COSTA RICA
Costa Rica, Spanish for ‘Rich Coast’, is certainly rich in wildlife. At our easy pace we normally record over 400 species of birds in two weeks. 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 dazzling 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.
We spend the bulk of the two weeks at just three hotels, giving this holiday a very relaxed pace and yet the array of wildlife within striking distance of each hotel seems inexhaustible!
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 the next three 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 Fiery-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. The Resplendent Quetzal regularly nests in the garden too!
The gardens are well stocked with flowers attracting many species of hummingbird. Natural forest surrounds us and we can take walks directly from the hotel. Here we will see yet more quetzals, and a range of high altitude species such as Black-and-Yellow and Long-tailed Silky Flycatchers, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Sooty Robin and Black-thighed Grosbeak. The attractive Collared Whitestart is found here; its confiding nature has led it to be given the local name, Amigo de Hombre.
A drive to slightly higher altitude takes us into cloud forest dripping with epiphytes and rich in birds. We will continue up above the tree line for some truly high altitude species like the much sought-after Volcano Junco and Timberline Wren.
On day five we will drive to Villa Lapas, our hotel for the next five nights, situated next door to Carara. The superb hotel gardens are excellent for birds, and meals here can be taken outside on a terrace overlooking the river.
Most of this reserve is covered with primary forest, where we can hope to find such spectacular birds as Squirrel Cuckoo, Fiery-billed Aracari, Orange-collared Manakin and Northern Royal Flycatcher. 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 are home to 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.
From here we will transfer to Selva Verde Lodge, stopping along the way for the morning and lunch at the lovely Waterfall Gardens on the edge of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. Up to twelve different species of dazzling hummingbirds visit the garden as well as a variety of colorful butterflies, including the giant Blue Morpho. We will walk along the river, experiencing close-up views of five spectacular waterfalls. After lunch we walk through the serene river valley called Virgen del Socorro, where we may be lucky enough to see the Lanceolated Monklet.
We will spend four 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. Resident mammals include Howler Monkey, Spider Monkey, White-faced Capuchin, Agouti, Tree Porcupine and Sloth.
It is hard to explain just how good this area is to anyone who has not been there. As an indicator of the wealth of wildlife, we will probably spend a whole morning just birding the entrance road to La Selva. We will return there another day so we have time to visit the reserve itself. Days could be spent just birding the hotel grounds, so any spare time can be used productively.
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.
On day fourteen we will birdwatch at La Selva in the morning, before driving back to San Jose. After our last night in San Jose we will have some time to relax or do a little birding nearby, before heading to the airport in good time for our flight home.
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.
Full-board accommodation is provided, with one night at the start and end at the Hotel Bougainvillea, San Jose, three nights at La Savegre, five nights at Villa Lapas, Carara, and four nights at Selva Verde Lodge. 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 mini-coach, park entrance fees, boat trips, return flight to San Jose, and flight and airport taxes.
Cost of travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry.
Return flight from London Heathrow to San Jose (via Madrid) using the scheduled services of Iberia Airlines. Outbound flight departs early morning, return flight arrives back late afternoon. It is pleasing that there is no longer a need to stop in Miami on this flight. Connecting shuttle flights are available on this tour for £70 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports. However, due to the flight times it may be necessary to stay overnight at Heathrow.
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15 nights including one overnight flight:
Principal leader:
Local guide:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount (if you book before 9th December 2007):
Full Cost:
Single supplement:
Deposit:
Insurance premium:
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24th March to 8th April 2008
Andrew Woodall
provided by Cotinga Tours
10 clients with one leader and a local guide
£2910 per person sharing
£3060 per person sharing
£290
£300
£59 due at time of booking (£89 for age 65 to 69) (£118 for age 70 and over)
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