Wildlife and birdwatching holiday in Costa Rica

This trip visits some of the most prolific and diverse wildlife and birdlife destinations within a two week trip to Costa Rica. It will be led by presenter, writer and naturalist Mike Dilger, who is not only a walking encyclopaedia on natural history, but a highly inspiring and enjoyable person to spend time with.

Mike has spent extended periods in Latin America, and of Costa Rica he is particularly familiar with forests surrounding the La Selva Research Station. This is where he spent seven weeks filming hummingbirds and some of the other 448 species of birds to be found here. To ensure the best possible opportunities for observation, he will be accompanied by a Costa Rican expert naturalist and bird watching guide.

Costa Rica contains a huge diversity of habitats and fauna within a relatively small area. This makes it possible for us to explore lowland rainforest both on the Pacific and Caribbean sides of its Central Highlands at the Corcovado National Park and Sarapiqui respectively.

From the Corcovado, we can also explore the Caño Island Biological Reserve which is one of the best places in Central America to see dolphins and humpback whales. For those interested to snorkel or dive here, it is also a tremendous place to see huge shoals of fish, sharks, giant manta rays and olive ridley turtles.

From lowlands to highlands, we explore the country’s best area of cloud forests for seeing resplendent quetzals: San Gerardo de Dota. Here we stay at 7,000 feet to take advantage of some of Costa Rica’s higher altitude flora and fauna, which in bird terms includes a high diversity of hummingbirds.

We visit two further mountain forest locations: firstly close to Poas Volcano and a forest location in the Tilaran Mountains just over half way between San Jose and Arenal Volcano. Poas volcano (2644m) is one of the most active in Latin America having erupted some 40 times since the mid 1800s. Subject to volcanic activity following tectonic activity in 2008, we aim to visit the La Paz waterfall and surrounding forests which include the private La Paz gardens. In the Tilaran Mountains we stay at 500 metres elevation in Caribbean facing forests where bird species include ground birds such as the crested guan and the great curassow, as well as the attractive ornate hawk eagle and violaceous trogon.

In addition to altitude and geographical position, diversity in Costa Rica is also defined by the kind of environments we visit. The Carara National Park is of particular interest to the natural history visitor because it bridges rainforest and tropical dry forest environments. There are more than 400 species of bird to be found here of which one of the country’s largest populations of scarlet macaw is a notable sight. We can make use of the park’s aerial walkways here to conduct exploration of the forest from within the canopy as well as at ground level.

We also explore wetland, riverine and coastal environments at Sarapiqui and the Corcovado. The coast of the Corcovado is quite unique because along 35km of unbroken coastal rainforest, you can see marine and terrestrial species at the same time. Offshore, we can hope to see dolphins and pelicans, and tidal inlets are a great place to see crocodiles and the odd small shark. The beach is a particularly good place to see the Corcovado’s ubiquitous coatimundis and it is not unknown to see tapir or capuchin monkeys here. There are also some extensive stands of mangroves in the Corcovado which we will be able to observe on our way into and out of the park

Day 1:	Arrive San Jose where you will be met and taken to Hotel Presidente in the centre of the city, close to the main plaza and theatre. If you are in need of good natural history and identification books, there is an excellent bookshop nearby.
Day 2:	After breakfast, we will head out by road on a day trip to the Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall and Gardens. This is a highly scenic and easy going start to your trip, visiting one of Latin America’s most active volcanoes, some stunning cloud forest waterfalls, and well established forest trails and gardens where we can find 24 out of Costa Rica’s 57 species of hummingbird. Overnight in San Jose. (B,L)
Day 3:	Early rise and drive to the airport for our flight to Palmar Sur in south western Costa Rica. Transfer by land, river and sea to our jungle lodge. On the way we will take a little time to explore mangroves. After settling in to your room we will start to explore lowland rainforests in what National Geographic have described as "the most wildlife intense place on Earth." (B,L,D)
Day 4:	Early morning bird watching and mammal watching in a private rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge. Today we will travel out by boat to the Caño Island Biological Reserve. The island lies 17 kilometres from the coast, close to Osa’s northern Drake’s Bay. Here we can find some of the country’s best marine life, both at the surface and below it. Dolphins are a regular sight, but you may also be lucky enough to see Humpback Whales which can be seen both on the northwards and southwards migrations along the coast. Olive Ridley turtles and manta rays are also often seen at the surface and below. The coral reefs and steep drop-offs provide excellent snorkelling if you wish with some huge shoals of fish and pelagic visitors such as sharks and barracudas. We can arrange diving here by pre-arrangement. Night walk to explore the forest by torch light. (B,L,D)
Day 5:	We will spend the whole day exploring in detail the intense rainforest fauna and flora of the Corcovado National Park. (B,L,D)
Day 6:	After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Palmar Sur airport for our flight back to San Jose. Once in San Jose, we will drive to the forests of Sarapiqui where we will stay on the site of the Centro Neotropico Sarapiqui – a centre committed to education, conservation and scientific research. (B)
Day 7:	The morning will be spent exploring the Tirimba Biological Reserve which is one of the last remaining stands of mid-elevation premontane forest in north eastern Costa Rica. This reserve has been the site of numerous biological research projects. A suspension bridge and canopy walkway allow viewing at all levels and across some of the many streams which carve through the area. In the afternoon, we take to a boat to explore wildlife and birdlife along the Sarapiqui River. (B)
Day 8:	Transfer overland to the La Selva Biological Research Station and it’s near 4,000 acre reserve. Species diversity here is quite spectacular including 448 species of bird, 350 species of tree, 1,850 spp of plant and approximately 500 species of ant! Overnight at cloud forest hotel lodge. (B)
Day 9:	Early morning we will take the chance to explore the cloud forests of the Los Angeles Reserve. From here we will descend towards the Pacific coast and the Carara National where we will spend the night. The coastal town of Jaco is not far away and you will have the opportunity to visit there if you wish for food if you wish. (B)
Day 10:	Full day exploring the transitional tropical most to tropical dry forests of the Carara National Park. This will include a 1 ½ mile long aerial walkway. (B)
Day 11:	After breakfast in the Carara N.P. we will travel to what is one of Costa Rica’s foremost birdlife and cloud forest highlights: San Gerardo de Dota. From our base at 7,000ft we will enjoy probably the best opportunities in the country for seeing Resplendent Quetzals, as well as a whole host of other high altitude birds. (B,D)
Day 12:	Full day to explore the forests of San Gerardo de Dota. (B,L,D)
Day 13:	Morning to explore forests of San Gerardo de Dota. In the afternoon we will drive back to San Jose. (B)
Day 14:	Transfer to the airport for your flight home. We can also arrange for you to stay on in Costa Rica or other parts of Latin America if you wish. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner