COSTA RICA ITINERARY | Sisterhood Birding

WINGS OVER OF COSTA RICA

April 11th - 19th, 2026

April 2nd - 10th, 2027

overview

Costa Rica, a jewel of biodiversity with over 900 bird species, offers an unparalleled birding experience across its cloud forests, lowland rainforests, wetlands, and urban green spaces. Drawing from the provided 9-day birding itinerary, this overview highlights key destinations—from the misty highlands of San Gerardo de Dota to the lush Sarapiqui lowlands and the volcanic landscapes of Arenal—while weaving in Costa Rica’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Expect to encounter vibrant species like the Resplendent Quetzal, Keel-billed Toucan, and myriad hummingbirds, alongside local traditions, eco-conscious lodges, and flavors like gallo pinto and ceviche.

The cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota, home to Miriam’s Quetzals Lodge, are renowned for near-guaranteed Resplendent Quetzal sightings, thanks to abundant wild avocado trees. Trails along the Savegre River yield Fiery-throated Hummingbirds, Talamanca Hummingbirds, and Golden-browed Chlorophonias, with oak forests hosting Northern Emerald-Toucanets and Collared Redstarts. In the Sarapiqui lowlands, Selva Verde Lodge and La Selva Biological Station offer access to over 400 species, including Rufous Motmots, Black-mandibled Toucans, and the rare Great Green Macaw. A Sarapiqui River boat tour reveals aquatic species like Green Kingfishers and the elusive Agami Heron. Near Arenal Volcano, the Arenal Manoa Hotel’s gardens and nearby national park trails attract Black-crested Coquettes, Violet-headed Hummingbirds, and Montezuma Oropendolas, with hummingbird feeders buzzing with activity. In San José, urban birding at La Sabana Park or nearby coffee plantations near Hotel Grano de Oro showcases Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, Lesson’s Motmots, and Clay-colored Thrushes, Costa Rica’s national bird.

Beyond birding, Costa Rica’s cultural richness shines through. In San José, explore historic neighborhoods and savor traditional dishes. In rural Sarapiqui, discover coffee and cacao traditions. With great lodges to stay, expert guides, and safe travel conditions, Costa Rica seamlessly blends nature and culture, cementing its status as a premier birding destination in Central America.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrive in San Jose | Hotel Bougainvillea

Your birding adventure begins the moment you land at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela, just outside San José, the capital of Costa Rica. After a transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea, a renowned place for its bird-friendly gardens, you’ll settle in and meet your fellow birders and tour leader, who will provide a detailed briefing on the upcoming days, including logistics, target species, and tips for maximizing your birding experience. Review the tour’s bird checklist and discuss personal birding goals.

After breakfast depart at approximately 6:30 AM to San Gerardo de Dota. En route, make a strategic stop at a hummingbird garden near Cartago, suchas the gardens at Freddo Fresas or a similar site, known for vibrant feeder activity. PS:.The hummingbird garden offers excellent photo opportunities, with feeders attracting multiple species simultaneously.

DAY 2-3

San Gerardo de Dota | Miriam’s Quetzals Lodge

Day 2: Arrival in San Gerardo de Dota & Introduction to Cloud Forest Birding

Mid-morning to Afternoon: Arrival at Miriam’s Quetzals Lodge & Guided Birding Walk.

Activity: Arrive at Miriam’s Quetzals Lodge by mid-morning. After checking into your cozy cabin, enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch. After lunch, embark on a guided birding walk along the lodge’s private trails, which wind through cloud forest and oak woodlands. The trails are well-maintained and offer prime opportunities to spot the Resplendent Quetzal, the lodge’s namesake, which has a 95%+ sighting success rate in this area due to its abundance of wild avocado trees (aguacatillos), the quetzal’s preferred food.

Evening: Dinner & Relaxation. Savor a home-cooked meal at Miriam’s Quetzals Lodge, featuring local ingredients like trout from the Savegre River, roasted vegetables, and homemade desserts.

