Costa Rica
Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals
Program No. 20616RJ
Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals
Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals
Participant Reviews
Based on 161 Reviews
SHOWING
Birding in Southern Costa Rica exceeded our expectations. We had an exceptional Group Leader named David Mora. We feel he went out of his way to satisfy each member of our diverse group with respect to birding and wildlife, culture, cusine and accommodations.
— Review left March 8, 2026
This was our third Road Scholar trip. As with the other two, this trip was well organized and well led. The lodging was amazing, giving us the opportunity to observe birds on the surrounding properties, as well as from the lodges themselves. Our guide, Luis, was very knowledgeable, and did a great job of making all levels of birding experience feel a part of the activities. The small size of the group gave everyone the opportunity to view birds through the scope, and it allowed us to travel in one vehicle and often to eat at one table which lent itself to new friendships and a wonderful group dynamic. This trip exceeded our expectations.
— Review left March 4, 2026
This was a great trip, largely thanks to our guide, David Mora, and the fact that the group was small (7 people). I have birded in countries around the world and I found David to be the best guide I have experienced. He can make countless bird calls with his mouth, in addition to relying on apps and a small speaker, which he used judiciously. He could hear the birds before he saw them, then called them closer by whistling or playing owl calls. We saw close to 250 different species over the 9 full days that we birded. When he had to alter the schedule slightly, he added a stop at a farm owned by friends, which was a nice surprise.
Accommodations and food were uneven. The Esquinas Lodge in La Gamba and the Savegre Hotel in San Gerardo de Dota were both pleasant and comfortable. Not so much the Las Cruces Biological Station, which was more like college dorm accommodations. The Wyndham Herradura Hotel in San Jose, where we began and ended, was very run down and overly perfumed (covering up what, I wondered). The food there was abysmal, as it was at the biological station -- again, the latter was like being back in college with bad cooks. However, I did not take this trip for the haute cuisine.
This was my second trip to Costa Rica and I appreciated seeing different parts of the country. We spent a fair amount of time on the bus going from site to site but David added stops along the way to look for birds, including some that he knew about that were unusual for each part of the country.
— Review left March 2, 2026
This is a must program if you have even an interest in nature or birding. Outstanding Itinerary.
— Review left February 4, 2026
A wonderful trip with a amazing guide, accommodations and transportation. A good balance of guided walks, lectures and exploration. We have done both birding in Costa Rica trip that Roads Scholars offers. I wish there were more!
— Review left January 26, 2026
Excellent birding trip. Andrey was a outstanding guide. This is not a trip for people casually interested in birds. It's geared more toward serious birders willing to endure long days, hot rain forest, etc. to catch a glimpse of a new species. Days start at 5:45 or 6 a.m and often go to 8 p.m. You can opt out of some of the bird walks, and some days there is some free time before or after lunch, but most of the time you are on the go. I highly recommend this trip to other birders like myself who don't mind a challenge. It's as good as any by a professional bird tour company, and cheaper.
— Review left January 16, 2026
Birding experience was spectacular: Male Quetzals (2), Motmots, Toucans, Trogans to name a few from over 200 species found.
— Review left January 15, 2026
fabulous birding experience—the guide, the bus driver, and the birding locations were most excellent!
— Review left January 13, 2026
This birding adventure was so much fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with our small group. The guide was amazing!
— Review left December 30, 2025
This was a great trip that I highly recommend. Very educational and anyone who enjoys beautiful birds would enjoy it. I would also recommend the northern trip to Costa Rica. We have done both and they are both exceptional. Eric was the best guide for both trips.
— Review left December 22, 2025
Our first RS trip and what a fabulous trip it was! Our guide Erick Guzman was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about birds and has excellent leadership skills. Our driver Mora was amazing on all sorts of roads! We enjoyed all the accommodations and places we looked for birds! The lectures were all excellent and added to the trip. Exciting to come home with over 300 species, almost all of which were lifers. Our group gelled quickly and I will always consider them friends. I hope we can do another RS trip before too long! Thank you for your care in planning these trips.
— Review left December 19, 2025
This trip was PERFECT! Thanks to our amazing guide and driver (Jorge and Rodrigo) to the incredible lodging, food, travel companions and various birding experiences and lectures, this was the TRIP OF A LIFETIME. I knew that the trip would involve birding 24/7, and I was a little nervous about that in advance, but in actuality it was such a gift to be able to focus on birds so intensively over a 10 day period. I left with a much better understanding of myself in relation to birds and the natural world. I highly recommend this trip for both novice and experienced birders.
— Review left December 16, 2025
Fabulous experience! Great birding and birds, wonderful lodging and food, excellent guide. I had a fabulous time. Highly recommend.
— Review left December 13, 2025
This is immersion birding experience. Long days, frequent standing, varied weather (temperature, humidity, rain and wind) with excellent guide resulting in seeing 287 different bird species. NOT for the physically weak or faint of heart.
— Review left December 12, 2025
Good trip - beautiful birds and scenery, enjoyable lodging, and a rich learning experience.
— Review left November 30, 2025
Excellent program for bird watchers. Varied venues provided unique experiences. Shared app for posting bird photos a real plus!
— Review left November 24, 2025
The trip not only met but exceeded expectations. Lenin Duarte was our guide and provided a wonderful and educational experience. Alberto "Chicho" Aguilar, our driver, did a fantastic job driving through varied traffic and terrain we would not have attempted on our own.
I highly recommend this trip to birders of any level.
— Review left November 21, 2025
The program was extremely well-organized, with excellent itinerary. The guide and driver were excellent.
The itinerary gave a view through multiple varied ecosystems, making it possible to see a wide range of species. All the lodgings were beautiful locations, with excellent facilities and trails and birding nearby. The national parks and private reserves provided excellent birding. The food at lodgings and meal stops was excellent, accommodating a variety of tastes with plenty for all.
The guide, Lenin Duarte, was extremely knowledgeable, able to identify birds by sound and locate them in dense trees and foliage. He was able to setup his spotting scope to provide viewing for all participants. I had a camera with a 200-800 mm zoom lens, and he was able to direct the photographers to the birds so we could get excellent shots, even deep in the leaves. He did an excellent job of group management, highlighting the need for flexibility in unpredictable, variable conditions and accommodating the various personalities.
The bus driver, Alberto "Chicho" Aguilar, navigated through heavy traffic and over difficult roads. We especially came to appreciate his skills in the elevated regions, driving up and down steep terrain on narrow roads with tight switchbacks, all while meeting oncoming traffic, including large construction vehicles.
The bird checklist booklet with nightly review was extremely helpful. I'll use it with my birding guide to match up photos for identification. I got photos of about 100 species.
— Review left November 21, 2025
This itinerary introduces participants to a wide rage of habitats and hence birds. Long bus rides between locations were usually punctuated with stops to bird. Guide David Mora, expertly guided us through the various habitats locating and providing great views of 313 species!
