Costa Rica Complete Birding Circuit: Carara, Osa & Savegre
Follow a 20-day small-group birding circuit through Costa Rica's Pacific forests, Osa Peninsula, Talamanca highlands, Caribbean rainforest, northern wetlands, Arenal and Monteverde.
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Journey at a Glance
Follow the route and discover the defining experiences of the expedition.
Complete route
See the full expedition route before focusing on each chapter.
Arrival and Pacific Lowlands
The circuit opens in Alajuela before the first early departure toward Costa Rica's Pacific dry forest.
Pacific Dry Forest and Cerro Lodge
Dry forest, coastal lowlands, feeders, canopy scanning and evening owling shape the first full field day.
Carara National Park
Carara's contrasting trails bring together northern and southern Pacific forest communities.
Osa Peninsula and Corcovado
A long coastal transfer reaches the Osa Peninsula, where river bridges, lodge grounds and primary forest open a new lowland section.
Southwestern Forests and Talamanca Highlands
Grassland-to-rainforest transition and the far southwest's specialty birds lead into the highlands.
Talamanca Highlands
The route climbs from southern wetlands to La Georgina, high-elevation scrub and San Gerardo de Dota feeders.
Caribbean Foothills and Quelitales
Community-run foothill forest and hummingbird-rich gardens set up the Caribbean lowland section.
Quelitales and Sarapiquí
Cloud-forest birding gives way to flowering beds, roadside specialties, Great Green Macaw country and a conditional Sunbittern check.
Braulio Carrillo and Puerto Viejo
Rainforest trails, mixed flocks and the chance of an army-ant event shape the day around Quebrada González.
La Selva and Bijagua
Lowland biological-station birding precedes the transition toward Tenorio and the Celeste entrance road.
Northern Wetlands and Arenal
A final Bijagua forest walk is followed by northern wetland birding at Los Chiles.
La Fortuna Rails and Monteverde
Secretive crakes at first light lead into dry-forest birding and an afternoon in Monteverde's canopy country. The unnamed private rail reserve remains an operational note rather than a transfer endpoint.
Monteverde Cloud Forest and La Ensenada
Hummingbird feeders and cloud-forest trails give way to a descent toward La Ensenada's dry northwest.
Return and Departure
Breakfast and a straightforward airport transfer close the circuit.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Alajuela
- Airport to Hotel Aeropuerto transfer
Day 2 — Orotina Dry Forest and Cerro Lodge
- Early Transfer from Alajuela to Orotina
- Ceibo-Cascajal Road Dry-Forest Birding
- Transfer from Orotina to Cerro Lodge
- Cerro Lodge Grounds, Gardens and Veranda
- Optional Tarcoles River Boat Trip
- Cerro Lodge Observation Tower
- Cerro Lodge Access-Road Owling
Day 3 — Parque Nacional Carara
- Carara National Park — Laguna Meandrica Trail
- Carara National Park — Headquarters Trail
Day 4 — Pacific Coast to the Osa Peninsula
- Cerro Lodge to Osa Peninsula coastal transfer
- Rincon River Bridge Yellow-billed Cotinga Search
- Danta Corcovado Lodge Grounds
Day 5 — Forest and Feeders at Danta Corcovado
- Danta Corcovado Forest Trail Birding
- Danta Lodge Hummingbird Feeders
Day 6 — La Gamba Road and Jardín Botánico Wilson
- Danta Corcovado to La Gamba Road transfer
- La Gamba Road Rainforest Birding Walk
- La Gamba Road to San Vito transfer
- Jardín Botánico Wilson Birding Walk
Day 7 — San Joaquín and Cerro de la Muerte
- San Joaquín Wetlands Birding Stop
- Highland Transfer from San Vito to La Georgina
- La Georgina High-Elevation Feeders
- Cerro de la Muerte Antenna-Road Birding Walk
- Descent Transfer into San Gerardo de Dota
- San Gerardo de Dota Valley Lodge Feeders
Day 8 — Resplendent Quetzal and Savegre Forest
- Paraiso Quetzal Private-Finca Birding Walk
- Savegre Highland Downhill Trail
Day 9 — Reserva El Copal and Quelitales
- San Gerardo de Dota to Reserva el Copal transfer
- Reserva El Copal Foothill Birding Walk
- Reserva el Copal to Hotel Quelitales transfer
- Evening Hummingbird Garden Session at Hotel Quelitales
Day 10 — Scaled Antpitta, Snowcap and Great Green Macaw
- Hotel Quelitales Cloud-Forest Birding Walk
- Hotel Quelitales to Sarapiqui via El Tapir transfer
- El Tapir Snowcap Flowering Beds
- Additional Roadside Birding Stops toward Puerto Viejo
- Great Green Macaw Site near Puerto Viejo
- Conditional Sunbittern Check at Selva Verde
Day 11 — Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo
- Transfer to Quebrada González in Braulio Carrillo
- Botarrama Rainforest Trail Birding
- Las Palmas Rainforest Loop Birding
- Great Green Macaw Site near Puerto Viejo
Day 12 — La Selva to Bijagua
- Early Transfer to La Selva Biological Station
- La Selva Entrance Road and Rainforest Trail Birding
- Transfer from La Selva to Celeste Mountain Lodge
- Celeste Entrance-Heliconia Birding Session
Day 13 — Heliconias and Tapir Valley
- Morning Transfer to Heliconias Lodge
- Heliconias Private-Reserve Birding Walk
- Transfer to Tapir Valley Nature Reserve
- Tapir Valley Platforms and Forest Birding Walk
Day 14 — Celeste Forest and Los Chiles Lagoon
- Celeste Lodge-Owned Forest Birding Walk
- Transfer from Bijagua to Los Chiles
- Los Chiles Lagoon Crake Birding Boat
Day 15 — Río Frío and Lago Caño Negro
- Río Frío and Lago Caño Negro Birding Boat
- Los Chiles Town Birding Walk
- Birding Transfer from Los Chiles to Arenal
- Lodge-Garden Black-crested Coquette Search at Arenal Observatory Lodge
Day 16 — Arenal Observatory Private Reserve
- Arenal Observatory Lodge Private Reserve Trails
- Arenal Observatory Hummingbird Hedge Session
Day 17 — La Fortuna Rails and Monteverde Canopy
- La Fortuna Rail Stakeout
- Bogarín Trail Dry-Forest Birding Walk
- Arenal to Monteverde transfer
- Selvatura Montane Forest and Suspension Bridges
Day 18 — Monteverde Cloud Forest and La Ensenada
- Early Transfer to Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde
- Afternoon Monteverde Reserve Feeder Session
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Monteverde to La Ensenada transfer
- La Ensenada Dry-Lowland Birding
Day 19 — La Ensenada and Return to Alajuela
- La Ensenada Dry-Forest and Mangrove Birding Walk
- Optional La Ensenada Mangrove Boat Trip
- La Ensenada to Alajuela transfer
Day 20 — International Departure
- Hotel Aeropuerto to international departure transfer
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 14.595 USD (730 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 12.595 USD (630 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 10.195 USD (510 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 8.795 USD (440 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- Hotel Aeropuerto — Alajuela — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Cerro Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Danta Corcovado Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in San Vito (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Savegre Mountain Hotel — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel Quelitales — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel Ara Ambigua — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Celeste Mountain Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hotel in Los Chiles (TBD) — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Arenal Observatory Lodge — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Cala Lodge — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- La Ensenada Sanctuary Lodge — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles (Car / Van), as well as Local Taxi, Boat / Ferry
- Meals indicated in the program: 19 breakfasts, 18 lunchs, 19 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Arrival day and Departure day
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (3.059 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
