Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals

This was my third time participating in this program, and it was even better than before! Our group leader, Erick Guzman, was fantastic - knowledgeable, kind, patient, humorous, and attentive to the needs of all participants. Each lodge was wonderfully unique and all provided excellent opportunities for birding. I can highly recommend this program for novice and experienced birders alike.

Although it was a birding trip, we experienced and learned so much more about the environs and people of Costa Rica. Pura Vida will always hold a powerful and special place in my heart!

A wonderful opportunity to explore the Central Pacific Region of Costa Rica and enjoy nature, culture, meet the people, and meet new friends.

Costa Rica was a sheer delight ; many wonderful species observed and quite a few 'lifers' with the help of an excellent , knowledgeable guide (Andrey A.) and a great driver. Accommodation and food was of high quality and every location brought more surprises. Many highlights ; the quetzals, motmots, toucans, herons, tanagers, flycatchers etc were magnificent but the hummingbirds were especially spectacular ! I am a veteran of many RS birding trips (primarily US-based) and this adventure was certainly among the best I've experienced for birds and wildlife. Can't wait to experience what North Costa Rica will offer in a future trip ....

Outstanding trip and outstanding guide and driver. My only comment is that observations should be put in eBird on a daily/location basis.

This trip was phenomenal. Our guide, Roger Melendez, and the van driver, Alberto, were excellent, and the group members were pleasant and easy to get along with. The birding experience and the accommodations exceeded my expectations. The group logged 293 bird species (!), of which I saw 260, heard another 20, and missed seeing or hearing only 13. Macaw Lodge was a gem; we had difficulty getting there due to heavy rain on the steep muddy road, and as a result, we changed the program so as not to drive out and back again the next day. This was an unexpected bonus as we got to spend an entire day watching amazing birds walking the grounds and right from the Macaw Lodge deck (including the Scarlet Macaws and a Sunbittern)! The accommodation at Las Cruces was rustic compared to the others, but the location was fantastic for the birds. Esquinas was also very nice – the cabins were fun and plenty comfy, we enjoyed the pool and the walks in the forest; the bonus here was the early morning wake-up calls of the wood rails. Savegre Lodge was outstanding (aside from a wee problem with waiting for dinner one night). Queztals in the parking lot. So. Many. Amazing. Birds. Wow!

This was my first RS trip, but not my last! It was an amazing trip. Our guide Roger Melendez was very knowledgeable about birds, of course. But he also loved telling about Costa Rican history, culture, government and local agricultural and environmental practices. As the group walked and hiked along different terrain and sometimes in deep rainforest it was not always possible to hear him. If I was in the back of the line I was mostly content to appreciate the forest in other ways. For example: watching leaf-cutter ants or contemplating the majestic red oak trees or the wonder of life on Earth. Our group of 12 was a good mix of singles and couples some of whom were experienced birders. All were very helpful to the group and after a few days it felt like family. We looked out for each other and passed along information on birds as bus rides, hikes and meals mixed people in different small groups. I was very impressed with the way our guide Roger, our driver Alberto and the Macaw Lodge and Road Scholar office worked to keep us safe and on schedule as the road to the lodge became impassable. I know this was a very difficult situation but as participants we always felt safe and cared for. Because Macaw Lodge had so many trails to explore our bird lists continued to grow we never felt that we missed an experience that had been planned off-site for that day.

The Program was excellent! Our tour leader Andrey Acosta was a fabulous birder, tour guide & leader

This is truly a life enriching experience. The expertise of the guide and the beauty of the lodging will make this trip one to remember for a lifetime.

This was my third RS trip, and was excellent in almost every way. Our guide, Erick, was outstanding and we saw many, many beautiful birds thanks to him. We had a lot of fun along the way too. I would comment on the lodging in Savegre I had been to the area before and stayed at the Savegre Lodge. This time the lodging was at Hotel Suria, and the room that the solo travelers got was not at all nice - small, lacked furniture and set away from the gardens on the second floor. I would recommend if you are traveling solo to pick trip dates where the lodging is at the Savegre lodge. I guess sometimes it is full and Hotel Suria is Road Scholar’s second choice.

wonderful program led by very knowledgeable naturalist. Being at best an amateur birder, the idea of a "birding" expedition was intimidating, but it turned out great. Don't let the characterization of "physically demanding" intimidate you either.

