COSTA RICA

the ecotraveller's top destination

Jabiru sightings are becoming more frequent on this tour. Ian Willoughby

Costa Rica, Spanish for 'Rich Coast', is certainly rich in wildlife. At Bird Holidays' easy pace we normally record over 400 species of birds in our two week trip. The birds are just an indicator of exactly how rich in wildlife this country is, for we also see around twenty species of mammal, plus tree frogs, iguanas, crocodiles, caimans and a fantastic array of butterflies, moths and other insects. The flowers are also spectacular with many species of orchid to be found.

Within Costa Rica's boundaries, there is an extremely diverse array of habitats - cloud and rainforest, gallery forest, grasslands, open dry forest, marshes, estuaries and mangroves. A mountain ridge divides the Pacific and Caribbean slopes, each having its own unique flora and fauna.

Some 600 species of birds are permanent residents, supplemented by migrants from the north. Other attractions include the Resplendent Quetzal, hailed by some to be the most beautiful bird in the world; a multitude of stunning hummingbirds and other birds and wildlife such as toucans, parrots, monkeys, sloths, armadillos and poison arrow frogs.

Politically, Costa Rica is very stable, with no standing army, and democratically elected governments which have, over the last four decades, set aside huge areas of land as national parks, protecting all of the existing ecosystems.

ITINERARY

BOSQUE DE PAZ

We will arrive in the early evening and transfer to our hotel on the outskirts of San Jose, for one night. There are some good birds to be found in the hotel grounds including Blue-crowned Motmot, Prevost's Ground-sparrow and several species of hummingbird. On our first full day we will travel to Bosque de Paz Cloud Forest Reserve.

This is a 1200 acre privately owned Biological Preserve and lodge. It is situated between the Poas Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco National Park and acts as a natural corridor between the two. It is located on the continental divide with altitudes ranging from 1400 to 2450 metres asl. Over 330 species have been recorded in the grounds and shy birds like the Black Guan, along with the rarely seen Paca are regulars at the feeding tables just outside the dining room. Other species include Resplendent Quetzal, Scaled Antpitta, Three-wattled Bellbird, Ornate Hawk-eagle, Zeledonia, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Chestnut-capped Brush-finch, Scintillant Hummingbird, Barred Becard, Black-faced Solitaire, Orange-bellied Trogon and Emerald Toucanet.

We will travel from here to Selva Verde Lodge via La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Virgen del Socorro where we will see many species of tanager and hummingbirds.

LA SELVA

We will spend three nights at Selva Verde Lodge where Sunbitterns are regular in the garden and in the evening we can expect to see Great Potoo, Bat Falcon, Short-tailed Nighthawk and Crested Owl. Biological diversity at nearby La Selva reserve is very high, as is typical of lowland neotropical rainforest. Over 400 species of bird have been recorded here.

Resident mammals include howler monkey, spider monkey, white-faced capuchin, agouti, tree porcupine and sloth. The great diversity of bird life is impossible to cover in this limited space. Slaty-breasted Tinamou, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Crowned Woodnymph, Black-throated Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Cinnamon Becard, Snowy Cotinga, Red-capped Manakin, Montezuma Oropendola and Crimson-collared Tanager are just some of the species which occur.

ARENAL

From Selva Verde we will travel to Arenal Lake and Volcano (Costa Rica's most active volcano and an impressive sight). We will stay two nights at Arenal Observatory. There are extensive trails where birds should include Crimson-collared Tanager, White Hawk and Brown-hooded Parrot as well as many hummingbirds and three species of toucan. It is a good area for owls too and an evening 'owling' should produce Black-and-White, Mottled and Striped Owls.

The views of the mountain are spectacular in daylight. After nightfall, with the glow from the crater, and perhaps the sight of molten lava shooting out, there is a genuine sense of awe. From here we will drive a short distance to Ensenada Lodge on the Gulf of Nicoya. We will visit wetlands in the area and if tides and weather are suitable take a boat trip in to the Palo Verde National Park. This area forms part of the Tempique wetlands; an area rich in birds including Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Olivaceous Cormorant and Limpkin. Ducks include resident Muscovies and migrant Blue-winged Teals. Jabiru are scarce, though we have seen several on our last two trips. Open areas are good for raptors including White-tailed Kite, Laughing Falcon and Grey Hawk. Double-striped Thick-knee, White-throated Magpie-Jay and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher are also found in the savannah areas. It is a short drive from here to Villa Lapas, our hotel for the next three nights, situated next door to the famous Carara reserve.

CARARA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE

Most of this reserve is covered by primary forest, where we can hope to find such spectacular birds as Squirrel Cuckoo, Fiery-billed Aracari, Orange-collared Manakin, Northern Royal Flycatcher and Scarlet-rumped Tanager. Gallery forest at the edge of the Rio Tarcoles holds an equally wide range of species, such as Great Tinamou, Spectacled Owl and Little Hermit. Wetlands here are home to a wide variety of species including Least Grebe, Anhinga, Northern Jacana and both Ringed and Amazon Kingfishers.

One morning we will take a walk through the canopy on the recently opened 'Skywalk'. This is a trail which gradually works its way downhill, criss-crossing the valley on a series of suspension bridges. We will take a boat trip on the Rio Tarcoles through the mangroves and sandbars to see Boat-billed Herons, Brown Pelicans and Roseate Spoonbills. We have seen many good species in and around the mangroves here including White-necked Puffbird and Pacific Screech Owl. Watching over the Rio Tarcoles bridge we will see magnificent Scarlet Macaws, while impressive American Crocodiles bask on the banks.

TALAMANCA MOUNTAINS

On the last two nights we will be staying at the remote La Savegre Mountain Hotel in Cerro de la Muerte, part of the Talamanca range. Here we will be deep in a rich cloud forest full of huge oaks and other native trees. This is one of the best places in the country to see the Resplendent Quetzal as well as high montane species such as Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher and Firey-throated Hummingbird.

We have chosen Savegre over the more popular Monteverde, for exactly that reason. Monteverde is so popular that it has become a victim of its own success; the trails are very busy with bus loads of tourists, and the mountain is overrun with commercial ventures. Quiet, pleasant Savegre has recorded 170 species of birds and a long list of mammals in the hotel grounds. On the last day we will still have a little time to birdwatch before the afternoon flight from San Jose.

PACE Most days we will make an early start but have a siesta in the afternoon, when the temperature is at its highest and the birds are at their most quiet. On some days breakfast will be taken later, giving us time for optional pre-breakfast walks in the vicinity of the hotels. These are particularly productive as all the hotels have good habitat on their doorsteps. Basic fitness is all that is required and the pace will be relaxed. There is some uphill walking, but at an easy pace.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full-board accommodation is provided, with one night at the Hotel Bougainvillea, San Jose, two nights at Bosque de Paz, three nights at Selva Verde Lodge, two nights at Arenal Observatory, one night at Ensenada Lodge, three nights at Villa Lapas, Carara and two nights at La Savegre. All accommodation is of a high standard with private facilities en suite. Lunches will sometimes be packed and sometimes be at the lodges.

PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with expert leader and local guide, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, local transport by coaster bus, park entrance fees, boat trips, return flight to San Jose, and flight and airport taxes.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Cost of travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flight from London Heathrow to San Jose (via Miami) using the scheduled services of American Airlines. Outbound flight departs mid-morning, return flight arrives back late morning. Connecting shuttle flights are available on this tour for £60 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.

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