— Review left November 20, 2025
Thanks for a great program
— Review left November 13, 2025
Jorge is a bird guide extraordinaire. The birding was fantastic. The food and lodging were great. I can’t wait to take another Road Scholar trip.
— Review left October 25, 2025
The trip with Road Scholar to Southern Costa Rica was amazing. It was over and beyond our hopes and dreams. Beautiful lodging, gorgeous birds, nice people and a fantastic guide
— Review left July 20, 2025
Best trip trip of my life. Well managed. Well organized. Erick was the best guide ever. I will definitely take this trip again very soon.
David H.
— Review left May 28, 2025
Incredible trip from beginning to end. Our guide and driver were excellent team leaders, keeping us informed, happy, and safe the entire time. The group of travelers was fun, friendly, and open to all. The lodges ranged from rustic to luxe and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. All locations delivered incredible birding, even just outside my rooms or from the bus window.
As a solo traveler and Road Scholar first-timer, I wasn't sure if group travel was for me, but this trip sold me on its benefits. Had a blast making new friends, adding 200+ birds to my life list, and not having to make any decisions or organize anything for 10 entire days. Looking forward to birding the northern half of Costa Rica next!
— Review left May 15, 2025
Our guide, Ivan Castillo, was the best! Patient, persistent, passionate, perceptive and personable. His knowledge, not only of birds, but of all aspects of Costa Rica was amazing. In addition, helped to create a good group cohesion. The lectures on macaws and quetzals were also very informative and helpful. Transportation and the various lodging facilities were comfortable and more than adequate. Our bus driver, Roder, was careful, considerate and a good bird spotter! I felt very safe travelling with him. Meals were also more than adequate and a good variety of Costa Rican cuisine. Overall, a wonderful trip. I would highly recommend it to others.
(Byron) Frank
— Review left May 13, 2025
I went on the more active version of this trip. RS should name it "Bird 'til You Drop". I was tired when I got home, but golly what a great trip! The trip leader Ivan Castillo was amazing at finding the birds, kept the trip organized but also flexible enough to go where the birds were. Always enthusiastic, helpful and upbeat he is the best trip leader of the 13 RS trips I have participated in so far. Food and lodging were top notch. The bus driver (a very important person on a trip like this) expertly navigated the windy roads. This is a trip for serious birders. Highly recommended.
— Review left May 10, 2025
I strongly and enthusiastically recommend this Program, Birding in Costa Rica. If others are as high quality as this one was, you won’t be disappointed!
— Review left April 13, 2025
This was our first road scholar trip. I had an amazing time and learned so much about forest habitat and saw many new life birds. Trip was very well organized and our guide fun and so knowledgeable. Birding started before breakfast, with several additional hikes during the day when not traveling to a new location. Wonderful learning experience.
— Review left April 1, 2025
Amazing trip! Not only was the trip itinerary perfect, but our guide, David, was over-the-top fabulous! His gift for finding birds, and then ensuring the group had an opportunity to see almost each and every bird was phenomenal. Such a good trip that I would consider repeating the adventure!
— Review left March 31, 2025
I had a marvelous time on our trip and saw over 300 species. Our guide David was excellent. Accommodations and food exceeded expectations. It is a busy trip starting early and ending with optional evening birding. If you want to see alot of amazing birds in a amazing habitat you will enjoy this trip.
— Review left March 31, 2025
This trip exceeded all of my expectations (and I tend to have high expectations. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, our accommodations and meal were incredible. The lectures/presentations were perfectly timed and enhanced our experiences of the birds. This is a birding trip: over 300 species and 231 lifers for me. Our guide, David Mora Vargas is the best field birder I have ever had the pleasure of birding with! I totally credit him with the big success of the trip!
— Review left March 24, 2025
This birding adventure was fabulous, with a variety of habitat types, wonderful eco-lodge accommodations, and a wonderfully knowledgeable leader, Jorge Monge. Tropical birding is filled with amazing birds seen nowhere else.
— Review left March 22, 2025
The Birding in Southern Costa Rica trip will provide an unforgettable and rich experience as you discover the birds and other inhabitants of a wide variety of ecosystems!
— Review left March 17, 2025
Fabulous program. Our guide was amazing, the locations were beautiful, and the birds were incredible. Am looking forward to doing the Northern Costa Rica birding trip in the future. But do this one - you won’t regret it!
— Review left March 15, 2025
My first birding trip but not my last! Our Group Leader made this the trip of a lifetime. Jose knew his birds! As an inexperienced birder I also learned from the more experienced members of the group. Accommodations were excellent considering the remoteness of some of our birding locations. This trip is very well-planned and executed to get us variety in birds. We saw 282 different species of birds!
— Review left March 15, 2025
This program is focused on birding - morning, noon and night. It involves early rising every day. Travel to a new location occurs every second day. The tradeoff is an opportunity to see literally hundreds of different bird species in many different environments. Several lectures provided interesting and valuable material on relevant topics. Our group leader, Lenin Duarte, was outstanding and essential to the success of the trip.
— Review left February 21, 2025
The Birding in Southern Costa Rica trip was fantastic! We saw so many of the remarkable birds of Costa Rica and a good part of this lovely country. Our guide Lenin is an expert and helped me see many birds that I simply would not have seen on my own. Thank you so much for a wonderful trip!
— Review left February 20, 2025
All my expectations were surpassed. The accommodations were excellent. The food represented Costa Rica and was plentiful, with options for the less adventurous. Our transportation was great and the drivers skills
maneuvering our bus in and out of tight spots outstanding! THE BEST PART WAS OUR GUIDE! Ivan, knowledgeable, personal,, passionate with caring patience. AND HE KNOWS BIRDS 5+ stars for the trip.
— Review left February 18, 2025
This program exceeded my expectations and inspired me to delve into the subject more.
— Review left February 17, 2025
Birding in Southern Costa Rica was my first time to do a group trip and my first time with Road Scholar. The experience exceeded my expectations. Our guide was superb. Ivan was knowledgeable about Costa Rica, birding and nature highlights. He went above and beyond to ensure our safety, comfort and most of all an excellent birding experience everywhere we went. We were birding from sun up to bedtime.
Additionally, we were blessed with an excellent, kind driver and a comfortable bus. I always felt safe!
I was also lucky to be with the most wonderful group of fellow travelers. We were a mixed lot from experienced birders to myself who loves birds and being outdoors. We were focused on birding but also had time to enjoy meals together and get to know one another. Everyone was thoughtful, kind and fun.
I would not hesitate to take another journey with Road Scholar.
Pura Vida.