Wow! I can't say enough about how incredible this trip was. I came because I wanted to see tons of new birds, learn about Costa Rica, make new friends. 200 birds from our list of 275 were new for me. I also saw monkeys, iguana, poison dart frogs, a sloth! Our bus travel narratives delivered a wealth of information. We were busy and made the most of everyday. I loved my group and hope to reconnect with several.

This was a wonderful trip for us (myself and Gaoying Ren, my wife). Jimmy Tejos was a 10 of 10 guide --- friendly, informative, caring and funny! Las Equinas preserve had meal portion sizes that were too small, but the overall surroundings and lodgings were very lovely, as they were at all of our stays on the trip.

The number of species we saw far exceeded my expectations, as did the beauty and individual personalities of the birds we encountered. Put this trip on your bucket list!

What an amazing trip and experience. This was my first Road Scholar trip and I loved it and definitely want to do another Road Scholar trip. Our group was amazing. Wonderful people who really looked out for each other.

Birding in Southern Costa Rica was a trip I'll never forget. The birds are fantastic, and our guide was a gem! He made the trip so worthwhile.

I cannot say enough good things about Road Scholar. The quality of the program, the organization, the locations and hotels and food were great. I made good friends. I learned a great deal. I will go again. I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE, A DREAM COME TRUE.

This birding program was fantastic! We got to see so much of Costa Rica (beyond touristy beaches), its astounding biodiversity, and especially its wide variety of birds. Our driver and guide were so helpful; the transportation and lodging were super comfortable; and the other participants were a delight. I would recommend this program to others in a heartbeat.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Southern Costa Rica birding trip. Our guide, Lenin Duarte, was outstanding in his knowledge of the birds and also the history, culture and natural environment of his native Costa Rica. Outside lectures and visits to local restaurants and farms enhanced our experience. We saw so many beautiful birds!

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and enthusiastically recommend it to both new and experienced birders. We were fortunate to have Erick Guzman as our guide and Alberto as our driver. Erick is a terrific guide and helped us spot over 270 birds. I traveled solo and always felt safe and welcomed by the group (almost all couples). We had many delicious meals and stayed in some beautiful lodges. My only advice would be to opt for the dates that include the Savegre Hotel as your last stop, not Hotel Suria.

Erik Guzman the group leader/guide was the best. His ability to locate birds in the rainforest on a scope quickly was truly amazing. He brought the whole group together at the same time taking care of everyone's individual needs. He was very informative about Costa Rica(birds, areas, environment, local way of life). I feel blessed getting to know Erik Guzman. Alberto the driver was excellent(I always felt safe on the roads of Costa Rica). The informative lectures were a nice part of the trip. All the accommodations with the exception of Hotel Suria were great and fostered a relaxing/back to nature feel. Hotel Suria is not the normal accommodation Savegra hotel and spa is. Hotel Suria felt more like a nightclub environment(pounding background music at all meals). Poor meal service/mistakes and lengthy waits. Hotel Suria didn't feel restful or provide the eco rainforest lodge environment that I had come to expect. In the future if I see Hotel Suria as a listed accommodation on the itinerary I will choose a different itinerary.

Birding in Southern Costa Rica was a wonderful experience with a terrific birder for our leader, exploring in the breathtaking highlands of the Talamanca mountains. To see such beautiful, colorful tropical birds is a dream come true.

A wonderful trip to see different bird species and experience ecosystems in different locations in Costa Rica.

The Costa Rica Birding South trip was absolutely incredible. Jimmy, our guide, made the trip so much more memorable. He was extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of the animals and history of Costa Rica and his enthusiasm was contagious. In addition to the over 200 life birds I saw, there were also many other interesting animals. Food and accommodations were also great and the bus was clean and comfortable and the scenery was beautiful. I would HIGHLY recommend this trip!

This trip was excellent. The facilities, group leader, driver, and meals were all great. The experience was truly enjoyable and educational. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone with the desire to see birds and experience the fauna of Costa Rica.

