Costa Rica Birding and Wildlife Itinerary 2 Weeks

If you’re planning to visit Costa Rica to see wildlife, then we have the itinerary for you!

This 2 week Costa Rica wildlife and birding itinerary gives visitors ample opportunities to see all sorts of animals in their natural habitat.

This itinerary has everything to make your trip planning easy, as I’ll outline transportation options, tours, hotels and much more.

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2 Weeks Costa Rica Birding and Wildlife Itinerary: What to Know

• Must fly in and out of San Jose International Airport.
• Can rent a car and self drive or book private shuttles.
• Heavy focus on birding with some adventure and beach time.
• Ideal for couples and older families.
• Goes to slightly less touristic areas with a focus on lodges.
• Best time for this itinerary for the best weather is January through April (summer time).

See the map of this itinerary here.

What to Pack for the Costa Rica Birding and Wildlife Itinerary

All the destinations are in the rainforest with hot and humid weather and average day time temperatures around high 80s­° F (31° C).

The only “cold” destination is Monteverde, which you will need a sweater for as it is up 1400 meters (4500 feet) in elevation.

MUST BRING: Rain jacket shell, comfortable walking/hiking clothes, swimsuit, board shorts, rash guard/sun shirt, mosquito repellent, lots of sunscreen, hat/visor, sunglasses.

Don’t forget a good pair of binoculars.

For shoes, you need a comfortable pair of walking, light hiking or trail running shoes. Even better if they are waterproof. If not, buy waterproof spray.

For the white water rafting, water shoes. They are light, not that expensive, can be leisure walking shoes and don’t take up too much room in your luggage. You can also use them for the hot springs.

If you are a photographer, make sure to bring at least a 300 mm lens for birds. We use Sony cameras and have a 200-600 mm and 300 mm with 2.0 TC. Also have a waterproof backpack.

Get our full Costa Rica packing list here.

Renting a Car

If you are visiting during the drier months such as January through April, we recommend a high clearance SUV. A 2wd is fine.

If you are visiting during the rainy season May through November, we recommend a 4wd.

For December, we also recommend a 4wd as it’s the end of rainy season, when the roads are at their worst condition.

Get our renting a car in Costa Rica tips, driving in Costa Rica tips and our Costa Rica car rental discount! We’ll help you arrange all of the details if you book through our widget.

Private Shuttles

If you prefer not to drive, you can book private shuttles. Private shuttles offer door to door service, basic to intermediate bilingual English and Spanish drivers and include stops along the way.

The van will be just for your group as a private service.

Contact us to help you arrange your private shuttles.

Day 1: Land at San Jose International Airport, Travel to Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiqui

Welcome to Costa Rica!

After exiting the airport, you will pick up your rental car.

From the airport, it is approximately a 2 hour drive to Selva Verde Lodge.

If you booked a private transfer, your driver will be waiting for you outside the airport.

Important: Try to get a flight that lands in Costa Rica before 5 PM. That way, you can avoid driving in the dark. It gets dark by 6 PM every day in Costa Rica.

About Selva Verde Lodge: One of the best lodges in Costa Rica for wildlife and birding. Located in Sarapiqui, a canton known for its nature and white water rafting. Has its own 500 acre private reserve.

Book one of their river lodges for a quiet stay and river views. The pioneer rooms, though cozy, are off the main road and noisier.

Day 2: Selva Verde Lodge

Your one full day at Selva Verde Lodge will be a fantastic introduction to what Costa Rica is famous for: nature and adventure.

You’ll first embark on an exciting white water rafting out down the Sarapiqui River, Class II and III in the morning.

Perfect level of excitement and adventure as you raft down the pristine river, surrounded by lush trees and wildlife.

Go back to the lodge for lunch after the rafting. Then go to your room to shower and get ready for the afternoon activity.

At 2 PM, you’ll do a guided nature walk through their private reserve. They have a very cool bridge crossing the Sarapiqui River to connect the hotel property to the reserve.

Great opportunities to see frogs and birds. 2 hours.

Head back to your room to freshen up and then enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Day 3: Travel to Maquenque Eco Lodge in Boca Tapada (1 hour & 10 min drive)

After breakfast, you’ll travel to the small village near the Nicaraguan border, Boca Tapada, and stay at Maquenque Eco Lodge.

Maquenque Eco Lodge is a local family owned hotel on the San Carlos River with lake view cabins and tree houses, spread out through their own private reserve.

They have fantastic birdwatching thanks to the pristine rainforest, lakes and rivers. Boca Tapada has nearly 600 registered bird species!

We highly recommend staying in a treehouse for an unforgettable immersive stay in the rainforest. The lake view cabins are super cute and comfortable too.

Save 5% using our promo code mytanfeet on their website: Maquenque Eco Lodge!

Day 4: Maquenque Eco Lodge

Today you’ll wake up early to go on their 2 hour 6 AM birdwatching tour, which goes on the trails around their vast property.

