
Arenal · La Fortuna
Birdwatching & Bird Photography Tour – Arenal (6.5 h)
~6.5 hours
From · private · per person
$350.00
Taxes included
PhotographyLa Paz de San Ramón, Alajuela
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.
From $350.00USD · per person · Taxes included
Private tour
Do you need transport?
Total · $700.00 USD Taxes included
Book Now24 h+: book online · 6–<24 h: request without payment · <6 h: WhatsApp.
More than 8 travelers or a special request? Ask us1 of 3Resplendent Quetzal male at Valle de los Quetzales, San RamónPhoto: VIVO Expeditions
Photo credits: Photo: VIVO Expeditions




No professional equipment required. Recommended: 300 mm or longer for birds; 100 mm macro and flash at night.
Every guide carries a telescope and helps with phone-scoping.
Quetzal: January–May. Operated year-round.
Book at least 24 hours ahead. Hotel transport quoted separately.
Breakfast and lunch included. Groups of 4–6; more than 6 by manual request only.
La Paz de San Ramón, Alajuela · 90 km from La Fortuna (≈135 min drive)
Tour Location· La Paz de San Ramón, Alajuela
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) · La Paz de San Ramón, Alajuela · From $350.00 USD.
Includes: Private birding & photography guide · Exclusive access to Don Ignacio Arias' property · Local "soda" breakfast on arrival · Traditional Costa Rican lunch · Spotting scope & ID assistance
Book now · Free cancellation up to 48 h before your 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. From $350 per person · all taxes and fees included; transport is quoted separately by hotel and zone. Minimum 2 guests. Ideal for serious birders, photographers and anyone who wants the quetzal experience without the highland-lodge overnight.
4:30 AM · Hotel pickup
Private transport from your La Fortuna area hotel.
4:50 AM · Arrive at La Paz de San Ramón, Alajuela
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.
Start time: 5:00am
Share your hotel or Airbnb name during checkout and we confirm pickup time and any transport cost in writing.
It lasts Full day (~10–11 hrs). Start times: Departure 5:00 AM.
Transport is never included in the tour price. We quote it separately by hotel and zone, so you only pay for the route you actually need.
Yes. The pace follows the light and clean angles, with real time at each subject instead of covering distance. Non-photographers are welcome too.
Rain is part of the rainforest and the activity normally runs; bring a light rain jacket. If conditions become unsafe we reschedule or refund according to our policy.
La Paz de San Ramón, Alajuela
Valle de los Quetzales – Full Day Birding & Photography Tour