Northern Volcanoes and Wetlands

Hacienda Guachipelín. A 3,400-acre working ranch on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja, 22 km from Liberia, with dry forest, 32 rivers coming off the volcano and birding from the ranch's own trails. Canopy, horses and hot springs on the same property.

1. Day 1
   To Rincón de la ViejaOur greeter meets you at Liberia arrivals with your welcome pack; 22 km to Hacienda Guachipelín.
2. Day 2
   The ranch trailsA guided morning in the dry forest on the ranch's own trails, for the Tody Motmot in the understory. The afternoon is yours: canopy, horses or the hot springs.

At Rincón de la Vieja, the Tody Motmot, fairly common in the moist forest on the volcano, Orange-fronted Parakeet in the dry forest, Pacific Screech-Owl and Northern Potoo after dark. The White-tailed Hawk is very uncommon in the lowlands and foothills below the Cordillera de Guanacaste, and the Striped Owl is local and uncommon in the open country of the Guanacaste lowlands: a chance, not a promise.

Celeste Mountain Lodge. Private trails through the lodge's own primary forest beside Tenorio Volcano National Park, with guided birding and a bird list to take along.

1. Day 3
   To TenorioOver to Celeste Mountain Lodge, beside Tenorio Volcano National Park.
2. Day 4
   The lodge's forestGuided birding on the lodge's private trails through its own primary forest.
3. Day 5
   The Río Celeste roadA morning on the foothill forest along the road to Río Celeste, where the Snowcap has been seen.

At Tenorio and Río Celeste, the lodge names Three-wattled Bellbird, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Great Curassow and Yellow-eared Toucanet as its targets. Look too for Lovely Cotinga, Snowcap on the Río Celeste road and Keel-billed Motmot, with most Costa Rican records around Tilarán and Bijagua. The Violaceous Quail-Dove is scarce and local, with records at Bijagua: a rare chance.

Caño Negro Natural Lodge. Forty-two rooms beside the Caño Negro Lagoon and the Río Frío, with the lodge's own boat, birding and canoe tours into the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, a wetland of international importance since 1991.

1. Day 6
   To Caño NegroNorth to the Caño Negro Natural Lodge, on the lagoon and the Río Frío.
2. Day 7
   The Río Frío by boatThe lodge's own boat into the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge at first light, for the wading birds, the Nicaraguan Grackle and the Black-collared Hawk.

At Caño Negro, from the boat, Jabiru in the dry season, Roseate Spoonbill in groups, Wood Stork, Snail Kite, Limpkin and Sungrebe, with Nicaraguan Grackle, Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, Spot-breasted Wren and the Black-collared Hawk, for which the refuge is the classic place. Black-and-white Owl in the tall trees by the lagoon.

Maquenque Eco Lodge. Bungalows and tree houses on a 60-acre reserve at Boca Tapada, 15 minutes from the Nicaraguan border, with lagoons on the property and a guided nature walk at sunrise every morning.

1. Day 8
   To Boca TapadaEast to Maquenque Eco Lodge, on its reserve by the border.
2. Day 9
   Maquenque at sunriseThe lodge's guided nature walk at sunrise, then the lagoons on the property.
3. Day 10
   A last lowland morningOne more morning at Boca Tapada. The afternoon is yours.

At Boca Tapada, the Great Green Macaw, the bird the area is known for, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, one of the most reliable sites in the country for it, Central American Pygmy-Owl, and Great Curassow. Agami Heron colonies have been found near the Maquenque area: a chance, never promised.