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Rncho Naturalista has long been considered one of Costa Rica's best birding lodges. With its pleasant, spring-like climate, comfortable rooms, delicious food, and superb service, the lodge makes a wonderful base from which to explore the diverse habitats of the country's bird-rich Caribbean slope. Though this is a one-site tour, Rancho's location at 3000 feet in elevation on the Caribbean slope of the Talamanca Mountains makes it relatively easy to visit a good variety of habitats--from the Caribbean lowlands at Centro Manu to the cloud forests of Tapanti and the montane oak forest on Irazu Volcano--with the added bonus of being able to return to the same comfortable rooms each night. The result will be that we'll enjoy a birdy, yet relatively relaxed, few days.
The lodge itself boasts an impressive bird list, with nearly 300 species having been recorded from its private reserve, more than 200 from the balcony alone! Some mornings will find us on the balcony at first light, coffee in hand, as we enjoy the spectacle of birds coming in for their daily banana feast. Among the visitors will be Blue-gray and Scarlet-rumped tanagers, handsome Lesson's Motmots, and gaudy Collared Aracaris, as well as comical Montezuma Oropendolas. Hummingbird feeders at eye level on the balcony attract numerous hummingbirds and allow us close views of spectacular White-necked Jacobins and Green-breasted Mangos, while a flowering hedge which lines the garden may entice in some smaller species, such as the Violet-headed Hummingbird and Green Thorntail.
Days at the lodge will be spent on the private reserve, exploring a network of trails that wind through the forested hillside behind the lodge as well as the ranch's long driveway and at several nearby locales that are easily visited on a morning or afternoon. In forested areas, we'll be on the lookout for flocks of assorted, colorful tanagers, a variety of enticing (and sometimes confounding) flycatchers, and many other fascinating species. In more open areas, possibilities include handsome Red-breasted Meadowlarks, Gray-crowned and Olive-crowned yellowthroats, Slaty Spinetail, and the elegant White-tailed Kite. Nearby wetlands might turn up Green Ibis, Snail Kite, the odd Boat-billed Heron, several different kingfishers, and even the spectacular Sunbittern. And one late afternoon may find us at a quiet forest stream, watching as a parade of birds, possibly including the delightful Snowcap, come to the clear water to bathe. All in all our days at Rancho are sure to be filled with many rewarding birding experiences.
On the travel days to and from the lodge or on day trips from the lodge, we'll make visits to other top birding sites at different elevations and in different habitats. At Irazu Volcano, we'll have the opportunity to become familiar with some of the species that are endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and Panama. Here, Collared Redstart, Flame-throated and Black-cheeked warblers, Large-footed Finch, Timberline Wren, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, and Volcano Junco will be among our targets. Small numbers of incredible Resplendent Quetzals are also found here, and with a little luck, we may track down one of these marvelous birds. The Caribbean lowlands at Centro Manu and Donde Cope hold a variety of lowland specialties that we won't see elsewhere. Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-whiskered and Pied puffbirds, Mealy and Red-lored parrots, and the rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird will be among our many targets here, and the lowlands also gives us our best chances of seeing monkeys and sloths. At Tapantí National Park, we'll access a pristine area of beautiful cloud forest, home to Black Guan, Purple-throated Mountain-gem, Prong-billed Barbet, and Spangle-cheeked Tanager, as well as many other species.
Looking to do something different for the holidays this year? What better way to spend them than with a bevy of beautiful tropical birds from a base that offers all the comforts of home, plus more? Come join us in Costa Rica this holiday season, and start your New Year's birding off with a bang!
Note: If you'd like to visit Costa Rica at a different time of year, we offer other tours in January and March.
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Client comment
"Guide Jay VanderGaast was fantastic in his ability to hear and see birds, and explaining how to find them and get on them. He was fun to be with. I would definitely travel
with him again." E.C., COSTA RICA
"This was my 4th trip with Jay VanderGaast as guide, which should be testament enough for how I feel about him personally and professionally. I not only consider him to be the quintessential birder but I also consider him a friend. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know him over the years." R.M., COSTA RICA