Costa Rica
A January Wildlife Getaway
January 3 - 18, 2010

Rufous Motmot © Mike Danzenbaker

Costa Rica is alive with wildlife, home to as much habitat variation as found in the continental US and even more species diversity. We have specially designed a unique itinerary to explore this magnificent Central American nation in great depth, suitable for the first-time visitor and return-traveler alike. We photograph and bird superb wildlife areas on both sides of the Continental Divide and to the south including Piedras Blancas NP, Wilson Botanical Gardens and the best cloud forests in Costa Rica for Resplendent Quetzal and other wonderful wildlife. At this time of year resident birds are in their most vibrant plumage and migrants are there as well. Each morning get an early start to maximize opportunities when birds and mammals are most active. Our exceptionally fine leader Paco Madrigal has been guiding wildlife tours for us since the early 1990s. With Paco Madrigal as your guide, you will see the best this country has to offer!

At a Glance

Cost: $3950, not including airfare. Review cost details.

Leader: Costa Rica's premier birding guide, Paco Madrigal, with assistants and an outstanding driver.

Size: Twelve, not including our leaders.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in wildlife (mammals, birds and reptiles) and spending the maximum of time in the field.

Update: This itinerary was updated in October 2008. View the plain text version, great for printing!

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

January 3, Sunday Arrive in Costa Rica
Arrive in San José, Costa Rica by January 3, where Paco Madrigal will warmly welcome you. Drive to the Hotel Bougainvillea, located about 25 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from downtown San José. Let us know if you would like to arrive a day earlier. We would be happy to book an extra hotel night for you. We can also recommend a travel agent to ticket your flights to Costa Rica. The room cost on the garden side is $140 and the cost of lunch and dinner per person is $40 (quoted 10/2008). If you arrive earlier than the 3rd, a special airport taxi is readily available for the short ride to the hotel. The gardens at Hotel Bougainvillea are an excellent place to see White-eared Ground-sparrow, Blue-crowned Motmot, hummingbirds, and Prevost's Ground-sparrow. The hotel is located on ten acres of gardens.
Lodging on January 3: Hotel Bougainvillea

Costa Rica Rainforest
©Bill Page

January 4 - 6, Monday - Wednesday: Selva Verde, Virgen de Socorro, La Selva Biological Station
Head east toward the Caribbean side to Selva Verde Lodge in the tropical lowlands of Sarapiqui. We'll spend three nights at this lovely lodge located on the Sarapiqui River in 500 acres of tropical forest. Spend the afternoon exploring the wildlife-rich riparian zone along the banks of the Sarapiqui River. This rain forest region at the base of the Caribbean slope is well known for hosting a great diversity of tropical flora and fauna. Here the Sunbittern, Black-faced Grosbeak, and Gray-necked Wood-Rail are a few of the inhabitants. This is the most likely spot on the trip to see the Great Green Macaw, an endangered species that depends on the Dipteryx tree for feeding and nesting. This large region has dense rainforest with the greatest diversity of tropical life on this side of the Continental Divide. Amaze at the fascinating mini-communities found just within a beautiful Heliconia or Bromeliad plant. Lurking in the forest are Two-toed and Three-toed Sloths and three species of monkeys. Two species of Dendrobates or poison dart frogs are abundant in the forest's moist leaf litter. Howler, Spider Monkeys and White-faced Capuchins may also be on the trails. This forest is adjacent to Braulio Carillo National Park and the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) La Selva Biological Station and Virgen de Socorro. The altitude ranges from 37m (120ft) at La Selva to almost 3,000m (9,800ft) at the top of the highest peak in Braulio Carillo.

The waterfalls on the road to Virgen de Socorro are good places to see Torrent Tyrannulet, American Dipper and Silver-throated Tanager. Also stay awhile at the hummingbird feeders at El Mirador where at least eight species of hummers normally visit. En route to Virgen del Socorro, we will stop for lunch at the lovely La Paz Waterfall Gardens on the edge of the Braulio Carrillo NP to enjoy the extensive butterfly and hummingbird gardens. Up to 12 species of jeweled hummingbirds visit the garden as well as a variety of colorful butterflies, including the giant Blue Morpho. We will walk along the river, experiencing close-up views of five spectacular waterfalls. After lunch walk through the serene river valley called Virgen del Socorro, where we may be lucky enough to see the Lanceolated Monklet. We'll spend a full day at La Selva Biological Station, clearly a highlight of the tour. The station is among the four most famous tropical research facilities in the world. We will see an outstanding abundance of wildlife. The station is home to more than 420 species of birds, 500 species of butterflies, 55 species of snakes, 120 species of mammals and hosts a variety of different trees in their arboretum. This is the most likely place to make your tinamou dream come true, as there are three species of tinamou that inhabit La Selva. The wildlife is protected here and the birds and mammals are not camera shy, so there will be exceptional photo opportunities. Birds we'll find include woodpeckers, aracaris, and tanagers, Roufous Motmot, trogons, caciques, Purple-throated Fruit Crow, and Snowy Cotinga, among many others. We'll also be on the look out for peccaries (wild pig), agoutis, coatis, sloths, and the monkeys that frequent this area. Return to Selva Verde Lodge for a refreshing lunch and the afternoon again to La Selva for another great walk with Paco, who grew up in this area.
Lodging: Selva Verde Lodge

