Costa Rica: Birding the Edges

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 birding tour designed to visit some of these outlying areas.

On Part I–The Deep South we’ll travel 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–The Far North brings us to the vast Caño Negro wetlands, 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!