— Review left February 15, 2025
This is an exceptional experience! Birding in Costa Rica is super fun. Tasty food, incredible sights, friendly staff, amazing birds, lots of other animals and plants. I've been three time to CR and my trip with Road Scholar was the best. It's easy to fall in love with Costa Rica.
— Review left February 14, 2025
Daniel was an excellent guide. His bird identification skills were quick and accurate. I was so impressed by his bird vocalizations which always brought in the birds! He was also organized, kind and patient with beginners. His energy and passion for the search was inspiring. The accommodations were very special - local and unique.
— Review left February 12, 2025
Our guide was the best in every way. He made our adventures fun and seemed to will us to see the bird we were looking for. He truly enjoyed us and loved what he was doing. I only wish we could have another adventure with him. Some of us even discussed it.
— Review left February 12, 2025
Birding in south Costa Rica was fabulous! The guide, driver and lectures were excellent and the birding was amazing. I learned alot, and greatly enjoyed the trip.
— Review left February 12, 2025
The Costa Rica southern birding trip was a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend it for any birder who can meet the physical requirements stated in the program description. The birds and the geography are spectacular, and the education provided is outstanding. The trip exceeded my expectations.
— Review left February 10, 2025
Easy way to have an enlivening and enlightening experience of an area, country, topic, at reasonable cost.
— Review left February 6, 2025
I highly recommend birding in the Southern Costa Rica. Be ready to be on the move and be amazed. If you’re a serious birder you will not be disappointed. If you enjoy the outdoors and hiking you will also be thrilled. If you like to be challenged and learn new things this is the trip for you. Costa Rican coffee and food is a real plus too.
— Review left January 31, 2025
So many birds! What a beautiful country! Costa Rica is striving to care for its abundant resources in a sustainable and healthy manner. I’m honored to have had such an opportunity to spend time with hard working people with such high ethical standards. I had a fantastic trip and am grateful to everyone who helped put the trip together. Our guide Roger Melendez was the biggest reason this program was the best Road Scholar I’ve been on: he was tireless in finding almost 300 species, and he shared so much lore of Costa Rica. Great trip.
— Review left January 31, 2025
I had a thoroughly enjoyable, educational, and bird rich experience on this program. Our guide, Roger was incredibly knowledgeable of the flora and fauna of the different life zones in CR and we learned on the bus rides and on the walks. The lodgings were always clean, comfortable, and ecologically conscious and I always felt safe. The food was fresh, plentiful, and delicious. This program was fantastic.
— Review left January 31, 2025
This program was exceptionally well put together! Our guide, Erick Guzman, was enthusiastic, inspiring and made sure that everyone saw everything, whether on their own or through his spotting scope. If you are a serious birder, it will not disappoint - we saw 282 species of birds in a variety of fascinating and beautiful habitats, including endemics, iconic species and migrants. If you have some prior experience, you will gain a lot of practice and comfort with finding and identifying many varieties of birds. If you are an interested beginner, you will learn a lot about how to use your equipment to its best advantage in a biodiversity hotspot that will reward your efforts many times over. Make sure you bring the recommended gear to get the most out of the program.
— Review left January 25, 2025
If you want to be off the beaten track, hiking in tropical forests, this is the trip for you
— Review left January 24, 2025
José And Jeffrey were an amazing team. José‘s knowledge and expertise ( which ranged far beyond birding) was exceptional. I can not believe how many extraordinary birds we encountered, along with other animals. The talks by José and the lectures gave depth to animal behaviors but also introduced us to the culture, geography, history, and society of Costa Rica. A trip not to be missed.
— Review left January 21, 2025
Our guide, Roger Menendez, was wonderful — knowledgeable, helpful, available, welcoming. Hotels/lodges were fine; Macaw Lodge especially beautiful and comfortable. Bus driver Christian amazing getting us safely to our destinations on very tricky roadways, and also kind and thoughtful. We saw the birds we set out to see.
— Review left January 20, 2025
Birding in Southern Costa Rica presents physical challenges and great rewards. From hot and humid lowlands to cooler areas in the mountains, it is not for those not willing to get out of their comfort zone. The experiences, the birds, the guides! I highly recommend this tour.
— Review left January 16, 2025
This is a great birding trip. The pace of the trip was active yet had the option for down time. Our guide, Ivan Castillo, was an expert Costa Rican birding leader.
— Review left January 1, 2025
Birding in Southern Costa Rica was amazing! We saw almost 300 species of birds and went to many types of forests and open areas to add to our guides ability to show us different birds. Great group of birders to travel with and our guide was amazing! The lodges were great and gave us more opportunities to bird during free time. Food was above my expectations and I got to try a lot of new foods and experiences. 5 star review from me!
— Review left December 13, 2024
Birding enthusiasts of all levels will enjoy the beauty and diversity of the birds in southern Costa Rica. It was fascinating to see so many different habitats and to understand the creatures that occupy each one. It is very hard to beat Costa Rica for a world-class birding experience.
— Review left December 12, 2024
Simply, this trip was outstanding. Our leader, Andrey Acosta, was amazing. He knows the birds of Costa Rica and tried his best to ensure that all of us did too. Andrey was always there for every member of the group. This was a trip that far exceeded our expectations and it was directly the result of Andrey’s efforts. I also must mention our driver, Johnny Harper who did an amazing job. 230+ species including 22 hummingbirds- what an experience.
— Review left November 26, 2024
This was my third time participating in this program, and it was even better than before! Our group leader, Erick Guzman, was fantastic - knowledgeable, kind, patient, humorous, and attentive to the needs of all participants. Each lodge was wonderfully unique and all provided excellent opportunities for birding. I can highly recommend this program for novice and experienced birders alike.
— Review left July 31, 2024
Although it was a birding trip, we experienced and learned so much more about the environs and people of Costa Rica. Pura Vida will always hold a powerful and special place in my heart!
— Review left July 29, 2024
A wonderful opportunity to explore the Central Pacific Region of Costa Rica and enjoy nature, culture, meet the people, and meet new friends.
— Review left July 28, 2024
Costa Rica was a sheer delight ; many wonderful species observed and quite a few 'lifers' with the help of an excellent , knowledgeable guide (Andrey A.) and a great driver.
Accommodation and food was of high quality and every location brought more surprises.
Many highlights ; the quetzals, motmots, toucans, herons, tanagers, flycatchers etc were magnificent but the hummingbirds were especially spectacular !
I am a veteran of many RS birding trips (primarily US-based) and this adventure was certainly among the best I've experienced for birds and wildlife.
Can't wait to experience what North Costa Rica will offer in a future trip ....
— Review left May 27, 2024
Outstanding trip and outstanding guide and driver. My only comment is that observations should be put in eBird on a daily/location basis.