This was an outstanding experience! The trip represented many firsts for us - first time with Road Scholar, and in fact with any tour, as we'd always been independent travelers. It was also our first time in Costa Rica, and first time birding for me. Our exceptional guide, Lenin Duarte, went above and beyond to ensure that every detail of this well-planned trip went well, and his ability to find birds we never would have seen was stunning. Owls hidden in the trees, Resplendent Quetzals building a nest, a Potoo! I went on this trip expecting to be patiently staring at nothing while my husband enjoyed birding, and thanks to Lenin and the enthusiasm of my group, I've become a birder myself! We saw over 250 different species! I even got up at 5:30 or 6:00 am of my own free will (could have slept in) in order to see more birds with the optional pre-breakfast walks. Kudos to RS for putting together such an amazing trip - every place we stayed had something special about it - great and varied locations, some unexpectedly lovely spots like Las Cruces/San Vito, some places excelled in staff, food or guest talks, some had gorgeous grounds for easy nearby walks. Our fellow travelers were an interesting group. Many, but not all were very experienced birders and everyone shared their enthusiasm and helped each other. Also have to mention our amazing driver, Chicho/Alberto, who made us feel completely safe even on some winding roads. He also spotted birds for us and was an asset to the program! We are already talking about signing up for the Northern Birding trip next year. What a great trip!

Whether an experienced birder or somewhat new to birding, this program enhances the activity and shows the beauty of birds and their environments. The small group size allowed for a more intimate experience and a way to build cohesion that made the trip fun. The locations were gorgeous, the food great.

This program was phenomenal. I would highly recommend it to birders of all levels. I don’t know if it’s typical for this trip, but we saw 275 species! Accommodations were lovely, the guide, Lenin Duarte, was amazing, and the lectures were excellent. This was my first trip to Costa Rica, and what a beautiful introduction; I will be back. I am a fairly experienced birder but we had birders of every level and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. You will get to see a wide variety of habitats, and amazing rainbow of birds, meet some wonderful locals and learn about everything from the country’s geology, education system, culture, and economy. Here’s wishing you as wonderful a group of traveling companions as I was favored with. Cautions and suggestions: If you are sensitive to heat and humidity, be aware some of the stops have ample of both. Not all of the lodges have air conditioning and a few of the field trips were pretty hot and humid, but the guide was careful to check on everyone and moderate the pace. Do read the lodging and itinerary descriptions thoroughly in order to pack the right items and expectations. Field trips are on trails, but you may be walking on uneven gravel and rock and occasionally a little muddy. Bring a flashlight. You will be walking back from dinner in dark most nights. Mornings can be chilly and one field trip to 11,400 feet is downright cold so pack layers and gloves. If you want to travel light, you will have reasonably priced laundry services at least a couple of the lodges. I also found it helpful to study the birds of Costa Rica a bit before arriving, it certainly improved my ability to identify new species in the field more quickly. Sign up and go!!!

Our guide, Lenin, was expert at hearing, identifing, locating and scoping birds so that all the participants had an opportunity to see close to 300 of Costa Rica's birds on our trip. Lenin also handled the many diverse personalities and needs of our group with empathy, compassion and skill. Our bus driver, Chicho, was very skilled at driving his powerful bus up and down the many hills and his calm, friendly attitude was very much appreciated.

Amazing! Our guide, Luis Vargas was a great leader. We felt as ease with him and enjoyed his natural sense of humor. The lodging was well chosen, meals were fresh and wonderful. Thank you, Road Scholar, for providing us with this adventure.

I thought my bird watching trips were over at 79. My most recent trip to Costa Rica with Road Scholar told me they were only just beginning.

Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals is a really wonderful program. Andrey is an excellent guide with super-human birding skills. My sister and I had an absolutely wonderful time all ten days! This trip exceeded all our expectations! We will definitely do another Road Scholar trip!

I am an experienced /avid birder. The quality of the guides provided by RS are excellent. Easily On par with the guides I’ve had with other bird tour companies.

The Southern Costa Rica trip was fantastic. The leaders, accommodations, meals, and itinerary were outstanding. I highly recommend this natural history adventure. If you go on this trip, you will see and learn about Costa Rica's amazing wildlife, history, and culture.

