Costa Rica Classic Tour

Costa Rica is very different from the usual European idea of Central American countries. For example there is no army - "teachers, not soldiers” is the watchword, and as a result the country has one of the highest rates of literacy in the world. The people are welcoming and friendly, and very proud of their commitment to conservation. The national park system covers around 12 percent of the land surface, in addition to numerous privately-run reserve areas, which in total protect over a quarter of the country. Costa Rica has sunny, pristine beaches, wonderful tropical wetlands, lowland rainforest, high cloudforest festooned with orchids and bromeliads, and cool, misty mountain tops.

This intensely beautiful tropical land is dominated by a chain of spectacular mountains and active volcanoes rising to over 3,500m. The mountains divide the country into quite separate ecological zones, each with its characteristic fauna and flora, and Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with more bird species to the square mile than any other country on earth. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise where more than 850 species have been recorded, nearly 10% of the world’s total, in a country smaller than England!

On this 'Classic Tour' we aim to visit a representative sample of Costa Rica's biologically rich areas to give you a thrilling experience – ideal for the first time visitor, or for your first long-distance birding holiday. You will see a vast range of birdlife, including representatives of many exotic and colourful bird families which to date have only been pictures in the guidebook. This holiday will bring them to life! Other wildlife will include monkeys and sloths, lizards and crocodiles, harmless large rodents including Agouti, bats, amphibians, turtles and snakes, a vast range of butterflies and a wealth of flora; there are more than 1200 orchids in Costa Rica!

Each day we offer an early start to make the most of our time, and maximise our opportunities to see as many species as possible. As an option, owling excursions may be available in the evenings, although we often see these birds in daylight instead! Some nocturnal birds we might see include: Black and White Owl, Spectacled Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Pacific Screech-Owl, Central American Pygmy-Owl, Great Potoo, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Lesser Nighthawk, and Crested Owl. Each evening there will also be an optional meeting after dinner to go over the bird list. 
 

COSTA RICA and HEATHERLEA – which holiday should I choose?
We offer a choice of several holidays in Costa Rica, because although the country is small, there is so much to see; it is impossible to do everything in one visit! Birding is generally very easy, and the pace is relaxed and laid-back as we seek to give you a hugely enjoyable and rewarding experience. Birding highlights are too numerous to mention – every few days we will dip into a new habitat with an almost completely different set of birds. Many of these might be hummingbirds, with other tropical families well represented including trogons, toucans, aracaris, motmots, doves, woodpeckers, woodcreepers, ant-shrikes, ant-thrushes, ant-vireos, tanagers, raptors, vultures, parrots, macaws, flycatchers, warblers, herons, waders and many other families. Our local agents here are amongst the best we've found anywhere in the world, and their meticulous organisation and excellent guides ensure a really first class holiday. Their team is led by Paco Madrigal, widely regarded as one of the best birders in the country, and whichever tour you choose, you can expect fabulous birding with well over 300 species, and top wildlife watching.

We tour the country to make the best of our time, staying in very good hotels and lodges, all of which are experienced at hosting groups of birders. Whenever you choose to visit, the birds and other wildlife will astound you, and our tours offer a wealth of opportunity designed to showcase the very best.

On our 'Classic Tour' we aim to visit a representative sample of Costa Rica's biologically rich areas to give you a thrilling experience – ideal for the first time visitor to Costa Rica or even for your first long-distance birding holiday. Should you wish to stay a little longer, and many of our clients tell us they wanted longer at every location on this holiday, please consider our 'Classic Tour - PLUS' which lasts for 18 nights. This gives us more time in some special places, including a number of added experiences.

For those keen to experience birds and other wildlife, try our ‘Birding and Wildlife during Migration’ tour. We add Humpback Whales on migration, nesting Green Turtles, Tapirs and migrating birds in great numbers to our target experiences. Our 'Birding Tour' is aimed at those who really want to get to grips with a big birdlist, and we also offer ‘Easy Walking’, for those who prefer a really relaxed pace, with leisurely walking only, and more time spent at places with great birding very close to hand. 

A wealth of choice with Heatherlea in Costa Rica!

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1 - Saturday 11 January 2025
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly from London to San José to be met by our local guide and escorted to our hotel. San José is in the central valley of Costa Rica, where at this time of year days are warm as an English summer, while nights can be pleasantly cool. Depending on our arrival time we may be able to relax with a birding walk in the lovely gardens. This is a good place to see Blue-crowned Motmot, Rufous-capped Warbler, Hoffman's Woodpecker, Baltimore Oriole, Buff-throated Saltator and our first kiskadees, parakeets, tanagers and hummingbirds. Our flight may have an evening arrival in which case we just relax and have dinner! Overnight Hotel Bougainvillea, San José.

