Suggested itinerary · 2026–2028
Costa Rica
Birding & Photography Expedition
16 days of discovery.
Costa Rica through a photographer’s eyes.
Travel from tropical lowlands to quetzal-filled highlands and Pacific mangroves on a complete birding and photography journey. Freddy Madrigal’s 38 years of field experience and personalized approach help you make the most of your time in nature.
- Duration
- 16 days · 15 nights
- Start & finish
- SJO airport · San José area
- Activity level
- Moderate · gardens, hides & walks
- Suggested group
- 6–8 participants
Meals: Day 1: none. Days 2–15: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Day 16: breakfast.
From the rainforest to the Pacific
One journey.
Remarkable habitats.
Birds, hummingbirds, quetzals, macro subjects, highland forests, river wildlife and mangroves.
- 01San José area · SJO airportDay 1
- 02La Paz de San RamónDays 2–3
- 03Boca Tapada de San CarlosDays 4–5
- 04SarapiquíDays 6–7
- 05Sueños Natura Bird Sanctuary-Costa Rica · HighlandsDays 8–10
- 06Wilson Botanical Gardens · South PacificDays 11–12
- 07Central Pacific · Tárcoles & Punta LeonaDays 13–15
- 08Return to the San José area · SJO departureDays 15–16
Your suggested program
Day by day in Costa Rica.
This itinerary is a starting point. The route, duration and pace can be adapted to your interests, target species, available time and budget.
Day 01Arrival in Costa Rica
Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and check in at City Express near the airport. The arrival-night hotel is included. Settle in and prepare your equipment for the early start tomorrow.
On arrival: Hotel check-in; the day is reserved for arrival and rest.
Tomorrow’s departure is scheduled for 6:30 am after breakfast. Keep your camera equipment and essential items ready for the morning transfer.
- Overnight
- Hotel near SJO airport
- Meals included
- No meals included
Day 02La Paz de San Ramón
Begin your photography adventure searching for the remarkable Three-wattled Bellbird. At La Paz Birding, photograph dazzling hummingbirds, including Coppery-headed Emerald and Violet Sabrewing, with possibilities for Lesson’s Motmot, tanagers and White Hawk.
- Overnight
- Valle de Los Quetzales Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 03A Full Day at La Paz
Explore the lodge gardens and nearby rivers in search of Sunbittern, Long-tailed Manakin and Central American Pygmy-Owl. Enjoy additional photography sessions with hummingbirds, Crimson-collared Tanager and Hoffmann’s Woodpecker.
- Overnight
- Valle de Los Quetzales Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 04San Luis and Boca Tapada
Visit the Canopy San Luis photography deck for a colorful selection of forest birds, including Blue-and-gold, Speckled, Emerald and Bay-headed Tanagers. Continue to Boca Tapada de San Carlos for your first photography session in the northern rainforest.
- Overnight
- Laguna del Lagarto Lodge, Pedacito de Cielo Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 05Boca Tapada and the King Vulture Hide
Photograph toucans, parrots and honeycreepers around the lodge, with an optional session at the King Vulture hide. Explore nearby birding locations and a Red-capped Manakin display area, with possibilities for Great Green Macaw and Great Curassow.
- Overnight
- Laguna del Lagarto Lodge, Pedacito de Cielo Lodge or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 06Sarapiquí and The Nest Garden
Enjoy a final photography session in Boca Tapada before traveling to Sarapiquí, watching for Fasciated Tiger-Heron and Amazon Kingfisher along the way. Explore The Nest Garden for manakins, motmots, honeycreepers and hummingbirds.
- Overnight
- El Bambú Hotel or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 07Sarapiquí Birds and Macro Photography
Search for Spectacled Owl at a local family farm, then visit Jairo’s birding spot for hummingbirds and lowland specialties. At Frog’s Heaven, look for displaying White-collared Manakins and enjoy macro photography of tropical frogs and snakes.
- Overnight
- El Bambú Hotel or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 08From Sarapiquí to the Highlands
Explore the La Selva Biological Station access road for Snowy Cotinga, Pale-billed Woodpecker, puffbirds and other rainforest birds. Stop at Paraíso’s central park to search for Tropical Screech-Owl before continuing into the Talamanca highlands to Sueños Natura Bird Sanctuary-Costa Rica. Keep warm layers handy for the mountain climate.
- Overnight
- Sueños Natura Bird Sanctuary-Costa Rica or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 09Resplendent Quetzal and the Savegre Valley
Search for the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal, a highlight of Costa Rican bird photography. Visit Melvin’s garden, the Savegre River and Savegre Lodge gardens for highland hummingbirds, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Flame-colored Tanager and American Dipper.
- Overnight
- Sueños Natura Bird Sanctuary-Costa Rica or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10Highland Gardens and Photo Hides
Immerse yourself in highland bird photography along Sueños Natura Bird Sanctuary-Costa Rica’s trails, gardens and hides. Seek Buff-fronted Quail-Dove, Spotted Wood-Quail, Flame-throated Warbler, Collared Redstart and Wrenthrush, with time to refine compositions and explore different settings.
