Day 01: Arrival to Costa Rica

Arrival at international airport. Staff member of CANATUR will assist you with custom procedures and will escort you to the arrivals lounge where the transfer guide will welcome you. Transfer to hotel in San José

Overnight: Hotel Buenavista*** // Meals included today: none

Day 02: San José- Vara Blanca & Juan Castro Blanco Nat. Park

After breakfast, the group will depart to the Vara Blanca region in the province of Alajuela. Poás Volcano Lodge lies between the Poás and Barva Volcanoes at 6200 feet above sea level on the ridge dividing the Atlantic and Pacific zones of the country. The lodge is nestled in the rolling pastures at the foothills of the Poás Volcano, one of the worlds largest active craters. Many birds, among them the Barred Parakeat, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Blue and white Swallow -, Brown Jay, Cattle Egret, Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Collared Redstart, Golden-browed Chrorophonia, Great kisdadee can be spotted in the grounds of the lodge.

Overnight: Poás Volcano Lodge // Meals included today: breakfast & dinner

Day 03: Juan Castro Blanco National Park

The Juan Castro Blanco National Park, which due to its privileged location right on the continent divide boasts spectacularly rich ecosystems at altitudes ranging from 1400 to 2450 meters above sea level. The Resplendent Quetzal, Black-faced Solitaire, Scaled Antpitta, Black Guan, Three-wattled Bellbird, Golden browed Chlorophonia, Zeledonia, Long-tailed silky Flycatcher, Ornate haw Eagle, Barred Hawk, among many others can be seen in the Juan Castro Blanco National Park.

Overnight: Poas Volcano Lodge // Meals included today: breakfast & dinner

Day 04: Vara Blanca - Sarapiqui

After breakfast we will depart to our next destination: Sarapiqui in the northern Caribbean lowlands. The Caribbean lowlands are extremely rich in birds. Sunbitterns, Rufons, Motmot, at least four species of Trogons, Umbrella birds, Fruit crows, Jacamars, Tinamous, Strip-breasted and Black-Throated Wrens are some of more than 400 species that have been recorded in this area. The group will go at their own pace, having the option to do two short visits to the hotel's protected area.

Overnight: La Quinta de Sarapiqui // Meals included today: breakfast & dinner

Day 05: Sarapiqui - Monteverde

Early birdwatching tour in the morning. Clearings with scattered trees might yield flocks of Montezuma Oropendolas, Olive-Throated Parakeet, and Brown - Hooded Parrots, as well as several species of toucans, woodpeckers & fly catchers. Depart midmorning to Monteverde area. The route via La Fortuna de San Carlos and around Arenal Lake and Tilaran mountain system is really awesome and full of scenery. The bumpy gravel road climbs the Tilaran Mountain Range through pastureland and farms frequently covered with clouds. Arrival to Monteverde mid afternoon. Rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Heliconia // Meals included today: breakfast

Day 06: Monteverde

In the morning we visit the Monteverde Reserve, in the afternoon we will enjoy the Sky Walk, a series of suspension bridges above the canopy of trees to observe birds from an elevated perspective. Monteverde is the best known area of cloud forest in Costa Rica. Originally just 4,000 acres, the Monteverde Reserve now protects an area of approximately 25,000 acres, comprising of six different eco-zones. So many habitats in such a small area along with extensive trail improvements make it possible to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna with relatively little and easy walking. Among the local birds that have been spotted in Monteverde we can name the following: Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Blue-crown Mot Mot, Clay coloured Robin, Emerald Toucanet, White-fronted Parrott, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Red-billed Pigeon, Summer Tanager, Orange-chinned Parakeet and many others. Some quetzals have been observed as well, however this is now quite a rare spectacle in Monteverde due to the low number of "aguacatillo" trees on which they feed existing now in Monteverde.

Overnight: Hotel Heliconia // Meals included today: breakfast

Day 07: Monteverde - Playa Pájaros

After breakfast the group will depart back onto the bumpy gravel road until reaching the Panamerican Road and then South to Playa Pájaros (Bird's Beach). Arrival to La Ensenada Lodge scheduled around noon. After lunchtime (not included) the group can enjoy a short hike to do bird spotting in the hotel's grounds and protected area.

Accommodations: La Ensenada Lodge // Meals included today: breakfast & dinner.

Day 08: Playa Pájaros - San José

After an early breakfast, it is time to enjoy birdwatching in the wetlands. The natural waterways in Palo Verde provides the ideal conditions for the largest concentration of waterfowl and wading birds (both endemic and migratory) in Costa Rica and all of Central America. From September to March, hundreds of thousands of herons, storks, egrets, grebes, ibis, ducks and jacanas flock to the lakes and neighboring areas to feed and mate. Return to San José after the boat trip (accommodations not included today)

Meals included today: breakfast (hot items not available if too early) and box lunch.

Note: Transfer back to the airport is not included but can be added. This tour can also be combined into a 15 day itinerary by adding the southern birdwatching tour either before or after. Or combine with any of the other short Costa Rica adventures (see side panel on the left for options) for a longer trip.

Prices

This tour can be booked with a minimum of 2 passengers,but it is best suited for small groups between 6 - 10 passengers. Maximum group size is 18. Please inquire for group quotes.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth Travel.

Included Services:

• Transportation in comfortable vehicle with air-condition. Depending on the size of the group we use the following vehicles: 1-6 Pax: Microbus with 12 seats, 7-18 Pax: Minibus with 22 seats.
• Accommodation at the hotels mentioned in the program or similar in rooms with private bathroom
• Meals as per description, including 1 non alcoholic beverage (fruit juice or similar)
• English speaking guide throughout the tour, specialized on bird watching
• Entrance fees to national parks and reserves as mentioned in the program
• Travel documentation with important information about the trip

Not included:

• Personal expenses
• Any additional or alcoholic beverage during the meals
• Optional Tours mentioned in the program
• Airport departure tax US$ 26.-- per person
• Voluntary tips for driver and guide

Note: Accommodations are subject to change depending on availability at the time of booking.

Payment Conditions

A pre-payment of 30% is due 60 days prior the arrival date of the group. The remaining due amount must be paid one week as the latest before the arrival date.

Cancellation Conditions

61 days or more before the arrival date: No fee
60-31 days prior the arrival date: 15% of the total amount
30-22 days prior the arrival date: 25% of the total amount
21-08 days prior the arrival date: 50% of the total amount
07-01 days prior the arrival date: 75% of the total amount
00 days or "No Show": 100% of the total amount