Costa Rica
Experience isolated rainforest lodges and time for birdwatching in a variety of habitats
Trogon Tour - 19 Night Itinerary
A tour designed for birdwatching enthusiasts, staying a specialist lodges with expert local guides to help you discover a wide array of species, particularly at Turialba private reserve.
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Travel Highlights
- A specialist itinerary designed for those with a keen interest in birdwatching
- Visit La Paz Waterfall Garden and its extensive collection of butterflies
- Travel by boat and discover Toucans, Macaws and more in Tortuguero National Park
- Observe a wide variety of birds at the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve
- Observe Peregrin Falcons and Ospreys from a country retreat in the Gulf of Nicoya
- Go in search of the famous Quetzal in the cloud forest at San Gerardo de Dota
- Spend 3 days exploring the coastal paradise of Corcovado National Park
- Spend 3 days exploring Turrialba National Park region, with its large number of Hummingbirds
Tour Route
- San Jose - 2 Nights
- Tortuguero - 3 Nights
- Sarapiqui - 3 Nights
- La Ensenada - Gulf of Nicoya - 3 Nights
- San Gerardo de Dota - 2 Nights
- Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula - 3 Nights
- Turrialba Volcano National Park - 3 Nights
- Return to San Jose
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
Request QuotationTour Itinerary
San Jose
2 NightsDay 1 - Travel to Costa Rica
Day 2 - La Pax Waterfall Gardens
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Costa Rica
Depart on a daytime flight to San Jose, arriving the same evening. You will be met by your guide and transferred to the Xnadari Resort, San Jose for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Monday, 23 June 2025
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Today we visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a private reserve set in 70 acres with five waterfalls, hiking trails and a wonderful Butterfly Garden. The park is also a refuge for wild birds that have been injured by illegal hunters. The park cares for them, eventually releasing them back into the wild.
Henry Porras
Hotel Presidente
The Presidente Hotel is located in the heart of San José in the pedestrian zone of Central Avenue, 2 blocks from the National Theatre and the Cultural Square. The hotel has over 100 comfortable and spacious rooms, which all include cable TV, air conditioning, safety box and en-suite bathroom. The hotel offers amenities such as…
Balmoral Hotel
The Balmoral Hotel is located on Avenida Central, San Jose’s most famous street and walking distance to the historic centre. It is easy to visit the Iglesia de la Merced, the cathedral, the central and Morazán parks, as well as the impressive gold and jade museums.
The hotel’s rooms include double beds, complimentary coffee, safe, hair…
Grano de Oro
Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colon, San Jose's main street, the Hotel Grano de Oro is a welcome retreat in the heart of this bustling city. Converted from a tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel preserves the warmth and comfort of a private home, with its atrium terrace and corridors of sparkling fountains…
Buena Vista Hotel
Buena Vista hotel is a Spanish colonial style resort located just outside San Jose, at the top of a mountain offering panoramic views of three volcanoes in the Central Valley - Poas, Barva and Irazu. It is a super place to stay when you arrive in Costa Rica.
The hotel has 30 air-conditioned and comfortable rooms. Deluxe…
Hotel Alta Las Palomas
Located on the outskirts of San Jose in Santa Ana, the 23 room Hotel Alta is an excellent base to explore the capital city and surrounding attractions, including the Poas Volcano.
Public areas include a swimming pool, excellent dining at the elegant La Luz Restaurant and bar or the more relaxed cafe de Verano.
There are 5…
Xandari Resort And Spa
Xandari Resort and Spa is perfectly located for excursions to Poas Volcano, La Paz waterfall gardens, and Doka coffee plantation, and is only 30 minutes’ drive from San Jose International airport. Over 3km of scenic trails through coffee and fruit orchards lead into a lush natural tropical setting with a year-round river and five beautiful…
Finca Rosa Blanca
Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn is situated above the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica, offering amazing views of volcanoes, cloud forests and coffee plantations and nestled amongst 10 acres amid hundreds of fruit trees and tropical flora. It offers luxurious rooms including mini bar, Jacuzzi bath and private verandas overlooking the Valley. Each room…
Tortuguero
3 NightsDay 3 - Transfer to Tortuguero National Park
Day 4 - Birdwatching in Tortuguero
Day 5 - Birdwatching in Tortuguero
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Transfer to Tortuguero National Park
We set off early to drive to Tortuguero National Park, passing banana plantations and taking a scenic river journey to our lodge in the Tortuguero National Park, where we stay for 3-nights on a full board basis. In the afternoon we take an excursion to see the local town and visit the beach. Here, from July to October each year, it is possible to observe thousands of nesting leather-back Turtles - a most incredible sight of nature.
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Birdwatching in Tortuguero
In the morning, accompanied by our guide, we will explore Tortuguero National Park by boat, quietly observing the abundance of bird species in this glorious jungle setting with lagoons, home to spider monkeys, macaws, three toed sloths, caiman, otters and many other species. Return to the lodge to relax.