Activity: Relax at the lodge, review your bird sightings with the group,and enjoy the serene ambiance of the surrounding forest. Optional evening birding might be available to listen and maybe see night birds like the Dusky Nightjar, Bare-shanked Screech-Owl and others.

Target birds: Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Talamanca Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear, White-throated Mountain-gem, Resplendent Quetzal, Collared Redstart, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Flame-colored Tanager, Sooty-capped Bush Tanager and much more.

Day 3: Full Day of Birding in Savegre Valley

Morning: Early guided birding activity in Savegre Valley. Starting with a pre-dawn walk to maximize quetzal sightings, as they are most active at first light. The female guide will lead the group to prime locations, such as private properties and trails near the Savegre River, where quetzals feed on aguacatillos. The activity will covers diverse habitats, including oak forests and riparian zones, targeting a mix of endemics and highland specialties.

Afternoon:Trail Exploration or Hummingbird Feeder Relaxation. After lunch, there will be two otptions to choose that can be discussed with the guide:

Guided Trail Exploration: Visit nearby trails, such as those in Los Quetzales National Park or along the Savegre River, to target additional species, particularly toucans and other canopy dwellers. These trails wind through cloud forests and offer views of towering oaks and lush vegetation.
Relax at Hummingbird Feeders: Stay at Miriam’s Quetzals Lodge to observe the bustling activity at the lodge’s renowned hummingbird feeders, a hotspot for photographers and casual birders. Comfortable seating and covered areas allow you to relax while watching hummingbirds up close.

Target Birds on Trails: Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Ruddy Treerunner , Ochraceous Wren, Torrent Tyrannulet and others.

Target Birds at Feeders: Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Talamanca Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Large-footed Finch and much more.

Evening: Dinner & Optional Night Walk.

Evening Activity: Optional night walk to search for nocturnal species like the Dusky Nightjar or Bare-shanked Screech-Owl. Alternatively, relax at the lodge, review your bird list with group, or enjoy the starry mountain sky.

DAY 4-5

Journey to Sarapiqui Lowlands & Selva Verde Lodge

Day 4: Departure in the morning and La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Activity: The day begins with a drive to Selva Verde Lodge in the Sarapiqui Lowlands. En route, the group will stop at the breathtaking La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a private reserve renowned for its hummingbird garden and cascading waterfalls. This stop is a dream, with well-maintained feeders attracting a dazzling array of hummingbirds.

Afternoon: Stop at a local restaurant en route, offering traditional dishes like casado (rice, beans, plantains, and protein) or fresh ceviche. Arrival at Selva Verde Lodge and a guided birding walk.

Activity: Arrive at Selva Verde Lodge. This eco-lodge nestled within 500 acres of lowland rainforest along the Sarapiqui River. After checking into your room enjoy a guided birding walk on the lodge’s extensive trail system. These trails wind through primary and secondary rainforest, offering prime opportunities to spot canopy and understory species.

Dinner: Savor a buffet-style meal at Selva Verde Lodge, featuring local and international cuisine with fresh, tropical ingredients.

Target Birds: Green Thorntail, Violet Sabrewing, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-mandibled Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Rufous Motmot (with its distinctive tail), White-collared Manakin, and Chestnut-backed Antbird. Other possibles: Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-throated Mountain-gem, and Coppery-headed Emerald (a Costa Rican endemic).

**Rarities: Keep an eye out for the Snowy Cotinga, a stunning white bird occasionally seen in the canopy, and the Great Green Macaw, a rare and endangered parrot.

Day 5: Sarapiqui River Boat Tour & La Selva Biological Station

Morning: Morning: Boat ride on the Sarapiqui River.

Activity: After a delicious early breakfast get ready for a private boat ride along the Sarapiqui River, a serene and bird-rich waterway flanked by rainforest and wetlands. This boat ride, guided by our female expert guide, allows you to access riverine habitats inaccessible by foot, offering unique perspectives on aquatic and canopy species. The unique experience also offers chances to see non-avian wildlife, such as howler monkeys, caimans, and river otters.