Day 2 - Sunday 12 January 2025
Travel to Cerro de la Muerte. We spend the morning exploring the misty highland cloud forest reserve at the Finca Mirador de Quetzales. One of the most sought-after birds of any trip to Costa Rica must surely be Resplendent Quetzal, a bird that many consider the most beautiful in tropical America. You have excellent chances of good views of this bird today! We have lunch and stay overnight at the Albergue de Montana Savegre, nestled in a quaint highland valley, deep in the realm of the Resplendent Quetzal. Overnight Hotel Savegre.

Day 3 - Monday 13 January 2025
Spend the day exploring the bird rich habitat in the Savegre River Valley. Walking through the gardens and along the Savegre River, we hope to see Flame-coloured Tanager, Collared Trogon, Torrent Tyrannulet, Volcano Hummingbird, and Gray-tailed Mountain Gem, to name a few. In the evening after a delicious dinner, we will go over the birds, reptiles, mammals, and any other wildlife seen that day. Overnight Hotel Savegre.

Day 4 - Tuesday 14 January 2025
Travel to Hotel Villa Lapas, situated at the edge of the Carara Biological Reserve on the banks of the Tarcoles River near the Pacific coast. After lunch at the hotel, we will explore the bird-rich trails through the forest, and hope to see Scarlet Macaw and Tiger Heron among many others. We visit Playa Azul and the surrounding area. This is an amazing place for shore birds and water birds as well as Parrots, Orioles, Macaws and Owls. We expect an impressive variety of water birds and raptors, including the Roseate Spoonbill, several species of heron, Anhinga, Kingfishers, Crested Caracara, Mangrove Black Hawk and Mangrove Warbler to name a few. You will also experience excellent views of Giant Crocodiles as you travel through the mangroves. Overnight Hotel Villa Lapas, where Scarlet Macaws fly over daily.

Day 5 - Wednesday 15 January 2025
Spend the day in the Carara Biological Reserve, a unique climatological zone where the ecosystem of the humid southern coastal region joins the dry climate of the northern Pacific area, becoming a rich meeting ground for species from both regions. This is truly one of the highlights of the tour, where we hope to find Orange Collared Manakin dancing at their lek. This is a great location to spot antbirds, up to four different species of Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, and even Royal Flycatcher. Overnight Hotel Villa Lapas.

Day 6 - Thursday 16 January 2025
Travel to Guanacaste to explore the tropical dry forests, marshlands, estuaries, and mangroves, characteristic to the northern Pacific region. This is an ideal place to see water birds, raptors, and other species found only in this zone. In the wetlands, we are likely to see Snail Kite, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Boat-billed Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Limpkin, and several species of Kingfisher. Walking through the semi-deciduous forest, we are likely to see Turquoise-browed Motmot, Long-tailed Manakin, and several species of Parrot, Oriole, Cuckoo, Trogon, Jay, and Owl. Overnight La Ensenada Lodge.

Days 7 and 8 - Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January 2025
We spend two nights in the Arenal area, which offers breathtaking views of the jungle-covered Arenal Volcano, often with great photo opportunities. This is a birding and wildlife hotspot, and the stunning natural beauty will astound you. The extensive trails at the lodge allow for tremendous opportunities to view Crimson-collared Tanager, White Hawk, Brown-hooded Parrot, and Golden-olive Woodpecker, along with an array of colorful hummingbirds and three species of Toucan. One night we will go owling in search of Black-and-White Owl, Mottled Owl, and Striped Owl in the open fields below the lodge. Overnight Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Day 9 - Sunday 19 January 2025
Travel to Selva Verde Lodge in the tropical lowlands of Sarapiqui. Spend the afternoon exploring the wildlife-rich riparian zone along the banks of the Sarapiqui River. This rain forest region at the base of the Caribbean slope is well-known for hosting the greatest diversity of tropical flora and fauna. Here Sun Bittern, Black-faced Grosbeak and Gray-necked Wood-Rail are a few of the inhabitants of the area. This is the most likely spot on the trip to see Great Green Macaw, an endangered species that depends on the Dipteryx tree for feeding and nesting. This is one of the emergent trees commonly found in Sarapiqui. Also lurking in the forest are two- and three-toed sloth, 3 different species of monkey, and peccaries. Overnight Selva Verde.

Days 10 and 11 - Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 January 2025
We spend the next two days at La Selva Biological Station run by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), a highlight of the tour. The station is among the four most famous tropical research facilities in the world. We will see an outstanding abundance of wildlife. The station is home to more than 420 bird species, more than 500 species of butterflies, 55 species of snakes, and 120 species of mammals. This is a tremendous place for tinamous– three species inhabit La Selva. We will also be looking for Rufous Motmot, Trogons, Caciques, Purple-throated Fruit Crow, and Snowy Cotinga among many others. Animals here are not camera shy, and we might see peccaries (wild pig), agoutis, coatis, sloth, and monkeys. An unforgettable couple of days! Overnight Selva Verde.

