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    Birds of Arenal & Boca Tapada

    VIVO Expeditions · 7 days / 6 nights

    Birds of Arenal & Boca Tapada

    7-day birding & bird-photography expedition

    San José → La Fortuna → Cinchona & Quetzal valley → Boca Tapada → San José

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    Overview

    Designed from our birding and photography guides: dawn birding at Arenal Observatory, hummingbirds at point-blank range in Cinchona, the Resplendent Quetzal in its cloud forest, and two nights in Boca Tapada for Great Green Macaws, Sunbitterns and bats in flight.

    BirdersBird photographersNature lovers

    Three ways to travel

    From prices per person · 2 travelers · USD · 13% tax included · Card fee absorbed by VIVO

    A · All-inclusive Turnkey

    From USD 2,283 pp

    Private transfers, transport to every activity, private guided tours, lodging, all meals

    B · Lodge & Tours

    From USD 2,012 pp

    Private transfers, transport to every activity, private guided tours, lodging (no meals except hotel breakfast)

    C · Tours & Transfers

    From USD 1,690 pp

    Private transfers, transport to every activity, private guided tours — client books own lodging

    Day by day

    Day 1 — Welcome to Costa Rica

    San José → La Fortuna

    Your private driver meets you at SJO airport for the scenic drive north to La Fortuna (about 3 hours), with a coffee stop along the way. Check in and enjoy your first evening under Arenal Volcano.

    Private transfer

    Day 2 — Arenal birding

    La Fortuna

    Dawn birding at Arenal Observatory inside the national park, then the Bogarín Trail for trogons, motmots and sloths.

    Tours: Arenal Observatory Birding; Bogarín Sloth & Birds Walk

    Day 3 — Cinchona hummingbirds

    La Fortuna

    Full-day photography at the Colibrí Café feeders in Cinchona: hummingbirds, barbets and toucanets, with a La Paz Waterfall stop. Transport included.

    Tours: Cinchona Colibrí Café – full-day birding & photography

    Day 4 — Resplendent Quetzal

    La Fortuna

    Full-day excursion to Valle de los Quetzales to photograph the Resplendent Quetzal, plus honeycreepers and hummingbirds. Transport included.

    Tours: Valle de los Quetzales – full-day birding & photography

    Day 5 — Into the lowlands

    La Fortuna → Boca Tapada

    Private transfer to Boca Tapada (about 2.5 hours). Evening: bats in flight with a multi-flash setup.

    Tours: Bats in Flight Multi-Flash Session

    Private transfer

    Day 6 — Macaws & Sunbitterns

    Boca Tapada

    Great Green Macaw nesting session (Dec–Apr; Agami Heron colony Apr–Sep), then a Sunbittern photography session along the river.

    Tours: Great Green Macaw Nesting Session (Dec–Apr); Sunbittern Photography Tour

    Day 7 — Departure

    Boca Tapada → San José

    Early birding from the lodge deck and private transfer to SJO airport (about 4 hours).

    Private transfer

    Hotel options by region

    Rates = online reference rate per room / night, 2 adults, before 13% tax. Hotels shown are references — final property shown or similar, subject to availability.

    La Fortuna / Arenal — 4 nights

    Hotel Arenal Rabfer 1Hotel Arenal Rabfer 2Hotel Arenal Rabfer 3

    Value

    Hotel Arenal Rabfer or similar

    Well-rated 3★ hotel in La Fortuna town with outdoor pool, A/C rooms and volcano views — walk to restaurants and shops.

    High season (Dec–Apr): USD 120

    Green season (May–Nov): USD 85

    Breakfast included

    La Fortuna town: walkingArenal 1968 trail: 15 minMístico Bridges: 30 minBaldi Hot Springs: 8 minLa Fortuna Waterfall: 12 min
    Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort 1Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort 2Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort 3

    Comfort

    Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort or similar

    Hot springs resort at the foot of Arenal Volcano: natural thermal pools, water slides, spa, lagoons and trails.

    High season (Dec–Apr): USD 210

    Green season (May–Nov): USD 150

    Breakfast usually included

    La Fortuna town: 10 minArenal 1968 trail: 8 minMístico Bridges: 25 minBaldi Hot Springs: 3 minLa Fortuna Waterfall: 15 min
    Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs 1Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs 2Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs 3

    Superior

    Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs or similar

    4★ resort facing the volcano with private hot springs, volcano-view pool, river spa and tropical gardens.

