Ultimate Costa Rica Wildlife Expedition

After your international flight, the journey begins near San José, where you can relax in a hotel with tropical gardens. Surrounded by heliconias, orchids, and butterflies, this is the perfect place for a gentle introduction to Costa Rica’s nature before heading into wilder regions.

A walk in the gardens provides a first taste of the country’s incredible biodiversity, setting the tone for the adventure ahead and allowing easy photography opportunities right on the lodge grounds.

Target species at the hotel’s garden: Lesson’s Motmot, Rufous-capped Warbler, White-eared Ground-Sparrow, Mottled Owl, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Great Kiskadee and Blue-gray Tanager.

Accessible only by boat, Tortuguero is a true immersion into Costa Rica’s wild Caribbean. Navigating its maze of canals feels like entering another world, surrounded by rainforest alive with monkeys, sloths, and countless waterbirds. The black-sand beaches add an unforgettable highlight during turtle nesting season (July to October), one of the country’s most iconic wildlife spectacles. Few places offer such a powerful combination of lush scenery, abundant fauna, and authentic isolation.

Target species in Tortuguero: Great Green Macaw, Sungrebe, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, plus three species of monkeys (Mantled Howler, White-throated Capuchin, Central American Spider Monkey), two species of sloths (Brown-throated Three-toed, Hoffman’s Two-toed), Spectacled Caiman, Green Iguana, Green Basilisk, West Indian Manatee, Jaguar, and sea turtles (Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill and Leatherback depending on the season).

Sarapiquí is one of the most accessible rainforests in Costa Rica, alive with sounds and colors at every turn. Walks through the forest reveal monkeys in the canopy, bright toucans and trogons, and colorful frogs among the leaves, while boat trips along the Sarapiquí River provide a different perspective on the region’s rich wildlife.

This is also a center for tropical research, where visitors can learn about conservation and scientific projects. With its mix of rivers, forests, and feeders, Sarapiquí is the perfect first deep immersion into the country’s biodiversity.

Target species in Sarapiquí: Great Green Macaw, White-collared Manakin, Snowy Cotinga, Sunbittern, plus toucans, trogons, parrots and woodcreepers. Mammals include howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, spider monkeys, sloths, and river otters. Reptiles and amphibians often seen are green iguanas, basilisks, poison dart frogs, glass frogs and eyelash vipers.

Boca Tapada is one of Costa Rica’s premier destinations for wildlife photography. Fruit feeders bring toucans and parrots within arm’s reach, while a unique hide allows intimate views of King Vultures. The rainforest here feels remote and untouched, creating a paradise for birders and photographers alike.

Boat tours along the San Carlos River add another layer of adventure, with herons, otters, and kingfishers along the banks. At night, multi-flash photography sessions capture nectar-feeding bats in action, offering a rare chance to photograph species usually hidden from sight.

Target species in Boca Tapada: Great Green Macaw, King Vulture, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Yellow-throated Toucan, Central American Pygmy Owl, plus trogons, parrots, oropendolas and a wide variety of colorful rainforest species frequently seen at the feeders. Lots of hummingbirds, bats and other mammals can often be spotted.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Arenal Volcano, this region combines excellent wildlife watching with spectacular scenery. Feeders in the gardens attract hummingbirds and oropendolas, while trails through rainforest reveal trogons, motmots, and monkeys. Suspension bridges allow a unique view from the canopy, perfect for photography.

The area is also renowned for its natural hot springs, offering a relaxing complement to wildlife exploration. Night walks add another dimension, with frogs, snakes, and nocturnal insects filling the forest with activity.Target species in La Fortuna: Emerald Tanager, Great Currasow, Black-crested Coquette, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Montezuma Oropendola, Crested Guan, antbirds, woodcreepers and euphonias. Mammals include howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, spider monkeys, coatis and sloths. Reptiles and amphibians highlights are green iguanas, emerald basilisks, red-eyed treefrogs, poison dart frogs and spectacled caimans.

Caño Negro is one of Central America’s most important wetlands, a haven for aquatic wildlife. Boat tours glide through lagoons and flooded forests where herons, spoonbills, and ibises gather in abundance. It is the only place in Costa Rica where all six species of kingfishers can be observed.

Beyond birds, the reserve harbors caimans, iguanas, turtles, and even river otters. During the dry season, wildlife concentrates around shrinking lagoons, creating extraordinary opportunities for observation and photography.

Target species of Caño Negro: Jabirú Stork, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Yellow-breasted Crake, Agami Heron, all six species of Neotropical Kingfishers, herons, egrets, ibises, raptors, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, sloths, river otters, caimans and iguanas.

At the foothills of Tenorio Volcano lies Tapir Valley, one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the endangered Baird’s Tapir in the wild. The area’s mix of wetlands, secondary forest, and volcanic slopes creates an exceptional setting for both rare mammals and unique amphibians, including a recently discovered microendemic frog.

Trails wind through lush rainforest filled with trogons, manakins, and hummingbirds, while night excursions reveal snakes, frogs, and nocturnal mammals. With its authenticity and off-the-beaten-path character, Bijagua offers one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in the country..Target species at Tenorio’s: Baird’s Tapir, microendemic frog Tlalocohyla Celeste,  Capuchin and Howler Monkeys, Sloths, Tayra, Ocelot, Puma; Red-eyed Tree Frog, Eyelash Viper, Fer-de-lance, iguanas, boas, basilisks, Tody Motmot, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Keel-billed Motmot, Snowcap, Black-crested Coquette, Spectacled Owl, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Lovely Cotinga, Great Currasow, Three-wattled Bellbird, Lattice-tailed Trogon, Brown-hooded Parrot, White-collared Manakin…

The Tárcoles River is world famous for its massive crocodiles, easily seen on a boat tour. The journey also enters mangrove channels, a fascinating ecosystem home to specialized birds and countless aquatic creatures.

