Costa Rica

Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals

Program No. 20616RJ
Go where the birds are, not where the birders are, as you spot Scarlet Macaws at Carara, the Resplendent Quetzal in San Gerardo de Dota, Motmots in San Vito and much more.

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Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 17 - May 27, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the May 7 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Jul 17 - Jul 27, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Aug 14 - Aug 24, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Sep 14 - Sep 24, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Oct 18 - Oct 28, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Oct. 8 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Nov 1 - Nov 11, 2024
Starting at
2,949
Nov 13 - Nov 23, 2024
Starting at
2,949
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Nov. 3 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Dec 1 - Dec 11, 2024
Starting at
2,949
Filling Fast!
Dec 11 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
2,949
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 1 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Jan 4 - Jan 14, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 14 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Jan 8 - Jan 18, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Jan 10 - Jan 20, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 10 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Jan 14 - Jan 24, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Jan 18 - Jan 28, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 28 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Jan 26 - Feb 5, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Feb. 5 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Jan 28 - Feb 7, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Feb 1 - Feb 11, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Full Inventory
Feb 3 - Feb 13, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Feb. 13 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Feb 7 - Feb 17, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 28 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Feb 9 - Feb 19, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Feb 16 - Feb 26, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Feb. 26 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Feb 22 - Mar 4, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Full Inventory
Mar 3 - Mar 13, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Mar. 13 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Mar 9 - Mar 19, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Mar 11 - Mar 21, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Mar. 21 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Mar 18 - Mar 28, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Full Inventory
Mar 24 - Apr 3, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Apr 1 - Apr 11, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Apr 22 - May 2, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

May 7 - May 17, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Full Inventory
Jul 16 - Jul 26, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Full Inventory
Aug 6 - Aug 16, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Full Inventory
Sep 21 - Oct 1, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Oct 5 - Oct 15, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Oct. 15 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Nov 2 - Nov 12, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Nov. 12 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Nov 6 - Nov 16, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Full Inventory
Nov 10 - Nov 20, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Dec 1 - Dec 11, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 11 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Dec 5 - Dec 15, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Full Inventory
Dec 7 - Dec 17, 2025
Starting at
3,149
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 17 - May 27, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the May 7 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Jul 17 - Jul 27, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Filling Fast!
Aug 14 - Aug 24, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Filling Fast!
Sep 14 - Sep 24, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Filling Fast!
Oct 18 - Oct 28, 2024
Starting at
2,849
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Oct. 8 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Nov 1 - Nov 11, 2024
Starting at
3,379
Nov 13 - Nov 23, 2024
Starting at
3,379
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Nov. 3 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Dec 1 - Dec 11, 2024
Starting at
3,379
Filling Fast!
Dec 11 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
3,379
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 1 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Jan 4 - Jan 14, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 14 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Jan 8 - Jan 18, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Jan 10 - Jan 20, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 10 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Jan 14 - Jan 24, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Jan 18 - Jan 28, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 28 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Jan 26 - Feb 5, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Feb. 5 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Jan 28 - Feb 7, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Feb 1 - Feb 11, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Full Inventory
Feb 3 - Feb 13, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Feb. 13 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Feb 7 - Feb 17, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Jan. 28 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Feb 9 - Feb 19, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Feb 16 - Feb 26, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Feb. 26 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Feb 22 - Mar 4, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Full Inventory
Mar 3 - Mar 13, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Mar. 13 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Full Inventory
Mar 9 - Mar 19, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Mar 11 - Mar 21, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Mar. 21 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Filling Fast!
Mar 18 - Mar 28, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Full Inventory
Mar 24 - Apr 3, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Apr 1 - Apr 11, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Filling Fast!
Apr 22 - May 2, 2025
Starting at
3,149
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Filling Fast!
May 7 - May 17, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Full Inventory
Jul 16 - Jul 26, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Full Inventory
Aug 6 - Aug 16, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Full Inventory
Sep 21 - Oct 1, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Filling Fast!
Oct 5 - Oct 15, 2025
Starting at
2,999
Special Offer

No added cost for single rooms! Free singles are limited. Please call for details.

Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Oct. 15 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Nov 2 - Nov 12, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Nov. 12 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Full Inventory
Nov 6 - Nov 16, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Full Inventory
Nov 10 - Nov 20, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Filling Fast!
Dec 1 - Dec 11, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 11 date of Program #22443- Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans.

Dec 5 - Dec 15, 2025
Starting at
3,579
Full Inventory
Dec 7 - Dec 17, 2025
Starting at
3,579

At a Glance

In this small-group adventure, go off-the-beaten path to explore some of the less-visited birding hot spots in Costa Rica. In a range of habitats — Pacific lowland rainforest, dry deciduous forest, primary premontane forest, oak woodlands, cloud forests and more — spot myriad rare and vibrant species. Each unique and beautiful location offers the chance to identify numerous intriguing endemic and migratory birds in one of the world’s great birding destinations.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Daily early morning birding activities. Walking up to three miles daily over varied terrain in tropical conditions and long periods standing. Elevations up to 11,000 feet.
Micro Group
Micro Group
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.

What You'll Learn

  • Observe brilliantly colored Resplendent Quetzals while they feed on the fruit of the aguacatillo tree.
  • Spot nocturnal birds and mammals, including owls, on nighttime hikes.
  • Look for water birds and shore birds during a boat ride along the mangrove-lined banks of the Tarcoles River.

General Notes

This is a Micro Group program, with 12 or fewer participants. All Road Scholar birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1 in the field. We adhere to the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Learn more at www.aba.org/ethics.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Lenin Duarte
Lenin Duarte is a certified Costa Rican naturalist guide. He worked for many years as a resident naturalist at the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) La Selva Biological Field Station. One of the most exciting parts of that job included the opportunity to interact with biologists and participating in important research being conducted on site. Even after many years of leading groups, Lenin never tires of watching the excitement and wonder on visitors’s faces as they fall in love with the rainforest and its inhabitants.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Lenin Duarte
Lenin Duarte View biography
Lenin Duarte is a certified Costa Rican naturalist guide. He worked for many years as a resident naturalist at the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) La Selva Biological Field Station. One of the most exciting parts of that job included the opportunity to interact with biologists and participating in important research being conducted on site. Even after many years of leading groups, Lenin never tires of watching the excitement and wonder on visitors’s faces as they fall in love with the rainforest and its inhabitants.
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