This privately guided 12-day adventure is designed for birdwatchers and their nature-loving travel companions. Experience Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity as you explore tropical forests, lush lowlands, volcanic landscapes, and coastal ecosystems. While birders seek out tropical specialties, non-birding companions will enjoy a variety of immersive nature experiences, from scenic walks and hot springs to a river safari and a whale-watching excursion. With a small group setting, expert guidance, and carefully selected lodges, this tour offers the perfect balance of birdwatching and broader exploration of Costa Rica’s natural wonders.
What's Included in Your 11 Nights | 12 Days Costa Rica – Birds & Beyond Tour?
Scheduled Group Tour with Guide
$$$
All-inclusive Package
On a group tour with a private guide, the guide is with you from your arrival to your departure. You not only bird at the hotels, parks, and reserves on your itinerary, you also have the flexibility to stop with the guide at local spots, and places that only the guides know. You have an expert with you every step of the way. Guests with a Private Guide can expect to see at least 50% more species than guests using local guides.
Pros and Cons of a Scheduled Group Trip
Continuous expert guidance throughout the entire trip
50% more species typically observed
Access to off-the-beaten-track locations
Flexibility for impromptu stops
Daily species recap with guide
Photo identification from your guide during and after your trip.
Scheduled dates only
Defined group size
Ideal for
Serious birders aiming to maximize species sightings
Birding Flexibility: Flexible, including impromptu stops
Transportation: Private transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle throughout your journey.
Meals: All meals included, beginning with welcome dinner on the first day of the tour and ending with breakfast on your final day.
Admission Fees: Admission to all national parks, reserves, gardens, and sites listed in your itinerary.
Official Checklist: Included
Daily Species Recap: Included
24/7 In-country Assistance: Included
Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival, your private driver will transfer you to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the lush gardens, where your guide will introduce you to the first birds of the trip. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner, getting to know your fellow travelers and private guide and discuss the amazing journey ahead of you.
Start the day with a visit to Poás Volcano National Park, where you’ll take in breathtaking views of the crater and surrounding cloud forest. Stop at the Cinchona Feeders, a fantastic spot to observe hummingbirds and tanagers up close. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and enjoy birding and wildlife viewing along the hotel trails. If weather permits, your guide will take you for a night walk.
Explore La Selva Biological Station, one of Costa Rica’s premier birding and wildlife locations, home to diverse lowland bird species, mammals and much more. In the afternoon, visit Cope’s Gardens, a fantastic site for birding and spotting sought-after species in a beautiful setting. You’ll be looking for Owls and the White Tent Making Bats to name a few.
Enjoy a calm rafting adventure on the Sarapiquí River looking for birds and wildlife as you float down a lazy river. Later, travel to the Arenal region and settle into your lodge, where you’ll enjoy afternoon birdwatching and volcano viewing with your guide.
Spend the morning exploring the trails, gardens, and lookout points of Arenal Observatory Lodge, an excellent site for birds, insects, reptiles and more. In the evening, unwind at EcoTermales Hot Springs, a natural oasis of hot pools, fed by the Arenal volcano, surrounded by rainforest.
Experience the Sky Tram & Sky Walk, where you’ll glide over the rainforest canopy and walk on suspension bridges with spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. The afternoon is free to relax at the lodge or explore the trails with your private guide.
Travel to the Central Pacific and embark on a Tarcoles River boat tour, an excellent opportunity to spot the Central American crocodiles (2nd largest in the world), lizards, and many species of birds. In the late afternoon, watch the skies for Scarlet Macaws.
Explore Carara National Park, a unique transition zone forest with both dry and humid forest species. You never know what you might see in Carara. Birds, monkeys, snakes and more. After exploring the park, continue to the Southern Pacific coast, where you’ll settle into your scenic ocean-view hotel.
Enjoy a marine wildlife tour at Marino Ballena National Park. You’ll board your boat and head into the Pacific Ocean where you’ll search for humpback whales, dolphins, and seabirds while taking in the stunning coastal scenery. The afternoon is free to enjoy the pool and views or explore the lodge trails with your guide.
Spend the morning birdwatching with your guide in the hotel’s gardens and trails. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views and tranquil surroundings. In the afternoon you have the option to visit the beach at Marino Ballena National Park.
Travel back to San José with a stop at Villa Vanilla Spice Farm, where you’ll learn about sustainable spice production and enjoy a wonderful tasting experience. This farm is famous for its amazing natural vanilla, organic chocolate and much more. Enjoy some final birding in the hotel gardens in the afternoon.