January 7 - 9, Monday - Wednesday: Carara National Park, Tarcoles River
Travel to the Carara Biological Reserve on the banks of the Tarcoles River near the Pacific coast. Stop along the way to look for Northern Jacanas, Anhingas, and other great birds. Crocodylus acutus up to 10 feet or more in length bask on the banks of the Rio Grande de Tarcoles, which delimits the western boundary of Carara near the river mouth as it flows into the Pacific Ocean. Explore Carara Biological Reserve, a national park with a unique climate zone. The ecosystem of the humid southern coastal region joins the dry climate of the northern Pacific area, becoming a rich meeting ground for species from both regions. Carara NP is a transitional forest between tropical dry forest and Pacific slope rain forest. It is here we hope to find the Orange-collared Manakin dancing in their lek. This is a great location to spot antbirds, up to four species of trogons, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, and even Royal Flycatchers. Climax the day by stopping on our way back at the Tarcoles River bridge to watch Scarlet Macaws fly out to the mangroves to roost for the night. Nights will be at beautiful Villa Lapas, on the border of the Reserve. An early morning visit to the Tarcoles River will offer the chance to see the Scarlet Macaws as they fly over at dawn from their favorite nighttime roost in the mangroves. Nesting in January, they are only one gem in the treasure chest of rarities that is Carara National Park. Blue Morphos and other beautiful butterflies are seen along Carara's trails in mid-day. Carara has very important habitats for Collared Peccaries, Tayras (a black weasel), and Tamanduas (Banded Anteaters). We'll also visit the Carara visitor center and walk through excellent habitat, which is home to Great Curassow and Great Tinamou. Agouti, a very interesting large rodent, several species of foraging woodcreepers, and the tiny Northern Bentbill are more of our interesting encounters here. Return to Villa Lapas both days for lunch and a rest during the warm part of the day. After lunch is a good time to visit Playa Azul and the bird-rich trails that border the reserve to look for shorebirds, macaws and raptors. It is also here that Long-tailed Manakin and Ferruginous Pygmy Owl are frequently encountered.
Lodging: Villa Lapas

January 10, Sunday: La Cusinga and Ballena Marine National Park
Head south for a beautiful 3 - 4 hour drive along the Pacific through the coastal town of Dominical to the private forest reserve at La Cusinga ("The Toucan"). The habitat here is exceptionally pristine, a superb primary forest that has unique and diverse species, both plants and wildlife. Home to Howler Monkeys, White-face Monkeys, iguanas, basilisk lizards and other reptiles and birds include the Fiery-billed Aracari (one of the toucans found in the southern zone of Costa Rica), Yellow-billed Cotinga (a species endemic to Costa Rica and Panama), King Vulture, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Striped Owl, Costa Rican Swift and Olivaceous Piculet. La Cusinga Lodge is located beside the unique Ballena Marine National Park, which gets its name because it's at the extreme north-south migration paths of both populations of Humpback Whales. The southern population comes this far north by August in the Austral winter months and the northern population can reach this far south during the northern winter months. The area is known for its rich marine life and coastal terrestrial habitats. The lodge was built by long-time resident and conservationist, John Tresemer, who has protected the surrounding forest for many years.
Lodging: La Cusinga Lodge

