Costa Rica: Northern Plains
March 2-11, 2027
Your place on this Venture is reserved with your completed registration and deposit of $700/person are submitted. Deposit may be made via the ‘book now’ button above, or by contacting the Ventures office. We accept credit cards for an additional fee (2.9% for MC, Visa, Discover; 3.9% for AmEx), but you may also pay by bank transfer via our website. If paying by cash, check, or money order (payable to ‘VENTURES BIRDING’), please mail in your payment with a paper registration form to PO Box 1095, Skyland, NC 28776, or contact our office. This Venture is limited to 8 participants.
With 943 species recorded in its territory, Costa Rica is one of the most diverse countries in terms of bird species per square mile in the world. Four of these species are strictly limited to Costa Rica’s geographical boundaries and more than one hundred regional endemic species are shared with the neighboring countries
Our tour explores the north central part of Costa Rica, where we start by heading east towards the Caribbean for a 2 night stay at Selva Verde Lodge. Set in lush grounds, this lodge is comfortable and offers great birding opportunities. The nearby La Selva Biological Station is a must-visit and we plan to stay the whole day looking for Great Green Macaw, Broad-billed Motmot and a host of other birds.
From here we head to one of Costa Rica’s most iconic spots – Arenal Volcano. This still-active volcano has great birding all around it and we will spend 2 nights here exploring the birdlife of the Caribbean foothills. Some of our targets will include Great Curassow, Keel-billed Motmot, White-fronted Nunbird and several hummingbirds, including the endemic Coppery-chested Emerald. It’s then north to Cano Negro with a boat ride on Medio Queso wetlands for a great selection of waterbirds, including the uncommon Nicaraguan Grackle. We take another boat trip the following morning looking for Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher and Agami Heron, among many others. Out last 2 days will be around Tapir Valley and Tenorio Volcano National Park. This rich area holds Tody Motmot, Ocellated Antbird and the majestic Ornate Hawk-Eagle.
Cost of Costa Rica Venture $4,700 per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement - $650. Price includes: All ground transportation; all accommodation during tour dates; all meals, taxes, entrance fees, trip information packet, bird list, and guide/leader service throughout. Not included: International flights (tour begins and ends in San Jose (SJO), meals not specified, alcoholic beverages, laundry, gratuities, and items of a personal nature.
Birds We Hope to See
Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Jabiru, Fiery-throated, Volcano, Black-bellied, Stripe-tailed, and Mangrove Hummingbirds, Snowcap, White-crested and Black-crested Coquettes, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Baird’s and Collared Trogon, Resplendent Quetzal, Red-headed Barbet, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Fiery-billed Aracari, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Ruddy Treerunner, Buff-throated & Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaners; White-crowned, Red-capped, Blue-crowned, Orange-collared Manakins; Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Dark Pewee, Black-capped Flycatcher, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Spadebill, American Dipper, Black-throated Wren, Black-cheeked Warbler, Flame-throated Warbler, Collared Redstart, Flame-colored, Bay-headed, Spangle-cheeked, Speckled, Silver-throated, Tawny-crested Tanager, Ashy-throated Chlorosphingus, Orange-billed Sparrow, Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow (E), Tawny-capped Euphonia, Black-thighed Grosbeak, Black-faced Grosbeak, Large-footed Finch, Peg-billed Finch, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Costa Rican Brushfinch, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Montezuma Oropendola, and many more.
