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Costa Rica

Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans

Program No. 22443RJ
If Spotted Woodcreepers and manakins are on your birding life list, join us for an exploration of northern Costa Rica! An estimated 894 avian species call this country home.

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At a Glance

What makes Costa Rica a paradise for enthusiastic birders? An unparalleled list of 600 avian species call this tropical nation home year round, while an estimated 294 species make an appearance during their annual migrations. Add to your birding life list as you join expert naturalists in Costa Rica’s northern habitats for explorations of the lowlands of Sarapiquí, the wetlands of Caño Negro National Park, the lush rainforests of Arenal Volcano National Park and a private refuge along the Gulf of Nicoya.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
This itinerary features early morning wake-up calls and multiple days with pre-breakfast birding activities. Walking up to three miles daily, over varied terrain in hot/humid conditions, long periods standing and extensive daily travel by bus. Elevations of 3,700 feet.
Micro Group
Micro Group
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Search for Keel-billed Toucans and the endangered Great-green macaw at La Selva Biological Field Station.
  • Spot Mangrove Black Hawks and Mangrove Warblers on a boat ride through the mangrove swamps in the Gulf of Nicoya.
  • Discover why Caño Negro is one of the few nesting spots for the endangered Jabiru Stork.

General Notes

Maximum group size for this program is 12. 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 http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Erick Guzman
Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest with its glorious biodiversity was the childhood playground of Erick Guzman, who grew up in the country’s Caribbean lowlands. He enjoyed accompanying travelers on boat excursions during his post-high school years, assisting his father, and went on to work in the field of adventure travel, leading rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and hiking trips. Erick then worked at the La Selva field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, interacting with scientists and deepening his knowledge of Costa Rica’s natural habitats.

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

Profile Image of Erick Guzman
Erick Guzman View biography
Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest with its glorious biodiversity was the childhood playground of Erick Guzman, who grew up in the country’s Caribbean lowlands. He enjoyed accompanying travelers on boat excursions during his post-high school years, assisting his father, and went on to work in the field of adventure travel, leading rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and hiking trips. Erick then worked at the La Selva field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, interacting with scientists and deepening his knowledge of Costa Rica’s natural habitats.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Program No.
22443
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
San José
Program Concludes
San José
Group Type
Micro Group
Activity Level
At a Glance
What makes Costa Rica a paradise for enthusiastic birders? An unparalleled list of 600 avian species call this tropical nation home year round, while an estimated 294 species make an appearance during their annual migrations. Add to your birding life list as you join expert naturalists in Costa Rica’s northern habitats for explorations of the lowlands of Sarapiquí, the wetlands of Caño Negro National Park, the lush rainforests of Arenal Volcano National Park and a private refuge along the Gulf of Nicoya.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Search for Keel-billed Toucans and the endangered Great-green macaw at La Selva Biological Field Station.
  • Spot Mangrove Black Hawks and Mangrove Warblers on a boat ride through the mangrove swamps in the Gulf of Nicoya.
  • Discover why Caño Negro is one of the few nesting spots for the endangered Jabiru Stork.
General Notes
Maximum group size for this program is 12. 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 http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html
Featured Expert
Profile Image
Erick Guzman
Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest with its glorious biodiversity was the childhood playground of Erick Guzman, who grew up in the country’s Caribbean lowlands. He enjoyed accompanying travelers on boat excursions during his post-high school years, assisting his father, and went on to work in the field of adventure travel, leading rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and hiking trips. Erick then worked at the La Selva field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, interacting with scientists and deepening his knowledge of Costa Rica’s natural habitats.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
This itinerary features early morning wake-up calls and multiple days with pre-breakfast birding activities. Walking up to three miles daily, over varied terrain in hot/humid conditions, long periods standing and extensive daily travel by bus. Elevations of 3,700 feet.
Micro Group
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List: 20 Books
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768





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