Visiting Carara Biological Reserve on the Pacific coast where there is a small population of Scarlet Macaws, Laguna del Lagarto lodge in the northern birding area the best area in the world to see Great Green Macaws (Buffons), and the National Parks of Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincon de la Vieja for the White fronted and Yellow naped Amazons as well as calling in at La Selva Biological Reserve and the Ara Project breeding center for Scarlet and Great Green Macaws.

Many more species of parrots, birds and other wildlife.

The trip can be extended by 3 nights to Tortugeuro for more wildlife encounters and/or a pre-trip extension to San Gerardo de Dota for 3 nights on the Quest for the Resplendent Quetzal with possibilities of 2 further Parrot species.

We will have the use of an air conditioned coach throughout this trip so that we can stop off wherever we want enroute to the various destinations within Costa Rica.

Also we will have a Naturalist Guide travelling with us throughout the trip to enable us to use his knowledge to find the Parrots and identify the other birds and wildlife on our travels to get the most out of the whole trip.

21st February - Transportation from the international airport Costa Rica to the Las Orquideas Inn hotel Alajuela.- Dinner included at the hotel.

22nd February - Breakfast included at the hotel.

Visit to ARA Project - The Ara Project is a Costa Rican licensed zoological park and non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the two native macaw species of Costa Rica: the critically endangered Great Green or Buffon's Macaw (Ara ambiguus) and the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao).

The Ara Project incorporates breeding techniques and aviary managementin order to carry out controlled release programs in conjunction with Costa Rican wildlife laws imposed by MINAET (Ministry of the Environment, Energy & Telecommunications).

- Transportation from Alajuela to Carara area.

- Lunch included on the way.

- Dinner included at the Villa Lapas Hotel - Carara

23rd February- Breakfast included at the hotel.

- River boat trip down the Tarcoles River where we should see Scarlet Macaws and lots more birds as well as a special encounter with some local creatures

- Lunch included.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Villa Lapas Hotel, Carara

24th February - Breakfast included at the hotel.

- Day at leisure for hiking, exploring the area or Optional tours.

- Lunch included on the way.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Villa Lapas Hotel, Carara

25th February - Breakfast included at the hotel.

- Transportation from Carara to Guanacaste area.

- Lunch included on the way.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Cañon de la Vieja Lodge, Guanacaste

26th February - Breakfast included at the hotel.

- Day at leisure to explore the area.

- Box Lunch included. 

-  Dinner included at the hotel - Cañon de la Vieja Lodge, Guanacaste

27th February - Breakfast included at the hotel.

- Day at leisure to explore the area.

- Box Lunch included. 

- Hiking tours around the property for bird’s observation.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Cañon de la Vieja Lodge, Guanacaste

28th February - Breakfast included at the hotel.

-Transportation from Guanacaste to Arenal area, home of the amazing Arenal

Volcano.

29th February - Breakfast included at the hotel.

- Morning hike to the Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park

The Arenal Volcano, in Spanish Volcán Arenal, is an active andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica (10.5N, 84.7W), around 90 km north-west of San José, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna. Arenal is the youngest and most active of all the mountains in Costa Rica. Arenal rises 1657 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake Arenal; both are part of Arenal Volcano National Park. The country's most active volcano, Arenal's eruptions are strombolian in type, being frequent but moderate and can be viewed without danger as long as the viewers are behind the safety perimeter. This constant activity and minimal endangerment makes Arenal a popular tourist destination, especially at night, because the lava and incandescent rocks make a spectacular sight. The last major eruption of Arenal occurred on August 23, 2000. Most of the time, the volcano is surrounded by clouds near the tip, and it is touted as good luck to see the whole volcano without clouds.

- Transportation from Arenal to Laguna del Lagarto.

- Lunch included on the way.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

- Considered to be the best area in the world to see Great Green (Buffon's) Macaws as well as many more birds including more parrots and other wildlife

1st March - Breakfast at the hotel

- Hiking tours around the property for bird’s observation.

- Lunch included.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

2nd March - Breakfast at the hotel

- Hiking tours around the property for bird’s observation.

- Lunch included.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

3rd March - Breakfast at the hotel.

- Hiking tours around the property for bird’s observation

- Lunch and dinner included at the hotel - Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

4th March - Breakfast at the hotel.

- Transportation from Laguna del Lagarto area to Alajuela.

La Selva Biological Station: 

La Selva has been a pioneer site in Education, Research, Conservation and Ecotourism in Cost Rica since 1953 and one of the first private protected areas in the country.  La Selva is located in the  Caribbean foothills of Costa Rica and comprises 1,614 hectares (3,988 acres) of old growth and disturbed tropical wet forest. Species diversity is spectacular, including more than 1,850 species of plants, 350 species of trees, 448 species of birds, and approximated 500 species of ants. The half day visit includes three hours hike led by a bilingual naturalist guide. Gives a glimpse of leading-edge research conducted at La Selva.  High quality experience, enjoy and learn about the amazing natural history of the tropical forest, its flora and fauna. 

- Lunch included on the way.

- Dinner included at the hotel - Las Orquideas INN, Alajuela

5th March - Breakfast at the hotel.

- Transportation from the hotel to international airport for flights home

OR

onto thr Post-tour extension to Tortuguero