Compare Costa Rica: Eco Rainforest Adventure by Discover Corps vs Birding in Northern Costa Rica: Tanagers to Toucans by Road Scholar

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose

Meals: Dinner

Arrive in Costa Rica’s tropical San Jose Valley where you will be met by your Discover Corps guide. Take a short drive into the surrounding mountains to an eco-hotel & spa tucked into a rainforest reserve. Home to five waterfalls directly on the property and miles of trails for birdwatching, this is the perfect place to start the journey. Tonight, enjoy a traditional welcome dinner overlooking the twinkling lights of the valley with your guide.

Day 2: Coffee Farm Visit and Poas Volcano National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We’ll start the day with a fresh breakfast then venture to a nearby coffee farm to see firsthand how one of Costa Rica’s largest exports is grown. Follow the coffee bean from crop to cup and learn what it takes to grow, roast and sell these beans. We’ll then continue our adventure to Poas Volcano National Park and take a short guided hike along the rim of the volcano and have a look into its smoldering crater. After a relaxing lunch in town, head back to the hotel for some free time to explore one of the five waterfall trails, take in the views from the pool or even get a massage in the spa. We’ll reconvene for dinner together in the evening

Day 3: Head Into the Rainforest and Learn about Conservation

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we’ll hit the road and make the roughly four hour drive down to the lush Savegre region of Costa Rica. Known for its verdant valleys, tropical wildlife and cool rivers, we’ll base ourselves here for the next two nights from the comfort of Rafiki Tented Safari Lodge. Nestled on 842 private acres of pristine Costa Rican jungle, the lodge boasts eco tents similar to what you’ll find in the African savannah. Each tent boasts a veranda overlooking the dense jungle canopy.

After settling-in, we’ll learn about the lodge’s ecological mission and set off on a hike through the surrounding rainforest. Along the way, we’ll set camera traps to record the movement of wildlife along the biological corridor that runs through the area. Of particular importance is tracking the tapir, a large endangered mammal that roams the forests here. The data that is collected from these cameras will directly benefit the Savegre Tapir Project. After setting the cameras, we’ll return to the lodge and enjoy dinner under the stars.

Day 4: Adventure Day in the Jungle Community Visit & Tree Planting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We’ll have an early breakfast then set out on our morning adventure. Choose to either venture out on a whitewater rafting expedition on the Savegre River or take a guided horseback ride through the jungle. It is up to you! Later in the morning, we’ll reconvene and head into the nearby community of Santo Domingo for a special lunch with Dona Edith. We’ll take a walk around her garden before sitting down for a home-cooked local meal together. Learn about life in this rural Costa Rican community and try some of the famous dishes Costa Rica is known for. On our way back to our lodge, we’ll take a walk through the town to feel the rhythms of day-to-day life.

Take some time to relax on the veranda of your tent before heading down to the river to help out on an important environmental project. The Savegre River, which runs right through the property, is prone to flooding which can destroy some of the local flora and fauna in the area. We’ll help solve this issue by planting native trees to create a natural barrier along the banks of the river - a project that will surely  outlast your visit. Later in the evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner together listening to the sounds the rain forest.

Day 5: Collect our Camera Traps, Visit a Local School, and Head to the Beach

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll have some time to relax and pack up before hitting the road down to the Pacific Coast. On our way out, we’ll make one last stop at a local high school for a dance performance, tour of the school, and homemade snacks to learn more about those who call the region home.

Take in the views of mountains as we wind our way down to the coast on the roughly two hour drive. The southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is a gem - home to pristine beaches, monkeys jumping through the trees and the relaxed “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Our base over the next three nights, a 4-star boutique resort & spa set on the hillside overlooking the coast, will put us in a prime location to explore this stunning stretch of coast.

We’ll settle into our rooms and share an ocean-view lunch together. We’ll then head down to the beach for some free time to swim, spot monkeys and take in the sun. Head back to the hotel later in the afternoon for dinner at your leisure.

Day 6: Journey to Corcovado National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today we’ll make our way into one of the most unique places on the planet - Corcovado National Park. Rise early, have breakfast and venture down the winding coastal road to the mangroves that surround the national park. We’ll hop in a boat and journey through the calm waterways until we reach the Osa Peninsula. Home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and 50% of Costa Rica’s wildlife, Corcovado National Park is known as the most biologically intense place on earth. From monkeys to macaws, the rainforest is teeming with life (and very little human development). We’ll accompany our naturalist guide on a full-day journey through the jungle on a mission to spot wildlife and learn all about nature and conservation. Look high in the trees for sloths, watch monkeys swing along the canopy, pick out the colorful birds that dot the sky and take in the breathtaking views along the way.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll make our way back through the mangroves by boat and onwards to the hotel for a relaxing evening dinner together.

