Field Trips
FIELD TRIPS
HALF AND FULL DAY TRIPS
Carara National Park and Tarcoles River Boat tour
US $140 per person.
Date: October 14th (Tuesday)
Departure time: 5:00 AM
Return time: 2:00 PM
We will start the tour driving through residential and industrial areas of the central valley. As we pass through these areas we will describe the main companies and economy of Costa Rica. As we continue down into the western lowlands there will be excellent views of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range where we will see the ancient routes of the ox-cart caravans our ancestors traveled delivering our coffee, known as the golden bean, to the Pacific ports. Along the way we will also observe tropical fruit plantations.
Carara National Park, established in 1970, is a meeting place between the Tropical Rainforest and the Tropical Dry Forest, located 90 minutes from San José in the Central Pacific. The trails offer a great diversity of birds, such as the Orange-collared Manakin, Scarlet Macaws, Royal Flycatchers and many others. It is also home to various reptiles, amphibians, mammals (3 species of monkeys), and centenary trees. It has a handicap-accessible path with wheelchair access, interpretive stations for the blind, restrooms as well as resting places along the trail.
The Tarcoles River, or Grande de Tarcoles as the locals know it, is an ideal place to enjoy water birds. We will boat through its imposing waters to see the huge American crocodiles that live there, its unique mangrove forest where native species such as many hummingbirds and Mangrove Vireo reside. It is an unforgettable experience for its beautiful views of the Carara National Park.
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, hat, hiking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent and bottled water.
Included: Transportation service, local guide, entrance fees, and lunch.
Limited to 50 passengers-
Cinchona Valley Birding-Lapa Verde Project & Chocolate Farm
US $145 (based on a minimum of 20 passengers)
Date: October 14th (Tuesday) and October 19th (Sunday)
Included: Transportation, Bilingual Guide, Fee entrances, and lunch.
Departure time: 7:00 AM
Return time: around 5:00 PM
The Poas Volcano National Park, established in 1955, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country, with an elevation of 8,000 ft. It is a majestic ½ mile walk from the main visitors center. It is an ideal place to discover the Tropical Cloud Forest with its diversity of endemic species such as the Poas Volcano Squirrel, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, and Black and Yellow Silky Flycatchers. The cloud forest includes important species of plants such as the poor man's umbrella.
We begin our drive through downtown Alajuela, where we will visit the historic monument of Costa Rica national hero Juan Santamaria, the Central Park, and a Cathedral church. Later we will stop at the coffee estates and continue to enjoy the views of the central valley through the strawberry and flower plantations as we drive to the Cinchona Valley, which is the home of more iconic birds. Species such as the northern Emerald Toucanet and Volcano Hummingbird, Red-headed Barbet, and White Hawk, which inhabit the highlands between the Caribbean and Pacific slopes.
Lapa Verde is located on the Caribbean slope and has a tower to see the surrounding tree canopy and any soaring raptors. It is a green Macaw population conservation project with nesting birds nearby. The chocolate plantation is family owned, offering to see the chocolate making process. People can prepare their own chocolate and purchase chocolate.
What to bring: Comfortable clothes, hiking shoes, hat, light jacket, sunblock, and mosquito repellent.
Coffee Plantation Tour
US $60 per person.
Date: October 15th (Wednesday)
Departure time: 7:00 AM
Return time: 12:00 PM
Embark on an extraordinary coffee adventure at Hacienda Doka. Join us for a unique one-day experience that stands out as the best coffee tour in Costa Rica. Delve into the world of coffee, surrounded by the lush beauty of Hacienda Doka, and discover why our tour is a must-do for every coffee enthusiast and nature lover.
What to bring: Comfortable clothes, hiking shoes, hat, light jacket, sunblock, and mosquito repellent.
Included: Transportation, Bilingual Guide, Fee entrances and coffee.
120 passengers.
Birding in Central Valley
US $60 per person
Date: October 15th (Wednesday)
Departure time 5:00 AM
Return time: around 12:00 PM
Enjoy the urban birds only 20 minutes from the hotel. We will see the Costa Rica ground sparrow, then on to marshes to enjoy purple gallinules and northern jacanas. Moving to open grasslands, we will discover the Crested bob white, eastern meadowlark, and lesser ground cuckoo, yellow headed Caracara, Gray Hawk and Laughing falcon. Visiting the Funda-Buho funded owl conservation initiative will illustrate how to conserve owl populations in industrial areas. By coordinating landscape designs with other sustainability practices on empty lands within industrial parks of Costa Rica, we will experience how to achieve conservation while appreciating the local culture.
What to bring: Comfortable clothes, hiking shoes, hat, light jacket, sunblock, and mosquito repellent.
Included: Transportation, Bilingual Guide, Fee entrances and lunch.
25 passengers.
San José City Tour
US $80 per person
Date: October 18th (Saturday)
Departure time 7:00 AM
Return time: 1:00 PM
During this journey we will visit the National Theater Lobby, also known as “The jewel of San José,” a masterpiece of art and architecture built by Costa Ricans and completed in 1897.
Then we will visit the pre-Columbian gold museum and Central Market, a place full of the Costa Rican cultural heritage and traditions, where you will be able to browse and buy local arts and craftwork.
