Orange-fronted Parakeets by Dan Vickers.
Pura Vida: Coffee Beans, Banding, and Birding in Costa Rica
Scarlet Macaw by Dan Vickers.
Dates: Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 26, 2020
Leaders: Adam Betuel (Atlanta Audubon Director of Conservation) and Carlos “Charlie” Gomez (Director of Guiding, Costa Rica Expeditions)
Group Size: 12 people
Fees:
Questions? Please email Adam Betuel or call 678.973.2437.
For Americans, there is no place more synonymous with tropical birds and luscious landscapes than Costa Rica. Long known as a safe, diverse, and biologically rich country, Costa Rica is a true birdwatchers heaven. Atlanta Audubon is ecstatic to offer a sampling of Central American birding with a 10-day tour of Costa Rica that will start in the highlands in the center of the country and will continue to the west and then northward. Costa Rica Expeditions, who has been leading tours throughout the country for 40 years, will be our local contact with expert guide Charles “Charlie” Gomez teaming up with our own Adam Betuel. Charlie and Adam will work hard to show us hundreds of bird species with top targets including Scarlet Macaw, Resplendent Quetzal, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, and countless other tropical gems. Along with stellar birding and breathtaking landscapes, the group will visit a shade-grown coffee farm and will have the opportunity to join bird banders from the Costa Rica Bird Observatories. Join us on an amazing opportunity that will be overloaded with birds, good company, and adventure.
Number of bird species expected: 350
This trip is now full. To be placed on the waiting list, please proceed with the registration process. We will contact you if a space become available to see if you are still interested and will collect payment at that time.
Leaders: Adam Betuel (Atlanta Audubon Director of Conservation) and Carlos “Charlie” Gomez (Director of Guiding, Costa Rica Expeditions)
Group Size: 12 people
Fees:
- Atlanta Audubon Member: $3,225*
- Nonmember: $3,275* (Includes a one-year Atlanta Audubon membership)
- Single supplement for non-shared hotel room: $484/person
- *Based on double occupancy. See more details below if travelling solo.
Questions? Please email Adam Betuel or call 678.973.2437.
For Americans, there is no place more synonymous with tropical birds and luscious landscapes than Costa Rica. Long known as a safe, diverse, and biologically rich country, Costa Rica is a true birdwatchers heaven. Atlanta Audubon is ecstatic to offer a sampling of Central American birding with a 10-day tour of Costa Rica that will start in the highlands in the center of the country and will continue to the west and then northward. Costa Rica Expeditions, who has been leading tours throughout the country for 40 years, will be our local contact with expert guide Charles “Charlie” Gomez teaming up with our own Adam Betuel. Charlie and Adam will work hard to show us hundreds of bird species with top targets including Scarlet Macaw, Resplendent Quetzal, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, and countless other tropical gems. Along with stellar birding and breathtaking landscapes, the group will visit a shade-grown coffee farm and will have the opportunity to join bird banders from the Costa Rica Bird Observatories. Join us on an amazing opportunity that will be overloaded with birds, good company, and adventure.
Number of bird species expected: 350
This trip is now full. To be placed on the waiting list, please proceed with the registration process. We will contact you if a space become available to see if you are still interested and will collect payment at that time.
Trip Overview
Day 1 - Arrive in San Jose
The group will arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport. From there we will be transported to Hotel Bougainvillea. Depending on our arrival time, trip-goers will have the opportunity to bird the hotel grounds or relax and adjust to the new surroundings.
Day 2: San Jose to the Copey de Dota Valley
This morning we will be introduced to our local guide Charlie Gomez and our driver Marco. After breakfast and a trip overview at the hotel, we will head south towards the central highlands. En route, we will also swing by Finca Cristina to learn about shade-grown coffee and how it aids local and migratory birds. This farm is pesticide free and takes many steps to be bird-friendly, probably the reason over 300 species have been found here. After some birding and caffeine, we will continue towards Cerro de la Muerte, or “Mountain of Death”. At this higher altitude location, oak forests, Paramo habitat, and native avocado trees allow for a particular and interesting avian life to be found. At these cooler locations with dwarfed vegetation, we will search for Resplendent Quetzals and Emerald Toucanets. Hotel: El Toucanet Lodge.
Day 3: Paraiso de Quetzal
Today we will visit the unbelievable Paraiso de Quetzal hotspot. This patch of cloud forest is home to lots of diversity including many bird species endemic to the region. Amongst the epiphytes and other tropical plants, we will hopefully have some satisfying looks of the Resplendent Quetzal in addition to other species such as Flame-throated Warbler and Talamanca Hummingbird. Hotel: El Toucanet Lodge.
