Come with us to Costa Rica for 10 days of exciting bird viewing in one of the most lush tropical paradises on Earth.  The small country of Costa Rica hosts one of the largest variety and numbers of neo tropical birds anywhere with over 880 different species including 6 species of toucans - more than any other Central America Country and within easy reach.  Costa Rica is both eco friendly and tourist friendly with a population of 5 million inhabitants, 15% of which are Americans enjoying a life of leisure in early retirement. Whether you prefer white sand, coconut lined beaches, lush green rainforest, or high altitude cloud forest, there is something for everyone in this jewel of a land.

Costa Rica has enjoyed over 100 years of democracy - more than any country in the Western Hemisphere after the U.S. and Canada.  It invests it's resources in education and medicine, providing both to it's citizens free and is the only country perhaps in the world without a military.  Come enjoy Costa Rica, it's wildlife and friendly people with us in May 2010.  Tour guides will be Jerry Jennings and wildlife photographer Paul Bratescu, who will teach his photo techniques.

Day 2  In the morning we will visit the Toucan Rescue Ranch to see the rescued birds and animals as well as the wildlife on their ranch land. After our visit, we will Depart for La Selva Biological Station on the Caribbean side arriving in time for dinner at La Selva Verde Lodge - explore forest at the Lodge.  At La Selva we will see Swainson and Keel Bill Toucans,  Collared Aracaris, Blue Crown and Rufous Mot Mots, Greater Curassows, Crested Guans, Peccaries, Howler Monkeys, Blue & Green and Blue Jeans poison dart frogs and much more

Brown Vine Snake (Oxybellis nemaeus)

Day 3  Visit La Selva Biological station in the morning - depart for Monte Verde Cloud Forest arriving late afternoon.  Overnight two nights at Trapp family Lodge - owned by Andres Trapp, grandson of the Trapp family made famous in the Sound of Music

Day 4  Explore the Monte Verde Cloud Forest Park in the morning, where we will see the Blue Throated Emerald Toucanet, Keel Bill Toucan, Wattled Bellbird, Resplendant Quetzal,, Black Guan, and many species of hummingbirds and tanagers. Lunch at the Quaker owned Cheese factory - take factory tour. Afternoon on your own, dinner at the Lodge. Evening walk in the woods to look for frogs and other creatures of the night.

Day 5  Depart early morning for the Tarcoles River on the Pacific coast, arriving before noon.  Here we will go by boat up river to see the huge Crocodiles that populate Costa Rica's largest river.  Along the way we will see Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Boat Billed Herons, Great Blue Herons, Scarlet Macaws and numerous species of egrets, and more.  Box lunch on the boat.  Overnight in Jaco on the water.

Day 6  Depart Jaco in the morning for nearby Carara National Park, where we will see Scarlet Macaws at their nests, Spectacled Ant Pittas, Ant Wrens, and many other small bird species. Depart Carara late morning for Manuel Antonio National Park and beach arriving in mid afternoon. Overnight at Hotel Villa Bosque near the water.  Here we will see Scarlet Rump and Blue and Gray tanagers, White Ibis, Orange Fronted parakeets, Two Toed Sloths, White faced Capuchin monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Green herons, and many more.

Day 7  Visit Manuel Antonio park in the morning. Lunch on your own. Afternoon is free to enjoy the beautiful white sand beach, or stroll through the shops and souvenir stands. Lunch on your own

Day 8  Depart early morning for Golfito 3 hours to the south arriving at noon for lunch.  In Golfito we will see Fiery Billed Aracaris and Swainson Toucans as well as numerous species of hummingbirds and tanagers. Overnight at Las Gaviotas Hotel