We will also visit the Metropolitan Cathedral. As we travel around the city, we will point out several important historical and modern buildings in our city; the Costa Rica University, the Old Train Station, The National Liquor Factory, The National Supreme Election Bureau, the Asamblea Legislativa (equivalent to The Congress) and the Metallic Building. Along the way we will point out parks and various sites of interest. This introduction to our Capital City includes facts about our economy, culture, politics, religion, and general current events. Also, we will visit an art gallery, where you will be able to get souvenirs to take back home.
What to bring: Comfortable clothes, hiking shoes, hat, light jacket, sunblock, and mosquito repellent.
50 passengers.
MULTIPLE DAY TRIPS
TORTUGUERO TWO NIGHTS/THREE DAYS TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK ITINERARY
Rates per person based on Hotel room distribution.
US $418 (single occupancy); US $392 (double occupancy); US $340 (triple occupancy).
Pre-conference - Oct 12-14
Post-conference - Oct 19-21
DAY 1
Hilton Hotel Conference pick up at 5:45 AM
6:30 AM. Depart from San José, accompanied by your naturalist guide, and drive past coffee plantations before heading into the mountains of BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK where the steep slopes are covered with thick cloud forest vegetation and beautiful waterfalls are seen from the road.
8.30 AM. Just after BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK, we will stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast, fruit juice, coffee, eggs and the popular gallo "pinto".
9.30 AM. We will cross a huge banana plantation.
10:30 AM. We unload our bus and embark on the most exciting part of this tour: the boat trip into the jungle of the Tortuguero National Park. We will learn about the 29000 hectares of park and get a real feel of our tropical humid rainforest. Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting sites of the green sea turtle (Chelonia midas). The forests and waterways are home for mammals such as sloths, monkeys, agoutis, coatimundis and manatees. There are also abundant birds, such as toucans, trogons, egrets, herons and anhingas, as well as crocodiles, turtles and countless colorful butterflies, including the blue morpho.
1.00 PM. Arrival at the lodge. Enjoy a refreshing welcome cocktail.
2:45 PM. Delicious buffet lunch served.
4:00 PM. Explore Tortuguero National Park by boat to see its enchanting hidden canals and lagoons. There are 15m observation towers, covered with bromelias, vines, and orchids and an array of wildlife spotted in the foliage.
5:30 PM. Back at the hotel, you will have time to relax before dinner.
7:00 PM. Delicious dinner.
DAY 2
7:00 AM Delicious breakfast is served including fruits, eggs, juice, toast and fresh brewed Costa Rican coffee.
9:30 am. Guided Walk on the hotel trails and gardens.
1:00 PM Delicious lunch.
2:45 PM Visit to the lovely Tortuguero Town with all its Caribbean splendor. Our guide will explain everything related to the way of life of the town.
7:00 PM Delicious dinner style buffet.
8:00 PM optional trip to the beach to visit green turtles laying eggs
DAY 3
7:00 AM Delicious breakfast: Fruits, eggs, juice, toast, and fresh brewed Costa Rican coffee. 9:00 AM Check out. Bring your luggage with you to the hotel reception desk. 1:00 PM Delicious lunch on the way
3:30 PM Arrival in San José City. What to bring: hat, light clothes, walking shoes, raingear, mosquito repellent.
Not included: Entrance fee $16.95, night tour to see turtle egg-laying $45 (conditions permitting), Bring dark clothes for the turtle spawning if you plan to do this and bring a headlamp with a red lens or filter.
For better enjoyment of the tour, we reserve the right to change the times.
Talamanca Hawk Watch Over Night
Witness One of Nature’s Greatest Spectacles.
Raptor Migration Tour – Talamanca, Costa Rica
Three days, two nights
Cost US$395
Pre-conference dates: 12-14 Oct.
Post-conference dates: 19-21 Oct.
Capacity: 28 participants
Join us for an unforgettable experience in the heart of Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean, where over two million raptors soar overhead each migration season. At the Talamanca Hawkwatch at Finca Las Nubes (Farm of the Clouds), you will visit a premier observation site nestled between the lush Caribbean coast and the majestic Talamanca Mountains.
Each year during spring and fall, this narrow land bridge between North and South America becomes the stage for the most spectacular raptor migration on Earth, with more than 17 species passing through. You’ll have the chance to observe impressive birds of prey such as thousands of Turkey Vultures and Swainson’s Hawks but also up to 100 Peregrine Falcons in a single day and for sure, many Ospreys and more.
But the show doesn’t stop there—this tour also offers a chance to witness the migration of Wood Storks, warblers, orioles, vireos, nightjars, and many other land bird species. Massive movements of swallows, swifts, and even dragonflies can also be observed—often serving as prey for the migrating raptors above.
What’s Included in the Tour
- Easy guided nature walks
- Professional birdwatching sessions with telescopes and binoculars
- Expert-led interpretation on bird migration, ecology, and conservation
- A chance to connect deeply with Costa Rica’s breathtaking biodiversity
This experience is perfect for bird lovers, nature photographers, eco-minded travelers, and raptor enthusiasts and professionals seeking an authentic and meaningful adventure. The South Caribbean region is also a vibrant blend of cultures, delicious food, and scenic beauty. From Afro-Caribbean traditions to indigenous heritage, this region offers a unique and immersive experience beyond birdwatching.
