Description
Who is This Tour For?
- Bougainvillea Hotel – Central Valley
Urban gardens near the airport, ideal for trip start. - Hotel Quelitales – Cartago
Middle elevation birding near Tapantí NP, waterfalls. - Hotel Gema del Bosque – Dota
Resplendent Quetzal, endemic species at 7000 ft. - Villas Río Mar – Dominical
South Pacific lowlands and coastal rainforest. - Cerro Lodge – Tarcoles
Hotspot for Scarlet Macaw, estuary birds, dry-to-rainforest transition. - Observatory Lodge – Arenal Volcano
Mixed elevation species, waterfalls, volcano scenery. - Hotel de Campo – Caño Negro
Wetland birding by boat, Jabiru, kingfishers, and more. - Ara Ambigua Lodge – Sarapiquí
Caribbean lowland rainforest, Great Green Macaw. - Buena Vista Chic Hotel – Alajuela Coffee plantations and scenic wrap-up near SJO.
- Bilingual expert birding guide
- All meals at designated lodges/restaurants
- Ground transportation & airport transfers
- Entry to national parks and birding sites
- 24/7 support throughout the trip
- Visit 9 of Costa Rica’s richest birding regions
- Target 350+ bird species in 16 days
- Spot key endemics species
- Led by renowned birding guides
Day 1: Arrival – Bougainvillea Hotel
Gardens and first bird sightings
Days 2–3: Hotel Quelitales – Cartago
Tapanti area, tanagers, hummingbirds, forest trails
Days 4–5: Gema del Bosque – San Gerardo de Dota
Resplendent Quetzal, endemic highland species
Days 6–7: Villas Río Mar – Dominical
Baru Wildlife Refuge, South Pacific specialties
Days 8–9: Cerro Lodge – Tarcoles
Scarlet Macaw, Carara NP, estuary boat birding
Days 10–11: Arenal Observatory Lodge
Curassow, tanagers, lowland-mid elevation overlap
Day 12: Hotel de Campo – Caño Negro
Jabiru, wetland boat tours, unique aquatic birds
Days 13–14: Ara Ambigua Lodge – Sarapiquí
Lowland rainforest birding, Great Green Macaw
Day 15: Buena Vista Chic Hotel – Alajuela
Relax, review list, enjoy valley vistas
Day 8: Departure
- Private transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Why Ave Nativa?
At Ave Nativa, we go beyond just birding—we create strategic, expertly guided experiences with local insight and high expertise precision. Our Big List Tour is the ultimate challenge for any birder wanting to push the limits of their life list.
- Bird-focused itineraries
- Habitat and elevation planning
- Comfortable lodging with nature access
- Private guiding
Contact us
FAQ – Costa Rica Big List Birding Tour
1. What is the main goal of the Big List Birding Tour?
To maximize the number of bird species observed in 16 days by visiting the most biodiverse regions and habitats of Costa Rica.
2. How many species can I expect to see on this tour?
Depending on the season and weather, participants often see between 350–500 bird species across all visited regions.
3. Is this tour suitable for beginner birders?
It is more suitable for intermediate to advanced birders. The tour involves long days, early mornings, and hiking in varied terrains.
4. Are spotting scopes and field guides provided?
Your guide will carry a spotting scope, but participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars and field guides for a more complete experience.
5. Which birds are considered “highlights” on this tour?
Resplendent Quetzal, Baird´s Trogon, Great and Scarlet Macaws, King Vulture, Agami Heron, Royal Flycatcher, and various regional endemics such as Coppery headed Emerald, Mangrove Hummingbird, Cabanis´s Ground Sparrow
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.