Target birds: Collared Aracari, Green Kingfisher, Other possibilities: Amazon Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, Sungrebe (a secretive aquatic bird), Fasciated Tiger-Heron, and the Mangrove Swallow skimming the water.

**Rarities: Watch for the Agami Heron, a stunning, elusive heron with iridescent plumage, and the Sunbittern, known for its spectacular wing displays.

Afternoon: Guided birding at Selva Verde or La Selva Biological Station.

Activity: After savoring a buffet-style lunch featuring coffee and fresh juices, you can choose between two exciting afternoon activities:

A second guided birding walk on Selva Verde’s trails or
A visit to the nearby La Selva Biological Station, a world-renowned research and birding site managed by the Organization for Tropical Studies. La Selva’s 1,600 hectares of lowland rainforest and extensive trail network offer exceptional birding, with over 400 species recorded.

Target birds at Selva Verde Trails: Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Broad-billed Motmot. Other possibilities: Black-throated Trogon, White-necked Puffbird, Red-lored Parrot, and Cinnamon Woodpecker.

Target birds at La Selva Biological Station: Great Tinamou, Slaty-tailed Trogon. Other possibles: Pied Puffbird, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Crested Owl (at dusk), and Blue-chested Hummingbird.

**Rarities: La Selva is a hotspot for the Great Green Macaw and the Snowy Cotinga, both highly sought-after by birders.

Evening: As day 4, evening options include relaxing on the lodge’s veranda for nocturnal birding as the Crested Owl and Common Pauraque or joining an optional night walk for owls and nightjars.

DAY 6-7

Arenal Volcano & Arenal Manoa Hotel

Day 6: Travel in the morning and birding stop at Virgen del Socorro.

Activity: Depart from Selva Verde Lodge after an early breakfast for a transfer to the Arenal Manoa Hotel near La Fortuna. En route, we will make a strategic stop at a private reserve near Virgen del Socorro, a renowned birding hotspot in the Caribbean foothills. This cloud forest reserve, at approximately 1,000–1,400 meters elevation, features misty trails and hummingbird feeders buzzing with activity.

Afternoon: Lunch and guided birding walk at Arenal Manoa Hotel.

Activity: On our way to our next destination we will stop for a lunch in a local restaurant. Arrive at Arenal Manoa Hotel by noon and check into your room. This place is surrounded by tropical gardens with a breathtaking view of Arenal Volcano. After settling in, we will meet with the other participants for a guided walk on the hotel’s extensive grounds, which include landscaped gardens, forest edges, and fruiting trees that attract a variety of birds.

Target birds: The star attraction here is the Black-crested Coquette, Green Hermit, Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Silver-throated Tanager, Emerald Tanager, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush. The hotel’s gardens are a magnet for Keel-billed Toucan and Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, and Crowned Woodnymph. Look for Crested Guan, Passerini’s Tanager, White-fronted Nunbird, Montezuma Oropendola and Great Kiskadee. Keep an eye out for raptors like the Barred Hawk soaring above the canopy.

Evening: Dinner at Arenal Manoa Hotel with a menu of local and international dishes, such as grilled fish, chicken in tropical fruit sauce.

Day 7: Arenal Volcano National Park.

Morning: Guided Birding tour at Arenal Volcano National Park.

Activity: After breakfast depart for a guided birding activity in the hotel in Arenal Volcano National Park, a 12,000-hectare reserve with secondary rainforest, lava fields, and trails like the Heliconias or Las Coladas Trail. The guide will lead the group through diverse habitats, from dense forest to open clearings, maximizing species diversity. It is also a great opportunities to spot mammals like howler monkeys and coatis.

Afternoon: Hummingbird Feeder Station and evening birding.

Activity: Return to the hotel for lunch around noon, followed by an afternoon visit to a nearby local hummingbird feeder station, such as the Arenal Observatory. These feeders attract a dazzling array of hummingbirds, perfect for close-up observation and photography. Alternatively, guests can opt to relax at the hotel’s hot springs or pool.

Evening: After dinner, in the early evening, join a guided nocturnal birding activity around the hotel grounds or a nearby trail to search for owls and nightjars.