    High season (Dec–Apr): USD 360

    Green season (May–Nov): USD 225

    Buffet breakfast included

    La Fortuna town: 12 minArenal 1968 trail: 7 minMístico Bridges: 25 minBaldi Hot Springs: 4 minLa Fortuna Waterfall: 18 min

    Boca Tapada (Northern Lowlands) — 2 nights

    Laguna del Lagarto Eco-Lodge 1Laguna del Lagarto Eco-Lodge 2Laguna del Lagarto Eco-Lodge 3

    Value

    Laguna del Lagarto Eco-Lodge or similar

    Classic birding ecolodge on 500 ha of rainforest with lagoons, canoes, trails and photo hides — Great Green Macaws and toucans.

    High season (Dec–Apr): USD 150

    Green season (May–Nov): USD 115

    Breakfast included · lunch & dinner at the lodge (extra)

    Boca Tapada photo sites: 15–20 minRío San Carlos boats: 5–10 minLa Fortuna: 2.5–3 h
    Boca Tapada Lodge 1Boca Tapada Lodge 2Boca Tapada Lodge 3

    Comfort

    Boca Tapada Lodge or similar

    Nature sanctuary closest to the photo sites, with modern A/C bungalows, terraces, pool area and river & kayak tours.

    High season (Dec–Apr): USD 175

    Green season (May–Nov): USD 135

    Breakfast included · lunch & dinner at the lodge (extra)

    Boca Tapada photo sites: 5–10 minRío San Carlos boats: 5–10 minLa Fortuna: 2.5 h
    Maquenque Eco Lodge 1Maquenque Eco Lodge 2Maquenque Eco Lodge 3

    Superior

    Maquenque Eco Lodge or similar

    Ecolodge inside the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge with bungalows and tree houses, pool, lagoon canoes and 590+ bird species.

    High season (Dec–Apr): USD 220

    Green season (May–Nov): USD 171

    Breakfast included · lunch & dinner à la carte (extra)

    Boca Tapada photo sites: 5 minRío San Carlos boats: 5–10 minLa Fortuna: 2.5 h

    Prices per person

    USD · 13% tax included · Card fee absorbed by VIVO. Shared double rooms; odd group sizes use one extra room.

    Hotel option: Value

    TravelersA HighA GreenB HighB Green
    22,402 USD2,283 USD2,131 USD2,012 USD
    32,374 USD2,215 USD2,102 USD1,944 USD
    42,139 USD2,020 USD1,868 USD1,749 USD
    52,203 USD2,061 USD1,932 USD1,789 USD
    62,075 USD1,956 USD1,804 USD1,685 USD
    72,137 USD2,002 USD1,866 USD1,730 USD
    82,050 USD1,931 USD1,778 USD1,660 USD

    Hotel option: Comfort

    TravelersA HighA GreenB HighB Green
    22,634 USD2,453 USD2,362 USD2,182 USD
    32,682 USD2,441 USD2,411 USD2,170 USD
    42,371 USD2,190 USD2,099 USD1,919 USD
    52,481 USD2,264 USD2,210 USD1,993 USD
    62,307 USD2,126 USD2,036 USD1,855 USD
    72,402 USD2,195 USD2,131 USD1,924 USD
    82,281 USD2,100 USD2,010 USD1,829 USD

    Hotel option: Superior

    TravelersA HighA GreenB HighB Green
    23,023 USD2,663 USD2,752 USD2,392 USD
    33,202 USD2,722 USD2,931 USD2,450 USD
    42,760 USD2,400 USD2,489 USD2,129 USD
    52,949 USD2,516 USD2,678 USD2,245 USD
    62,697 USD2,336 USD2,425 USD2,065 USD
    72,848 USD2,436 USD2,576 USD2,164 USD
    82,671 USD2,311 USD2,400 USD2,039 USD

    Style C · Tours & Transfers (client books lodging, same all year)

    TravelersPer personGroup total
    21,690 USD3,380 USD
    31,515 USD4,544 USD
    41,427 USD5,708 USD
    51,403 USD7,015 USD
    61,363 USD8,179 USD
    71,362 USD9,537 USD
    81,338 USD10,701 USD

    Included / notes

    • •Private transfers and private transport to every activity (all styles)
    • •Private naturalist-guided tours with entrance fees (all styles)
    • •13% tax included; card fee absorbed by VIVO
    • •Children 5–10 pay 70% of tour prices; 0–4 pay 20%
    • •Dedicated full-time guide & driver available on request
    • •Hotels shown are references — final property shown or similar, subject to availability
    • •Not included: flights, insurance, optional activities, tips, personal expenses

    Request this package

    Birds of Arenal & Boca Tapada · 7 days / 6 nights

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    • La Fortuna, Alajuela
      Costa Rica
    • +506 6005-9862
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