Travel Tips for a Successful Birding Trip to Costa Rica
- Begin trip planning at least six months prior to your trip. The best lodges fill early during their "high season" from January to March. The first half of July can also be a good time to go.
- Decide if you wish to travel independently or participate in a birding tour. A well-organized birding tour with a good guide and outfitter company will take care of logistics, driving, lodging arrangements, meals, and safety considerations. You will typically see two to four times more birds on a guided tour than if you travel by yourself.
- Be aware that there are several "levels of intensity" for birding tour groups. Some are determined to see the maximum number of birds in the time available (e.g. 400-plus species in two weeks). The pace is intense and is focused on birds. Other birding groups are moderately paced (e.g. about 300-350 bird species in two weeks) and take time to enjoy a broader spectrum of the flora and fauna, while still focused primarily on birds. General "natural history" groups are more passive, walk less, and are broadly interested in nature (perhaps 100-125 species in two weeks). Get references and contact former clients to make sure you sign up for a group that matches your expectations, interests and physical ability.
- Traveling by yourself can be cheaper, but you need to deal with lodging, meals, travel arrangements, and Spanish language. If traveling by yourself, visit lodges that have resident birding guides, or lodges where you can hire local birding guides for day trips. Otherwise, hire a birding guide to accompany you on your entire trip.
- Maximize your time afield when the birds are most active. Best birding begins about 5:45 a.m. until mid to late morning. There is a slow period from about noon to 2:00 to 3:00. Activity picks up from then until sunset. Use the mid-day for traveling, relaxing, or casual birding near feeders or birdbaths. Arrange for early departure when you want to be in a new spot for the best morning birding, and arrange for box lunches when you are going afield and don’t want to take time to go into town for lunch.
- To avoid leaving behind important gear, clothing, or other items that will make your trip more enjoyable, you are welcome to use my Costa Rica trip preparation checklist and in Appendix D in the Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica. Don’t forget to use your sunscreen.
- While birding in Costa Rica, "share the experience." After you have spotted a bird, help others in your group find it if they can’t see it. If you encounter other birders or Costa Rica families while birding, let them take a peek through your spotting scope. I have seen Costa Rican children light up with excitement even when viewing a turkey vulture through a spotting scope.
- When you finish eating at a restaurant, ALWAYS check your table and chair backs for yourself AND all other members of your group to avoid leaving cameras, binoculars, and sunglasses behind.
- When traveling in a group, rotate your seat in the bus every day to give everyone equal access to the "best seats."
- When birding along a narrow trail, switch positions with others every fifteen to twenty minutes to avoid dominating the "best positions" behind the guide.
- When organizing your itinerary, try to include at least three of Costa Rica’s biological zones. For example, Guanacaste, Highlands, and Caribbean slope; Guanacaste, Highlands, and Southwestern lowlands; or Southwestern lowlands, Highlands, and Caribbean slope.
- Bring any trip problems or complaints to the attention of your guide or tour leader in a discreet manner as soon as you feel there is a problem aggravating you. Do not wait until after the trip to complain because, assuming the problem can be resolved, you miss the opportunity to enjoy the remainder of your trip.