What to Expect
Overview
The Costa Rica Birding with Canadian Geographic tour is a relaxed birding and wildlife tour. We have at least two nights in each birding zone so there will be some downtime between outings. Some days we offer optional walks before breakfast and after dinner; on other days we’ll pack up early for departure. In the tropics it is best to get out at dawn when bird activity is the highest. Often things slow down by noon when we may return to our hotel for lunch and a short siesta. The daily travel schedule will vary to account for weather and our activities and objectives for the day.
Food
We generally have breakfast at the hotel before we head out for the day. We often take a picnic lunch in the field, but will occasionally stop at a restaurant for lunch. In the evening we eat at the hotel or lodge where we are staying. At this time we discuss the day’s activities, review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have seen and heard, and prepare for the next day.
Accommodation
Generally we stay in standard hotel rooms or rustic lodges, in remote locations, close to where we want to go exploring.
Walking
The walking on this tour is rated easy to moderate. Generally we do not walk further than 5 km (3 miles), however the terrain can be uneven and muddy. The maximum elevation we will be walking at is approximately 3,000 m (10,000 ft), during our day on the Irazú Volcano. Our accommodations in the highlands sit at 2,200 m (7,200 ft), but other accommodations are at less than 1,500 m (5,000 ft).
Driving
This trip involves a moderate amount of driving, as we relocate to several amazing locations throughout the tour. Most accommodations are 2-3 hours apart, except one which is an hour away and another four hours distant. We will take frequent rest stops and birding stops on these travel days. On the non-relocating days, we will drive just short distances to amazing birding locations. Throughout the tour, we travel on paved roads, however there will be some twisty roads when driving through the mountains.
Climate
Temperatures will range from warm to hot, with an often daily mixture of sun, cloud, showers and rain. In general, the Caribbean is a wetter area but showers are often at night. Mosquitoes are not usually a problem but can be active in the evenings or in certain areas.
