Birding in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula

Birding in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1:

Your birdwatching vacation starts at San José International Airport where a representative from our company waits for you. There, you will be picked up by one of our drivers and have a comfortable ride to Poas Volcano Lodge.

DAY 2:

It is time for your first birding tour! Costa Rica’s Central Valley is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. If you are not already a bird lover, you will soon become one while birdwatching at the lodge! Poas Volcano Lodge’s proximity to two national parks make it an ideal destination for birding enthusiasts. You will have the opportunity to spot the exciting bird species that inhabit the riverbank and the open forest areas. Enjoy the sight of wild pheasants, tanagars, and perhaps even the legendary resplendent Quetzal.

DAY 3:

A driver will pick you up and drive you to Arenal for your stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge. The lodge was originally built in 1987 as a research station for scientists of the Smithsonian Institute. Arenal Observatory Lodge is the only lodge within Arenal National Park, making it the best one to experience the birdlife of La Fortuna and Arenal. There are more than 500 species of birds in the area!

DAY 4:

Get your feet of the ground and your head into the canopy! You will go on our guided Hanging Bridges Birdwatching Tour at the nearby Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. In their reserve, you will see a great variety of bird species and have the opportunity to see the forest from an elevated perspective. Consequently, these hanging bridges provide an excellent opportunity to appreciate birds that are normally camouflaged by the thick foliage of the canopy. This area is home to more than 350 species of birds, including migratory and resident species.

DAY 5:

Dawn at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa is a magical time. The air is fresh, the trails are quiet, but the forest that permeates the property is buzzing with life. You will get up early to go on The Birdwatching Morning Tour. An experienced guide will join you in the quest to fulfill your bird bucket list. Toucans, trogons, and tanagers or maybe the ever-elusive umbrella bird with its postmodern hairdo and loud, booming calls – there is no telling what to expect.

DAY 6:

As you are leaving the breathtaking, lush Arenal area behind, sit back and enjoy the drive. Your private transfer will take you from Arenal to Rancho Humo in approximately 4 hours. Rancho Humo Estancia offers you pure enjoyment of nature, outstanding bird-watching, and adventure at its best.

DAY 7:

You will be picked at 6:45am at Rancho Humo Estancia and go to Palo Verde National Park. Our bilingual tour guide will guide you through the lush tropical dry forest, mangroves and wetlands of the Palo Verde National Park and Tempisque River while you are spotting wild life. This half-day trip is the perfect way to combine a boat tour on the Tempisque River with a hike in Palo Verde National Park.

DAY 8:

On this day, you will have another adventure and depart from Rancho Humo Estancia in one of our Land Rover Safari jeeps. You will go on a journey through wetlands where wildlife seems to be taking over. Hundreds of aquatic birds fly around and feed from the richness of these lands. Therefore, you should keep your eyes open to spot Wood Storks, White and Tiger Herons, the Jabiru, and many more birds.

DAY 9:

Our driver will pick you up and drive you to your next hotel, Tango Mar. As a luxury oceanfront hotel and golf resort on Costa Rica’s pristine Nicoya Peninsula, Tango Mar offers a range of accommodations to suit family travelers, honeymooners and adventure seekers alike. It features 2 excellent restaurants and 4 lavish freshwater pools set amid colorful tropical gardens. The hotel is conveniently located for wildlife and adventure tours, birdwatching, snorkeling, horseback riding and more.

DAY 10:

The Wildlife Refuge of Curú is the best place in the Nicoya Peninsula to see many different species of monkeys such as howler monkeys, white face monkeys, and spider monkeys. There are about 230 different species of birds, 78 mammals, 87 reptiles, 25 amphibians and about 500 species of plants. One most important aspects of Curú, is that it is the refuge of the only population of scarlet macaw (Ara macao) and spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in the Nicoya peninsula.

DAY 11:

Experience nature from a slightly different angle on your Boat Birdwatching Tour at Pochote. Rio Pochote snakes into the forest and your guide will show you various birds such as Trogons, Motmots, Kingfishers, Hummingbirds, Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Falcons and many more. The Nicoya Peninsula belongs to the Dry Northwest eco-zone and offers great birding opportunities. Grab your binoculars and enjoy the boat ride!