Birding trip · 9 to 10 nights · Arrive San José (SJO)
Two of the birds people cross an ocean for, in one loop south of San José: the Resplendent Quetzal in the high oak forest of San Gerardo de Dota, then the Scarlet Macaw where the Pacific lowlands meet Carara National Park, with three nights above Bahía Ballena in between and a morning on the Tárcoles mangrove by boat. The trip we build most often for a first serious birding visit, and the one our other quetzal routes grew out of.
South into the Talamanca, down to the Pacific, then up the coast to Carara, so the airport is two hours away on the last morning.
The route between the numbered stops, the run back to the airport (dashed); lodges as small red pins.Every stop and lodge on this route is in the numbered list.
I have sent more birders to San Gerardo de Dota than anywhere else in the country, and the reason is simple: the valley is where a quetzal is most likely in the fewest mornings, and the lodges sit inside the forest the bird feeds in, so the first look is often from the breakfast table. Two nights gives you two dawns with a guide. If the quetzal is the whole reason you are coming, take the third night, which is the ten-night version, and I would.
The rest of the loop is for the other half of the list. Bahía Ballena is lowland forest running down to the sea, and Carara is where the dry forest of the north meets the wet forest of the south, which is why the Scarlet Macaws are there. The mangrove boat on the Tárcoles on the last full day adds the water birds without a step of walking, and after a week of 5am starts it is the morning people thank me for.
Jason Bateman, Costa Rica Specialist
Day 1 · 1 night
Hotel Bougainvillea, Heredia
Hotel Bougainvillea. Gardens with mature trees twenty minutes from the airport.
Days 2 to 3 · 2 nights
Trogon Lodge, San Gerardo de Dota
Trogon Lodge. Cabins by the Savegre River inside the forest the quetzals feed in, the valley's guides at the door.
The Resplendent Quetzal first: San Gerardo de Dota is where we send people who have crossed an ocean to see one. In the same valley, Fiery-throated Hummingbird at the feeders, Black Guan in the oaks, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, and Swallow-tailed Kite over the ridge.
Days 4 to 6 · 3 nights
Hotel Cristal Ballena, Uvita
Hotel Cristal Ballena. On a hillside between the Pacific and the rainforest, a 180-degree view of Bahía Ballena from the rooms and the pool, and over 200 species recorded on the property.
At Bahía Ballena, over 200 species recorded on the lodge's own hill, lowland forest birds down to the sea.
Days 7 to 9 · 3 nights
Cerro Lodge, Tárcoles
Cerro Lodge. A birding lodge above the Tárcoles River with the sea in view, 20 minutes from Carara, Scarlet Macaws over the grounds.
At Carara and on the Tárcoles, the Scarlet Macaw in pairs at dawn and dusk, Collared Aracari in the park, and from the mangrove boat Boat-billed Heron, Great Tinamou calling from the forest edge, and Keel-billed Toucan along the river.
On the ten-night version, day 4 is a third morning at San Gerardo de Dota and everything after it moves one day later.
The Resplendent Quetzal first: San Gerardo de Dota is where we send people who have crossed an ocean to see one. In the same valley, Fiery-throated Hummingbird at the feeders, Black Guan in the oaks, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, and Swallow-tailed Kite over the ridge.
At Bahía Ballena, over 200 species recorded on the lodge's own hill, lowland forest birds down to the sea.
At Carara and on the Tárcoles, the Scarlet Macaw in pairs at dawn and dusk, Collared Aracari in the park, and from the mangrove boat Boat-billed Heron, Great Tinamou calling from the forest edge, and Keel-billed Toucan along the river.
Every trip is a custom quote built around your dates and your list.
“The Scarlett Macaw and the Resplendent Quetzal were 2 of our target birds and we got both along with 182 species and 118 new birds to add to our life list!”
“Our guide, Carlos, kept in touch with his son, also a guide, looking for quetzals and we found our elusive Resplendent Quetzal due to Carlos's diligence.”
“Because of their incredible professionalism, accommodating service, and awesome attention to detail, we identified 347 new "life" birds.”
San Gerardo de Dota has quetzals all year and the valley's guides find them in every month. December to April gives the most settled weather for the early mornings.
Moderate. Slow forest trails at altitude for the quetzal, a flat park morning at Carara, a boat for the mangrove.
No. Everything from landing to check-in for the flight home is ours; the flights are yours, and we advise on times.
Yes. A third night at San Gerardo de Dota is the most common change; Hacienda Barú in Dominical instead of Uvita, or a beach at the end, are others.
No. Private, for your party only, on your dates; we run no fixed-date group tours.
This route birds two of our five birding zones: Highlands and Central and Southern Pacific Lowlands. Each zone page has its parks, its birds and every lodge we use there.
Or see all twenty-three birding trips, or every lodge we use, on one map.
Tell us your dates and your list. A Costa Rica specialist writes back with your version of this trip.
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