— Review left May 23, 2024
This trip was phenomenal. Our guide, Roger Melendez, and the van driver, Alberto, were excellent, and the group members were pleasant and easy to get along with. The birding experience and the accommodations exceeded my expectations. The group logged 293 bird species (!), of which I saw 260, heard another 20, and missed seeing or hearing only 13. Macaw Lodge was a gem; we had difficulty getting there due to heavy rain on the steep muddy road, and as a result, we changed the program so as not to drive out and back again the next day. This was an unexpected bonus as we got to spend an entire day watching amazing birds walking the grounds and right from the Macaw Lodge deck (including the Scarlet Macaws and a Sunbittern)! The accommodation at Las Cruces was rustic compared to the others, but the location was fantastic for the birds. Esquinas was also very nice – the cabins were fun and plenty comfy, we enjoyed the pool and the walks in the forest; the bonus here was the early morning wake-up calls of the wood rails. Savegre Lodge was outstanding (aside from a wee problem with waiting for dinner one night). Queztals in the parking lot. So. Many. Amazing. Birds. Wow!
— Review left May 9, 2024
This was my first RS trip, but not my last! It was an amazing trip. Our guide Roger Melendez was very knowledgeable about birds, of course. But he also loved telling about Costa Rican history, culture, government and local agricultural and environmental practices. As the group walked and hiked along different terrain and sometimes in deep rainforest it was not always possible to hear him. If I was in the back of the line I was mostly content to appreciate the forest in other ways. For example: watching leaf-cutter ants or contemplating the majestic red oak trees or the wonder of life on Earth.
Our group of 12 was a good mix of singles and couples some of whom were experienced birders. All were very helpful to the group and after a few days it felt like family. We looked out for each other and passed along information on birds as bus rides, hikes and meals mixed people in different small groups.
I was very impressed with the way our guide Roger, our driver Alberto and the Macaw Lodge and Road Scholar office worked to keep us safe and on schedule as the road to the lodge became impassable. I know this was a very difficult situation but as participants we always felt safe and cared for. Because Macaw Lodge had so many trails to explore our bird lists continued to grow we never felt that we missed an experience that had been planned off-site for that day.
— Review left May 8, 2024
The Program was excellent! Our tour leader Andrey Acosta was a fabulous birder, tour guide & leader
— Review left May 4, 2024
This is truly a life enriching experience. The expertise of the guide and the beauty of the lodging will make this trip one to remember for a lifetime.
— Review left April 22, 2024
This was my third RS trip, and was excellent in almost every way. Our guide, Erick, was outstanding and we saw many, many beautiful birds thanks to him. We had a lot of fun along the way too.
I would comment on the lodging in Savegre I had been to the area before and stayed at the Savegre Lodge. This time the lodging was at Hotel Suria, and the room that the solo travelers got was not at all nice - small, lacked furniture and set away from the gardens on the second floor. I would recommend if you are traveling solo to pick trip dates where the lodging is at the Savegre lodge. I guess sometimes it is full and Hotel Suria is Road Scholar’s second choice.
— Review left April 10, 2024
wonderful program led by very knowledgeable naturalist. Being at best an amateur birder, the idea of a "birding" expedition was intimidating, but it turned out great. Don't let the characterization of "physically demanding" intimidate you either.
— Review left April 8, 2024
Wow! I can't say enough about how incredible this trip was. I came because I wanted to see tons of new birds, learn about Costa Rica, make new friends. 200 birds from our list of 275 were new for me. I also saw monkeys, iguana, poison dart frogs, a sloth! Our bus travel narratives delivered a wealth of information. We were busy and made the most of everyday. I loved my group and hope to reconnect with several.
— Review left March 29, 2024
This was a wonderful trip for us (myself and Gaoying Ren, my wife). Jimmy Tejos was a 10 of 10 guide --- friendly, informative, caring and funny! Las Equinas preserve had meal portion sizes that were too small, but the overall surroundings and lodgings were very lovely, as they were at all of our stays on the trip.
— Review left March 24, 2024
The number of species we saw far exceeded my expectations, as did the beauty and individual personalities of the birds we encountered. Put this trip on your bucket list!
— Review left March 10, 2024
What an amazing trip and experience. This was my first Road Scholar trip and I loved it and definitely want to do another Road Scholar trip. Our group was amazing. Wonderful people who really looked out for each other.
— Review left March 1, 2024
Birding in Southern Costa Rica was a trip I'll never forget. The birds are fantastic, and our guide was a gem! He made the trip so worthwhile.
— Review left February 29, 2024
I cannot say enough good things about Road Scholar. The quality of the program, the organization, the locations and hotels and food were great. I made good friends. I learned a great deal. I will go again. I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE, A DREAM COME TRUE.
— Review left February 26, 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed our Southern Costa Rica birding trip. Our guide, Lenin Duarte, was outstanding in his knowledge of the birds and also the history, culture and natural environment of his native Costa Rica. Outside lectures and visits to local restaurants and farms enhanced our experience. We saw so many beautiful birds!
— Review left February 18, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and enthusiastically recommend it to both new and experienced birders. We were fortunate to have Erick Guzman as our guide and Alberto as our driver. Erick is a terrific guide and helped us spot over 270 birds. I traveled solo and always felt safe and welcomed by the group (almost all couples). We had many delicious meals and stayed in some beautiful lodges. My only advice would be to opt for the dates that include the Savegre Hotel as your last stop, not Hotel Suria.
— Review left February 18, 2024
Birding in Southern Costa Rica was a wonderful experience with a terrific birder for our leader, exploring in the breathtaking highlands of the Talamanca mountains. To see such beautiful, colorful tropical birds is a dream come true.
— Review left February 14, 2024
Erik Guzman the group leader/guide was the best. His ability to locate birds in the rainforest on a scope quickly was truly amazing. He brought the whole group together at the same time taking care of everyone's individual needs. He was very informative about Costa Rica(birds, areas, environment, local way of life). I feel blessed getting to know Erik Guzman. Alberto the driver was excellent(I always felt safe on the roads of Costa Rica). The informative lectures were a nice part of the trip. All the accommodations with the exception of Hotel Suria were great and fostered a relaxing/back to nature feel. Hotel Suria is not the normal accommodation Savegra hotel and spa is. Hotel Suria felt more like a nightclub environment(pounding background music at all meals). Poor meal service/mistakes and lengthy waits. Hotel Suria didn't feel restful or provide the eco rainforest lodge environment that I had come to expect. In the future if I see Hotel Suria as a listed accommodation on the itinerary I will choose a different itinerary.
— Review left February 14, 2024
A wonderful trip to see different bird species and experience ecosystems in different locations in Costa Rica.
— Review left February 9, 2024
The Costa Rica Birding South trip was absolutely incredible. Jimmy, our guide, made the trip so much more memorable. He was extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of the animals and history of Costa Rica and his enthusiasm was contagious. In addition to the over 200 life birds I saw, there were also many other interesting animals. Food and accommodations were also great and the bus was clean and comfortable and the scenery was beautiful. I would HIGHLY recommend this trip!
