Birding Escape II – 5 Days 4 Nights

Monteverde Area and Central Pacific Lowlands Carara.

Day 1: Monteverde Cloud Forest
You'll leave from San José area hotel and drive up into the lush green ridges of the Tilarán Mountains, home of the world famous Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest. The reserves of this area provide habitat for some of the world's most beautiful and fascinating birds: Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Azure-hooded Jay, and Zeledonia, just to name a few. You will enjoy your stay all the more by spending two nights at one of the great Monteverde Area Hotel. (L,D)

Day 2: Monteverde Cloud Forest
You'll spend the day walking well-kept trails through the spell-binding beauty of tropical cloud forests, while seeking out the many unique and wondrous inhabitants, such as Black Guan, Prong-billed Barbet, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, and Spangle-cheeked Tanager. Some time spent with flashlights after dark could reveal a Mottled Owl, Kinkajou, or Two-toed Sloth. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Carara National Park
Descending from the cool, misty mountains, you'll pass through dry forest life zones where we might spot White-throated Magpie-Jays, Rufous-naped Wrens, Lesser Ground-Cuckoos, or even Turquoise-browed Motmots before reaching your next destination: Carara National Park. The Park marks the northern limit of Pacific lowland wet forest in Costa Rica and is home to Scarlet Macaws, Baird's Trogons, Fiery-billed Aracaris, Yellow-billed Cotingas, and Orange-collared Manakins -- as just a sample of the hundreds of possible species.
Your lodging for the next two nights will be at a hotel, situated just minutes from the reserve. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Carara National Park
An early start to enjoy the Tarcoles River Boat Tour before breakfast, will amaze you with the shorebirds and some mangrove specialties such as Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, Scrub Flycatcher, Panama Flycatcher, Royal Flycatcher and Caymans. You will have the entire day to bird the variety of habitats found in the area including the famous Meander Trail. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Carara - Return to San José
You will have plenty more time to explore this bird-rich region of the country until lunch time. In the afternoon your will return to San José, which is just 90 minutes away. (B,L)