Travel details
USD 4,968
/ per person
Note: The displayed price is the price at the time of application.
|
Duration |
Departure in 2026/2 | 11 days |
|
Participants |
3 person(s)(Adults 3 person(s)、Children 0 person(s)) |
Travel story
A moving journey that delves deeply into the extraordinary biodiversity of Central America’s Costa Rica.
In the misty montane forests, you will seek the divine presence of the resplendent quetzal, often called the world’s most beautiful bird, and trace breathtaking natural formations such as waterfalls that sparkle turquoise.
You will feel the pulse of life at a great river where crocodiles and scarlet ibis rest, and at the country’s largest macaw breeding grounds where scarlet macaws wheel in the sky.
While giving thanks for the land’s gifts such as coffee and chocolate, you will enjoy quiet encounters with sloths and Central America’s largest species of anteater, the Baird’s tapir.
This is a voyage of dialogue with Costa Rica’s mysteries, woven by over 500 species of birds and the creatures of the tropics.
Signature points
An irresistible experience for bird lovers!
This itinerary is focused on birdwatching, touring locations that birders worldwide dream of visiting.
In the highland areas, three excursions are scheduled to find the quetzal, known as "the world’s most beautiful bird," and you can observe a wide variety of birds such as hummingbirds, motmots, woodpeckers, and toucans. In the Arenal region, over 500 bird species have been recorded, allowing comprehensive searches for toucans, raptors, antbirds, and many other birds. Additionally, Carara National Park is known as the country’s largest breeding ground for macaws, and on the boat tour in Tarcoles you can expect to observe waterbirds such as scarlet ibis and roseate spoonbills alongside enormous crocodiles, as well as the sight of macaws in flight.
Savor the blessings of Costa Rica
You will experience a wide range of environments that symbolize Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. From the misty montane forests of San Gerardo de Dota, to Tenorio Volcano National Park—famous for its turquoise waterfalls and rivers—and to the beautiful profile of Arenal Volcano (weather permitting), you will visit diverse landscapes.
Beyond nature watching, you will also enjoy a tour of an environmentally conscious, high-quality coffee farm, a chocolate-making experience in Sarapiquí, and bathing in the natural Tabacón hot springs flowing through the forest—allowing you to enjoy Costa Rica’s blessings with all five senses.
Peace of mind with a Japanese-speaking guide accompanying you throughout!
From the start to the end of the itinerary, an experienced Japanese-speaking guide will support you.
A Japanese-speaking guide will meet you at the airport exit upon arrival in Costa Rica and accompany you for the entire trip until farewells at the airport entrance upon departure. Given the possibility of unexpected changes due to wildlife searches, volcanic activity, road closures, and other natural phenomena, the guide will always confirm the situation in Japanese so you can participate in the tour with confidence.
Itinerary
Welcome to Costa Rica
-
Costarica - San José
-
Morning
Private Vehicle Transfer
A Japanese-speaking guide will be waiting near the airport exit with a name board.
Depart the airport and travel to a coffee farm in the Los Santos region (about 3–3.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Los Santos
-
Lunch
Have lunch upon arrival at the farm.
-
Afternoon
Coffee Farm Tour
After lunch, take a coffee farm tour (about 1.5–2 hours).
This farm produces high-quality coffee exported to Japan and practices environmentally conscious production.
You can also expect to observe wild birds within the grounds.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the tour, transfer to San Gerardo de Dota (about 1.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - San Gerardo de Dota
-
Cabinas San Gerardo
Overnight in San Gerardo de Dota.
Quetzal Search Tour
-
Early Morning
Quetzal Search Tour
Join a guided quetzal search tour (about 2 hours).
Search for quetzals—often called the most beautiful birds in the world—and other highland bird species.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Breakfast
Return to the hotel after the tour and have breakfast.
-
Free time until the afternoon tour.
-
Afternoon
Second Quetzal Search Tour
In the afternoon, join a second quetzal search tour with a guide (about 2 hours).
In addition to quetzals, look for hummingbirds, euphonius, woodpeckers, toucan relatives, and more.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Cabinas San Gerardo
Overnight in San Gerardo de Dota.