— Review left February 8, 2024
This trip was excellent. The facilities, group leader, driver, and meals were all great. The experience was truly enjoyable and educational. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone with the desire to see birds and experience the fauna of Costa Rica.
— Review left February 6, 2024
Whether an experienced birder or somewhat new to birding, this program enhances the activity and shows the beauty of birds and their environments. The small group size allowed for a more intimate experience and a way to build cohesion that made the trip fun. The locations were gorgeous, the food great.
— Review left February 4, 2024
This was an outstanding experience! The trip represented many firsts for us - first time with Road Scholar, and in fact with any tour, as we'd always been independent travelers. It was also our first time in Costa Rica, and first time birding for me.
Our exceptional guide, Lenin Duarte, went above and beyond to ensure that every detail of this well-planned trip went well, and his ability to find birds we never would have seen was stunning. Owls hidden in the trees, Resplendent Quetzals building a nest, a Potoo!
I went on this trip expecting to be patiently staring at nothing while my husband enjoyed birding, and thanks to Lenin and the enthusiasm of my group, I've become a birder myself! We saw over 250 different species! I even got up at 5:30 or 6:00 am of my own free will (could have slept in) in order to see more birds with the optional pre-breakfast walks.
Kudos to RS for putting together such an amazing trip - every place we stayed had something special about it - great and varied locations, some unexpectedly lovely spots like Las Cruces/San Vito, some places excelled in staff, food or guest talks, some had gorgeous grounds for easy nearby walks.
Our fellow travelers were an interesting group. Many, but not all were very experienced birders and everyone shared their enthusiasm and helped each other.
Also have to mention our amazing driver, Chicho/Alberto, who made us feel completely safe even on some winding roads. He also spotted birds for us and was an asset to the program!
We are already talking about signing up for the Northern Birding trip next year. What a great trip!
— Review left February 4, 2024
This program was phenomenal. I would highly recommend it to birders of all levels. I don’t know if it’s typical for this trip, but we saw 275 species! Accommodations were lovely, the guide, Lenin Duarte, was amazing, and the lectures were excellent. This was my first trip to Costa Rica, and what a beautiful introduction; I will be back. I am a fairly experienced birder but we had birders of every level and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. You will get to see a wide variety of habitats, and amazing rainbow of birds, meet some wonderful locals and learn about everything from the country’s geology, education system, culture, and economy. Here’s wishing you as wonderful a group of traveling companions as I was favored with.
Cautions and suggestions: If you are sensitive to heat and humidity, be aware some of the stops have ample of both. Not all of the lodges have air conditioning and a few of the field trips were pretty hot and humid, but the guide was careful to check on everyone and moderate the pace. Do read the lodging and itinerary descriptions thoroughly in order to pack the right items and expectations. Field trips are on trails, but you may be walking on uneven gravel and rock and occasionally a little muddy. Bring a flashlight. You will be walking back from dinner in dark most nights. Mornings can be chilly and one field trip to 11,400 feet is downright cold so pack layers and gloves. If you want to travel light, you will have reasonably priced laundry services at least a couple of the lodges. I also found it helpful to study the birds of Costa Rica a bit before arriving, it certainly improved my ability to identify new species in the field more quickly. Sign up and go!!!
— Review left February 3, 2024
Our guide, Lenin, was expert at hearing, identifing, locating and scoping birds so that all the participants had an opportunity to see close to 300 of Costa Rica's birds on our trip. Lenin also handled the many diverse personalities and needs of our group with empathy, compassion and skill. Our bus driver, Chicho, was very skilled at driving his powerful bus up and down the many hills and his calm, friendly attitude was very much appreciated.
— Review left February 2, 2024
Amazing!
Our guide, Luis Vargas was a great leader. We felt as ease with him and enjoyed his natural sense of humor.
The lodging was well chosen, meals were fresh and wonderful.
Thank you, Road Scholar, for providing us with this adventure.
— Review left January 27, 2024
I thought my bird watching trips were over at 79. My most recent trip to Costa Rica with Road Scholar told me they were only just beginning.
— Review left January 26, 2024
Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals is a really wonderful program. Andrey is an excellent guide with super-human birding skills. My sister and I had an absolutely wonderful time all ten days! This trip exceeded all our expectations! We will definitely do another Road Scholar trip!
— Review left January 19, 2024
I am an experienced /avid birder. The quality of the guides provided by RS are excellent. Easily On par with the guides I’ve had with other bird tour companies.
— Review left November 25, 2023
The Southern Costa Rica trip was fantastic. The leaders, accommodations, meals, and itinerary were outstanding. I highly recommend this natural history adventure. If you go on this trip, you will see and learn about Costa Rica's amazing wildlife, history, and culture.
— Review left November 20, 2023
This was my first experience with Road Scholar and if your mission is to delight each and every participant, you hit the nail on the head with me! I just completed the birding in southern Costa Rica trip, and now can't wait to go north.
— Review left November 11, 2023
Enjoyed visiting another part of Costa Rica while learning not only about Costa Rica itself but its history and nature.
— Review left May 30, 2023
As an inexperienced, but enthusiastic birder, this trip accelerated my learning to light speed. Our guide and my fellow travelers taught me so much about bird ID, behavior, equipment, photography, and field presence. And Costa Rica is beautiful!!
— Review left May 23, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect from a Road Scholar birding trip but this Southern Costa Rica trip did not disappoint. Lots of birding led by a very skilled guide coupled with great lodging, locations, lectures and logistics led to a very enjoyable and productive trip.
— Review left May 6, 2023
Just returned from our Birding in S. Costa Rica trip and I can honestly say that my husband (an avid birder) and I (a non-birder) both thoroughly enjoyed it. Erick, our guide, was an amazing birder and leader (we saw over 300 species). Alan, the driver was also excellent—-keeping us safe and also occasionally pointing out animals of interest. The lodges were great, and everyone on our trip was kept well-fed and happy. It exceeded both of our expectations.
— Review left April 23, 2023
Birding trips should not have 12 participants, or if they do, they should have two leaders. This is a program issue that should be addressed by Road Scholar.
That said, our leader (Erick Guzman) was superb. He is extremely knowledgeable about bird distributions, field marks, and vocalizations, and very quick about getting birds in the scope for particpants to see. We saw about 325 species in the short span of this trip, including some very elusive birds (e.g., Wrenthrush, Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Hummingbird, Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Turquise Cotinga, Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, and Peg-billed Finch). Yes, we saw Respendent Quetzals on multiple occasions.
Accommodation comfort and food quality varied from good to very good, and all the accommodations (except the pre-departure airport hotel) had good to excellent birding on the grounds.