Target birds: Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, White Hawk, Collared Aracari and Red-lored Parrot, Bay-headed Tanager, Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-throated Mountain-gem, and Coppery-headed Emerald (a Costa Rican endemic), Spotted Antbird, and the striking White-collared Manakin, known for its popping display sounds. Rarer sightings could include the Lovely Cotinga and the Thicket Antpitta. The feeders also attract Bananaquit and Blue-gray Tanager. Nocturnal species like the Common Pauraque, the Spectacled Owl, with its haunting call, and the Crested Owl, often perched in open areas.With luck, you might hear the eerie whistle of the Black-and-white Owl.

DAY 8

San José & Hotel Grano de Oro – A Vibrant Urban Birding Finale

Morning: Transfer to San José and Arrival at Hotel Grano de Oro.

Activity: After a hearty breakfast at Arenal Manoa Hotel, we embark on a scenic ground transfer to San José. The drive takes you through Costa Rica’s Central Valley, passing rolling hills, coffee plantations, and small towns, offering glimpses of the country’s agricultural heartland. Roadside stops may yield sightings of opportunistic species.

Birds to Watch For En Route: Along the route, you might spot White-winged Dove, Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Great Kiskadee and Tropical Kingbird perched on wires or in open fields. If we have time we will make a brief stop at a roadside garden (near Cinchona’s famous Soda y Mirador), you could encounter Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Coppery-headed Emerald (a Costa Rican endemic), or even Northern Emerald-Toucanet.

Arrival at Hotel Grano de Oro: After a stop for lunch at a local restaurant en route to San José, we arrive at the charming Hotel Grano de Oro, a boutique hotel known for its historic elegance and eco-conscious ethos. The hotel’s lush garden, filled with flowering plants, is a magnet for urban birds, particularly hummingbirds like the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. After checking in take a moment to relax in the garden, where you might spot Blue-gray Tanager, Clay-colored Thrush (Costa Rica’s national bird), or Hoffmann’s Woodpecker flitting among the trees.

Afternoon: Guided Birding activities – Urban Park or Coffee Plantation.

Activity: In the afternoon, we head out for a guided birding activiry to either La Sabana Metropolitan Park, a sprawling urban oasis in San José, or a nearby coffee plantation in the Central Valley, depending on group preferences and birding conditions. Both locations offer unique opportunities to observe urban-adapted and agricultural species in a relaxed setting.

Target birds: Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Lesson’s Motmot, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Muscovy Duck, Yellow-naped Parrot, Baltimore Oriole, Red-billed Pigeon, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Fiery-billed Aracari in fruiting trees, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Green Thorntail, Blue-crowned Motmot. Passerines like Silver-throated Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Passerini’s Tanager, Squirrel Cuckoo, Hoffmann’s Woodpecker. With luck, a Montezuma Oropendola. Migratory warblers like Tennessee Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler may also appear during this season.

Evening: Farewell Dinner at Hotel Grano de Oro

Activity: Return to the Hotel Grano de Oro for a celebratory farewell dinner at its acclaimed Restaurante Grano de Oro. It is the perfect time to share stories with your fellow birders, review your trip list (likely exceeding 300 species!), and toast to the unforgettable sights of Resplendent Quetzals, Scarlet Macaws, and more. After dinner, you can relax in the hotel’s garden or rooftop jacuzzi, keeping an eye out for nocturnal species like Mottled Owl if you’re still eager for one last sighting.

DAY 9

Depart San José – A Relaxed Farewell to Costa Rica’s Birding Paradise

On the final day of your Costa Rica Birding Adventure, you’ll enjoy a leisurely morning at the Hotel Grano de Oro in San José, with opportunities for some last-minute birding in the hotel’s lush gardens or nearby urban green spaces. After a delicious breakfast, the transfer will take you to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) for your departure, ensuring a seamless end to your adventure. This day is designed to balance relaxation with the chance to add a few more species to your birding list, leaving you with cherished memories of Costa Rica’s vibrant birds diversity.