Day 7: Enjoy a Day at the Beach

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Today will be a relaxing day to take in the tropical beaches and warm Pacific waters of the Costa Rican coast. After breakfast, choose to head down to the beach with our guide or venture off on one of the adventure activities hosted by our hotel (at your own expense). This could include whale watching (Dec-Mar / Aug-Oct), zip-lining, surfing, golfing or bird watching. For those that want to join our guide for the day, we’ll have free time to relax on the beach followed by a walk out to the “whale tail” at low tide to spot sea creatures. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a warm Costa Rican evening together enjoying our final farewell dinner.

Day 8: Return Home

Meals: Breakfast

We’ll rise early this morning to have breakfast before hitting the road on our roughly four hour journey back to San Jose for our flights home. If you're not ready for your Costa Rican adventure to end, opt for our posttrip extension to Ciudad Quesada for a more intimate cultural experience with a host family.

Day 1 Arrive San José, Check In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner San José

Participants must book flights that arrive into San José no later than 4:30 p.m. if they plan to attend the program orientation. Some Road Scholar gateways require the use of overnight flights in order to arrive in San José by the suggested time. Please contact your Road Scholar Program Provider at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com if you made plans to arrive a day early and would like assistance in booking your hotel. Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. The species and numbers of birds we see will depend on seasonality and local conditions at the time of the program. Information on elevation regarding sea level is included in the daily schedule as it relates to species of birds that may be present at specific elevations. Walking distances and times during birding field trips are variable due to factors such as birds in a given area, group size and general ability. Transfers to and from program activities will be by bus, unless specified otherwise. Stops built into the schedule are generally every 1.5-2 hours of travel. Costa Rica’s weather varies by region. In the thick forests of the Caribbean coast and Northern Plains, expect high humidity and temperatures between the 70s and high 80s year-round. The North Pacific has lower humidity levels, but temperatures often in the 90s during the dry months, December to April. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Meals on our program feature local cuisine. In many cases, they will be plated and served set meals; in others, we will have buffets with multiple options. Beverages include coffee, tea, water; other beverages are usually available for purchase. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s sleep for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

Day 2 Transfer to Ensenada, Tropical Dry Forest Birding Tempisque

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 80 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking 1.5 to 2 miles; patchy forest with uneven, undulating terrain. Elevations up to 3,000 feet.

We will be joined by a local expert who will give us a presentation introducing tropical birding. We’ll then check out of the hotel, board our bus, and set out on a relaxing ride to El Santuario La Ensenada, the wildlife refuge in the Gulf of Nicoya area. We expect to arrive in time for lunch and will check in to La Ensenada Lodge upon arrival.

Little used trails throughout the refuge make for excellent birding in the forest around the lodge. Around mid-afternoon, we’ll head out looking for dry forest species such as the Turquoise-browed Motmot and the Black-headed Trogon. This region of northwestern Costa Rica is characterized by an endangered life zone known as semi-deciduous or Tropical Dry Forest. Prolonged periods with very little rain have determined not only the forest’s structure, but also adaptations and specializations of plant and bird life. This area has its own unique species and is important to thousands of resident and migratory birds. Ensenada Wildlife Refuge is a private refuge created to protect not only the Tropical Dry Forest, but also the natural lagoons, mangrove, and estuarine habitats connected to the Gulf of Nicoya.

We’ll venture into the reserve for nocturnal birding. Using powerful lights to spot eyes, we’ll look for species such as night hawks, screech owls, nightjars, potoos, and thick-knees.

At the hotel.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 3 Gulf of Nicoya Study Cruise, Lodge Grounds Birding Tempisque

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Walking up to 1 mile, undulating trails. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 16 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off a cruise vessel, on/off a tractor-pulled cart. Elevation approximately 180 feet above sea level.

We will have an early morning (pre-breakfast) walk on the lodge grounds. For another fascinating kind of birding, we’ll go on a study cruise in the Gulf of Nicoya, navigating canals and inlets of mangrove swamps that offer great opportunities to observe shore birds and marine species. We might also see endemics such as the mangrove black hawk and mangrove warbler. We’ll ride back to the lodge at the end of our field trip.

Next, we’ll go on a tractor-pulled cart ride around the lodge grounds, observing grasslands, lagoons, and salt ponds that are ideal for spotting shorebirds such as stilts and sandpipers. We’ll pause at a lookout point on the grounds to watch a beautiful Costa Rica sunset, then return to freshen up and relax before dinner.