— Review left April 23, 2023
We just returned from the Birding in Southern Costa Rica trip (May 2023) - we can't say enough good things about the tour - the guide Luis Vargas was great, the locations were amazing, the group was friendly. And the birds were spectacular!
— Review left April 17, 2023
Expert guide Andrey Acosta helped us view so many bird species and other wildlife. I experienced several beautiful natural environments in Costa Rica. The hotels were interesting and nice. The lectures were valuable, our driver was great, and I greatly enjoyed this trip.
— Review left April 6, 2023
An excellent tour program if you want to see Costa Rican birds and experience a geniune tropical forest environment! Well-organized and just plain fun! You can't get more bang for your buck!
— Review left April 6, 2023
This was a lovely trip. We saw hundreds of birds with the help of our excellent guide, Luis Vargus. He is extremely knowledgable and a very good group leader. The accommodations were very comfortable and nice.
However, our air flights were cancelled resulting in us being re- routed en route to Costa Rica. Our baggage was lost and we missed the first night of the tour(overnight at hotel, dinner). We did not receive our baggage for 5 days. We had to pay a local person $400. to bring our luggage to us, as the airline declined to do so. We had to buy clothing and essentials. This was all very difficult.
We filed a claim with Aon travel insurance. It was complicated and tedious. They have now additionally requested a verification from the tour guide that our baggage was delayed. This will be difficult/ impossible to obtain.
We are extremely disappointed with this insurance— provided by Road Scholar. We have taken 5 trips with Road Scholar, always with insurance. If we travel with Road Scholar again, we will not purchase this insurance and will arrange our own.
Ann Warren
— Review left April 6, 2023
If you are an avid birder, this is a great trip. Our tour guide, Andrey Acosta, was exceptional at making sure we saw target birds at each site we visited. Our group saw 267 bird species.
— Review left March 27, 2023
This was my first trip with RS and I must admit it was exceptional. Our Guide (Daniel Martinez) and the Driver (Eladio) were above and beyond professional and exceptionally knowledgeable in both their fields. Daniel knew where to find specific birds and his knowing/mimicking various bird calls, was an added plus. He was so tolerant and kind toward those of us who knew not. Eladio was gracious, patient and quite adept at handling our bus through various steep/narrow roads.
Both together made a great team and presented the program in such a way as to showcase RS's ability to select personnel who complement each other and work together to present the best of RS's program. On another front the food was out of this world and staff throughout so friendly and kind.
Thank you for a great experience.
— Review left March 25, 2023
Just got back from our Birding in Southern Costa Rica and had a great trip! Even though is rained during the dry season (March), it didn’t interfere with our field trips or bird watching. We loved our guide, Daniel. He was almost magically expert, identifying every bird in a fraction of a second and working hard to make sure that everyone got a chance to see it. The locations were exotic, beautiful, and comfortable. HIghly recommend!
— Review left March 20, 2023
Everything about this trip was amazing: leader Andrey, bus driver Mario, fellow participants, birds, lectures, Costa Rica, accommodations. Wow!
— Review left March 8, 2023
My husband and I have always traveled on our own, or with family, so I wasn't sure how a "tour" would be. Our Road's Scholar trip was truly exceptional. From our fantastic guide to the incredibly thought through and well executed itinerary, we had a great experience. I felt like the trip was both a learning experience and great fun. Costa Rica is beautiful, the birds are amazing, and the group worked! I really can't say enough positive, and that is from a skeptic!
— Review left March 6, 2023
I was not sure that Road Scholar would provide a high quality birding trip. I was wrong. Our guide was an experienced Costa Rican birding guide with excellent skills, knowledge of birds and the geography of his country. Birders of all skills would enjoy this Costa Rican birding trip!
— Review left March 3, 2023
This was so much fun. I'll be talking about this trip for a long time.
— Review left March 3, 2023
If you are a birder, this is the trip for you! You will visit jungle, rainforest, cloud forest, ocean and river locations and absolutely add some target birds to your life list. (We saw over 260 different birds on out trip, some quite rare, and yes we saw the Resplendant Quetzal near the end of our trip) Our guide Andrey Acosta was phenomenal, birds mostly by ear and then so quick to get on the bird it will take your breath away. This was a terrific way to see a gorgeous country and have some adventures and I can't wait to do the northern CR program!
— Review left February 24, 2023
My husband and I had a fabulous Birding in Southern Costa Rica trip. Our guide, Ivan, was the best--caring, personable, could not have been better in terms of his birding skills and knowledge and in introducing our group to the flora and fauna, history, economy, traditions, food and people of Costa Rica. While we birded from 5:30 AM to dinner, and sometimes later, we experienced so much more. The other guests were wonderful and ranged from expert to novice birders. We all helped each other find some very elusive birds. This is an active trip. Heat was the biggest challenge in the beginning of the trip. There were no long climbs or descents or strenuous paths.
— Review left February 23, 2023
A trip well worth taking. The accommodations were fabulous, the food was really good (although I did miss sharp cheddar cheese), the formal and informal instruction was very interesting, and you get to see a variety of tropical habitat types.
— Review left February 17, 2023
This was the best Road Scholar program that I ever aver participated in, large due to the personality and expertise of our program leader, Jorge. Not only did he know the birds, but I learned as lot about the country we visited.
— Review left February 17, 2023
Highly recommended trip. Superb bird guide. Staying at the three eco lodges in the jungle was a thrill. Instructors greatly added to my knowledge of tropical birds. And, of course, we saw the Resplendent Quetzal.
— Review left February 3, 2023
Outstanding trip. Our guide Andrey Acosta is the BEST!
— Review left January 25, 2023
Great introduction to Costa Rica and rainforest birding from the coast to the mountains.
— Review left December 22, 2022
This birding trip was so inspiring, I plan to do another one.
— Review left November 29, 2022
Terrific, personable, and knowledgeable guide gave us the best opportunities to explore diverse habitat for a great variety of birds. Fun and rewarding experience with great people in our group of 10. Super bus driver, comfortable bus, terrific food, good accommodations. Daily opportunities to either rest or go explore on your own (many birds in the gardens and forest near rooms). I plan to return and do the northern program and/or repeat this one. I’m totally satisfied with the whole experience.
— Review left November 27, 2022
Fantastic guide, great accommodations would highly recommend. Beautiful birds! Came home and decided to book another trip!
— Review left November 19, 2022
Even though I did not know a lot about birds, their names, etc. I learned in a week everything about birds and more.
— Review left June 14, 2022
This adventure exceeded my expectations in every way! Our very energetic naturalist guide was extremely knowledgeable about birds (and plants and history), and did everything he could to create a quality experience for us, including making sure we saw many endemic bird species. Overall, the itinerary, accommodations, and food were excellent. I highly recommend!
