It's said that good things come in small packages, and Costa Rica is a perfect example. Though smaller than most US states, the country features an incredible number of superb birding areas packed within its boundaries. So many, in fact, that they can't all be fit into a single tour, which is why we've put together a fun, two-parted trip designed to visit some of these outlying areas.
On Part I, we'll travel to the deep south in search of the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager and a bunch of specialties shared only with Panama. Think Turquoise and Yellow-billed cotingas, White-tailed Emerald, White-crested Coquette, and Costa Rican Brushfinch, for example.
Part II brings us to the vast Cano Negro wetlands in the north, with their abundant birdlife including Sungrebe, Pinnated Bittern, and the very local Nicaraguan Grackle, followed by some birding in the shadow of the impressive Arenal Volcano. A great variety of hummingbirds, antbirds, tanagers, and more await us here, with highlights that could include the elusive Keel-billed Motmot, Spotted and Bare-crowned antbirds, Black-crested Coquette, and Ornate Hawk-Eagle.
Whether you've already been to Costa Rica or you're on your first visit, you're bound to be blown away by the spectacular birding this "small package" has to offer!
Note: If you'd like to visit Costa Rica at a different time of year, we offer other tours in March and December.
Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.
ITINERARIES • TOUR STATUS • DETAILS • SPACE REQUESTS
ITINERARIES • We issue a separate itinerary for each year, typically at least 9 months before that year's first departure. Most itineraries don't vary much year to year, but there may be small or rarely more substantive changes. A sample previous-year itinerary is usually available even if the one for your chosen departure is not. We do not require any deposit for provisional bookings until the itinerary for the departure is ready.
DEPARTURES • We have 4 departures currently scheduled through 2026, with details including limits, guides, fees, and space available listed below.
2025
Jan 23 - Feb 1, 2025 - Part One Guided by: Megan Edwards Crewe & local guide Tour Manager: Caroline Lewis Tour Limit: 12 Status: One space available - This tour has enough participants registered to insure its operation, and there is one space still open. Click below to book that space. Tour Fee: $4225 Deposit: $425 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO
Jan 31 - Feb 9, 2025 - Part Two Guided by: Megan Edwards Crewe & local guide Tour Manager: Caroline Lewis Tour Limit: 12 Status: Open - This tour has enough participants registered to insure its operation, but it is not yet full. Click below to book one or more spaces. Tour Fee: $4350 Deposit: $425 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO
2026
Jan 22-31, 2026 - Part One Guided by: Chris Benesh & local guide Tour Manager: Caroline Lewis Tour Limit: 12 Status: Open - Space is still available on this tour, and we are accepting provisional bookings. No deposit is required until you receive the itinerary. Click below to book space. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2025=$4225 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO
Jan 30 - Feb 8, 2026 - Part Two Guided by: Chris Benesh & local guide Tour Manager: Caroline Lewis Tour Limit: 12 Status: Open - Space is still available on this tour, and we are accepting provisional bookings. No deposit is required until you receive the itinerary. Click below to book space. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2025=$4350 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO
ABOUT OUR TRIPLISTS • After every tour we issue an annotated triplist of the birds recorded on the trip, illustrated with wonderful images (and sometimes video clips) from the tour's participants and guides.
Enjoy looking through the 8 most recent Field Guides triplists for this tour linked below!