Birdwatching in Costa Rica

After taking Saga’s included VIP door-to-door travel service to the airport, depart in the morning for your daytime flight to San José.

Stay two nights at the locally rated 4-star Barceló San José (3Q). The hotel's free bar is open from 10am to 10pm. D

This morning journey into the Orosi Valley to the south east of the capital, an area noted for its lush vegetation and coffee plantations surrounding the San Carlos river. Your local guide will be on hand to help you spot and identify endemic bird species such as the silver-throated tanager, resplendent quetzal and sooty robin.

This afternoon, look forward to a welcome talk from your host, before dinner at the hotel this evening. B, L, D

This morning offers the chance to join an optional birdwatching excursion in the Costa Rican cloud forest. Alternatively, enjoy the morning at leisure, before travelling to the Pacific coast this afternoon.

Spend four nights at the locally rated 3 star Hotel Villa Lapas (3Q) in a private reserve on the River Tarcolitos, staying in basic, bungalow-style lodges. The free bar is open from 10am to 10pm daily. B, L, D

An optional excursion visits one of Costa Rica's most beautiful reserves where turquoise waters lap white beaches fringed by lush rainforest. You may see sloths, iguanas, howler and white-faced monkeys.

This afternoon enjoy a birdwatching session in the hotel grounds with your local guide. The hotel grounds are home to over 230 species of bird, including the scarlet macaw, which gives the hotel its name. Keep your eyes peeled for crested owls, mangrove cuckoos, white-winged doves and the Costa Rican swift. B, L, D

Today, join an included excursion to one of the finest birdwatching sites in Costa Rica, the Carara National Park. Over 400 species of bird have been identified in the 5,000 hectare park, including Baird’s trogon, yellow-throated toucan, forest falcon and fiery-billed aracari.

Perhaps join an optional aerial tram ride in the afternoon. B, L, D 

Today is free to spend at leisure, with an optional river safari excursion available this morning. B, L, D

You can join an optional excursion returning to the Carara National Park this morning.

After lunch, travel north to Muelle de San Carlos, a journey of 76 miles (approximately 3 hours), and stay seven nights at the locally rated 4-star Tilajari Resort Hotel (3Q+).

It lies in the San Carlos region which is acclaimed for its breathtaking rainforests, rivers, hot springs caused by geothermal activity, and the mighty Arenal Volcano. The hotel is set in 35 acres of gardens with orchids and a butterfly garden dome. The free bar here is open from 10am to 10pm daily. B, L, D

After breakfast, head into the grounds of the hotel for a birdwatching session with your guide. Tanagers, toucans and parakeets can all be found visiting the gardens. You can then choose to spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel or perhaps join an optional excursion to La Fortuna in search of sloths. B, L, D

You have the option of joining an excursion to Arenal National Park this morning.

This afternoon, discover the local trails and resident bird species surrounding Guapote Lodge with your experienced local guide. B, L, D

Today is free to spend at leisure, or you may like to join an optional excursion to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. B, L, D

Enjoy another day at leisure, or you may like to join an optional excursion to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. B, L, D

This morning offers the chance to explore the region of Sarapiqui on an optional excursion. The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure. B, L, D

See how a Costa Rican family grows pineapples, papayas and medicinal plants on an optional excursion this morning. Then, this afternoon, head out to explore the local trails with your experienced guide in search of more bird species. B, L, D

Return to San José and the Barceló San José (3Q) where you stay overnight. En route there will be an included tour of La Paz waterfall gardens. B, L, D

Travel to the airport for your return overnight flight. B, L

Arrive in the UK for your included VIP door-to-door travel service home.