— Review left May 27, 2022
Costa Rica offers an escape from the winter doldrums of North America. The flora and Fana of the area are breathtaking. The country is easy to navigate and its residents are friendly and helpful. The birding is superb and the birding guides are very talented and knowledgeable. What’s not to love?
— Review left March 21, 2022
This program is excellent for a birder with good eyesight and good hearing, & who is well prepared to find & identify (or photograph) birds on his/her own. Jungle trails are narrow and do not permit everyone to be near the guide/leader, so those most distant will likely not get a view of the bird. at issue.
— Review left March 13, 2022
Costa Rica is a world leader in conservation and has a wonderful diversity of habitats and wildlife. The visitor facilities and guides are first class. I reccommend these bird-centered courses.
— Review left March 11, 2022
I’ve guided birders for 31 years. I would highly recommend the north and south Costa Rica trips to anyone. The price, leadership and itinerary were perfect. Out leader was very familiar with all the calls, songs and habits of most of our species, and added a lot of general natural history info. to the experience.
— Review left February 21, 2022
This trip is an excellent birding trip for avid and beginner birder. Our guide, Luis Vargas was very good at knowing and finding birds, 110 one day and tried to make sure everyone got to see them. I have been on over a dozen guided birding trips, seven with Road Scholar and I would rate Luis as one of the better guides I have had. He is also well informed about plants, insects and animals which greatly added to my experience on this trip. This trip is for one that once to be out looking at birds and not setting around at the lodge.
— Review left February 14, 2022
Going to Costa Rica, traveling with Road Scholar and participating on a Birdwatching tour were all firsts for me. I loved it all! The itinerary was well planned, our guide Roger and driver Elladio were knowledgeable, attentive and went above and beyond to provide our group with the best experience. I was so impressed with the locations of the lodges and resorts that Road Scholar utilized. I never would have found some of these hidden gems on my own. The stories of how most of the Ecolodges came to be, and how they have progressed over the years with the help of the Costa Rican people and other concerned countries were amazing and inspiring for the future of ecotourism, not just for Costa Rica but as an example for other countries to follow. As for the birdwatching part, they are everywhere you chose to look and listen. I learned there are different kinds of Birdwatchers with different reasons for their hobby, passion, obsession or whatever you decide to call your addiction. I had some revelations about why I love birds so much and what it means to me to observe and encounter them in their natural habitats. Where are you taking me next~ Road Scholar?
— Review left February 6, 2022
Great trip not for anyone with physical limitations, very informative and very interesting. The staff are superior and extremely knowledgeable!!!!
— Review left February 4, 2022
Excellent Guide and driver, our group saw 228 species over the 10 days. The lodges were all fantastic. I highly recommend this trip, I will travel with Road Scholar again.
— Review left January 11, 2022
I would endorse going on the Southern Route of Birding in Costa Rica with Road Scholar. It was a fun and pleasurable trip seeing over 25% of the birds in Costa Rica in 9 days. Exceeded expexctations.
— Review left December 20, 2021
This was a superb trip. I have throughly enjoyed a number of road scholar trips but this one was perfect. Perfect country, perfect itinerary, perfect guide, Gilberto . From sea level to 7000 ft, rivers, jungles, eco-lodges, field stations, local cuisine, lectures and talks from scientists and conservationists in the field, stunning birds and a great crew of like minded ‘scholars’, I could not have been happier. Don Cheeseman
— Review left December 1, 2021
Learned about the truth of Pura Vida, saw beautiful birds, flora and fauna. And, felt welcomed by people who seemed eager to share their environmental paradise.
— Review left November 25, 2021
If you are looking for a program that will teach you all about the birds of Costa Rica, as well as the sociological, geological, historical and linguistic history of the country, this is for you. It is rare to find a program that has a thorough emphasis on birding, but also does such a good job of teaching about so many other aspects of the country as well.
— Review left November 20, 2021
This trip exceeded all expectations. We were so fortunate to have Gilbert for our guide. In addition to his outstanding knowledge and ability to spot/hear birds, his enthusiasm greatly enhanced our trip. The pace was appropriate; it maximized the number of birds seen (over 235) and different ecoregions. Based on this experience, we plan on going back to Costa Rica with Road Scholar in the near future.
— Review left November 19, 2021
A fabulous program from start to finish. Group size of 12 (plus wonderful guide Erick and fabulous driver Enrique) is perfect. Accommodations are generally excellent, beautiful, and the food is healthy and delicious. Tarcoles River trip and all walks were wonderful. And the birds! The birds! I was overwhelmed by their variety and beauty. This trip far exceeded expectations.
— Review left March 27, 2020
Well done!
— Review left March 22, 2020
The tour was excellent. Our guide Chito was the best, he maintained his interest and enthusiasm from beginning to end. I think he has the eyes of an eagle, ears of a bat, memory of a dolphin, sings like a nightingale, maybe sometimes walk like a tapir. His knowledge on birds was amazing, although it was my wife's first birding trip, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learned a lot. We saw 275 bird species out of a total of around 980.
Overall the accommodations were good, we particularly enjoyed the Trogon Lodge, the pristine environment was very relaxing and enjoyable. Meals were generally good, both Trogon Lodge and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge provided the best meal experience.
The birding activities were just right, we just had to adjust to wake up at five for the early morning bird walk - noon time was just too hot for such activity. The daily birding checklist was a good exercise, although the checklist printing was sub-par with mismatched lines across.
— Review left March 19, 2020
This is a great birding expedition. You will see hundreds of bird species (we saw over 250 distinct ones) in at least 4 different habitats from coastal to cloud forest. The guide was terrific and every where we went, he showed us birds we would never have seen without his expert help.
— Review left March 17, 2020
The Road Scholar Birding Southern Costa Rica trip was absolutely wonderful in every way. Our guide was highly capable, professional and personable. The itineray, accomodations, transportation and meals were perfect. This was our third Road Scholar experience and we plan on many more.
— Review left March 12, 2020
Road Scholar's attention to details was impressive, from being met at the airport to every transportation and accommodation detail.
As experienced birders, we appreciated Roger's expertise and the time actually spent birding in the field. He is a world-class birder in a world-class location.
— Review left March 2, 2020
The Program was amazing! The birds numerous and varied; the guide was unbelievably good; the food and accommodations were appropriate at every location; the logistics perfect. The activity level "Keep the Pace" is appropriate.
— Review left February 25, 2020
If you love bird-watching and want to discover a country that is devoting itself to supporting outdoor adventure and ecotourism, Costa Rica has to be at the top of your list. I could not have been happier with my choice of the trip; Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals
— Review left February 22, 2020
We did the Southern tour as the second part of our Costa Rican back-to-back birding tours. Loved both of the tours. This South tour had more extremes in temperature - from unbearable heat and humidity to very cool mountain weather. You definitely need to bring clothes to accommodate both extremes plus bug spray and sunscreen. We saw some great birds, had interesting lodging, and good food. Our guide, Leo, was extremely knowledgeable and an excellent guide. Our tour had 4 non-birders (mostly photographers) and he tried to make the trip as interesting for them as he could. However, I would recommend only birders take the tour!!!
