 m) above sea level. Along the way, admire views of the region's jagged mountains and lush valleys.

Check into Rancho Naturalista, one of the top birding lodges in Central America. Located near Turrialba, the lodge lies on 120 acres (49 ha) of protected Caribbean premontane rainforest, where over 450 species of birds have been recorded. Settle into your room, which features Spanish colonial-style design and rustic wooden decor; most have balconies equipped with bird feeders. While the lodge carries a 3-star rating, luxury isn't the main draw here—its unparalleled location and activities for birders are what set this unique destination apart.

Spend the afternoon on a private bird-watching tour with one of Rancho Naturalista's specialist guides. Begin by discussing which species you're most eager to see, and your guide will take you to the best locations for sightings. Hike among 4 miles (7 km) of trails that take you through advanced secondary and primary forests, with elevations reaching 3,937 feet (1,200 m). Have your binoculars ready to spot everything from toucans to antbirds, woodcreepers, manakins, and tanagers. 

Day 2: Birding at Rancho Naturalista

Today is yours to bird watch to your heart's content at Rancho Naturalista. Start on the deck, which offers views of the smoldering Turrialba volcano in the distance. Hummingbird feeders and pools on the deck and surrounding fruit orchards attract multiple species of these delicate birds. Watch out for the green hermit, violet sabrewing, and bronze-tailed plumeleteer—if you're lucky, you may glimpse one of the world's smallest hummingbirds, the snowcap. 

Aside from hummingbirds, the lodge grounds and trails provide sightings of coveted bird species, including Lesson's motmots, Baltimore orioles, and the turquoise lovely cotinga. Wander the paths at your leisure or enlist the help of a guide; if you're into bird photography, Rancho Naturalista is a dream destination. Pause to enjoy traditional Costa Rican meals, served family-style around a large table at the lodge, prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. 

If you're looking for adventure, ask the lodge staff about arranging an optional whitewater rafting trip on the Río Pacuare, one of the world's top rafting destinations. Other activities include canyoning, ziplining, and taking a night walk from the lodge, where your guide will point out nocturnal bird species and various insects, arachnids, reptiles, and amphibians.

Day 3: Aquiares Coffee Tour, Guayabo Archaeological Excursion

Start the day with a private trip to Aquiares Estate, one of Costa Rica's most historic coffee farms, which sits on the fertile slopes of the Turrialba volcano. Here, you'll discover the origins of your morning brew on a tour of the plantation, where you can experience the entire coffee production process, from bean to cup. 

During the tour, you'll learn about the Aquiares farming community and visit its aluminum church, imported from Belgium by the Lindo family, previous owners of the farm. Hear about the farm's community and sustainability initiatives as you wander rows of coffee bushes fed by natural springs. Your guide will explain the different coffee varieties and the milling, roasting, and brewing process, ending with a delicious tasting session. 

Afterward, you'll continue to one of Costa Rica's most fascinating archaeological sites, the Guayabo National Monument. Set in the shadow of Turrialba volcano, you'll take a private tour through the remains of this ancient city, which is thought to have housed over 10,000 people who mysteriously vanished just before the arrival of Spanish colonialists in the 16th century. Return to Rancho Naturalista after your tour for a final night in this bird-lovers paradise. 

Day 4: Drive to Sarapiquí, Forest Night Hike

Today, drive yourself 2.5 hours to Sarapiquí. This region stretches from the central volcanic mountain range across the vast northern plains to Nicaragua and is studded with national parks. The Río Sarapiquí, popular with kayakers and rafters, brings life to the landscape, which is carpeted in the pre-montane rainforest and plantations where locals grow everything from bananas to coffee and cacao. 

Enjoy the views as you drive, passing mountains, canyons, and palm plantations. Head to Selva Verde Lodge, a 3-star eco-hotel set in a 500-acre (200 ha) rainforest reserve. Follow elevated walkways that blend in with the jungle to your room with a forest-view balcony. After settling in, head to the pool for a swim or tackle one of the reserve's jungle trails; staff offer complimentary daily bird-watching tours. 