Your private driver will take you to the airport for your flight home, marking the end of an incredible Costa Rican nature and birding journey.
"Amazing, could not have been better!"
When we booked this we knew nothing about the company and we were a little nervous about what we would be getting. We put some preliminary questions, like “will meals be a fixed menu, or free choice a la carte”. We also worried about whether the guide would be personable, knowledgeable, and with good language ability, etc.
It turned out that not only were these worries unfounded, but we had lucked into a far more generous, efficient, knowledgeable, and exciting company than we could have possibly imagined.
Every last part of this tour was super, and we don’t say that lightly. To begin, of course, the locations were mind blowing, and the birding was great. But then there was the personality, knowledge, and language ability of our guide and of the driver – both great people, and we fell in love with them immediately. And they and the company behind them had really thought of everything. There was never the slightest glitch or problem. To boot, the accommodations were to us first rate, and the food wonderful, and basically unlimited. …
Now, as we are going through our photos, we are impressed over again with every single last bit of this experience. It’s a cliché to say we could not recommend Costa Rica Focus highly enough, but that is exactly the case.
A special parting word about our guide, Alex C. Costa Rica Focus has many guides, but of course we only know about Alex. If in life you can meet a kung fu master or a violin master, or someone who has mastered any field, then it is inspiring. Alex is one of these. He could look in a forest and identify birds we could not even see, often even when he indicated them with his laser pointer. In addition he had a great knowledge of Costa Rican history, geography, culture, and politics, that he shared with great clarity. If Alex is any indication, then the guide you get with Costa Rica Focus is going to be good.
"I would recommend this company to all"
This company designed a fabulous Costa Rica bird trip. There were a variety of habitats to maximize the types of birds we saw. The accommodations were first rate. The hired drivers and bird guides were dependable and first rate. We enjoyed the food everywhere we went. The company stayed in touch and were able to make minor adjustments if necessary. We were very pleased with the trip.
"An amazing birding experience in Costa Rica"
Costa Rica Focus went above & beyond in every way. From the very beginning when I had a few questions before I made my decision to book this trip to the end in traveling home. I felt very safe because we had the ability to be in constant contact with the team if we needed them.
The trip itself was just amazing! I added over 200 new life birds to my list! The scenery was spectacular! Our guide was so helpful, knowledgeable & personable. Each lodge was unique in it’s own way; from larger to quite small. The staff at each place were super. Food was plentiful & tasty. Different birds and experiences at each location. I don’t think a single thing could be improved upon. Thanks again for a most memorable experience!
"Amazing Experience"
My wife and I joined a small group, we were 5 in total. Everything was perfectly well organized. Our guide, Minor, was fantastic. He was always ready to help and accomodate us. He also has a fantastic knowledge of wildlife and where to find it. We went to the mountains, Tortuguero in the rain forest and to the slopes of the Arenal volcano. Exotic places, fantastic views and hundreds of species of birds. I would recommend Costa Rica focus without hesitation.
"Knowledgeable and great local connections"
Joan and company were excellent by being so responsive, attentive, cooperative with making adjustments and extremely helpful at navigating our way around the country of Costa Rica. They had great connections with the locals and we got to know the people as well as the wildlife and the countryside. Our nature guides were top notch as well as our drivers. Very knowledgeable and patient (traffic and roads can be crazy at times). We always felt remembered each day as they checked in with us and them with us. The app is fantastic for knowing what was up each day. Highly recommend!
"A Quest for the Agami Heron"
I went on the A Quest for the Agami Heron in June of 2023 and have meant to write a review since then. I am going with better late than never. My cousin talked me into going with her and insisted I take her camera. I could not get a picture for three days that I could even see but on the third day magic happened and my life changed. From the moment I walked out of the airport to the moment they dropped me back off everything was taken care of. Our guide, Minor, and our driver, Victor, took care of us and were an amazing team to get us to very unique hotels, wonderful restaurants and to birds I never knew existed. Resplendent Quetzels, Sunbitterns, and Agami Herons were some of my favorites. We saw baby turtles released into the sea and all cried together when they made it. We built friendships through our experiences that were real and lead to another one this summer and a reserved one for next year. I highly recommend Costa Rica Focus. 5+ out of 5 stars.
"A fantastic trip to Ecuador"
I’ve just returned from a fantastic 11 days’ birding in Ecuador organised by Costa Rica Focus and I couldn’t be happier. Having used them last year, I knew what to expect and they didn’t let me down. Their attention to detail is incredible and everything went exactly to plan from the moment I was greeted at Quito airport.
