Costa Rica in July

Costa Rica packs more biodiversity within its borders than seems possible. A central spine of mountain ranges creates contrasting Pacific and Caribbean slopes, while ocean currents and prevailing winds create a drier north and wetter south. This complex geography produces an off-the-charts species richness for a country of its size. When you combine the abundant birdlife with the well-developed tourism infrastructure, the result is a seemingly infinite variety of birding locations that can be visited with logistical ease. One of the greatest challenges with planning a birding trip to Costa Rica is deciding where to go! On this trip we’ll concentrate on exploring the country’s north, with visits to such famous birding destinations as Rancho Naturalista, La Selva Biological Station, and Monteverde. Midsummer is a fascinating time in Costa Rica: rain can be frequent but falls mostly later in the day or at night, and temperatures are quite a bit cooler than in the spring; it’s the post-breeding season for most birds, meaning our trip coincides with peak numbers; finally, the press of tourists is much reduced from the peak winter season.