The Best of Southern Costa Rica

Even in a country as biologically rich and diverse as Costa Rica, Corcovado National Park is special. Named ‘the most biologically intense place on Earth’ by National Geographic, this vast tract of untouched rainforest, cloudforest, wetlands and pristine palm-fringed beaches is a natural history treasure-house second to none! The diversity and abundance of wildlife here is staggering. For example, the park protects 500 species of tree (a quarter of the species in Costa Rica), over 6,000 species of insect, 140 species of mammal, 116 species of amphibian and reptile, and more than 400 species of bird. Despite this abundance of life, Corcovado is rarely included on the traditional birding and wildlife circuits of Costa Rica, primarily due to its location in the far south-west of the country. What is needed, therefore, is a wildlife holiday that focuses primarily on this southern, less visited, half of the country and this exciting Naturetrek itinerary does just that!

As well as a 3-night stay in Corcovado National Park we will also visit a contrasting range of habitats and elevations from the highland forests of the Talamanca Mountains and Las Cruces Biological Station to the lush lowland rainforests of the Pacific coast. We begin our holiday, however, with a flight to San José, the Costa Rican capital. After one night on the edge of the city, we commence our journey south by climbing into the moss-draped cloudforests of the Talamanca Mountains for two nights, home to the spectacular Resplendent Quetzal, one of the most beautiful birds in the world! Here we will get our first taste of the huge variety of birdlife that occurs in Costa Rica. Hummingbirds, such as Magnificent and Fiery-throated, zip to and fro between flowering shrubs and hummingbird feeders. Mixed tanager and warbler flocks often include such gems as Collared Whitestart and Flame-throated Warbler, whilst elegant Swallow-tailed Kites glide overhead.

Moving on, we complete our journey into southern Costa Rica by travelling down the mountainous spine of the country to Las Cruces Biological Station. Las Cruces is a working ecological research station, set in the Wilson Botanical Gardens at 1,500 metres above sea level and only 5 kilometres from the Panama border. It protects 300 hectares of pre-montane wet forest and is home to over 350 species of bird and 2,000 species of plant. Species to look out for include Speckled and Golden-hooded Tanagers, Red-faced Spinetail and Fiery-billed Aracari, plus Central American Agouti which wander around the grounds looking for palm nuts.

Next we descend from the mountains into the lowland tropical rainforests of Piedras Blancas National Park. Here we will spend one night at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a simple but comfortable retreat on the edge of the forest, where Slaty-tailed Trogon, Rufous Jacamar and Buff-rumped Warbler are amongst some of the garden highlights. As well as birdwatching during the day in search of King Vulture, Orange-collared Manakin, Cocoa Woodcreeper and many others, we will also take a night walk in search of some of Costa Rica’s nocturnal inhabitants. These should include the attractive Red-eyed Tree Frog, perhaps an owl or two, or even a snake such as Eye-lash Pit Viper or Fer-de-lance.

For the undoubted highlight of our holiday we board a boat for the 2-hour journey down the Sierpe River and along the palm-fringed Pacific coastline to Drake’s Bay on the northern edge of Corcovado National Park. On arrival, we will transfer to a comfortable beach-front lodge for three nights, our base whilst we explore this ‘jewel in the crown’ of Costa Rica’s protected areas. Corcovado National Park covers 424 square kilometres of the Osa Peninsula and protects the largest tract of primary rainforest left on the Pacific coastline of the Americas. Commoner mammals to look out for include Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, Squirrel Monkey and Northern Tamandua. The rare Baird’s Tapir is also frequently seen during early morning walks, although it would take a great deal of luck to find one of the elusive Jaguars or Pumas which still prowl the forests in good numbers. Birdlife is prolific and includes Costa Rica’s largest population of Scarlet Macaws, plus White Hawk, Baird’s Trogon, Long-billed Antwren, Blue-throated Goldentail and the rare White-crested Coquette. Even the Harpy Eagle, the greatest avian predator in the Americas, still retains a toe-hold in the remoter, little-visited, areas of the park!

Finally, we will break the journey back to San José with three nights on the edge of Carara National Park. Here we will search for a final few Costa Rican birds and mammals, before completing our return to the Costa Rican capital in time for our flight home.