- Overnight
- Sueños Natura Bird Sanctuary-Costa Rica or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11San Isidro and the Southern Foothills
Descend through San Isidro del General, stopping at a local photography project for Fiery-billed Aracari and Red-headed Barbet. Continue toward Wilson Botanical Gardens, where southern specialties may include Charming Hummingbird, White-crested Coquette and Blue-headed Parrot.
- Overnight
- Hotel Green House or accommodation at Wilson Botanical Garden
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12Wilson Botanical Gardens and Aviva
Explore Wilson Botanical Gardens for colorful tanagers and southern hummingbirds among lush tropical plants. Continue to Aviva Nature Gardens to search for Common Potoo, Olivaceous Piculet, White-throated Crake and the striking Orange-collared Manakin.
- Overnight
- Hotel Green House or accommodation at Wilson Botanical Garden
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13To the Central Pacific Coastal Lowlands
Travel toward the Central Pacific coast, enjoying bird photography stops and ocean views along the way. At Punta Leona, turn your lens toward brilliant Scarlet Macaws and the birds of the resort gardens and surrounding transitional forest.
- Overnight
- Nomad Living hotel or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14Tárcoles River and Guacalillo Mangroves
Explore the Tárcoles River, Guacalillo mangroves and Pacific river mouth by boat, photographing herons, Roseate Spoonbills, shorebirds and kingfishers. Nearby land excursions offer chances for Black-and-white Owl, Turquoise-browed Motmot and trogons. Activities follow suitable tidal conditions.
- Overnight
- Nomad Living hotel or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15Owls and a Final Day of Coastal Photography
Join Santiago, your local guide and spotter, to search for Pacific Screech-Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and other elusive coastal birds. Possibilities include Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Black-headed Trogon and Double-striped Thick-knee before returning to the San José airport area.
- Overnight
- Hotel near SJO airport or similar
- Meals included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 16Departure from Costa Rica
Enjoy breakfast before your transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), bringing your expedition to a close with memorable encounters and a collection of Costa Rica’s extraordinary birds.
Depending on your flight schedule, a final night at Nomad Living with additional photography before departure may be arranged in advance.
- Overnight
- No overnight included
- Meals included
- Breakfast only
Know what to expect
What your expedition covers.
Review the final itinerary and quotation for the arrangements confirmed for your group.
Included
- 15 nights of accommodation, including the arrival night on Day 1, in double occupancy unless otherwise arranged.
- Trip leadership by Freddy Madrigal, Certified International Tour Manager and birding photographer, or a designated expedition leader trained by Freddy.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 2–15, plus breakfast on Day 16. No meals are included on Day 1.
- Private ground transportation throughout the itinerary and the scheduled departure transfer to SJO.
- Admission to the proposed activities, including applicable park entrance fees, photography sessions, the King Vulture hide and the scheduled Tárcoles River boat excursion.
- One bottle of drinking water per person per day.
Not included
- International airfare, airline baggage charges and any required entry documentation.
- Accommodation before Day 1 or after departure on Day 16, and any single-room supplement.
- Travel insurance, personal purchases, additional activities and meals outside the stated program.
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and other bottled drinks beyond the included daily drinking water.
- Gratuities for lodge and restaurant staff, the driver and trip leader.
Photography & field preparation
Ready for the lowlands.
Prepared for the highlands.
Bring your bird photography equipment, spare batteries and memory cards, rain protection and a macro lens if you have one. A telephoto lens may also work for some macro subjects. Keep essential personal medication with you during day trips.
Most sessions take place at gardens, hides, platforms or near the vehicle. Be comfortable carrying equipment on uneven or muddy paths; some targeted walks may be up to about one mile. Porter assistance may be available at individual lodges.
Expect warm, humid lowlands and much colder highland mornings. Pack light long-sleeved clothing, insect repellent, waterproof footwear, a rain jacket and warm layers for Sueños Natura Bird Sanctuary-Costa Rica and the Savegre area.
April 2027–2028 private group program
Your dates. Your group.
Your personalized quotation.
Confirm availability, dates and the applicable quotation with Freddy before booking or paying.
- Price per person
- To be quoted based on participant numbers and the number of days, in double occupancy.
- Single-room supplement
- To be confirmed if a single room is requested.
- Deposit
- US$1,500 per person after acceptance of the itinerary, price and dates.
- Remaining balance
- Due 60 days before the expedition begins.
- Currency
- US dollars, unless otherwise agreed.
Cancellation policy
The following refund terms apply to cancellations received before the tour’s departure date:
| Before departure | Refund |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | Full refund of the amount paid, less a 15% administrative fee |
| 60–89 days | 75% |
| 30–59 days | 50% |
| 29 days or fewer | No refund |
Hotel-specific cancellation policies may also apply. Request the complete written terms before confirming your reservation.
Travelers are responsible for meeting entry, visa and vaccination requirements for their nationality and route. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Discuss personal health or altitude concerns with your healthcare professional before travel.
Your expedition team
Experience in the field.
Personal attention throughout.
Freddy Madrigal is a wildlife photographer, birding specialist and Certified International Tour Manager (CITM). Some departures may be led by a designated, experienced trip leader personally trained by Freddy.
Meet our expedition teamLet’s plan your next experience
Tell us what you hope to discover.
Tell Freddy your Costa Rica travel dates, target birds and group size. We will help personalize this 16-day itinerary and prepare your quotation.