~ The Visual Adventure ~: Photo & Birding Tour to Costa Rica ~ 2012

COSTA RICA MARCH 2012

Green Violetear Hummingbird

Turquoise-browed Motmot

The tiny country of Costa Rica offers all the diversity of a neotropical paradise, all in a modern, healthy, safe and comfortable setting. Experience the lush beauty of mountain forests, open country, colourful gardens and coastal habitats. This itinerary is designed to provide the best photo opportunities of the country's most beautiful creatures, especially birds. From the Resplendent Quetzal in the highlands, the Green Thorntail Hummingbird of the Caribbean Slope, to the Scarlet Macaw on the Pacific coast, we hope to observe 300 species of birds (or more) by the end of the trip. Although we visit some of the most productive areas for birds, we'll also enjoy great food, spectacular scenery, and friendly people.

Emerald Toucanet

ITINERARY:
March 06: Arrive, picked up at airport and transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea for 1 Night
March 07: Transfer via Paraiso Quetzal to Savegre Mountain Lodge for 2 Nights

March 08: Full day in Savegre - 2nd Night there

March 09: Early AM at Savegre, transfer via Paramo to La Quinta for 3 Nights

March 10: Full day at La Selva OTS , 2nd Night at La Quinta

March 11: AM at Old Butterfly Garden, afternoon at local lodge, 3rd Night at La Quinta

March 12: AM visit to La Paz Waterfall Garden, transfer to Arenal Observatory Lodge for 2 Nights

March 13: Full day at and near lodge, 2nd Night at Arenal Observatory Lodge

March 14: Arenal Hanging Bridges in AM, transfer after lunch to Hacienda Solimar for 1 Night

March 15: AM at Solimar, transfer after lunch to Villa Lapas for 3 Nights

March 16: Full day in Carara National Park, 2nd Night at Villa Lapas

March 17: AM Boat ride on Rio Tarcoles, afternoon locally, 3rd Night at Villa Lapas

March 18: AM locally near Villa Lapas, transfer to Las Orquideas Inn for final Night

March 19: Transfer to San Jose Airport in time for Int'l departure

Arenal Volcano

GUIDING INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Herman Venegas as your local Bird guide throughout the trip.

Tony Beck as your Bird and Photography Guide.

Nina Stavlund as your Photography Guide

TRANSPORT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Toyota Coaster with driver entire trip. Also includes airport transfers in and out and fuel

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Mar 07: Entrance fee and lunch Paraiso Quetzal

Mar 08: Truck ride to trail head while at Savegre

Mar 10: Entrance fee for full day at La Selva OTS

Mar 11: Old Butterfly Garden

Mar 11: Entrance fee Selva Verde Lodge or El Gavilan Lodge

Mar 12: Entrance fee and lunch La Paz Waterfall Garden

Mar 14: Entrance fee Arenal Hanging Bridges

Mar 16: Entrance fee Carara NP

Mar 17: Boat ride on Rio Tarcoles

Resplendent Quetzal

Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl

MEAL PLAN:

All meals are included in the price from Breakfast March 07 thru Breakfast March 19

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Air Fare to/from San Jose, Costa Rica

Meals on March 6, and after breakfast on March 19

Tips to guide(s), chauffeur, hotel staff

alcoholic beverages, or additional refreshments (soda)

Laundry (or other extra hotel services)

Long Distance Phone Calls

Airport Exit Tax of $26 USD when departing Costa Rica

Anything not specifically mentioned as included in above itinerary

Make sure you have a valid passport before traveling to Costa Rica

If possible, try to pack light.

We should expect all types of weather including rain, cold and bright sun. Prepare accordingly

Essential equipment will be binoculars, and photography equipment

Bring your cameras and a good selection of lenses

You'll want everything from wide angle to telephoto (200mm minimum)

A macro (close focus lens) can also be useful

If possible, bring a spare camera, extra batteries and LOTS of memory cards

Additional support is good (tripod, monopod or gunstock)

You might also want an external flash for low light or fill

Silver Throated-Tanager

Electrical outlets are 120V (same as in North America).

Click Here for More Information: AC requirements in Costa Rica

At least two of your guides will have telescopes

We expect to be doing some hiking on most days, and in a variety of terrain. Typically, the hiking will be relatively easy. However, it includes some hillside trails and steep inclines. We will always stay on trails or open areas. And, the pace will always be reasonably slow. Make sure you have good, comfortable hiking shoes. We might encounter some areas with mud or shallow water.

Although we will be spending a lot of time around bird feeding stations at our lodges, some days will be very long - getting up early (optional morning hikes before breakfast), out all day, with occasional owling at night (optional). Expect some long bus rides between accommodations.

Insects are rarely a problem. However, it's a good idea to bring insect repellent with deet. This can be especially effective against chiggers and mosquitoes.

Costa Rica is modern, extremely healthy and safe, especially for a tropical "third world" country. It is among the safest destinations for travelers in the world. Medical and personal safety issues are very rare in Costa Rica. However, if you feel you need to take medical precautions, visit the following site for more information. Click Here: Common Sense Travel

Click Here for the Canadian Government's Travel Report for Costa Rica: CDN Costa Rica Travel Advisory

Click Here to get an idea of what we'll photograph on this tour:

Costa Rica 2008

Costa Rica 2007