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January 11 - 12, Monday - Tuesday: The Wilson Botanical Garden
The Wilson Botanical Garden property is an exciting place! As the Garden brochure states, "Overlooking a cool mid-elevation forest, the Wilson Botanical Garden, with its peaceful, secluded setting, remains a practically secret paradise." In addition to the Selva Verde Station, OTS operates Las Cruces Biological Station on the Garden grounds, and all proceeds from our stay go to this outstanding conservation group. See their website at www.ots.duke.edu. Accommodations are in twelve spacious guest rooms with twin beds, balcony and private bath. In their dining room enjoy international recipes with lots of fruits and vegetables. The birds and butterflies out in the Garden are spectacular. The habitat includes 7,000 species of plants and a contiguous 632-acre forest reserve. The mammals are also quite diverse, including Agoutis, Kinkajous, and White-faced Capuchins. Paco will identify many birds here, including five species of trogons, and many hummingbirds, tanagers and warblers. He can tell you what they are feeding on and where to look for them among the megadiversity of plants.
Lodging:

January 13 - 14, Wednesday - Thursday: Piedras Blancas National Park
Travel to Esquinas Rainforest Lodge on the outskirts of Golfito. Surrounded by dense lowland rainforest, the lodge borders Piedras Blancas National Park. Recognizing the importance of sustainable alternatives as opposed to the destruction of tropical forests, Austria financed the purchase of 8,000 acres as part of its Development Aid Program. "Rainforest of the Austrians" was appointed to oversee and direct the project, creating the National Park on this land and the constructing the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge in 1994. This Austrian non-profit has been purchasing properties within the Esquinas forest and donating them to the Costa Rican government for the past 15 years. Piedras Blancas is a great area to look for Ruddy-breasted Seed-eater, Red-breasted Blackbird, Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager (endemic), Baird's Trogon, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Blue-crowned Manakin, Thick-billed Euphonia and many others. The rare Pearl Kite and Uniform Crake are also possible here. This is a wonderful place with new species of striking birds that you won't see to the north.
Lodging: Esquinas Lodge

Malachite Butterfly ©Bill Page

January 15 - 17, Monday - Wednesday: Savegre River Valley and Finca Mirador de Quetzales
After a last morning walk and breakfast at Esquinas, travel up to Cerro de la Muerte along the Continental Divide into highland cloud forest. Stop for lunch along the way and take time to bird in some outstanding spots en route to Savegre Mountain Lodge. We'll stay two nights at Savegre Mountain Lodge, nestled in a quaint highland valley in prime habitat for Resplendent Quetzal. Also known as Cabinas Chacon, Savegre Mountain Lodge is located in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca mountains in the midst of a precious ecosystem. Here you will find a deep cloud forest filled with massive oaks and other native species. The woods serve as a sanctuary for a large number of species of insects, amphibians, amazing plants and colorful birds. Spend the day exploring the bird-rich habitat of the Savegre River Valley. Walking through the gardens and along the Savegre River, we can hope to see Flame-colored Tanager, Collared Trogon, Torrent Tyrannulet, Volcano Hummingbird, and Gray-tailed Mountain Gem, to name a few. These three days will be your best opportunity to photograph quetzals.

On the last morning in the field visit the misty highland cloud forest reserve at Finca Mirador de Quetzales, where up to 20 pairs of quetzals have been seen. Many other birds are found here including Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, and Peg-billed Finch. Finca Mirador de Quetzales (Quetzal Lookout Ranch) at an elevation of 2,600m (8,500ft), is owned by the Serrano family. The Serranos built their small lodge especially for visitors hoping to view the beautiful quetzal. They have left most of their 43 hectares (2.8 acres = 1 hectares) as a sanctuary for the quetzal and for many other species, including Fiery-throated Hummingbirds, which feed in the pendulous flowers near the dining room door. Walk in the breathtaking forest amongst the huge and ancient "Mountain Cypress.' The forest also contains oaks and members of the avocado family, all festooned with layers of moss and other epiphytes. Avocados are the favorite diet of the Resplendent Quetzal and the Serranos have five species of native avocados growing in their forests. Watch Mountain Robins, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrushes, Rufous-collared Sparrows, several hummingbird species, and perhaps Yellow-thighed Finches, come and go along the forest edge.
Lodging: Savegre Mountain Lodge

January 17, Wednesday: Finca Mirador de Quetzales and back to San Jose
With the last day in the peaceful highland cloud forests, return after lunch at the Serranos for the three hour drive back to San José. Check in at Hotel Bougainvillea and enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight stay to get ready for early flights on the 18th, as it is necessary to arrive at the airport at least two and a half hours before departure time for flights homeward.
Lodging: Hotel Bougainvillea

January 18, Thursday: Flights homeward
Transfers will be arranged to the airport to allow you ample time before your flight.

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Costs

Costs, Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send trip materials, including a travel guide with trip essentials, reading list, species lists, and maps. Deposits are refundable before the final payment date, except for $150. The $150 may go toward another tour if a reservation is made within six months of the departure date of this trip. There are no refunds given after the final payment date. Trip cancellation insurance applications are available. Trip options, if any, and singles are extra.

