Tailormade Holidays in Costa Rica

The Sarapiqui region and the Braulio Carrillo National Park are located on the Caribbean slope of the central volcanic corridor north-east of San José. The region is clothed in luxuriant tropical rainforest and is home to a great diversity of life including 530 species of bird and 135 species of mammal! The La Selva Biological Station is the key site to visit here, and from it a good network of trails provides access to the 1,500-hectare reserve and an excellent opportunity to see a wide variety of birds including Great Currasow, Sungrebe, Great Green Macaw and Purple-throated Fruitcrow. The nearby Virgen del Socorro waterfall is another excellent area for mid-elevation species, especially hummingbirds, tanagers and mixed warbler flocks.

Carara protects one of the few areas of pristine lowland tropical forest left on the Pacific slope. As well as lush primary rainforest, it holds areas of secondary forest and scrub, wetlands, mudflats and mangrove thickets, each of which has its own range of species. Boat-billed Heron, Fiery-billed Aracari, Northern Royal Flycatcher and Turquoise Cotinga are just a few of the many avian highlights on offer. There is also a huge diversity of insects, amongst these the striking Blue Morpho butterfly, plus an interesting range of reptiles and amphibians which include the famous Common Basalisk or ‘Jesus Lizard’, so named for its ability to run on water! A boat trip around the mangroves and mudflats of the Tarcoles Estuary adds diversity, and at the end of the day we’d recommend watching from the nearby Tarcoles Bridge as the Scarlet Macaws fly in from the forest to their night-time roosts.

Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s best known wildlife locations. The reserve straddles both the Pacific and Atlantic slopes at an average altitude of 1,400 metres and offers six distinct ecological zones and an exceptional biodiversity. Over 320 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, and in excess of 2,000 plant species have been recorded here … and that’s not to mention the invertebrates! Monteverde is also known as one of the best places to see Resplendent Quetzal – present here from January to July. Another highlight is the ‘hummingbird gallery’ near the reserve’s entrance where many species come to feed, including the spectacular Violet Sabrewing. The Three-wattled Bellbird is another sought-after species, while nocturnal birds such as Dusky Nightjar and mammals like the Prehensile-tailed Tree Porcupine may be seen on night-time spotlighting forays.

The Arenal Volcano is a beautifully symmetrical cone that towers above the town of La Fortuna in the central northern highlands. Although it has been very active, at the time of writing, Arenal has been dormant for several years with no indication if or when it might start up again. Despite this, the area remains a pleasant place to stop for a night or two and its hot springs are a great place to soothe away any aches after a day’s birding on the many trails through the surrounding mid-elevation forest! The comfortable Arenal Observatory Lodge is one of the only lodges offering clear views of the summit of Arenal and is our recommended place to stay.

The north-eastern flooded forests of Tortuguero National Park are just a short drive from San José – a scenic journey that winds for a couple of hours past mountains and volcanoes before descending through the tropical rainforest of the Caribbean slope. Tortuguero can only be explored by boat, via its network of flooded rivers and narrow waterways, and gently weaving through this flooded forest is an experience in itself. Amongst the range of intriguing wildlife here is the bizarre Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, plus Mantled Howler and Geoffroy's Spider Monkeys, Spectacled Caiman and Neotropical River Otter as well as a host of lizards, river turtles and Costa Rica’s ubiquitous plethora of birds. The beaches here are an important nesting site for three species of sea turtle: both Green and Hawksbill Turtles nest between July and October, while huge Leatherback Turtles visit the beaches from February to April.

The Piedras Blancas National Park is one of the few remaining tracts of primary rainforest in southern Costa Rica and offers excellent Pacific slope birding. One of the most exciting possibilities is the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-tanager and there are also a number of near endemics (species that just extend into Panama) such as the Yellow-billed Cotinga, Spot-crowned Euphonia and Black-hooded Antshrike. This is one of the best all-round birding sites in the whole of Costa Rica, attracting, as it does, species from both North and South America. The scenery is outstanding and there are many kilometres of excellent trails which pass beautiful waterfalls and meandering rivers. The best place to stay here is the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a simple but wonderfully located lodge with lush tropical gardens and a small pool. 