This evening, take a private night hike through the rainforest to see nocturnal wildlife. Your headlamps and powerful flashlights will illuminate creatures along the way, such as spiders, reptiles, porcupines, and armadillos.

Day 5: Río Sarapiquí Tour, Tirimbina Bird-Watching Experience

Start the day with a private boat trip down the Río Sarapiquí. Travel with a naturalist who'll help you locate wildlife such as the spectacled caiman, green iguanas, turtles, and rare Neotropical otters. Peer through binoculars to spot the many varieties of birds that live along the river, including herons, wood storks, and flycatchers. 

After lunch, continue your wildlife adventure with a bird-watching tour in Tirimbina, a hotspot for avian activity due to its river-laced primary and secondary rainforest. Look out for over 365 species of birds, including the sunbittern, snowy cotinga, and black-crested coquette. End the day at your lodge with free time to relax by the pool and have a lavish dinner. 

Day 6: Nature Hike, Drive to Arenal/La Fortuna

Today starts with a private nature hike through a preserved slice of rainforest. Your guide is on hand to teach you about the unique native flora and fauna that field researchers regularly study. Listen to the buzz of the forest and take in the sights and smells during your trek. Next, hop in your car and drive 1.5 hours to La Fortuna, a town at the base of Costa Rica's youngest stratovolcano: Arenal. This conical peak erupted regularly between 1968 and 2010 but has remained quiet ever since. The initial eruption created the vast, moon-like lava fields for which Arenal Volcano National Park is known.

Check into your villa at the 5-star Nayara Springs, an adult-only rainforest resort near the national park. Villa highlights include vaulted ceilings, a four-poster bed, and indigenous wood and stone furnishings. Step into your garden with an outdoor rain shower and plunge pool fed by healing hot springs where you can soak surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the resort's Perezoso Trail for a glimpse of sloths in the guarumo trees or lounge by the pool, sipping a cocktail from the swim-up bar. Head to the spa for open-air treatment pavilions, where you can enjoy an array of massages and scrubs using organic coffee, chocolate, and volcanic mud. 

Day 7: Bird-Watching Day Tour, Eco Termales Hot Springs

Spend today on another bird-watching tour, which combines morning and afternoon outings with an expert guide with breaks for meals and a siesta. You'll explore a variety of microhabitats, from old-growth rainforests to agricultural pastures. Each site offers a rare opportunity to see bird species native to the La Fortuna area. 

End the day with a trip to the nearby Eco Termales Hot Springs, a series of geothermal pools heated by the Arenal volcano. Hop between the healing pools, which range from 89°F (32°C) to 106°F (41°C), while taking in views of the volcano surrounded by bird-filled rainforest. In between soaks, cool off in the cold pools and waterfall. 

Day 9: Drive to Monteverde, Evening Bat Tour 

Hit the road again this morning, driving 3.5 hours to Monteverde, set in the wild Tilaran Mountain Range. The journey takes you along the shores of glittering Lago Arenal, where you'll see the mighty peak of Arenal reflected in its glassy waters. Next, ascend the mountain range to the iconic Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, 26,000 acres (10,500 ha) of highland cloaked in mist.

This biodiverse wonderland sits at 4,724 feet (1,440 m) above sea level and is carpeted with vegetation and emerald moss, giant ferns, orchids, and an array of wildlife, including 120 mammal species and over 400 bird species. Highlights include the vibrant green-and-red quetzal and purple-crowned fairy.

Check into Senda Monteverde Boutique Hotel, a secluded 4-star mountain lodge in the cloud forest. Take in the views from panoramic windows and your terrace, then enjoy a bat tour at a 57-foot (17 m) jungle enclosure. An expert will teach you about the animals' habits, biology, and social bonds as you watch them fly and feed. You'll also listen to their echolocation calls with the help of an ultrasonic microphone that translates the high-pitched chirps, which are normally inaudible to humans. 