Target species in Tárcoles: American Crocodile, Mangrove Hummingbird, Scarlet Macaw, Black-headed Trogon, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Rufous-naped Wren, Streak-backed Oriole, Hoffman’s Woodpecker, herons, egrets, kingfishers, shorebirds, White-throated Capuchin Monkey, agouti and white-tailed deer.

This region blends rainforest, rivers, and ocean in one of Costa Rica’s most scenic coastal landscapes. Trails at Hacienda Barú allow encounters with monkeys, sloths, and colorful birds, while wetlands host herons, trogons, and antshrikes.

Out at sea, Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita is one of the country’s best places to see humpback whales and dolphins during migration season (December to March and July to October). Outside whale season, the area still shines with snorkeling, waterfalls, pristine beaches, and vibrant local culture, making it an ideal stop that combines marine and terrestrial wildlife.

Target species in Dominical & Uvita: In the marine area, seasonal Humpback Whales (both Northern and Southern populations), several species of dolphins (Spotted, Bottlenose, and Spinner Dolphins), and seabirds along the Pacific coast add to the highlights of this region. We might find birds such as the Fiery-billed Aracari, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Orange-collared Manakin, Common Potoo, Black-hooded Antshrike, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Riverside Wren, plus up to three monkey species (White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler, Spider Monkey), both two-and three-toed Sloths, Green Iguanas, and other reptiles. 

The Osa Peninsula is Costa Rica’s crown jewel of biodiversity and one of the richest ecosystems on the planet. Staying near Corcovado National Park means full immersion in pristine rainforest, where every step brings the chance of rare encounters. From monkeys leaping overhead to tapirs crossing the trails, wildlife here feels truly wild and abundant.

The experience goes beyond the forest: boat trips through Sierpe’s mangroves or snorkeling at Caño Island add marine highlights to an already extraordinary region. Osa offers an unparalleled mix of untouched landscapes, iconic mammals, and rare birds—an essential stop for anyone seeking the most authentic side of Costa Rica.

Target species in Corcovado & Osa Peninsula: Baird’s Tapir, all four monkey species (Mantled Howler, White-faced Capuchin, Spider Monkey, Central American Squirrel Monkey), sloths, peccaries, anteaters, and with some luck wild cats including Puma and Jaguar. Birds like Black-cheeked Ant-tanager (Osa endemic), Golden-naped Woodpecker, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Black-hooded Antshrike, Riverside Wren, Fiery-billed Aracari, scarlet macaw…

Few places on Earth compare to Corcovado National Park, often called the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s protected areas. On this adventure, you’ll travel by boat along the Pacific coast toward the heart of the park. Depending on the season, the journey itself can be extraordinary: humpback whales breaching in the distance, pods of playful dolphins riding the waves, and seabirds soaring above the ocean. Arriving at the remote Sirena Station feels like stepping into another world—deep inside the rainforest, far from civilization.

In the evening, you’ll venture into the rainforest on a guided night walk, when the jungle truly comes alive. Under the soft glow of headlamps, you’ll encounter a different side of Osa’s wildlife: colorful tree frogs, owls, kinkajous, and countless insects fill the night with sound and movement. The forest floor may reveal armadillos or wandering tarantulas, while the canopy above hides sleeping birds and curious nocturnal mammals. Surrounded by the chorus of crickets and frogs, this immersive experience offers a thrilling glimpse into the hidden world that awakens after sunset—a magical complement to your daytime adventures.

High in the Talamanca mountains, this is one of the very best places in the world to see the Resplendent Quetzal. The cool cloud forest is home to numerous highland endemics, making it a dream for birders and photographers alike.

Visitors stay in specialized lodges surrounded by gardens and trails where hummingbirds, warblers, and silky-flycatchers are easy to observe. The mountain air, spectacular views, and abundance of rare species make this region an unforgettable highlight of any wildlife journey.

Target species in Cerro de la Muerte: Resplendent Quetzal, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Collared Redstart, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Flame-throated Warbler, Volcano Hummingbird and Spangle-cheeked Tanager.

In the foothills of the Talamanca mountains, this region offers pristine cloud forest and rushing rivers. It is one of the best places to look for rare highland birds like the Bare-necked Umbrellabird during seasonal movements, while feeders bring hummingbirds and tanagers within easy view.

Quelitales Lodge is designed for wildlife enthusiasts, providing direct access to trails, forest hides, and waterfalls. The area combines beautiful scenery with exclusive birding, amphibians along the streams, and a sense of untouched wilderness far from the crowds.

Target species in Copal, Tapantí & Quelitales: Scaled Antpitta, Cabani’s Ground Sparrow (Costa Rica endemic), Black-bellied Hummingbird, Coppery-headed Emerald (endemic), Green-fronted Lancebill, White-bellied Mountain-gem, plus a wide variety of highland hummingbirds. Highland Tinamou, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Red-headed Barbet, Ochraceous Wren, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Black-faced Solitaire, Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher and Prong-billed Barbet.

The final day is reserved for the return to San José and your international flight. Depending on your schedule, optional stops can be arranged along the way—whether a scenic viewpoint, a wildlife garden, or a local town visit.

This flexibility ensures a smooth conclusion to the adventure, with the chance for one last taste of Costa Rica’s landscapes and wildlife before departure.