What to know
- Camera with telephoto lens (400mm+ recommended)
- Binoculars
- Warm layers — cloud-forest climate (15–22°C)
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Reusable water bottle
How it works
- 1
Choose your date
Date, modality and travellers at checkout.
- 2
We authorize your card
The amount is held; NOT charged until VIVO confirms.
- 3
We confirm in writing
Email and WhatsApp with time, meeting point and assigned guide.
- 4
Your private portal
You receive your portal with itinerary, calendar invite and support.
You can also add this experience to your itinerary and book several together. View my itinerary
Where exactly it is
Valle de los Quetzales, La Paz de San Ramón · 90 km from La Fortuna (≈135 min drive)
Tour Location·
Compare with other options in this zone
Real alternatives in the same destination, so you can decide without opening five tabs.
| Detail | You are viewingValle de los Quetzales – Full Day Birding & Photography Tour | Boca Tapada – Full Day Bird Photography Tour | Cinchona – Colibri Cafe Birding & Photography | 🌋 La Fortuna – Classic Combo Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Full day (~10–11 hrs) | Full day (~12 hrs) | Full day (~8–9 hours door-to-door; 6 hours dedicated at the feeders) | Full day (~10 hours) |
| Price | From $261 | From $522 | From $372 | From $423 |
| Difficulty | — | — | Easy | — |
| Transport | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Modality | Private | Private | Private | Private |
| Booking | Instant date hold | Instant date hold | Instant date hold | Instant date hold |
| Includes | 5 items | 9 items | 8 items | 5 items |
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Pair this experience in Arenal & La Fortuna
Complete your day in Arenal & La Fortuna
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- Duration
- Full day (~10–11 hrs)
- Start time
- 5:00amSubject to availability
- 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 AMHotel pickup
Private transport from your La Fortuna area hotel.
4:50 AMArrive at Valle de los Quetzales, La Paz de San Ramón
Briefing with your bilingual naturalist guide.
5:00 AMGuided experience begins
Immersive interpretation at a boutique pace.
10:00 AMWildlife & photo stops
Curated stops for sightings and photography.
3:00 PMReturn 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 is not
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
Not included
- Transport / hotel pickup — quoted separately by hotel and zone
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.
What to know
- Camera with telephoto lens (400mm+ recommended)
- Binoculars
- Warm layers — cloud-forest climate (15–22°C)
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Reusable water bottle
Where exactly it is
Valle de los Quetzales, La Paz de San Ramón · 90 km from La Fortuna (≈135 min drive)
Tour Location·
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
- 36+ hours before tour → 100% refund to original payment method, minus 5% transaction fee
- Less than 36 hours before tour → 50% refund to original payment method, minus 5% transaction fee (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.
Compare
Choose with clarity
Duration, price, difficulty, transport and booking type, side by side.
Compare with other options in this zone
Real alternatives in the same destination, so you can decide without opening five tabs.
| Detail | You are viewingValle de los Quetzales – Full Day Birding & Photography Tour | Boca Tapada – Full Day Bird Photography Tour | Cinchona – Colibri Cafe Birding & Photography | 🌋 La Fortuna – Classic Combo Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Full day (~10–11 hrs) | Full day (~12 hrs) | Full day (~8–9 hours door-to-door; 6 hours dedicated at the feeders) | Full day (~10 hours) |
| Price | From $261 | From $522 | From $372 | From $423 |
| Difficulty | — | — | Easy | — |
| Transport | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Modality | Private | Private | Private | Private |
| Booking | Instant date hold | Instant date hold | Instant date hold | Instant date hold |
| Includes | 5 items | 9 items | 8 items | 5 items |
Book
Secure your date
Authorize your card today; the charge only happens once VIVO confirms the operation.
How it works
- 1
Choose your date
Date, modality and travellers at checkout.
- 2
We authorize your card
The amount is held; NOT charged until VIVO confirms.
- 3
We confirm in writing
Email and WhatsApp with time, meeting point and assigned guide.
- 4
Your private portal
You receive your portal with itinerary, calendar invite and support.
You can also add this experience to your itinerary and book several together. View my itinerary
Price per person
From$261
All fees included.
Small group from $261
Reserve My Experience
Your card is authorized only, not charged.
Availability is checked live. VIVO captures the payment after finalizing the operational details.
Free cancellation 36h+ (−5% fee)
Secure payment · no hidden fees
Questions
Frequently asked
How long does this tour last?
It lasts Full day (~10–11 hrs). Start times: Departure 5:00 AM.
Is transport or pickup included?
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.
Is this tour designed for photographers?
Yes. The pace follows the light and clean angles, with real time at each subject instead of covering distance. Non-photographers are welcome too.
What happens if it rains?
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.
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