This was my first experience with Road Scholar and if your mission is to delight each and every participant, you hit the nail on the head with me! I just completed the birding in southern Costa Rica trip, and now can't wait to go north.

Enjoyed visiting another part of Costa Rica while learning not only about Costa Rica itself but its history and nature.

As an inexperienced, but enthusiastic birder, this trip accelerated my learning to light speed. Our guide and my fellow travelers taught me so much about bird ID, behavior, equipment, photography, and field presence. And Costa Rica is beautiful!!

I wasn't sure what to expect from a Road Scholar birding trip but this Southern Costa Rica trip did not disappoint. Lots of birding led by a very skilled guide coupled with great lodging, locations, lectures and logistics led to a very enjoyable and productive trip.

Just returned from our Birding in S. Costa Rica trip and I can honestly say that my husband (an avid birder) and I (a non-birder) both thoroughly enjoyed it. Erick, our guide, was an amazing birder and leader (we saw over 300 species). Alan, the driver was also excellent—-keeping us safe and also occasionally pointing out animals of interest. The lodges were great, and everyone on our trip was kept well-fed and happy. It exceeded both of our expectations.

Birding trips should not have 12 participants, or if they do, they should have two leaders. This is a program issue that should be addressed by Road Scholar. That said, our leader (Erick Guzman) was superb. He is extremely knowledgeable about bird distributions, field marks, and vocalizations, and very quick about getting birds in the scope for particpants to see. We saw about 325 species in the short span of this trip, including some very elusive birds (e.g., Wrenthrush, Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Hummingbird, Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Turquise Cotinga, Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, and Peg-billed Finch). Yes, we saw Respendent Quetzals on multiple occasions. Accommodation comfort and food quality varied from good to very good, and all the accommodations (except the pre-departure airport hotel) had good to excellent birding on the grounds.

We just returned from the Birding in Southern Costa Rica trip (May 2023) - we can't say enough good things about the tour - the guide Luis Vargas was great, the locations were amazing, the group was friendly. And the birds were spectacular!

An excellent tour program if you want to see Costa Rican birds and experience a geniune tropical forest environment! Well-organized and just plain fun! You can't get more bang for your buck!

Expert guide Andrey Acosta helped us view so many bird species and other wildlife. I experienced several beautiful natural environments in Costa Rica. The hotels were interesting and nice. The lectures were valuable, our driver was great, and I greatly enjoyed this trip.

This was a lovely trip. We saw hundreds of birds with the help of our excellent guide, Luis Vargus. He is extremely knowledgable and a very good group leader. The accommodations were very comfortable and nice. However, our air flights were cancelled resulting in us being re- routed en route to Costa Rica. Our baggage was lost and we missed the first night of the tour(overnight at hotel, dinner). We did not receive our baggage for 5 days. We had to pay a local person $400. to bring our luggage to us, as the airline declined to do so. We had to buy clothing and essentials. This was all very difficult. We filed a claim with Aon travel insurance. It was complicated and tedious. They have now additionally requested a verification from the tour guide that our baggage was delayed. This will be difficult/ impossible to obtain. We are extremely disappointed with this insurance— provided by Road Scholar. We have taken 5 trips with Road Scholar, always with insurance. If we travel with Road Scholar again, we will not purchase this insurance and will arrange our own. Ann Warren

If you are an avid birder, this is a great trip. Our tour guide, Andrey Acosta, was exceptional at making sure we saw target birds at each site we visited. Our group saw 267 bird species.

This was my first trip with RS and I must admit it was exceptional. Our Guide (Daniel Martinez) and the Driver (Eladio) were above and beyond professional and exceptionally knowledgeable in both their fields. Daniel knew where to find specific birds and his knowing/mimicking various bird calls, was an added plus. He was so tolerant and kind toward those of us who knew not. Eladio was gracious, patient and quite adept at handling our bus through various steep/narrow roads. Both together made a great team and presented the program in such a way as to showcase RS's ability to select personnel who complement each other and work together to present the best of RS's program. On another front the food was out of this world and staff throughout so friendly and kind. Thank you for a great experience.