Day 10: Selvatura Tour, Night Walk at the Children's Eternal Forest

Immerse yourself in Monteverde's astounding nature today on a private hike through Selvatura, which covers 850 acres (344 ha) of cloud forest. Adventures at Selvatura include visiting a butterfly and hummingbird garden, navigating hanging bridges, and touring a sloth sanctuary. 

In the afternoon, return to your hotel for some relaxation. Take a yoga class in the open-air studio and have a Costa Rican feast with fine South American wines at El Sapo Restaurant, which has wraparound windows with highland views. Tonight, you'll hike with a naturalist through the Children's Eternal Forest, the largest private reserve in Costa Rica. Learn about the reserve's efforts to preserve and rehabilitate the region's ecosystems and spot various creatures, from insects to reptiles and over 300 types of birds. 

Day 11: Monteverde Cloud Forest Hike, Frog Pond & Treetop Dining Experience

Soak up Monteverde's astounding nature today on a private hike through the cloud forest reserve, home to 2.5% of the world's biodiversity. Follow your guide along winding trails, learning about the different types of flora and fauna and their ecological importance. Stop to admire everything from frogs to butterflies, monkeys, and birds, as well as varieties of moss, snaking vines, and gigantic trees. 

After the hike, you'll visit a women's artisan cooperative, where you can pick up some souvenirs to support this local enterprise. Next, return to Monteverde for a guided tour of Frog Pond Ranario. Browse a collection of terrariums home to over 25 frog and amphibian species, from red-eyed tree frogs to marine toads and poison arrow frogs.

Tonight, you'll enjoy a memorable luxury treetop dining experience at the boutique hotel, San Lucas. Relish a nine-course degustation dinner in a glass box suspended 50 feet (15 m) in the rainforest, offering spectacular canopy views.

Day 12: Drive to Tárcoles, Jungle Crocodile Safari

Say goodbye to Monteverde this morning and drive two hours to the Central Pacific coast. This region of Costa Rica is known for its pristine beaches and forests teeming with wildlife, particularly in Carara National Park. Your final destination is Tárcoles, a small town on the edge of northern Puntarenas, known for its endangered macaw population and giant crocodiles that lounge on the banks of the Río Tárcoles. 

You'll stay at Hotel Villa Caletas, a luxury 5-star boutique property that sits 1,150 feet (350 m) above the ocean and is surrounded by jungle. Designed with a blend of tropical Victorian and neoclassical styles, the resort has a private beach, which you can reach via a Friends of the Forest Trail, where wildlife such as coatis and toucans thrive. Check into your elegant room or suite, then chill at the resort's ocean-view infinity pool. 

After settling in, you'll embark upon an exciting jungle crocodile safari. Board a boat with a private guide to sail along the Río Tárcoles, home to Central America's largest American crocodile population. Your guide will point out these prehistoric creatures, as well as native birds and reptiles that live in this mangrove environment. Visit between October and April to spot migratory birds such as ospreys, pelicans, terns, and cormorants. 

Day 13: Carara National Park Guided Tour

Spend your final full day in Costa Rica exploring Carara National Park. Take a private tour of this protected area, which covers 11,600 acres (4,690 ha) and is home to 48% of Costa Rica's bird species, including the iconic scarlet macaw. Set between tropical dry forest and the humid Pacific rainforest, Carara features diverse wildlife, from howler monkeys to crocodiles, trogons, guans, and anhingas. 

Take a break for lunch before returning to your hotel for a free afternoon. Lounge by the pool or beach, or treat yourself to a massage at the Serenity Spa. End the day with ocean-view cocktails and a meal at one of the hotel's three restaurants; beach dining at El Pelicano is a highlight.

Day 14: Drive to San José, Depart

Today your luxury Costa Rica bird-watching adventure comes to an end. Make the 1.5-hour drive back to San José Airport in time to drop off your rental car and catch your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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