Rainforest Birding Journey
Rainforest Birding Journey
600+ species possible. Costa Rica’s finest birding zones with specialist guides, from wetland flamingos to cloud forest quetzals.
San José →︎ Caño Negro →︎ Arenal →︎ Monteverde →︎ Tárcoles
Private Transfers
Trade Rates Available on Request
Net rates for this itinerary vary by season, group size and current promotions. Send us your client’s travel dates and we’ll reply with a personalised trade quote within 24 hours.
Request Trade Rates →Package Highlights
600+ Species Possible
Costa Rica holds 10% of the world’s bird species — this route visits four of its finest birding zones in sequence.
Jabiru Stork & Roseate Spoonbill
Caño Negro wetlands — Central America’s finest wetland birding with pre-dawn boat tours on the lake.
Resplendent Quetzal Search
Specialist guide leads the dawn search in Monteverde’s cloud forest — one of birding’s most sought-after sightings.
Scarlet Macaw River Cruise
Tárcoles River holds the world’s highest concentration of Scarlet Macaws — a breathtaking river cruise.
Pre-Dawn Birding Sessions
Wake before sunrise for the wetland bird chorus at Caño Negro — the most productive birding hours of the day.
Specialist Guide at Every Stop
A dedicated local birding naturalist accompanies you at each destination for expert identification.
Dedicated Species List
Your guide maintains a running species tally throughout the trip — many groups record 200+ species.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival at SJO. Hotel Bougainvillea — tropical garden hotel in the Central Valley. Meet your specialist birding guide.
Transfer north →︎ Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (5 hrs). Caño Negro Lodge (2N). Afternoon wetland reconnaissance — first species list begins.
Pre-dawn birding starts before sunrise. Wetland boat tour on Lago Caño Negro: Jabiru Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Anhinga, 300+ wader species. Afternoon forest trail session.
Transfer →︎ Arenal (La Fortuna). Arenal Observatory Lodge (2N) — built for naturalists, prime position for volcano-zone birding.
Dawn birding session from the lodge grounds: tanagers, toucans, trogons and the Resplendent Quetzal (dry season). Afternoon: Arenal Volcano lava trail.
Jeep-Boat-Jeep →︎ Monteverde. Monteverde Lodge & Gardens (2N) — set in a private forest reserve.
Resplendent Quetzal search at dawn with specialist guide. Cloud forest walk through Santa Elena Reserve. 400+ species possible in the zone.
Transfer →︎ Tárcoles (Pacific coast). Macaw Lodge (1N) — set in secondary forest, on the Scarlet Macaw flight path.
Early morning: Scarlet Macaw river cruise on the Río Tárcoles (world’s highest concentration of Scarlet Macaws). Mangrove birding. Transfer →︎ SJO.
Airport transfer to SJO. Departure.
Route Map
Included & Excluded
✓︎ Included
- ✓︎ 9 nights accommodation — Bougainvillea, Caño Negro Natural Lodge, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, Macaw Lodge
- ✓︎ Breakfast daily · Half board at Macaw Lodge
- ✓︎ Private transfers throughout
- ✓︎ Included birding excursions: Caño Negro wetlands, Arenal, Monteverde Reserve, Carara
- ✓︎ Pre-dawn birding sessions at Caño Negro
- ✓︎ Half-day birdwatching tour (4 hrs) at Macaw Lodge (Tárcoles)
✗︎ Not Included
- ✗︎ International flights
- ✗︎ Travel insurance
- ✗︎ Spotting scopes (optional rental)
- ✗︎ Personal expenses
- ✗︎ Tips
Notes: Target species: Jabiru Stork, Resplendent Quetzal, Scarlet Macaw, 300+ wetland waders. 600+ Costa Rica species possible year-round.
Ready to quote Rainforest Birding Journey?
Send us your client’s travel dates, group size and any special requests — we’ll respond with a personalised quote within 24 hours.