We will take a walk around the grounds with our Group Leader to see what kinds of bird life are present. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 4 Transfer to Caño Negro, Birding Northern Flatlands Caño Negro

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 85 miles, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours riding time. Walking up to 1 mile; uneven terrain. Elevation from 100 to 330 feet.

We will have an early morning (pre-breakfast) walk on the lodge grounds. After checking out, we will board our bus and ride to the Caño Negro area in the northern flat lands. Often described as Costa Rica’s Everglades, Caño Negro acts as an expansive drainage basin for numerous rivers in the country’s northern section. Like the Everglades, this large “water filter” attracts numerous species of birds and waterfowl and has been protected as a wildlife reserve. Much of the flooded estuary dries up during the dry season when many of the birds migrate, then return with the rains. Caño Negro’s most common visitors are birds.

Arriving at the lodge, we'll check in and get our room assignments. We will continue our birding adventure with a walking field trip around the grounds to look for birds such as the Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Neotropical Cormorants, American Anhinga, Northern Jacana, American Widgeon, Wood Stork, White Ibis, Black-bellied Tree Duck, Northern Shoveler, Snail Kite, Green-backed Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and Blue-winged Teal and possibly the Jabiru. This is one of the best places to see the Nicaraguan Grackle, whose only Costa Rican habitat is Caño Negro and other marshy areas just south of Lake Nicaragua.

At leisure. Enjoy a walk or simply relax.

At the hotel.

At a restaurant en route.

At the lodge.

Day 5 Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Ride Caño Negro

Getting on/off a bus. Early morning (pre-breakfast) boating field trip in Caño Negro lagoon. Getting in/out of small, flat-bottom boats in the wetlands, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours morning and afternoon. Walking up to 1 mile, uneven terrain.

After a snack of coffee and cookies, we will take a short bus ride to the dock and board a boat for our early morning boating field trip through the wetlands. Our Group Leader will provide commentary on wetland bird species as we go. This remote, 22,000 acre tropical wetland teems with wildlife. Aboard our boat, we will explore a portion of Costa Rica considered by many to be the best example of Mesoamerican wetlands. As we glide along lagoons and canals, be on the lookout for some of the 350 species of birds found in the refuge, including the largest colony of Neotropic Cormorants in Costa Rica, a colony of Nicaraguan Grackle, and egrets, anhingas, Roseate Spoonbills and other waterfowl. We may also spot caiman, crocodiles, and monkeys. We’ll return to the lodge for breakfast, then head out on foot to bird for more species around Caño Negro town and the edges of the reserve. At the end of the activity, we will return to the lodge.

After lunch we’ll be joined by a local expert for a presentation that will provide insights into the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Wetlands. Next, we'll learn about the importance of the wetlands as a habitat for birds during another boating field trip. Caño Negro is one of the country’s most important wetlands areas, protected by the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for conserving and sustaining wetlands. Adding to the diverse local bird population, thousands of migratory birds return here annually, whether for a short stay or to winter over. Caño Negro is also one of the few nesting spots for the endangered Jabiru Stork. We’ll return to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for early morning activities, check out, and transfer.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 6 Transfer to Sarapiquí, Copearte Sarapiqui

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 82 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking a couple of miles; birding trails in primary and secondary rainforest, undulating terrain, hot/humid conditions. Elevation at Sarapiquí approximately 220 feet.

We will check out of the hotel, board our bus, and transfer to Sarapiquí. Situated in the Caribbean lowlands, 40 miles from San José, Sarapiquí is one of the richest sites for birds in Middle America with well over 400 species recorded. Nearby, the La Selva Protection Zone and the Braulio Carrillo National Park form the only significant corridor of forest on the Caribbean slope linking the highlands with the lowlands — a corridor crucial to birds and animals that undertake seasonal altitudinal migrations. Upon arrival, we will check in and have an orientation to the lodge.

Our next field trip will be to Copearte, a garden run by a local artist and photographer with a passion for nature. The grounds have been designed to maximize opportunities for birding and photography and feature ponds that attract aquatic species as well as blinds from which participants can photograph birds despite weather conditions. A local expert will lead our exploration around the grounds as we keep a look out for bird species that have been spotted on the grounds previously: Collared Aracari, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Black-crowned Antpitta, and Pied Puffbirds. We'll return to the lodge after completing our activities.

