Costa Rica
A birder's and naturalist's paradise
Costa Rica is a parcel of tropical richness situated just north of Panama, the narrowest part of the isthmus which joins the Americas. As such, this small country plays host to an amazing array of plants (including more than 300 species of orchid), extraordinary mammals from bizarre sloths to approachable Coati, reptiles, fish and amphibians. But the stars of the show here are the birds - over 870 species have been recorded and, during our new tour, we will be tracking down some of the most fantastic tropical birds on the planet.
Costa Rica is the most affluent of all the Central American countries and has taken eco-tourism extremely seriously. The result is an excellent infrastructure with really relaxing lodges and hotels in settings which will not easily be forgotten. Wake up to views of an active volcano or of the enigmatic Sunbittern feeding quietly by a jungle-fringed river as we eat breakfast of freshly-cut fruit and steaming Costa Rican coffee; wake up to parties of jewel-like hummingbirds busily hovering by feeders and flowering plants or white Pacific beaches fringed by airy evergreen forest ringing to the cries of the Scarlet Macaw; travel through mangroves with a display of impressive water birds including the amazing Boat-billed Heron; marvel as electric-blue confetti turns out to be a group of Large Blue Morpho butterflies flitting lazily over a calm forest steam; watch the play of light across the brilliant sheen of the Resplendent Quetzal's plumage. With such an array of wildlife it will be hard to pick a favourite.
During our holiday we will stay in a selection of the best hotels and lodges with confirmed "eco-friendly" reputations which provide excellent models for the future of responsible travel. Sites have been chosen for their proximity to a variety of National Parks and nature reserves on both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes of the main mountain ranges, from sea level up to around 3000 metres in the cloud-fringed forests where there seems to be a different species of plant occupying every square metre. We will take daily walks through a variety of habitats in the company of our local guides, using level, well-maintained trails. There will be ample opportunity to observe as well as photograph Costa Rica's wide range of wildlife and to track down some of the more secretive forest residents.
Costa Rica is everything you have heard about and a lot more - a holiday to have the senses reeling, memories of which will never leave you.