But what makes them special is their careful choice of guides. Both Daniel and Ivan were outstanding and helped me to see and photograph more than 300 birds, most of them lifers. Their incredible knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm made all the difference. Toucans, hawks, cock of the rock, umbrella bird, oilbird and loads of hummingbirds – they got me up close and personal to them all.
I have no hesitation in recommending Costa Rica Focus and I look forward to my next adventure with this great company.
"“Off the beaten track” excellent trip that lived up to its name."
3rd trip with this company. Alex was an excellent guide/driver and the itinerary well organized and unique. Some locations family owned with breathtaking views, wonderful accommodation and home cooked meals. Saw 214 species of birds with 90 % “lifers”. Was a fusion of photography and forest birding. Have to admit that as a prairie person my body ached after hiking up and down slippery paths and staircases. CR is beautiful with waterfalls, lush vegetation and mountains!
We crossed the country from SanJose to the Pacific Ocean, over the highest peaks and to the southern tropical areas with stops at local restaurants and locations where we saw species rarely seen. The meals were healthy and typically CR. Given that this is nesting season without the migrant birds, Alex and the experienced birders in our small group found many unique species. It was a good learning experience for myself as I’m more of a photographer. Would highly recommend this tour and I will certainly continue to travel with Costa Rica focus.
Additional Tour Info
This itinerary requires an intermediate level of physical activity. Guests will traverse a variety of environments, including well-established trails, narrow forest paths, gardens, feeders, and observation platforms. Participants should be comfortable walking at least 2 miles at a steady, relaxed pace without the need for frequent stops or rest. Walks to the Agami nesting site are approximately 2 miles (each direction). Conditions are hot, humid, and often wet and marshy.
Weather
Weather in Costa Rica varies significantly by region and elevation. Expect different temperatures and rainfall patterns as you travel through the country. While some areas experience brief morning mist or afternoon showers, others may have longer periods of rain. These patterns shift throughout the year and create the perfect conditions for Costa Rica’s rich wildlife. While we plan activities around typical weather patterns, we recommend packing for both sun and rain to ensure your comfort throughout your journey. The temperatures listed below represent typical averages for each region, though daily conditions may vary.
Central Valley: Warm daytime temperatures from the high 70s °F to low 80s °F. Evenings pleasant in the high 60s °F to low 70s °F.
Caribbean Lowlands: Daytime temperatures will range from the high 80s to low 90s °F. Evening temperatures will be in the high 70s – low 80s °F. Expect high humidity.
Mid-Elevation Locations (Foothills): Enjoy temperate weather with daytime highs in the low to mid-80s °F and evenings and early mornings in the low to mid 60s Mid-Elevation Locations: Enjoy temperate weather with daytime highs in the low to mid-80s °F.
Pacific Lowlands: Daytime temperatures will range from the high 80s to low 90s °F. Evening temperatures will be in the high 70s – low 80s °F.
On the Trail
Please note that some parks and reserves lack seating or designated rest areas once inside the forest. While most trails are relatively flat, certain locations may involve inclines, steps, or uneven terrain with minor elevation changes.
Trail conditions will vary, and guests should be prepared to navigate narrow forest paths with natural debris such as sticks, leaves, rocks, and roots. In the event of rain, trails may become muddy and slippery, adding to the challenge.This itinerary is designed for participants with an intermediate level of fitness and mobility, ensuring a rewarding experience for those prepared for the natural demands of these environments.
All guests should be comfortable carrying their own equipment and personal items in the field. We understand that everyone’s pace and energy levels are different. If you ever feel the need for a shorter day, a morning to rest, or time to recharge, please let your guide know. This is your trip, and we’re here to ensure you enjoy it to the fullest.
This trip would not be recommended for a person with mobility issues.
Accommodations
For our group trips, we select hotels based on their prime locations for birding opportunities. Accommodations will range from basic, rustic lodges to mid-range hotels with additional amenities, always with the goal of prioritizing excellent access to birding hotspots.
It’s important to note that not all hotels will have air conditioning, but all will feature private bathrooms, hot or warm running showers, fans, and Wi-Fi (available at least in reception or dining areas, though signal strength may vary). The level of comfort will align with the descriptions provided in the itinerary.
In some locations, rooms may be a 5–15 minute walk from the reception or dining areas. If you have physical needs and would prefer a room closer to these facilities, please inform us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