Thursday, 26 June 2025
Birdwatching in Tortuguero
A further day to explore this unique waterbed national park by boat, or perhaps take a guided hike in the rainforest at dawn to hear and see the birds waking to a new day.
David Jiménez
Evergreen Lodge
Located near the entrance to Tortuguero National Park, Evergreen Lodge offers a sustainable way to explore the rainforest from the Penitencia Canal that flows directly in front of the Lodge.
The lodge has 66 rooms and private bungalows constructed over pillars designed in a Caribbean style, with wooden and bamboo furniture. Each has comfortable beds, ceiling…
Sarapiqui
3 NightsDay 6 - Travel to Sarapiqui
Day 7 - Birdwatching and wildlife
Day 8 - Birdwatching
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Sarapiqui
From Tortuguero we travel to Sarapiqui to the Selva Verde Lodge for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Built on stilts over the Río Sarapiquí, the Selva Verde Lodge stands on the edge of a large private reserve of tropical rainforest and home to some of the best birdwatching in Costa Rica.The abundant biodiversity, comfortable rainforest lodge, and exciting activities are ideal for adventure seekers, bird and wildlife watchers. The lodge can arrange a tailor-made programme for you depending on your interests.
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Birdwatching and wildlife
Choose from a range of optional activities, including specially arranged birdwatching programmes depending on your preferences, guided walks in the Selva Verde rainforest reserve, early morning and night walks and birdwatching, a tour to discover the many species of frogs that frequent the area. Expect to observe keel-billed toucans, great green macaws, wood thrushes, grey-necked wood rails, sun bitterns and violet crowned Woodnymphs are just a few of the birds that inhabit the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve. For decades, Selva Verde has been a birding hotspot - captivating beginner and expert alike.
Sunday, 29 June 2025
More birdwatching opportunities
More opportunity today to discover this special region and learn about their conservation efforts to protect the natural world.
Selva Verde Lodge Reserve
Located in Sarapiqui county, Selva Verde is a rainforest reserve with 500 acres of tropical nature and a haven for nature enthusiasts from around the world. The abundant biodiversity, comfortable rainforest lodge, and exciting activities are ideal for adventure seekers, bird and wildlife watchers, and families.
The lodge has forty well-appointed rooms, five secluded bungalows, and…
La Ensenada - Gulf of Nicoya
3 NightsDay 9 - Travel to La Ensenada Lodge
Day 10 - Birdwatching and hiking
Day 11 - Boat excursion on the Bebedero River
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to La Ensenada Lodge
Today we travel to the Pacific coast and check-into La Ensenada Lodge for a 3-night stay on a full board basis. La Ensenada is a working farm in a glorious coastal setting with over 800 acres of its own private estate. The focus here is conservation and re-wilding the landscape so wildlife and birds can thrive. So successful they have been the Costa Rican government has given them the status of 'National Wildlife Refuge'.
Tuesday, 01 July 2025
Birdwatching and hiking
During your stay, you can participate in the daily activities of the farm and appreciate typical country life of Costa Rica. Birdwatching is one of the main activities and on a guided tour you can expect to see a huge variety on endemic species on an optional gilded hike.
Wednesday, 02 July 2025
Boat excursion on the Bebedero River
Today, opt for a tour by boat on the Bebedero River where you can observe many varieties of birds including crested caracara, common black hawk, peregrin falcon, osprey, laughing falcon, mangrove swallow and many others. You will also see monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and raccoons.
La Ensenada Lodge
La Ensenada Sanctuary is located in its own 800 acres estate, on the Pacific Coast, in the Gulf of Nicoya. It is an ideal place for birdwatchers, naturalists and nature lovers in general. The Tretti facility are committed to sustainability and have a major reforestation project and other work to protect this special area of…
San Gerardo de Dota
2 NightsDay 12 - Transfer to San Gerado de Dota
Day 13 - Quetzal Quest
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Transfer to San Gerado de Dota
Travel south today to San Gerado de Dota, A lush region of cloud forest and one of the best places to observe the Resplendent Quetzal - one of the most beautiful birds in Costa Rica. Check-in to Trogon Lodge for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure or you can enjoy one of several guided tours.
Friday, 04 July 2025
Quetzal Quest
Trogon Lodge's signature tour. From the Trogoniade Family and sacred bird to the ancient indigenous cultures, Quetzals have a peaceful and tranquil living in the area and reside here year round. The climate and good amount of food (Aguacatillo tree) provide a great habitat for these birds. Join a local guide departing at 6am on this 2 hour walk, searching for the mythical Quetzal, while enjoy the natural scenery of the forest of San Gerardo de Dota
Later, join your guide to observe some of the 170 bird species have been identified in the area so far, including tanagers, black guans, flycatchers, hummingbirds, trogons, emerald toucanet and sparrows, among many others.