Some birds you may see are the Keel billed and Yellow throated toucans, kingfishers, herons, parrots including the Scarlet and Great Green Macaw, tanagers, honeycreepers, hummingbirds, euphonias and much more.

After the birding, go have breakfast and enjoy the morning.

Rest in your room and then after lunch, head to the lagoon to do some kayaking on the lake. You do not need to go on a tour or with a guide to kayak around.

Then at 5 PM, get ready for a night walk. Your guide will take you around the property to share the secrets of the rainforest at night.

Get ready to see lots of frogs, insects, sleeping birds and snakes.

Have dinner after the night walk.

Day 5: Maquenque Eco Lodge

In the morning after breakfast, you’ll go on the San Carlos boat ride at 830 AM.

This 3 hour tour takes you on a boat ride down the river to see animals such as crocodiles, caimans, bats, iguanas, herons, and monkeys. Then you’ll stop at the small town of Boca San Carlos.

There, you’ll get off the stretch your legs and walk to the border to see Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

In the afternoon after the boat tour, take the time to walk around the trails on your own, go to the pool and relax at the restaurant or your room.

If you didn’t go kayaking on day 4, you can check go kayaking in the afternoon.

Day 6: Travel to Arenal Observatory Lodge (2 hours & 10 min drive)

Today after breakfast, you’ll travel to Arenal Observatory Lodge near La Fortuna.

This lodge inside Arenal Volcano National Park used to be a research center, and is now one of the best places for birding in Costa Rica.

Not only that, they have spectacular views of Arenal Volcano all around!

Their junior suites have both lake and volcano views and a bit further from the main reception. The standard rooms are located at reception. They also have standalone casitas (houses) for bigger groups.

If your room isn’t ready yet, leave your luggage at the reception. Then head to downtown La Fortuna.

You can walk around the central park, do some souvenir shopping and get food at one of the local sodas. We recommend Soda La Hormiga in town.

If you don’t have a rental car, you can ask the lodge to call you a taxi to go to downtown. Then you can call an Uber from downtown to go back to the lodge.

Day 7: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Today you’ll do an all day tour of the grounds, offered by the lodge. It combines both morning and afternoon birding tours, so you’ll have many opportunities to add more lifers to your list.

Begins around 5 AM, for a couple hours, then again in the early afternoon, ending before dinner.

Day 8: Arenal Observatory Lodge

We have a few ideas on how to enjoy day 8.

Remember, as you will be out all day, make sure to bring a backpack with your swimsuit, change of clothes and sandals when you leave in the morning.

Option 1: Ziplining, Sloths, Hot Springs

9 AM Ziplining: Add some adventure and go ziplining at the Sky Adventures La Fortuna park.

Take the aerial tram up to the first cable and get incredible views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano while flying through the rainforest.

Afterwards, have lunch at Rainforest Cafe Arenal (25 min drive).

Then go to La Fortuna Hikes & Trails, a small private reserve, 10 minute drive. Arrive in time for the 1 PM 2 hour guided walk to see sloths and animals.

Afterwards, head to one of the hot springs resorts, ~10-15 minute drive.

Here is our recommended hot springs in La Fortuna, but we really like Tabacon ($$$), Ecotermales ($$), or Paradise ($$).

For those without a rental car: Book the Sky Adventures passes with transportation included, with pick up from the Arenal Observatory Lodge and drop off in La Fortuna town center.

Have lunch in town center (Soda 5 Tejas, $ and fast). Then call an Uber or walk to La Fortuna Hikes and Trails, 3 minute drive/12 minute walk) for the 1 PM guided walk.

After the walk, Uber to the hot springs resort. Have dinner there. Then Uber back to the lodge.

Option 2: Chocolate, Waterfall, Sloths and Hot Springs

Head to Rainforest Chocolate Tour for the 8 AM chocolate tour. ~2 hours.

Then head to the La Fortuna Waterfall, 4 minute drive. Walk down 500+ steps to a beautiful waterfall dropping into an emerald green pool. Stay 1 hour.

Then go have lunch at El Chante Verde (5 min drive) and around 1245 PM, drive 5 minutes to La Fortuna Hikes and Trails to do the guided sloth walk, ~2 hours.

Afterwards, go to the hot springs. You can have dinner at the hot springs resorts like Ecotermales or Tabacon.

Head back to the lodge after the hot springs.

Without a rental car: Ask the lodge to call you a taxi to the chocolate tour. You can then call Ubers to the waterfall, lunch, the hike reserve, hot springs and back to the lodge.

Option 3: Sloths, Massage, Cooking Class, Hot Springs

8 AM La Fortuna Hikes and Trails guided walk to see sloths. ~2 hours.

Then, park your car in the Parqueo ADIFORT (3 min drive) and walk 2 minutes to Asiel Spa in downtown for a 1 hour relaxing massage for $35 USD.

Have lunch afterwards in town. Restaurante Fortueño or Kenkos are good options you can walk to from the spa (5 min).