— Review left February 18, 2020
I would highly recommend this program to other birders. Leo was a phenomenal guide and I ended up with 153 life birds! (AND I'd been to Costa Rica twice before...)
Also, the places we stayed were amazing and the food was FANTASTIC!
— Review left February 4, 2020
This program excelled in almost every aspect: great guide (warm and funny too); enthusiastic participants; varied terrain with an incredible diversity of birds and plants; delicious, fresh food; even a bus driver with a nice pace and a gentle touch. I was completely satisfied with this course and recommend it without hesitation.
— Review left February 3, 2020
Ask about each unique event or each stop, vs. lumping by lodging - some stops between lodges were very good or were not so good, but we didn't get asked about them.
— Review left January 2, 2020
What a great trip. Of the 265 bird species located on our trip about 140 were life birds. A great trip to a wonderful new part of our fragile and beautiful planet.
— Review left December 26, 2019
Great opportunity to walk in a wide range of ecosystems from sea level to cloud forest and see associated birds. Choose "birding in northern Costa Rica" instead if you are more interested in marine birds. Accommodates people new to birding as well as people interested in bird, butterfly, and or flower photography as long as they can keep up with the group. Saw 28% of the 921 bird species in Costa Rica.
— Review left December 19, 2019
This trip and the one I took last year (digital photography) were excellent. Our Group leaders and drivers were very knowledgeable and efficient. I highly recommend both trips and I'm looking forward to more in the future. Last year Pedro and Alberto were great and this year Chito, Gilberth Molina, was amazing in his knowledge of where and when to look for birds. I'm thoroughly pleased. They deserve the highest rating.
— Review left July 4, 2019
We were so fortunate to have Gilberth Molina as our guide. He is a fantastic birder with comprehensive knowledge of where the difficult to find species are. He also is a great group leader and made sure we had a really enjoyable and educational experience. Serious birders will enjoy this trip. Our group identified over 300 species including antbirds, anthrushes, and great looks at the Resplendent Quetzal.
— Review left May 18, 2019
This is first and foremost a birding trip. You will enjoy it the most if you have good binoculars, are patient and quiet, physically fit, can walk on forest trails and roads, and are willing to wake up early and spend hours outside looking for and listening to birds and other wildlife. Under the guidance of our superb group leader, Leonardo Garrigues, I saw about as many bird species in ten days as I have in a lifetime of birding. This is a great trip for folks who go on eco-touring bird trips. Costa Rica is an amazing country that values its wild lands and wildlife, and its people are kind and live simply. How nice it was to see that it is possible to live more gently on the land without sacrificing comfort. The food and accommodations were simple but quite comfortable, and the diversity of habitats - from rivers to rain forests to mountain tops and cloud forests - was dazzling. What a privilege to be welcomed so warmly in Costa Rica and to get to know a small part of the country so intimately.
— Review left April 20, 2019
This program must be at the top of the to do before i die list for every birder.
— Review left April 17, 2019
Although I do not consider myself a serious birder, you need to have some interest in birds or you might get bored at times waiting for that special bird to show itself. Myself, I enjoyed the wide variety of ecosystems in this program, different plants, animals, etc as well as the birds. I did not bring a camera other than my cell phone, and there were only a couple of times I wished I had been able to photograph something. For others on the trip, photos were more important. You do need a good pair of binoculars and some practice seeing something with your eyes and then getting the binoculars to the right spot (and the right depth of focus).
— Review left April 9, 2019
Outstanding trip. Excellent food. Accommodations were as described so no surprises. Group leader Jorge went above and beyond. Even the bus driver Maura was integral to making this a great trip.
— Review left April 6, 2019
This trip was fantastic! Our guide Jorge Monges could not have been better. Our fellow participants were all kind and sharing. The trip was not as aerobic as we were led to believe by the rating. There is a lot of time on our feet, but no heavy duty uphill hiking. We paused often to view birds. We brought hiking poles that we did not use. We did see an immense variety of birds, helped along by luck with good weather.
— Review left April 6, 2019
Birding is a great love of my partner, that I have learned to enjoy with him. It was his choice to go on the Road Scholar Bird Tour of Southern Costa Rica so I got to accompany him. I found that my experience accompanying someone who has a passion for birding was also surprisingly a great treat for me.
— Review left March 28, 2019
Birds are whereyou find them, and this program give you plenty ofopportunity to find them and in many different environment. Highly Recommended
— Review left March 24, 2019
This is a wonderful birding opportunity to experience a large number of species, including some stunning birds that will stay in your memory for ever. Lodging and structure of the trip was great, and overall the beauty of Costa Rica is captivating. Road Scholar does a great job and our guide, Erick was spectacular.
— Review left March 18, 2019
This program was amazing, we loved every minute of it. The guide, Erick Castro, was astonishing. He brought 26 years of experience in the field to our program. He found 307 species for us, 266 of which are lifers for me. He hears everything in the forest, and will track a bird through the jungle and make sure we all get to see it. He even called to the Quetzals, and they came! All of the locations were fantastic, and completely different from each other. Five distinct eco systems, each incredibly beautiful. The bus was very comfortable, and our driver Oldemar was incredible. We also stopped often to see amazing birds on the way, and they were very accommodating if anyone needed a pit stop. Each of the lodges or hotels were very nice, and food was generally quite good.
— Review left March 3, 2019
This was an amazing trip. The local guide Gilberth was very knowledgeable, and extremely friendly. This was a special occasion for my wife and I, and Gilberth arranged a wonderful dinner for us by the river. We will never forget this trip, and will treasure the memories.
— Review left February 16, 2019
Our Costa Rican birding trip was wonderful! We were a congenial group and our guide, Gilbert couldn’t have been more knowledgeable. I learned a lot about Costa Rico and saw and photographed over 200 species of birds. Our driver, Oldemar, was masterful at navigating the winding roads safely. The accommodations were excellent. This trip exceeded our expectations!
— Review left February 7, 2019
This South Costa Rica Birding adventure was simply outstanding. Not only did we get to see over 235 unique birds thanks to our excellent and very experienced guide (Luis Vargas) but the lodges we stayed at were all very eco-friendly in very quiet and remote locations were we could observe all kinds of wildlife, flora and fauna. This was our 3rd Road Scholar trip (2nd time to Costa Rica, one to Ecuador) and should not be missed if you are interested in birding in some of the best natural preserves/parks and remote locations that southern Costa Rica has to offer.
— Review left January 29, 2019