Birdwatching Special Program

Daily Itinerary

Day 01
Meet and greet upon arrival by our tour guide and airport assistance. Transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Suerre hotel. Luggage portage and airport assistance included. 10 minutes after left the airport you will have the opportunity to pass through San Jose Downtown - Capital of Costa Rica. Pass through Paseo Colon Avenue (Children’s Hospital, San Juan de Dios Hospital), Second Avenue (La Mercedes Catholic Church and Park, Central Park and the Cathedral, National Theater and National Museum). Transfer time from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Aerial Tram: 1 ½ hours.
Aerial Tram at Braulio Carrillo National Park: is the only place in the world where visitors can fly and see the most complex communities of life on earth. Over the course of eighteen consecutive months numerous bird counts have been conducted; in that time a total of 257 species have been observed out of a grand total of 350 species reported in the park in the last eight years. You can see approximately 118 species a day and a maximum of 146 different species in the month of April of 2001. Of the most interesting sightings that have been reported during the bird counting days, we can mention the following: Solitary Eagle, Black-and-white Hawk-eagle, Ornate Hawk Eagle, Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo, Common Potoo, White-tipped Sicklebill, Lanceolated Monklet, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Strong-billed Wood Creeper, Bare-necked Umbrella bird, Rufous-winged Tanager, and more. Entrance fee and lunch included at the Aerial Tram.

Suerre Hotel: This Hotel is located in Guápiles and offer you 55 rooms equipped with air conditioning, telephone, hot water, security boxes, television, mini freezer, tennis square, Jacuzzi and two different pools for kids and adults, beach games, table games.
Dinner included in the main restaurant of the hotel Suerre. Overnight at Suerre Hotel

Day 02
Breakfast included in the main restaurant of the hotel
At 8:00 a.m. we will take the transfer from Suerre Hotel to Ecolodge in Arenal.

Selva Verde Biological Station
Visit an international renowned research center, located in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, (north central region of Costa Rica). Visitor all over the world come to discover, learn and experience the exuberance of the tropical rain forest.
Nearly half of the 850 species of birds in Costa Rica are found in La Selva. Peccaries, agoutis, sloths, howler, and spider monkeys are frequently seen. Rain brings out choruses of frogs: flashes of the tiny red and blue poison-dark frog catch the eye along trails year round. The vascular plant flora includes over 1800 species, and more than 100 species of trees are found. Caimans, turtles, lizards and snakes represent the reptile fauna. At the confluence of two major rivers in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica, La Selva comprises 1,600 hectares (3,900 acres), of tropical wet forests and disturbed lands. It averages 4 m (over 13 feet) of rainfall that is spread rather evenly throughout the year. 3 ½ hours guided walking tour and lunch included in this property. Then transfer to Arenal area.

Arenal Volcano
The Arenal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. From the Tabacon Hot springs, you could feel the ground tremble and see the smokes eruptions coming out the volcano.
We have identified 310-plus species, most of which are resident. Migratory species include local latitudinal migrants as well as North and South American migratory species.
The richest avifauna of Costa Rica is found in the rain forest of the Caribbean lowlands and middle elevations. Neighboring National Parks and the diversity of habitats within our private reserve - farmlands, forest and lake make of Eco Lodge a birding paradise.

Ecolodge Hotel
With an excellent view to Arenal Volcano 14 cabins with a breath-taking view of Arenal Volcano and Lake. In the morning you can enjoy a hot shower, and after that, have a delicious cup of coffee while enjoying a magnificent view from your balcony. With a view to the gardens these 23 rooms are very cozy because of their wood work and the windows facing the gardens. If it weren’t for the birds singing in the morning, it would be very difficult to realize that it is day time because of the coziness of the rooms. These rooms also include a hot shower.
In the main building you can find a restaurant, bar, lounge room, chimney, meeting room, and billiard table. Restaurant: Imagine yourself sitting in the restaurant enjoying a delicious meal and looking through the window at birds feeding from tropical fruits in their natural habitat, exotic flowers like heliconias, and beautiful gardens, all unique to the rain forest.
Dinner included in the main restaurant of the hotel Ecolodge. Overnight at Ecolodge

Day 03
Breakfast included in the main restaurant of the hotel
Half day guided Bird watching tour at Ecolodge Private Reserve
Located in northeast Costa Rica, the Eco Lodge is a private reserve with 250 hectares of primary rain forest, 50 hectares of secondary forest, and 18 hectares of farmland. It lies on Lake Coter, between the Arenal Volcano and Tenorio Volcano National Park, in a middle elevation area, from 2300 to 3600 feet (700 to 1100 meters) above sea level, on the Tilaran Mountain Range. Winds from the Atlantic sweep westbound to the Pacific, thus promoting the dispersal of various flora and fauna species.
Lunch included in the main restaurant of the hotel