Then at 240 PM, get your car and drive 5 minutes to La Finquita for a cooking class. You’ll tour an organic farm, pick your own ingredients, cook your dinner and eat it.

After the cooking class ends around 530, head to the hot springs to end the day.

When you’re done with the hot springs, go back to the lodge.

Without a car: Have the lodge call you a taxi to La Fortuna Hikes and Trails. Then walk (~15 min) or Uber (3 min) to Asiel Spa.

Afterwards, walk 5 minutes to Restaurante Fortueño for lunch. Then walk 5 minutes to the tour operator office to get picked up for the cooking class.

After the cooking class, the tour operator will drop you off at the hot springs that you want to go to.

When done with the hot springs, call an Uber back to the lodge.

Day 9: Travel to Monteverde (3 hours drive)

Today you will travel to Monteverde, the cloud forest town.

The road is a bit bumpy but go slow and enjoy the beautiful views along the way.

Where to stay: Hotel Poco a Poco, Monteverde Country Lodge or Sibu Lodge: Save 5% using our promo code mytanfeet on their websites.

All comfortable lodges with on-site restaurants and near town center. Poco a Poco has rooms with air conditioning. Sibu Lodge is the newest of the three.

Head to Mirador Valle Escondido Preserve to watch the sunset at 5 PM.

Day 10: Monteverde

First, you’ll do a morning nature walk at Curi Cancha Reserve.

If you visit between February and June, you will have great chances to see the Resplendant Quetzals as it’s their mating months and they’re very active!

The nature walk is around 3 hours, starting around 730 AM.

Then have lunch at Stellas and stop by the Ficus Root Bridge Tree for some cool photo opportunities.

Then at 2 PM, do a 2 hour coffee tour with Cafe Monteverde. Cafe Monteverde is one of my favorite coffee brands in Costa Rica.

Have dinner at Restaurante Sabor Tico.

Day 11: Selvatura Park and Travel to Hotel Cerro Lodge in Tarcoles (2 Hours Drive)

Today you’ll visit Selvatura Park and travel to Tarcoles.

At Selvatura Park, you’ll walk their hanging bridges up in the cloud forest. You can walk on your own or book a guided walk. ~2 hours.

You can also add ziplining in case you didn’t do it in La Fortuna and want to try it.

You have to go in the morning, as you will be driving 2 hours to the next destination and you should avoid driving in the dark. Aim to leave Selvatura by noon.

If you decide to book both ziplining and hanging bridges, book the 8 AM slot to finish before noon.

TIP: You can bring your luggage as Selvatura Park has a secure parking lot. But do not leave any valuables in the car so take them with you to the park.

Tonight you’ll stay at Hotel Cerro Lodge in Tarcoles. Small hotel with great birdwatching opportunities, a pool and restaurant with excellent pizza.

Day 12: Travel to Playa Bejuco

In the morning, enjoy bird watching while having breakfast. This lodge is known for having lots of Scarlet Macaws around so you’ll get to see them up close.

Then at check out, you will drive a little over an hour to Playa Bejuco to your last destination. You’ll stay at Alma del Pacifico Beachfront Hotel for your last nights in Costa Rica.

This beach is outside the tourist towns and is a very local beach, with long shores, dark sand, swaying palm trees and beautiful sunsets.

You can drive through Jaco, the biggest and most developed surf town to check out on the way.

Day 13: Manuel Antonio National Park

Today you will visit Manuel Antonio National Park, a 1 hour drive.

The national park offers plenty of wildlife opportunities, as it’s a popular place to see squirrel monkeys, white face monkeys, sloths, iguanas, deer and frogs.

The national park opens at 7 AM and closes at 4 PM, so we recommend to go early in the morning to make the most out of your day. This national park is closed on Tuesdays.

Without a rental car: Book a tour that includes roundtrip transportation, park ticket, lunch and bilingual guide. We offer a small discount for this tour, contact us for tour bookings!

Day 14: Last Day

Your last day is to walk on the beach, sleep, go to the pool, see the sunset at the beach and relax.

Day 15: Fly Out of San Jose International Airport (1 hour drive)

Good bye Costa Rica! We hope you had an amazing two weeks on this Costa Rica birding and wildlife itinerary.

Playa Bejuco to the San Jose International Airport is a little over a 2 hour drive. Always give more time to account for traffic.

Remember to get to the airport at least 3 hours before your departure time and add at least 30 more minutes to return your rental car.

Early Flight on Day 15

If you have a very early morning flight back home, we recommend to leave on day 14 and stay the night close to the airport.

You can then return your rental car that night. To get to the airport, you can take your hotel’s airport shuttle or schedule an Uber.

You can check our list of recommended hotels near San Jose International Airport.

We also offer a 10% discount for Adventure Inn who offers free airport transfers and free hot breakfast. Save 10% with our promo code mytanfeet in the link.

Costa Rica Vacation Checklist

• First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
• Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
• Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
• Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
• Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
• Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
• Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.

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