Day 4: El Toucanet trails and bird banding
Day 4 will consist of birding at our lodge as well as visiting other spots unique to the higher elevations of central Costa Rica. Here we could come across Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Barred Becard, Bare-shanked Screech-owl, and many others. In addition to birding near the lodge, we will join bird banders at the Madre Selva location of the Costa Rica Bird Observatory network. Researchers here are collaborating with the US Forest Service and the Klamath Bird Observatory in an effort to understand bird populations, migratory and residential to Costa Rica. Anything can show up in the nets but some birds we may catch or see nearby include Collared Redstarts, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, or even some of “our” birds from further north like Golden-winged Warblers. Hotel: El Toucanet Lodge.
day 5 - Westward to the Carara National Park
Today we will leave the higher elevations of Copey de Dota and enjoy the variation of birds and habitat zones that occur during our descent. Our destination is the Carara National Park, famous for its population of Scarlet Macaws. There is no shortage of locations and birds to target around Carara but this afternoon we may come across Fiery-billed Aracari, White-throated Magpie Jay, Steely-vented Hummingbird, as well as crocodiles and iguanas. Hotel: Cerro Lodge.
day 6 - Carara Overload
We will spend the entire day diving into the diversity of Carara National Park. Part of the day will also be spent exploring the Rio Tarcoles by boat, searching for wading birds and songbirds that prefer riparian corridors. Possible birds for this day would include Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Yellow-throated Toucan, Amazon Kingfisher, Laughing Falcon, and Double-striped Thick-knee to name a few. Hotel: Cerro Lodge.
day 7 -Tenorio Volcano
Today we will head northward from Carara to the area surrounding Tenorio Volcano. This area has a unique patchwork of habitats and human developments that allow for diverse birdwatching conditions. Lovely Cotinga, Keel-billed Motmot, Song Wren, and White-tipped Sickled-bill are all possible. The bird list at our hotel tops out over 370 species so time around your room can be spectacular. Hotel: Celeste Mountain Lodge
day 8 - Las Heliconias
Las Heliconias Lodge and its hanging bridges is a rainforest hotspot with a species list nearing 430 species. The three bridges range from 250-350ft in length and are all around 100 ft in height. These elevated viewpoints will allow us to spot birds in the canopy that are often hard to find from the forest floor. From these high heights, we will look for Golden-hooded Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Keel-billed Toucan, and Mealy Parrot.
In the afternoon, we will visit Finca Danta and the valley that surrounds it. The farm offers a diverse patchwork of habitats that includes mature forest, marshland, and secondary growth. Rufous-winged Tanager, Central American Pygmy Owl, and Black-hawk Eagle will be some of our top targets. Hotel: Celeste Mountain Lodge.
In the afternoon, we will visit Finca Danta and the valley that surrounds it. The farm offers a diverse patchwork of habitats that includes mature forest, marshland, and secondary growth. Rufous-winged Tanager, Central American Pygmy Owl, and Black-hawk Eagle will be some of our top targets. Hotel: Celeste Mountain Lodge.
day 9 - Back to San Jose
The final morning near Tenorio Volcano will be spent birding the rich grounds of Celeste Mountain Lodge. After spotting a few new birds, we will head back to San Jose for a farewell dinner with our faithful Costa Rican leaders. Hotel: Hotel Bougainvillea.
day 10 - Heading Home
We will have a private transfer to the airport for our flight back to the states. Depending on flight times, a final Rufous-collared Sparrow or Brown Jay will bid us farewell from the hotel grounds.
Additional Details
Services Included:
Payments:
1. $500.00 due to reserve spot on trip.
2. Half of cost (less $500) due by June 1, 2019.
3. Full payment must be made by November 1, 2019.
*The final payment would include your single supplement payment if applicable
* The initial deposit of $500 may be paid online using a credit card. Those who wish to pay the 2nd and 3rd payment with a credit card will be sent a PayPal invoice. The additional 2.2% fee that PayPal charges us to use that service will be added to the invoice. Check payments will not include this additional charge.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by August 1, 2019, a refund of all payments (less a $50 cancellation fee) made will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between August 2 and October 1, 2019, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Bird in Background: Bananaquit by Dan Vickers
- One expert birding tour leader from Costa Rica Expeditions (Charlie Gomez) and a co-leader from Atlanta Audubon (Conservation Director Adam Betuel).
- Accommodations in all destinations (double room with private bathroom and hot shower). A non-shared room is available for an additional fee.
- All transportation during the trip including pick-up and drop-off at the airport
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 10. Additionally, a cooler with water and juices will be available on the bus at all times.
- All entrance fees to parks as well as a shade-grown coffee farm visit and participation with local bird banders
- Taxes
- Costs of obtaining passports
- Airfare and any accompanying baggage fees
- Alcohol or specialty coffee (water and juice will be available during transportation, non-alcoholic beverages included with each meal)
- Snacks, beverages, room service, or sightseeing not specified in itinerary
- Souvenirs
- Laundry
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Medical costs
- Gratuities
- Personal communications
- Any other incidentals that participants may wish to purchase
Payments:
1. $500.00 due to reserve spot on trip.
2. Half of cost (less $500) due by June 1, 2019.
3. Full payment must be made by November 1, 2019.
*The final payment would include your single supplement payment if applicable
* The initial deposit of $500 may be paid online using a credit card. Those who wish to pay the 2nd and 3rd payment with a credit card will be sent a PayPal invoice. The additional 2.2% fee that PayPal charges us to use that service will be added to the invoice. Check payments will not include this additional charge.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by August 1, 2019, a refund of all payments (less a $50 cancellation fee) made will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between August 2 and October 1, 2019, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a 100% refund will be given, less any expenses incurred by the tour operator.
Bird in Background: Bananaquit by Dan Vickers