Days 12 and 13 - Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 January 2025
Travel by road and boat to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean. Here we will explore the rich labyrinth of waterways which will afford us excellent wildlife viewing. This amazing and unforgettable area boasts 320 bird species, including Tiger Heron, Agami Heron, White-fronted Nunbird, and all six species of Kingfishers belonging to the Americas. Along with birds, we may also see Neotropical River Otter, sloths, caiman, iguanas, poison-dart frogs, fresh-water turtles, basilisk lizards, the Honduran White tent-making bats, and three species of monkey that frequent the banks. Overnight Laguna Lodge

Day 14  - Friday 24  January 2025
Return to San José, birding on the way, for a farewell dinner and an overnight stay, to rest up for departing flights the next day. Overnight Hotel Bougainvillea, San José.

Day 15 - Saturday 25 January 2025
Breakfast before departing for the airport to return home. We arrive in London on the morning of Day 16 ( Sunday 26 January). 

Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (e.g., weather).

LOCAL FRUIT IN COSTA RICA
Tropical fruits in Costa Rica are exotic, flavourful, delicious and plentiful. Virtually all are locally grown, which generally means fruit is ripe and ready to eat. At breakfast and other mealtimes you might find bananas, pineapple, watermelon, mango and papaya on offer; please try them!

Many Costa Rican fruits are not found in Europe, and subject to availability Heatherlea will treat you to some of these as we travel, purchased directly from local sellers, washed and prepared for your delectation. Here are some, with local names in italics.

AVOCADO – but not as you might know it! These very large fruits are grown in the lowlands, and are wonderful when ripe and ready to eat. Often the outer skin just peels easily away, leaving soft and tender fruit.
MALAY APPLE/CUSTARD APPLE – ‘manzana de agua’. Two white, pulpy fruits which are a kind of mango, very sweet and tasty.
PERUVIAN GUAVA – 'guayaba'. Very small, red in colour.
STARFRUIT – ‘carambola’. Tart, though lovely in juice and also used in cooking and salads. Often fresh from the tree.
JAMAICAN PLUM – ‘jocote’. A very small kind of mango.
RAMBUTAN – 'mamon chino'. A large and refreshing lychee. Split in half to reveal the fruit, then suck from the stone inside.
MANGO/PASSION FRUIT - Nothing like at home, fresh and very tasty!
SOURSOP – ‘guanabana’. Large, green, and from the same family as ‘Custard Apple’.
CAS – Another local fruit from the guava family, sour to taste, though excellent when made into juices or jams.
DRAGON FRUIT – 'pitaya'. From an epiphyte cactus plant, bright pink outside and inside, juicy and mild in flavour, often used in ice cream.

What's included in your holiday price:

• scheduled return flights between London and San José, airport taxes,
• ground and boat transportation as outlined including all transportation in Costa Rica in a modern and spacious air-conditioned vehicle,
• accommodation and all meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water is provided in the vehicle each day. Our guides also provide cold slices of tropical fruits in very hot places.
• the services of your leaders.
• entrance fees to parks and reserves,  and tips to hotels and restaurants.
• departure taxes, currently approx USD30.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included subject to terms and conditions. Read more..

Free Field Guide! - 'Birds of Costa Rica' by Dale Dyer & Steve N.G. Howell, is included in your holiday price. One copy per room booked.

What's not included in your holiday price:

• personal insurance, personal expenses including drinks ordered at the lodges, visa costs where necessary, optional tips to the driver and local guide, and any other costs not specified as 'included'.

More holiday information

Accommodation is in hotels or lodges with all rooms en suite. Some of the lodges are remote, and have simple-style rooms. All are spacious, have en-suite facilities, and are very comfortable to a good standard.
Food is usually served as a buffet, with a wide choice. Vegetarian and other diets are welcome. Food is generally excellent. We encourage you to try locally grown tropical fruits, including banana, pineapple, watermelon, mango and payaya, and we hope to offer you a selection of lesser known Costa Rican fruits, purchased directly from local sellers, washed and prepared for your delectation! Please see panel in the 'itinerary' section for examples.
Walking is generally light/moderate. There may be some uphill track and road walking, though generally an average level of fitness is required.
Weather will be mixed. Mostly the temperature will be warm, with the possibility of rain. In some locations the weather is hot and humid, in others hot and dry, and at altitude can be cool and wet.
Insects There are biting insects, though not usually as a major problem.
Group size is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights are from London. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another airport and/or or quote without flights so you can make your own arrangements. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.
Telescopes & Optics: Binoculars are a must, and a telescope would be useful. Your Heatherlea guide and local guide will have telescopes available for your viewing but to make the most of the busy hotspots a scope would be advantageous. Please note, those clients that wish to Digi-scope must bring their own telescopes as the guide telescope is for standard viewing only. There can be excellent opportunities around the feeders at both locations, also on many of our field trips. If you are a serious photographer, please note this is predominately a birding holiday, and opportunities will be limited by bird watching considerations.