Just got back from our Birding in Southern Costa Rica and had a great trip! Even though is rained during the dry season (March), it didn’t interfere with our field trips or bird watching. We loved our guide, Daniel. He was almost magically expert, identifying every bird in a fraction of a second and working hard to make sure that everyone got a chance to see it. The locations were exotic, beautiful, and comfortable. HIghly recommend!

Everything about this trip was amazing: leader Andrey, bus driver Mario, fellow participants, birds, lectures, Costa Rica, accommodations. Wow!

My husband and I have always traveled on our own, or with family, so I wasn't sure how a "tour" would be. Our Road's Scholar trip was truly exceptional. From our fantastic guide to the incredibly thought through and well executed itinerary, we had a great experience. I felt like the trip was both a learning experience and great fun. Costa Rica is beautiful, the birds are amazing, and the group worked! I really can't say enough positive, and that is from a skeptic!

I was not sure that Road Scholar would provide a high quality birding trip. I was wrong. Our guide was an experienced Costa Rican birding guide with excellent skills, knowledge of birds and the geography of his country. Birders of all skills would enjoy this Costa Rican birding trip!

This was so much fun. I'll be talking about this trip for a long time.

If you are a birder, this is the trip for you! You will visit jungle, rainforest, cloud forest, ocean and river locations and absolutely add some target birds to your life list. (We saw over 260 different birds on out trip, some quite rare, and yes we saw the Resplendant Quetzal near the end of our trip) Our guide Andrey Acosta was phenomenal, birds mostly by ear and then so quick to get on the bird it will take your breath away. This was a terrific way to see a gorgeous country and have some adventures and I can't wait to do the northern CR program!

My husband and I had a fabulous Birding in Southern Costa Rica trip. Our guide, Ivan, was the best--caring, personable, could not have been better in terms of his birding skills and knowledge and in introducing our group to the flora and fauna, history, economy, traditions, food and people of Costa Rica. While we birded from 5:30 AM to dinner, and sometimes later, we experienced so much more. The other guests were wonderful and ranged from expert to novice birders. We all helped each other find some very elusive birds. This is an active trip. Heat was the biggest challenge in the beginning of the trip. There were no long climbs or descents or strenuous paths.

This was the best Road Scholar program that I ever aver participated in, large due to the personality and expertise of our program leader, Jorge. Not only did he know the birds, but I learned as lot about the country we visited.

A trip well worth taking. The accommodations were fabulous, the food was really good (although I did miss sharp cheddar cheese), the formal and informal instruction was very interesting, and you get to see a variety of tropical habitat types.

Highly recommended trip. Superb bird guide. Staying at the three eco lodges in the jungle was a thrill. Instructors greatly added to my knowledge of tropical birds. And, of course, we saw the Resplendent Quetzal.

Outstanding trip. Our guide Andrey Acosta is the BEST!

Great introduction to Costa Rica and rainforest birding from the coast to the mountains.

This birding trip was so inspiring, I plan to do another one.

Terrific, personable, and knowledgeable guide gave us the best opportunities to explore diverse habitat for a great variety of birds. Fun and rewarding experience with great people in our group of 10. Super bus driver, comfortable bus, terrific food, good accommodations. Daily opportunities to either rest or go explore on your own (many birds in the gardens and forest near rooms). I plan to return and do the northern program and/or repeat this one. I’m totally satisfied with the whole experience.

Fantastic guide, great accommodations would highly recommend. Beautiful birds! Came home and decided to book another trip!

Even though I did not know a lot about birds, their names, etc. I learned in a week everything about birds and more.

This adventure exceeded my expectations in every way! Our very energetic naturalist guide was extremely knowledgeable about birds (and plants and history), and did everything he could to create a quality experience for us, including making sure we saw many endemic bird species. Overall, the itinerary, accommodations, and food were excellent. I highly recommend!

Costa Rica offers an escape from the winter doldrums of North America. The flora and Fana of the area are breathtaking. The country is easy to navigate and its residents are friendly and helpful. The birding is superb and the birding guides are very talented and knowledgeable. What’s not to love?

