The options for Costa Rica are almost limitless. Remarkably, a country no larger than West Virginia can offer stunning biodiversity. About 4% of the world's bird species and 10% of butterfly species call Costa Rica home.

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​Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination for more than just birds. Ticos (their self-appointed name) treat you like family. Though some guidebooks label Costa Rican food as bland, the meals are generally delicious and use only locally sourced foods. You will feel better without highly processed foods consumed for two weeks. Most tourists choose to adopt Ticos' more laid-back attitude. "Pura Vida" is more than a saying. It's a very desirable outlook on life.

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​​This trip offers visits to a lowland tropical rainforest, high-elevation cloud forests, and mid-elevation forests. The varied habitat increases the chances of seeing more birds. Our timing is perfect for a day of pelagic birding off the Nicoya Peninsula, and you’ll see many rarities on that trip alone.

​In the cloud forests, you’ll have outstanding opportunities for excellent looks at what many consider the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal. You’ll also bird above 8,000 feet, picking up rarities like Timberline Wren, Volcano Junco, and Talamanca Hummingbird.

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Costa Rica has preserved over a quarter of its total landmass. We are likely to see many other animals besides birds. Howler monkeys are a common sighting, and spotting a white-collared peccary, agouti, and a host of other mammals is not only a possibility but likely. 

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​This trip starts at a hotel outside San Jose that includes two birds with small ranges, the Hoffman's Woodpecker and Cabins's Ground Sparrow, among over 250 other species.