We’ll walk around the lodge grounds with our Group Leader to look for nocturnal species. The rainforest comes alive after sunset with the calls of its nocturnal inhabitants. As we listen to the sounds, try to distinguish one from another. Frogs, owls, bats, tepezcuintles (pacas), moths, and various other creatures come out just as most of us are getting ready for bed.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 7 La Selva Biological Station, The Great Green Macaw Sarapiqui

Getting on/off a bus: about 25 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking several miles; birding trails in primary and secondary rainforest, undulating terrain, hot/humid conditions. Elevation approximately 180 feet above sea level.

Early this morning we will set out on a field trip to the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) La Selva Biological Field Station. With our Group Leader, we’ll continue birding in this well-known preserve for Manakins, tanagers and flycatchers along La Selva’s easy, paved trails. La Selva was established in 1954 as a farm dedicated to the improvement of natural resources management through experimentation on mixed plantations. It was purchased in 1968 by the non-profit Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and declared a private biological reserve and station. It has become one of the most important sites in the world for tropical rain forest research. La Selva comprises 3,900 acres of tropical wet forests and other lands. A home for more than the half of the 886 species of birds in Costa Rica, the station is located within the tropical and pre-montane wet forest. The OTS consortium includes 63 universities and research institutions from Latin America, the U.S., and Australia. We will return to the lodge in time for lunch.

After lunch, we'll enjoy a bit of "down time" to rest and recharge our batteries at the lodge. Late in the afternoon we will make our way back to La Selva Biological Station and do more birding from its trails. Returning to the lodge, we’ll gather with a local expert for a lecture on the Great Green Macaw and learn about its story of success.

We’ll go on another night walk around the lodge grounds to look for nocturnal species. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At La Selva Biological Station.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 8 Transfer to Arenal, Fortuna Town Arenal

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, undulating terrain in primary and secondary tropical forests with volcanic soil. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 60 miles, approximately 2 to 2.5 hours (depending on local conditions). Elevations range from 2,405 feet near the lodge to 2,723 feet at La Fortuna Town.

We will set out on an early morning (pre-breakfast) birding walk on lodge grounds. After checking out, we will board the bus and begin our ride to Arenal with birding stops en route. The foothills and mountains surrounding Arenal Volcano National Park form a lush natural corridor between the Tilaran Range highlands and the northern lowlands, providing excellent habitat for many tropical species of flora and fauna. The park itself consists of primary rainforest, while the volcano’s impressive and nearly perfect cone shape dominates the landscape. This was Costa Rica’s most active volcano, which began its present eruptive cycle in 1968 until 2010.

We expect to arrive at the lodge in the early afternoon and stretch our legs with a birding walk on the lodge grounds. We may be able to spot species such as hummingbirds, including the Black-crested Coquette, White-necked Jacobin, Stripe-throated Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and possibly the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. We’ll then return to the lodge for check in.

At leisure. Walk the grounds of the lodge or just relax. Prepare for early morning activities.

At the lodge.

At a restaurant en route.

At the lodge.

Day 9 Arenal Sky Walk Arenal

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 8 miles, approximately 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Walking a few miles; hanging bridges, rainforest trail conditions, uneven ascents/descents. Elevation approximately 2,460 feet.

Early at the lodge, we will have coffee and cookies, then set out for a birding walk along grounds and trails. After breakfast, we will board our bus and ride to the Arenal Sky Walk Hanging Bridges for an expert-led walking field trip along the undulating “terrain” of suspension bridges that take us through the primary rainforest. We’ll have a bird’s eye view of this pristine natural reserve through the lush vegetation surrounding us. Among the bird species we might see are mixed flocks including Streak-crowned Antvireo, Slaty Antwren, Spotted Woodcreeper, White-fronted Nunbird, and Scarlet-rumped Caciques. Other birds often seen here include Keel-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Spotted Antbird and the Short-tailed Hawk. We’ll return to the lodge at the conclusion of our field trip.

We’ll ride towards Lake Arenal then we'll set off on foot in search of Keel-billed Motmots and White-fronted Nunbirds in surrounding areas.

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 10 Transfer to the Central Valley, Cloud Forest Birding San José

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; about 85 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking on uneven forest trails.

After checking out, we'll board the bus and begin our drive back to San José. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at a local finca to do some birding and learn about a conservation project aimed at cloud forest conservation and restoration. We'll explore the misty trails and walk among epiphyte-laden trees, mosses, and ferns in search of the birds who call this unique and vulnerable environment, home. Then we'll return to the main house in time for lunch.

Continuing our transfer, we expect to arrive in San José late afternoon and check in to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and departure in the morning.

At the lodge.

At the finca we’ll enjoy a family-hosted meal.

At the hotel. During our farewell dinner, we’ll discuss the final bird count and share our favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Day 11 Program Concludes In Flight

Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel. This concludes our program.