This program is excellent for a birder with good eyesight and good hearing, & who is well prepared to find & identify (or photograph) birds on his/her own. Jungle trails are narrow and do not permit everyone to be near the guide/leader, so those most distant will likely not get a view of the bird. at issue.

Costa Rica is a world leader in conservation and has a wonderful diversity of habitats and wildlife. The visitor facilities and guides are first class. I reccommend these bird-centered courses.

I’ve guided birders for 31 years. I would highly recommend the north and south Costa Rica trips to anyone. The price, leadership and itinerary were perfect. Out leader was very familiar with all the calls, songs and habits of most of our species, and added a lot of general natural history info. to the experience.

This trip is an excellent birding trip for avid and beginner birder. Our guide, Luis Vargas was very good at knowing and finding birds, 110 one day and tried to make sure everyone got to see them. I have been on over a dozen guided birding trips, seven with Road Scholar and I would rate Luis as one of the better guides I have had. He is also well informed about plants, insects and animals which greatly added to my experience on this trip. This trip is for one that once to be out looking at birds and not setting around at the lodge.

Going to Costa Rica, traveling with Road Scholar and participating on a Birdwatching tour were all firsts for me. I loved it all! The itinerary was well planned, our guide Roger and driver Elladio were knowledgeable, attentive and went above and beyond to provide our group with the best experience. I was so impressed with the locations of the lodges and resorts that Road Scholar utilized. I never would have found some of these hidden gems on my own. The stories of how most of the Ecolodges came to be, and how they have progressed over the years with the help of the Costa Rican people and other concerned countries were amazing and inspiring for the future of ecotourism, not just for Costa Rica but as an example for other countries to follow. As for the birdwatching part, they are everywhere you chose to look and listen. I learned there are different kinds of Birdwatchers with different reasons for their hobby, passion, obsession or whatever you decide to call your addiction. I had some revelations about why I love birds so much and what it means to me to observe and encounter them in their natural habitats. Where are you taking me next~ Road Scholar?

Great trip not for anyone with physical limitations, very informative and very interesting. The staff are superior and extremely knowledgeable!!!!

This was my first trip with Road Scholar and I found the experience very rewarding. Though it is more expensive than other trips, the content and care given make it worthwhile. I'm sure I'll select an experience with them again.

Excellent Guide and driver, our group saw 228 species over the 10 days. The lodges were all fantastic. I highly recommend this trip, I will travel with Road Scholar again.

I would endorse going on the Southern Route of Birding in Costa Rica with Road Scholar. It was a fun and pleasurable trip seeing over 25% of the birds in Costa Rica in 9 days. Exceeded expexctations.

This was a superb trip. I have throughly enjoyed a number of road scholar trips but this one was perfect. Perfect country, perfect itinerary, perfect guide, Gilberto . From sea level to 7000 ft, rivers, jungles, eco-lodges, field stations, local cuisine, lectures and talks from scientists and conservationists in the field, stunning birds and a great crew of like minded ‘scholars’, I could not have been happier. Don Cheeseman

Learned about the truth of Pura Vida, saw beautiful birds, flora and fauna. And, felt welcomed by people who seemed eager to share their environmental paradise.

If you are looking for a program that will teach you all about the birds of Costa Rica, as well as the sociological, geological, historical and linguistic history of the country, this is for you. It is rare to find a program that has a thorough emphasis on birding, but also does such a good job of teaching about so many other aspects of the country as well.

This trip exceeded all expectations. We were so fortunate to have Gilbert for our guide. In addition to his outstanding knowledge and ability to spot/hear birds, his enthusiasm greatly enhanced our trip. The pace was appropriate; it maximized the number of birds seen (over 235) and different ecoregions. Based on this experience, we plan on going back to Costa Rica with Road Scholar in the near future.

A fabulous program from start to finish. Group size of 12 (plus wonderful guide Erick and fabulous driver Enrique) is perfect. Accommodations are generally excellent, beautiful, and the food is healthy and delicious. Tarcoles River trip and all walks were wonderful. And the birds! The birds! I was overwhelmed by their variety and beauty. This trip far exceeded expectations.

Well done!

