Costa Rica - Gateway to Tropical Birding & Wildlife 2027

04 Jul 2027 - 14 Jul 2027 (11 days)

USD6,900 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Amanda Guercio

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

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Tour Price (Per person): USD6,900 (CAD9,936 * GBP5,330 * EUR6,136)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change* Optional Miami Gateway Start Package available on this tour. Please contact our team if you would like to add this option to your booking.

Costa Rica is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier birding destinations and provides the perfect introduction to the exciting avifauna of the Neotropics. This small but remarkably diverse country has embraced ecotourism and bird-focused travel, developing an excellent tourism infrastructure, comfortable lodges and outstanding protected areas that make birding both rewarding and accessible. With more than 850 recorded bird species packed into an area smaller than West Virginia, Costa Rica offers an astonishing variety of birdlife within relatively short travel distances.

Our Rockjumper Gateway Tour has been specially designed to introduce travellers to the wonders of tropical birding in a comfortable and approachable way. Exploring a range of scenic habitats including lush foothill rainforest, misty cloud forest and Pacific lowland forest, we can expect an exciting array of colourful and charismatic species throughout the tour. Among the many highlights are the incomparable Resplendent Quetzal, dazzling Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Scarlet Macaw, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Black Guan and the spectacular Turquoise Cotinga. Toucans, trogons, motmots, hummingbirds and tanagers are all wonderfully represented, while mammal sightings may include monkeys, sloths and crocodiles.

In addition to the exceptional birding, Costa Rica’s friendly atmosphere, excellent tourism infrastructure, comfortable accommodations and manageable travel distances make it an ideal destination for those embarking on their first international birding adventure. Combined with a relaxed pace and the support of experienced Rockjumper leaders throughout the journey, this tour provides the perfect gateway into the incredible world of Neotropical birding.

Top Birds

Resplendent Quetzal; Fiery-throated Hummingbird; Scarlet Macaw; Turquoise Cotinga; Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher; Golden-browed Chlorophonia; Snowcap; Violet Sabrewing; White-necked Jacobin; Black Guan; Baird’s Trogon; Fiery-billed Aracari; Crimson-collared Tanager; Black-crested Coquette; Montezuma Oropendola; White-whiskered Puffbird; Flame-throated Warbler; American Dipper; Orange-collared Manakin; Boat-billed Heron.

Top Mammals

Mantled Howler Monkey; Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth; White-nosed Coati; Panamanian White-faced Capuchin.

Habitats Covered

Cloud forest; Tropical rainforest; Foothill forest; Caribbean lowlands; Pacific dry forest; Highland páramo; Wetlands & rivers; Agricultural countryside & gardens.

Expected Climate

Warm and humid in the foothills and Pacific lowlands, with cooler temperatures in the highlands around Savegre. Conditions are generally comfortable but can vary considerably between regions.

Max Group Size

5 - 6 with 1 Rockjumper leader, 7 - 12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Designed specifically for first-time international birders and travellers. Moderate travel days, comfortable accommodations and limited strenuous activity. Some early starts are required for the best birding opportunities. Gateway Tours are intentionally designed around comfort, atmosphere and enjoyable birding experiences rather than long species lists or physically demanding schedules. These tours provide an ideal introduction to tropical birding travel while still offering exciting wildlife encounters and memorable birding throughout. These tours are not suitable for guests seeking demanding, fast-paced, highly target-driven birding experiences or intensive photography-focused itineraries.

Accommodation

Comfortable tourist lodges and hotels with private bathrooms and reliable amenities.

Ease of Birding

Easy to moderate. Birding is conducted at a relaxed pace with a strong emphasis on enjoying common and visually rewarding species rather than pursuing difficult or highly elusive birds.

Other Attractions

Cloud forest scenery; Volcano & mountain views; Hummingbird feeders; Wildlife viewing opportunities; Excellent photography; Comfortable eco-lodges; Tropical gardens & orchids; Optional night walks.

Photographic Opportunities

Excellent. Many birds are seen well, and several locations offer excellent photography opportunities.

What our clients say about us

xJehudy Carballo
DK, Costa Rica 2024

Super tour and the excellent guiding services were made even better by the presence of our driver who could be a bird guide in his own right.

Adam Walleyn
MP, Costa Rica 2022

Adam and the local guide, were exceptionally good, both at making sure the logistics were taken care of and locating, identifying and making sure all of us on the tour saw the bird. Both were the finest I've ever experienced at identifying birds by their calls. All in all, a really terrific trip with over 300 species of birds sighted! A special shout-out for Hotel Robledal. While the hotel is older, the family that owns and runs it are wonderful hosts with an exceptional appreciation for the environment. Returning to Hotel Robledal at the end of the trip felt like coming home. Thanks Rockjumper, for a terrific trip! "

Forrest Rowland
SP, Cost Rica 2015

I can say it was a great tour. Forrest and Richard were fantastic leaders. I would bird with them anywhere.

xJehudy Carballo
CL, Costa Rica 2024

The tour guide Jehudy Carballo was excellent - extremely knowledgeable and nice. Even the driver Pablo was knowledgeable about birds and together they worked very well. I would definitely recommend this tour - all the lodges were amazing, the schedule was very well organized and food was delicious. We saw so many birds, it was absolutely amazing!

xJehudy Carballo
IW, Costa Rica 2024

Jehudy was a brilliant guide, always going above and beyond to find birds for us. His knowledge was superb and was always willing to share and educate us. Regarding the group, he managed us in an informal but very organised manner so the tour ran smoothly. He was kind, considerate and ready to listen. Pablo, the driver, was also wonderful with a smile and chat every morning. An excellent birder himself, he was always supporting Jehudy in the search for birds. Between them, they provided a tour that I will always remember.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map