
PhotographyValle de los Quetzales, La Paz de San Ramón
Valle de los Quetzales – Full Day Birding & Photography Tour
Full-day private excursion from La Fortuna to La Paz de San Ramón to photograph the Resplendent Quetzal in its cloud-forest habitat — plus honeycreepers, hummingbirds and oropendolas at Don Ignacio Arias' private property.
- Full day (~10–11 hrs)
- Valle de los Quetzales, La Paz de San Ramón
- Private departure
- From $233 · taxes included
Your card is authorized only, not charged. VIVO confirms availability before capturing payment.
- Duration
- Full day (~10–11 hrs)
- Start time
- 5:00am
- Group style
- Private departure
- Pickup
- Pickup can be coordinated
- Languages
- EN / ES
The experience
Valle de los Quetzales – Full Day Birding & Photography Tour
A private full-day birding and photography expedition to Valle de los Quetzales, a hidden mid-elevation cloud-forest valley in La Paz de San Ramón, roughly two hours from La Fortuna. The tour is built around exclusive access to Don Ignacio Arias' private property, whose mature wild avocado (aguacatillo) trees are one of the most reliable Resplendent Quetzal feeding sites in northern Costa Rica — reserved for our guests only, so there are no crowds jostling for the shot. Departure is very early (around 4:00 AM) to reach the valley at dawn, when quetzal activity peaks and light is at its best for photography. In addition to the target species, expect Montezuma oropendola, red-legged and green honeycreeper, violet sabrewing, green hermit, masked tityra, collared trogon, prong-billed barbet, black guan and a long list of mid-elevation specialists. A traditional local breakfast at a family soda on arrival and a home-cooked Costa Rican lunch are included. Two pricing options: $200 per person without transport (you follow the guide vehicle in your own car) or $280 per person with private door-to-door transport from your La Fortuna hotel. Minimum 2 guests; final total adds 13% VAT and 3% card processing fee. Ideal for serious birders, photographers and anyone who wants the quetzal experience without the highland-lodge overnight.
Highlights
What makes this day different
Pricing from $200 pp (no transport) / $280 pp (with private transport)
+ 13% VAT and 3% card processing fee
Minimum 2 adults to operate
Best months for quetzal: January – July (nesting season peaks Mar–May)
Itinerary
Your day, hour by hour
Indicative timings — we adapt to wildlife activity and weather.
4:30 AM
Hotel pickup
Private transport from your La Fortuna area hotel.
4:50 AM
Arrive at Valle de los Quetzales, La Paz de San Ramón
Briefing with your bilingual naturalist guide.
5:00 AM
Guided experience begins
Immersive interpretation at a boutique pace.
10:00 AM
Wildlife & photo stops
Curated stops for sightings and photography.
3:00 PM
Return to hotel
Comfortable transfer back to your accommodation.
Gallery
What you may see
Real photographs from our departures. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Included
What is included and what to bring
Included
- Private birding & photography guide
- Exclusive access to Don Ignacio Arias' property
- Local "soda" breakfast on arrival
- Traditional Costa Rican lunch
- Spotting scope & ID assistance
- Private transport (with-transport option)
What to bring
- Camera with telephoto lens (400mm+ recommended)
- Binoculars
- Warm layers — cloud-forest climate (15–22°C)
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Reusable water bottle
Logistics
Practical details before you book
Pickup can be coordinated
Valle de los Quetzales, La Paz de San Ramón
Share your hotel or Airbnb name during checkout and we confirm pickup time and any transport cost in writing.
Booking window
Requests close 72h before departure. Inside that window we still try, but availability is not confirmed.
This experience accepts a card authorization online: the amount is held, never charged, until VIVO confirms.
2 Adults · 6
Cancellation & changes
- 72+ hours before tour → 100% refund to original payment method, minus 5% administrative fee
- 48–72 hours before tour → 50% refund to original payment method (minus 5% admin fee) OR free reschedule (subject to availability)
- 24–48 hours before tour → 25% refund to original payment method (minus 5% admin fee) OR reschedule with 25% rebooking fee (subject to availability)
- Less than 24 hours before tour → No refund (fixed operational costs already committed: hides, transport, guides)
- No-shows are non-refundable and non-rescheduleable
- The 5% administrative fee is non-refundable and covers non-recoverable bank/processor fees (Stripe and PayPal retain ~3% on every transaction even when refunded) plus the cost of processing the cancellation. It is waived when we cancel for operational or weather reasons.
- All refunds are issued to the original payment method (card, PayPal, or bank transfer used at booking). We do not issue cash refunds under any circumstance.
Book
Secure your date
Authorize your card today; the charge only happens once VIVO confirms the operation.
How it works
- 1. Choose date, modality and travellers at checkout.
- 2. Your card is authorized (hold), not charged.
- 3. VIVO confirms in writing (email and WhatsApp) with the operational details.
You can also add this experience to your itinerary and book several together. View my itinerary
Price per person
From$233
Taxes and card fee included.
Small group from $233
Reserve My Experience
Your card is authorized only, not charged.
VIVO confirms availability before capturing payment.
Free cancellation 72h+ (−5% fee)
Secure payment · no hidden fees
Your card is authorized only, not charged.