Included:

• Lodging and transportation - All lodging, tours and land transport as described in the itinerary, except air flights. All transportation in Costa Rica is in a modern and spacious air-conditioned vehicle with large, clear glass windows.
• Meals - Includes all meals from breakfast on January 4 through dinner on January 17.
• Beverages - Three chilled bottles of water per day per person.

Not Included:

• Airfare - Please let us know if you need help arranging your own air flights. Airfare should be approximately $600 to $800 roundtrip, depending on origin (quoted October 2008). Find flight schedule details in the Detailed Intinerary.
• Departure tax from Costa Rica ($26).
• Meals, Beverages, and Personal Items - Bottled beverages beyond those included in the cost of the trip, laundry, personal expenses.
• Gratuities - Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest budgeting about $150.

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Other Details

Reservations: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, fill out our reservation form, and mail it to us with your deposit:

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070

Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com

Leader: Paco Madrigal has 20 years experience guiding wildlife, natural history, and birding tours throughout Costa Rica. He has been leading wonderful wildlife tours for us since the early 90's. He grew up in Sarapiqui very close to the Organization for Tropical Studies Station at La Selva. He learned about botany and wildlife from his father who had learned from his father. He was the first resident naturalist guide at the nearby Selva Verde Lodge Tropical Reserve. In 1989 he was selected to participate in the first 4-month intensive training course for naturalist guides, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund and the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). At the University of Florida he studied English and ornithology and graduated with honors. Before becoming a full time professional leader, Paco worked for five years at La Selva Biological Station in Sarapiqui. He is very enthusiastic and always adds fun to the experience in the field, as well as finding lots of wildlife for you. Each morning he'll be ready for an early start to maximize opportunities when birds and mammals are most active and arrange travel time, as much as possible, between lodges for the middle of the day, then have the late afternoon in the field when the light is also excellent for photography. There will be several owling excursions, weather permitting, and a pre-breakfast opportunity most every morning. Paco designed this also to include the rich wildlife areas to the south with very nice lodgings, private baths and great food, that will appeal to all, including anyone who has already been to Costa Rica, but wants to return to new areas and new species.

Travel Insurance: There are many types of travel insurance, including emergency medical and evacuation insurance, and also trip cancellation insurance. Unless you specifically decline it, Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris requires, at a minimum, insurance to cover emergency medical care and evacuation for the duration of the tour. We have had good experience with Access America. Visit their website for complete details and we will also send you their brochure with your trip materials. You can purchase a policy via their website, phone or by mail. If you choose, separate trip cancellation insurance to cover trip costs is also available. Whatever insurance you purchase, be sure to review the terms of all available policies carefully in order to buy the policy that you need.

Health Concerns: Malaria prophylactic is not necessary for the areas on this itinerary, nor are any vaccinations or inoculations, however you should check with your doctor. The water (from springs) is excellent at some lodges. Check with your leader about where the water is safe to drink.

Climate and Clothing: Temperatures vary greatly. The Pacific coast is often hot. The cloud forests at Finca Mirador Quetzales and Savegre Mountain Lodge can be surprisingly cool. Rain can be encountered during any season, even in January during the dry season. Bring lightweight hiking boots or walking shoes for trails.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online request form or send us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Reading and Field Guides: Some favorites are Craig Packer's Into Africa, describing his lion research in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and Cynthia Moss' Elephant Memories and Portraits in the Wild. We recommend that you consider buying a book on mammals of East Africa and a field guide to the birds. Jonathan Kingdon’s Field Guide to the Mammals is the most complete and up to date guide, and now is published in a pocket sized edition. Excellent East Africa bird books, one by Terry Stevenson and the other by Zimmerman and Turner, are available. With receipt of your reservation and deposit we will send a reading list, travel guide, and much more info.

Baggage:When packing for your trip, please try to limit yourself to one bag up to 40 pounds total per person. The less weight the better, because of space restrictions in the baggage compartment of the vehicles. There is plenty of space in the vehicles for carry-ons and camera equipment. On safari we pay extra to give you more room in the Land Cruiser stretch vehicles with a maximum of four participants per vehicle, plus our drivers and guides.

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

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Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. All payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the passenger shall be promptly refunded, in accordance with terms described above, unless the passenger otherwise instructs us, in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. This business is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). We will always make due refunds in a timely manner, as we have for over twenty years. However, if we didn't, you, the passenger, may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.
All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris

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