Las Cruces forms part of the larger La Amistad Biosphere Reserve and is one of the least-explored parks in the whole of Central America. This is certainly not on the usual tourist trail and will suit extremely keen naturalists and birders, in particular those looking for a unique and remote experience. The only place to stay is Las Cruces Biological Station which is an active research centre for tropical studies and this gives guests the chance to mingle with research scientists. There’s an excellent canopy tower and despite its remoteness the bedrooms have private bathrooms, comfy beds and balconies. Some of the exciting species that are possible here include Turquoise Cotinga, Fiery-billed Aracari, Charming Hummingbird, Brown-billed Scythebill, Golden-naped Woodpecker and Crested Oropendula … birders will surely be in their element!

In the far south of the country the Corcovado National Park makes up about a third of the entire area of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica’s most remote wildlife haven. Corcovado’s extensive tracts of primary rainforest harbour over 350 species of bird and seven species of cat including Jaguar, Ocelot and Puma which, although difficult to see, make wildlife excursions all the more exhilarating! The miles of beautiful rainforest-fringed tropical beaches are another important nesting site for sea turtles, principally Olive Ridley and Green Turtles, while Scarlet Macaws are regularly to be seen overhead. The nearby Caño Island is an excellent spot for snorkelling and diving, and the Gulf of Dulce hosts both Northern and Southern Hemisphere populations of Humpback Whale, the former from December to April and the latter from June to October.

The Savegre Valley is a part of the larger Cerro de la Muerte Highlands and can be easily accessed by road from Costa Rica’s capital city, San José. Unlike the well-known Monteverde Reserve, the cloudforests of Savegre attract far fewer tourists yet still boast an abundance of birdlife, including the Resplendent Quetzal, often touted as the most beautiful bird in the world! Other sought-after species in the area include Fiery-throated, Volcano and Magnificent Hummingbirds, Flame-throated Warbler and numerous colourful tanagers. On the higher slopes, cloudforests give way to páramo, a habitat more typically associated with the Andes of South America and which has a different set of bird and plant species that are well worth investigation.

The enchanting region of Boca Tapada is located in northern Costa Rica, near the border with Nicaragua and close to the San Carlos River. This captivating area boasts vast stretches of lush lowland rainforest and serves as an important wildlife corridor. The region is a key nesting site for the critically endangered Great Green Macaw – one of the largest parrot species in the world – which feeds on the seeds of native Dipteryx trees. With an additional 400 plus species gracing the forests, there is plenty to entice the keen birder. Yet the jungle is home to much more wildlife besides, including enigmatic mammals and a wide variety of herpetofauna. Additionally, this part of Costa Rica remains largely untouched by tourists, offering the serious naturalist a quieter and more serene retreat.

Turrialba is a city and canton situated in the eastern segment of Costa Rica's Cartago Province, renowned for its close proximity to the Turrialba Volcano, one of the country's most active. Although the volcano experiences periodic eruptions, volcanic activity can be safely observed from a distance and eruptions are closely monitored by experts. The Turrialba Valley is a picturesque landscape characterised by majestic mountains, meandering rivers and abundant greenery. The valley's fertile soil supports a diverse array of flora and fauna, with many species that are difficult to see elsewhere, making for an excellent wildlife stopover.

Manuel Antonio National Park, located on the central Pacific coast, is one of Costa Rica’s most popular national parks. Spanning over 16 square kilometres of pristine wildlife habitat, Manuel Antonio covers a diverse range of ecosystems, from lush rainforests to pristine white sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs. The combination of terrestrial and marine environments contributes to an exceptionally high level of biodiversity. Arboreal mammals are plentiful here, including mischievous Panamanian White-faced Capuchins, Central American Squirrel Monkeys, and both species of sloth. Birding can be productive, with more than 100 species possible in a single morning. Notable highlights may include White-crested Coquette, Fiery-billed Aracari, Spot-crowned Euphonia and Turquoise Cotinga, among others. For those seeking relaxation at the end of their holiday, this is a fantastic location in which to unwind.

Crystal-clear turquoise water complementing palm-fringed, golden sand beaches – this is the draw of Punta Uva. Situated on the Caribbean coast, between the towns of Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, the small fishing village of Punta Uva offers a postcard-perfect tropical paradise, combining rich natural and cultural heritage with a breathtaking coastline. The local Afro-Caribbean community inspires delicious cuisine, exquisite artworks and a laid-back vibe, while a shallow reef just offshore makes for some exceptional snorkelling. All of this, combined with wildlife-rich verdant forest and top hospitality, makes Punta Uva an excellent destination to cap off a wildlife adventure.