Afternoon at leisure not included in the program the following optional activities:

- Maleku Indian Community
- Forest Canopy
- Horseback riding
- Walking Trails
- Kayak Tour

Dinner included in the main restaurant of Ecolodge. Overnight at Ecolodge Hotel

Day 04
Buffet breakfast included in the main restaurant of the hotel
8:00 a.m. Transfer from Ecolodge to La Ensenada Lodge via birdwatching en route. Transfer time: 3 to 3 ½ hours.
La Ensenada Lodge is a delightful surprise at the end of a dirt road through rural landscapes. The 865-acre (350-ha) property is registered as a private wildlife refuge. Guests can enjoy water- and land-based birds – more than 140 species, including white ibis, tri-colored heron, purple gallinule, double-striped thick-knee, parrots, parakeets, bellbirds, trogons and kingfishers. With luck, you might see jabirus. Crocodiles, coyotes, howlers and white-faced monkeys, sloths, agoutis, and iguanas are about. A freshwater and saltwater lagoon adds to mangrove, river, and forest habitats.
Also a working farm, Ensenada offers a chance to participate in Costa Rican farm life: cattle, horses and various fruit crops, including watermelon. Optional Ride native criollo horses to explore refuge trails, visit a salt flat (January to April see salad produced much the way indigenous peoples did it) and go to a freshwater lagoon and through forest to a hilltop view of the gulf at sundown. Boats carry guests on a two-hour island and mangrove tour to see roseate spoonbills, hawks, black-bellied whistling ducks, and egrets, along with crocodiles and howler monkeys.

A three-hour boat trip to Palo Verde National Park. Marked hiking trails go through dry forest, mangroves and wetlands. Tennis, swimming in the pool, water-skiing, and windsurfing are other options, but be sure to leave time to relax in the hammock on your front porch. Lodging is in wooden bungalows facing gulf waters (Ensenada means cove or small bay). Eight cabins have two rooms, each with its own bath, while four larger cabins are ideal for families; one has a ramp for wheelchairs. Meals are served in a large thatched rancho with checkered tablecloths.
Lunch included in the restaurant of La Ensenada Lodge
After lunch, two hours tractor guide tour to the private property of La Ensenada Lodge for bird watching at the lake and special view of Nicoya Gulf.
Tractor ride, for those who prefer an easy ride around the ranch, the hotel has developed a very unusual and creative way to enjoy the sights. A long cart is pulled by a tractor which will enable you to enjoy the Dry Forest and the pastures, with visits to the salt pans, the natural pond and spectacular view of the Gulf of Nicoya at sunset. Along the way you will see birds, howler monkeys and crocodiles.
We will take the dinner in the main restaurant. Overnight at La Ensenada Lodge

Day 05
American breakfast included in the main restaurant of the lodge
7:00 a.m. 2 hours boat ride guided tour.
A tour of about two hour’s duration along the canals of the Abangares River. A visit to the mangrove forests, an important ecosystem. There are a great variety of birds and if you are lucky you may see crocodiles, crab eating raccoons, and iguanas.
Lunch included in the main restaurant of the lodge
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy of the green areas, walking trails specially for birdwatchers.
Dinner and overnight at La Ensenada Lodge

Day 06
American breakfast included in the hotel
8:00 a.m. Transfer from La Ensenada Lodge to Villa Lapas Hotel
11:00 -11:30 a.m. Arrival time to Villa Lapas Hotel.
Villa Lapas Hotel
Category: Superior (nicely located, 49 rooms with 2 queen beds and 6 rooms with king size bed, terrace, a/c, telephone, private bathroom with shower and hot water, view: Gardens, river or pool and cribs (available with previous notification without extra charge)
We are located only 5 minutes away from to the Carara National Park, in addition they have their own private reserve where you can hike around using their network of trails and admire the beauty of the secondary growth forest, there is an immense variety of flora that gives shelter to a great number of wild animals; also going across the property, the Tarcolitos river give a magical touch to this unique scenery.
All Inclusive Hotel (Meals, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages)
Dinner and Overnight at Villa Lapas Hotel

Day 07
6.00 am Buffet breakfast at the hotel
7.00 am. Specially for birdwatchers. 15minutes one way transfer from Villa Lapas Hotel to the dock located by the river. 2 hours boat ride tour on Tárcoles River especially for see birds, crocodiles, monkeys, Iguanas.
Dinner and overnight at Villa Lapas Hotel

Day 08
Buffet breakfast in the hotel
8:00 a.m. 2 hours one way transfer from Villa Lapas Hotel to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Luggage portage and airport assistance included.
There is a departure tax up today is US $26.00 per person, this tax is not included in the program. Costa Rica Green Forest can help you with procedure obtaining from you copies of passport for each participant in advance.

Rates per person:

Single Occupancy $1655.00
Double Occupancy $1313.00

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