The tour was excellent. Our guide Chito was the best, he maintained his interest and enthusiasm from beginning to end. I think he has the eyes of an eagle, ears of a bat, memory of a dolphin, sings like a nightingale, maybe sometimes walk like a tapir. His knowledge on birds was amazing, although it was my wife's first birding trip, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learned a lot. We saw 275 bird species out of a total of around 980. Overall the accommodations were good, we particularly enjoyed the Trogon Lodge, the pristine environment was very relaxing and enjoyable. Meals were generally good, both Trogon Lodge and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge provided the best meal experience. The birding activities were just right, we just had to adjust to wake up at five for the early morning bird walk - noon time was just too hot for such activity. The daily birding checklist was a good exercise, although the checklist printing was sub-par with mismatched lines across.

This is a great birding expedition. You will see hundreds of bird species (we saw over 250 distinct ones) in at least 4 different habitats from coastal to cloud forest. The guide was terrific and every where we went, he showed us birds we would never have seen without his expert help.

The Road Scholar Birding Southern Costa Rica trip was absolutely wonderful in every way. Our guide was highly capable, professional and personable. The itineray, accomodations, transportation and meals were perfect. This was our third Road Scholar experience and we plan on many more.

Road Scholar's attention to details was impressive, from being met at the airport to every transportation and accommodation detail. As experienced birders, we appreciated Roger's expertise and the time actually spent birding in the field. He is a world-class birder in a world-class location.

The Program was amazing! The birds numerous and varied; the guide was unbelievably good; the food and accommodations were appropriate at every location; the logistics perfect. The activity level "Keep the Pace" is appropriate.

If you love bird-watching and want to discover a country that is devoting itself to supporting outdoor adventure and ecotourism, Costa Rica has to be at the top of your list. I could not have been happier with my choice of the trip; Birding in Southern Costa Rica: Motmots to Quetzals

We did the Southern tour as the second part of our Costa Rican back-to-back birding tours. Loved both of the tours. This South tour had more extremes in temperature - from unbearable heat and humidity to very cool mountain weather. You definitely need to bring clothes to accommodate both extremes plus bug spray and sunscreen. We saw some great birds, had interesting lodging, and good food. Our guide, Leo, was extremely knowledgeable and an excellent guide. Our tour had 4 non-birders (mostly photographers) and he tried to make the trip as interesting for them as he could. However, I would recommend only birders take the tour!!!

I would highly recommend this program to other birders. Leo was a phenomenal guide and I ended up with 153 life birds! (AND I'd been to Costa Rica twice before...) Also, the places we stayed were amazing and the food was FANTASTIC!

This program excelled in almost every aspect: great guide (warm and funny too); enthusiastic participants; varied terrain with an incredible diversity of birds and plants; delicious, fresh food; even a bus driver with a nice pace and a gentle touch. I was completely satisfied with this course and recommend it without hesitation.

Ask about each unique event or each stop, vs. lumping by lodging - some stops between lodges were very good or were not so good, but we didn't get asked about them.

What a great trip. Of the 265 bird species located on our trip about 140 were life birds. A great trip to a wonderful new part of our fragile and beautiful planet.

Great opportunity to walk in a wide range of ecosystems from sea level to cloud forest and see associated birds. Choose "birding in northern Costa Rica" instead if you are more interested in marine birds. Accommodates people new to birding as well as people interested in bird, butterfly, and or flower photography as long as they can keep up with the group. Saw 28% of the 921 bird species in Costa Rica.

This trip and the one I took last year (digital photography) were excellent. Our Group leaders and drivers were very knowledgeable and efficient. I highly recommend both trips and I'm looking forward to more in the future. Last year Pedro and Alberto were great and this year Chito, Gilberth Molina, was amazing in his knowledge of where and when to look for birds. I'm thoroughly pleased. They deserve the highest rating.

We were so fortunate to have Gilberth Molina as our guide. He is a fantastic birder with comprehensive knowledge of where the difficult to find species are. He also is a great group leader and made sure we had a really enjoyable and educational experience. Serious birders will enjoy this trip. Our group identified over 300 species including antbirds, anthrushes, and great looks at the Resplendent Quetzal.