Highlands to South Pacific Endemics

From runway to cloud forest

Welcome to Costa Rica and straight into the good stuff.

We meet at the airport and, instead of staying in the city, we head directly into the mountains. Within a couple of hours, everything changes: temperature drops, the air gets crisp, and the landscape turns into highland oak forest.

If time is on our side, we’ll make a few relaxed birding stops on the way up  nothing forced, just stretching the legs and letting the trip begin naturally.

As soon as possible we arrive in Cerro de la Muerte, where we settle in for the next two nights.

(Yes, it’s cooler up here… that’s part of the charm and where many of the best birds live.)

What makes today special:
You go from international flight to high-elevation birding in just a few hours not many places can offer that.

Possible early sightings:

Flame-throated Warbler, Collared Redstart, Black Guan, Volcano Hummingbird, Yellow-thighed Finch, Sooty Thrush, Ruddy treerunner, Wrenthrush, Spotted-Wood Quail, Long-Tailed silky-Flycatcher, Sotty-capped Chlorospingus, Ruddy Pigeon, Buff-Fronted Quail-Dove, Costa Rican Pigmy-Owl, Streak-Breasted Treehunter, Ochraceus Wren, Black and yellow Phainoptila, Spangle-Cheeked tanager, Barred parakeet, Talamanca Humminbird, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Collared Trogon, Bare-shanked Screech-Owl.

Night in San gerardo

Quetzal Party (and much more)

This is one of those days people remember.

We head out early not because we have to rush, but because mornings up here are simply too good to miss. 

Our main focus is one of the most iconic birds in the Neotropics, the Resplendent Quetzal and we’re in one of the best places to find it.

From there, the day unfolds at a comfortable pace: oak forest trails, mixed flocks moving quietly through the canopy, and time to actually enjoy the surroundings (and maybe a good cup of Costa Rican coffee with a view).

What makes today special:
High elevation endemics, stunning scenery, and a real chance at species many birders travel years to see.

Key species may include:
Resplendent Quetzal, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Ruddy-Capped Nightingale-Thrush, Silver-throated Tanager, Ochraceus Pewee, Yellow-bellied Siskin, Black Capped Flycatcher, White-fronted Tyrannulet, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Band-tailed Pigeon, Ruddy Pigeon, Golden-Browed Chlorophonia, Sulphur-Winged Parakeet, Mountain Thrush, Chestnut-Capped Brushfinch, Barred Beard, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Black-cheeked Warbler, Dusky Nightjar.

Night in San Gerardo 

A change in altitude… and birdlife

After one last morning in the highlands, we begin our descent.

And this is where Costa Rica really shows off in just a short drive, the entire bird community shifts. 

Warmer air, different vegetation, and a fresh set of species.

We’ll take advantage of that with a few well chosen stops. These transition zones are often overlooked… but they can be surprisingly productive.

By afternoon we arrive in San Isidro for a relaxed evening.

What makes today special:
You experience one of Costa Rica’s greatest strengths: rapid habitat change = rapid species turnover.

Possible sightings:
White-crested Coquette, Speckled Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Lineated Woodpecker, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Fiery-Billed Aracari, Chesnut-headed Oropendola, Golden-Hooded tanager, White-tailed Emerald, Chesnut-Collared Swift, Red-headed Barbet, Costa Rican Brushfinch, Olivaceous Piculet, Masked Tityra, Gray-Headed tanager, Variable seedeater, Crested Caracara, Scaled Pigeon, Tropical Parula, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, White-crowned Parrot. 

Night in Perez Zeledon

Heading off the usual route

Today we move further south, into a region that feels a bit more “off the map”  which is exactly what we want.

Piedras Blancas is one of the less visited National Parks. This Place is just Stunning, and the birdlife reflects that. Species here begin to change again, adding a new layer to the trip.

We bird along the way and again in the afternoon. It’s one of those days where surprises tend to happen.

What makes today special:

Less visited, more regional specialties, and a sense of exploring beyond the typical circuit.

Birds to watch for

Cherrie’s Tanager, White-tailed Emerald, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Bran-colored Flycatcher, Rosy-Thrush Tanager, Pearl Kite, Green-Shrike Vireo, Streak-Chested Tanager, Black-tailed Flycatcher, Turquoise Cotinga, Ruddy-Quail Dove, Tropical Royal Flycatcher, Slate-Headed Tody Flycatcher, Orange-billed Sparrow, Yellow-Bellied Seedeater, Red-Capped Manakin, Tropical Screech Owl 

Night in Piedras Blancas

Into true rainforest

The early beginning in the lowland rainforest of the South Pacific feels different. The forest here feels bigger, deeper, and wilder—often compared to the Osa Peninsula, but with far fewer visitors and a much more remote atmosphere.

We’ll take our time working our way into this vast rainforest, stopping wherever bird activity and movement make it worthwhile.

Later in the day, we will also explore several wetlands located farther south from our lodge. These rich habitats are always full of surprises, offering chances for waterbirds, raptors, open-country species, and unexpected encounters that make every visit different.

What makes today special:
You step into one of Costa Rica’s richest and least crowded birding regions

Possible sightings:
Baird’s Trogon, Scarlet Macaw, Riverside Wren, Black-Bellied wren, Crested Oropendola, Buff-Rumped Warbler, Red-Rumped Woodpecker, Rufous-Breasted Wren, Yellow-Olive Flatbill, Blue-Ground Dove, Sapphire-Throated Hummingbird, Northen Jacana, Ringed Kingfisher, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Brown-throated Parakeet, Ruddy Ground Dove, Bare-throated Tiger Heron.

Night at Piedras blancas

Where two worlds meet

We begin heading north, but there’s still one key stop left.

Carara is a transition zone dry forest meets rainforest  and that overlap creates some of the most interesting birding in the country.

We’ll arrive with time for an afternoon boat tour session, focusing on species that are much easier here than elsewhere.

What makes today special:
A final boost to the species list in one of Costa Rica’s most unique ecosystems.

Likely highlights:
Scarlet Macaw, Black-headed Trogon, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Amazon Kingfisher, White Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Collared Plover, Neotropic Cormorant, Roseate Spoonbill, Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Black Hawk, Ringed Kingfisher, Mangrove Swallow, Wood Stork, Southern Lapwing, Striped Cuckoo, Black-and-white Owl, Panama Flycatcher, Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher, Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

One last morning

We head out early for a final birding session  relaxed, unhurried, and often surprisingly productive.

After breakfast, we return to the airport.

By now, you’ve traveled from cool highland páramo to humid Pacific rainforest, covering a remarkable range of habitats in just over a week.

And somewhere along the way probably added a few unforgettable birds to your list.