Trogon Lodge
Trogon Lodge, named after a popular Costa Rican bird has 23 rustic and comfortable wooden cabins, all with heating, private bathroom, hot water, and a small shared terrace. The family style restaurant serves delicious home cooked meals, and there is also a bar with forest view and balcony, pool table and original duke box.
The lodge…
Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula
3 NightsDay 14 - Transfer to Luna Lodge
Day 15 - Explore Corcovado National Park
Day 16 - Birdwatching tours
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Transfer to Luna Lodge
Today we travel to Puerto Jimenez, the gateway to the lesser-visited Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park. Located on the coast, with stunning views and pristine rainforest, the Luna Lodge is a perfect base to explore the wildlife and birdlife that thrives here. We stay for 3-nights on a full board basis.
Sunday, 06 July 2025
Explore Corcovado National Park
There is a reason people stay at Luna Lodge for their adventure into Corcovado National Park with guided tours into the park led by experienced naturalist guides. Often referred to as one of the best national parks in the world, Corcovado National Park was created in the mid-1970s and it was designed by the nature of its watershed. The park is home to almost 400 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, over 500 species of trees, and more than 6,000 species of insects. And with 13 major ecosystems, the park protects endangered species such as jaguars, pumas, crocodiles, tapirs, poison dart frogs, and harpy eagles.
Monday, 07 July 2025
Birdwatching tours
Today you can opt for a choice of guided birdwatching tours. Rise and shine to the fresh early morning air to find hundreds of birds already awake. We have two different loop trails that are available. For keen birders and animal lovers, the tour will be a special treat. And in the afternoon, travel to the river valley and encounter colourful birds like the turquoise cotinga, scarlet macaw, red-crowned woodpecker, bright-rumped attila, fiery-billed aracari and many more species.
The lodge has compiled a comprehensive list of almost 300 birds in the area along with their sighting frequency. Avid birders can check off birds as they are seen during their visit.
Luna Lodge
Luna Lodge is situated within 60 acres of primary and secondary rainforest, on the pristine and captivating Osa Peninsula in Carate near Corcovado National Park.
Corcovado is one of the largest parks in Costa Rica and protects one-third of the peninsula. Described as “…the most biologically intense place on Earth.” by National Geographic Magazine.
There are eight…
Turrialba Volcano National Park
3 NightsDay 17 - Transfer to Turrialba Volcano National Park
Day 18 - Birdwatching tours
Day 19 - Other activities to enjoy
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Transfer to Turrialba Volcano National Park
Today, travel to Puerto Jimenez and fly to San Jose. From here, travel to Turrialba Volcano National Park and one of Costa Rica's most popular birdwatching lodges, Rancho Natualista where you stay for 3-nights on a full board basis. The lodge is located on the edge of the National Park.
The park itself is a mix of cloud and rain forest and apart from the volcano, is a haven for a vast number of bird species, including giant toads, agouti, toucans, howler monkeys, armadillos, various species of hummingbirds, tanagers, collared aracaris, chachalacas and even an occasional rufous motmot. At the base of Cerro Silencio you can observe foraging mixed flocks, and in the rivers you have a chance to see a sunbittern.
Wednesday, 09 July 2025
Birdwatching tours
Superb birdwatching today. Multiple species of hummingbirds, as well as many other birds, can be seen right from the balcony where you also have a great view of the distant smoking Turrialba volcano. Over 450 species of birds have been recorded in the private forest reserve and within the local area. You can hike and bird the trails on your own and excellent guides are also available. The weather is almost perfect year-round, not too hot and not too cold.
Thursday, 10 July 2025
Other activities to enjoy
In addition to birdwatching, you can enjoy a night walk in the forest, discover butterflies and moths, adventure activities, a coffee tour, cooking classes, a visit to a local pool, horseback riding, Spanish lessons and a painting class.
Rancho Naturalista
Located just 2 hours drive from San Jose, Rancho Naturalista is set in its own private reserve 3000 feet above sea level in the Northern end of the Talamanca mountain range in premontane rainforest.
Multiple species of hummingbirds, as well as many other birds, can be seen right from the balcony where you also have a…
Return to San Jose
Day 20 - Fly back to the UK
Day 21 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
Fly back to the UK
Transfer to San Jose International Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Saturday, 12 July 2025
Arrive in the UK
Arrive in the UK in the morning.
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | High Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | 11 April to June & September to 15 December | 16 December to 10 April & July, August | ||||
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First | Deluxe | Tourist | First | Deluxe |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £6,242 | £6,771 | £8,214 | £6,878 | £7,418 | £9,352 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 18 Days / 16 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Excursions with English-speaking guides
- Accommodation and breakfast
- Transfers to and from accommodation
- Transport and meals as stated
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
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