- Group 4–6 · private
- Breakfast & lunch daily · dinners free
- Naturalist with spotting scope
- Private transport · fuel & tolls
- Fiery-throated
- Talamanca and Volcano Hummingbirds
- Resplendent Quetzal
- Collared Redstart
- Flame-throated Warbler
- Acorn Woodpecker
- Volcano Junco
- Timberline Wren
- Black-capped Flycatcher
- Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
- Violet Sabrewing
- Prong-billed Barbet
- Northern Emerald-Toucanet
- honeycreepers
- oropendolas
- Toucans
Two quetzal sites in one week: Savegre in the Talamanca highlands and the Valle de los Quetzales in San Ramón, plus Cinchona's feeders and a night of macro in Arenal.
- San José · start
- San Gerardo de Dota
- Cinchona
- La Fortuna / Arenal
- San José · end
Price per person
USD · all fees included · shared double rooms. For 1–3 or 7+ travelers we quote on request.
| Style · season | 4 travelers | 5 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort · green | $2,410 | $2,410 | $2,410 |
| Comfort · peak | $2,610 | $2,610 | $2,610 |
| Superior · green | $2,920 | $2,920 | $2,920 |
| Superior · peak | $3,250 | $3,250 | $3,250 |
Day by day
Day 1 · San José → San Gerardo de Dota
Into the highlands
Pickup at SJO, lunch on the road and a long stop at the km 70 hummingbird feeders before dropping into the Savegre valley.
Private transport · Hummingbird feeders km 70
Target species: Fiery-throated, Talamanca and Volcano Hummingbirds
Breakfast: — · Lunch: Lodge or local soda · Dinner: Free
Day 2 · San Gerardo de Dota
Quetzals at dawn
Wild avocado trees and active nests with a local quetzal guide; afternoon in the gardens and along the river.
Local quetzal guide
Target species: Resplendent Quetzal, Collared Redstart, Flame-throated Warbler, Acorn Woodpecker
Breakfast: At the hotel · Lunch: Lodge or local soda · Dinner: Free
Day 3 · San Gerardo de Dota
Los Quetzales National Park
High-elevation oak forest and a second session with the quetzals.
Park entrance
Target species: Volcano Junco, Timberline Wren, Black-capped Flycatcher, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
Breakfast: At the hotel · Lunch: Lodge or local soda · Dinner: Free
Day 4 · San Gerardo → Cinchona → La Fortuna
Across to Arenal via Cinchona
Through the Central Valley with a long session at the Colibrí Café feeders.
Cinchona Colibrí Café
Target species: Violet Sabrewing, Prong-billed Barbet, Northern Emerald-Toucanet
Breakfast: At the hotel · Lunch: In the tour · Dinner: Free
Day 5 · La Fortuna ⇄ La Paz de San Ramón
Valle de los Quetzales
Full day at the second quetzal site, Don Ignacio Arias' property.
Valle de los Quetzales
Target species: Resplendent Quetzal, honeycreepers, oropendolas
Breakfast: At the hotel · Lunch: In the tour · Dinner: Free
Day 6 · La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory and macro night
Tower and trails at dawn; frogs and reptiles after dinner.
Arenal Observatory Birding · Macro Night Photography
Target species: Toucans, trogons, Black-crested Coquette (possible), red-eyed tree frog
Breakfast: At the hotel · Lunch: Lodge or local soda · Dinner: Free
Day 7 · La Fortuna → San José
Departure
Private transfer to SJO.
Private transfer
Breakfast: At the hotel · Lunch: — · Dinner: —
Breakfast & lunch every day
- Breakfast: at the hotel when it is included; served on the route on early starts or where the hotel does not include it; in the tour when the outing includes it.
- Lunch & on the road: lunch every day at a lodge or local soda (or in the tour), plus coffee, water and snacks in the vehicle.
- Dinner: free, so you choose where and when.
How this price is built
Per person · 4 travellers · Comfort · green season · all fees included
- Tours & entrances$1,082
- Transport & route guideestimate · shared by the group$483
- Lodgingestimate · shared by the group$675
- Mealsestimate · shared by the group$129
- Price per person$2,410
Best months
Quetzal nesting: February/March to June, tied to the wild avocado; February–May is the safest windowDecember–April: best visibility overallSeptember–October: heavy rain in Talamanca
Hotels by region
San Gerardo de Dota · 3 nights
Comfort
Trogon Lodge
Superior
Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa
Comfort
Quetzals Paradise (km 70)
La Fortuna · Arenal · 3 nights
Comfort
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Comfort
Hotel Lomas del Volcán
Superior
Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs
Superior
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
Included
- •Private naturalist guide with a spotting scope on every outing, who helps you photograph through it
- •Private transport with fuel, tolls and parking, plus airport transfers
- •Lodging in your chosen style (Comfort or Superior), shared double rooms
- •Breakfast every day: at the hotel, or served on the route on early starts and where the hotel does not include it
- •Lunch every day at a lodge or local soda, plus coffee, water and snacks on the road
- •All entrances, boats, hides and feeders in the program
- •Small group of 4 to 6 travelers
Not included
- •Dinner not included: we recommend places near each hotel
- •International flights
- •Travel and medical insurance
- •Alcohol, tips and personal expenses
- •Activities outside the program
Conditions
- •Departures for 4 to 6 travelers. For 7 or more, or for 1–3 travelers, we quote on request
- •50% non-refundable deposit to book; balance due 60 days before departure
- •Photography sessions are always private to your group
- •Children 5–10 pay 70% of tours and entrances, and the same as adults for lodging, meals and transport; infants 0–4 pay 20% of tours and entrances plus the full transport amount; infant lodging follows each hotel's policy and is not charged upfront
- •Hotels are references: the final property is the one shown or similar, subject to availability
- •Peak season (Dec 15–Apr 30 and July): drives can take up to 30 minutes longer
Frequently asked questions
How big is the group?
Standard departures are for 4 to 6 travellers. For 1–3 or 7 or more travellers we prepare a custom quote.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast every day, at the hotel or served on the route on early starts, and lunch every day at a lodge or local soda. Dinner not included.
Are the photography sessions private?
Yes. Photography sessions are always private to your group.
When is the best season?
The best months for this expedition are Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
What is the deposit?
50% non-refundable to book, and the balance 60 days before departure. Nothing is charged until we confirm availability.