Quetzal Search & Boat Tour
-
Early Morning
Third Quetzal Search Tour
Take a third early-morning quetzal search tour (about 2 hours).
Focus on quetzals and also seek and observe other highland bird species.
-
Breakfast
Return to the hotel after the tour and have breakfast.
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Tarcoles (about 4–4.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Tarcoles
-
Lunch
Upon arrival in Tarcoles, have lunch at the boat tour venue.
-
Afternoon
Boat Tour
After lunch, start an approximately 2-hour boat tour.
Search for giant crocodiles, iguanas, basilisk lizards, kingfishers, cormorants, herons, shorebirds, frigatebirds, pelicans, ospreys and other raptors, scarlet ibis, whistling herons, and more. If lucky, you may also observe flying macaws.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the tour, transfer to the hotel in the Carara area (about 30–45 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Carara
-
Hotel Cerro Lodge
Overnight in Carara.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Carara National Park Visit
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Carara National Park (about 30–45 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Morning
Carara National Park Visit
Upon arrival at Carara National Park, take a guided walk (about 2 hours). Expect to see sloths, several species of monkeys, toucans and hummingbirds,
manakins, parrots, honeycreepers and other birds, as well as iguanas, basilisk lizards, and poison dart frogs. Carara National Park is also known as one of Costa Rica's largest macaw breeding sites.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the park walk, transfer to Bijagua. En route, there will be stops for lunch and restroom breaks.
Arrive in Bijagua in the evening.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Bijagua
-
Kakao Lodge & Garden Río Celeste
Overnight stay in Bijagua.
Birdwatching & Wildlife Exploration
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Birdwatching & Wildlife Exploration
Birdwatching and wildlife exploration in Bijagua (about 2.5–3 hours).
In the morning, visit a private reserve, home to various species including white-crested hummingbirds, toucan relatives, motmots, woodpeckers, manakins and other birds, as well as mammals such as coatis and monkeys. The reserve also hosts Baird's tapir, the largest mammal in Central America. After walking in the private reserve, visit an ecolodge also located in the Bijagua area.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
-
Afternoon
Trail Walk
After lunch, take a trail walk (about 1.5–2 hours).
You can expect to observe various birds including rare hummingbird species with limited ranges, antbirds, motmots, toucans, hummingbirds, and manakins. After the tour, return to the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Kakao Lodge & Garden Río Celeste
Overnight stay in Bijagua.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Tenorio Volcano National Park (about 30–45 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Tenorio
-
Morning
Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour
Upon arrival at Tenorio Volcano National Park, enter and walk with a guide. The park is famous for its turquoise-blue shining waterfalls and rivers, surrounded by tropical rainforest. Enjoy hiking while looking for birds and other wildlife.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the tour, depart the national park and transfer to Monteverde (about 3.5–4 hours). Travel with stops for lunch and restroom breaks along the way.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Monteverde
-
Los Pinos - Cabañas & Reserva
Overnight stay in Monteverde.
Visit to Monteverde Nature Reserves
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Nature Reserve Visit
After breakfast, visit a Monteverde nature reserve with a guide (about 3 hours including travel). We will take you to the reserve with the highest probability of wildlife sightings for the season. In addition to quetzals, you may see various manakins, hummingbirds, warblers, toucans, toucanets, as well as mammals like monkeys, coatis, and agoutis.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Afternoon
Second Nature Reserve Visit
In the afternoon, visit another Monteverde nature reserve. This reserve has a different environment from the morning site and you will look for various birds such as tanagers, woodpeckers, toucanets, hummingbirds, and manakins.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Los Pinos - Cabañas & Reserva
Overnight stay in Monteverde.
Arenal Sightseeing
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart Monteverde for Arenal (about 3.5–4 hours).
Along the way, you may see Arenal Lake, Costa Rica’s largest man-made lake, and the picturesque Arenal Volcano if the weather is good. At the lake you might also spot waterbirds such as kingfishers and sandpipers.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Arenal
-
Lunch
-
Afternoon
Arenal Sightseeing
After arriving in Arenal, spend the afternoon observing nature with a focus on birds in the forest adjacent to Arenal Volcano National Park. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in this region, including toucans, hummingbirds, manakins, chachalacas and other cracids, raptors such as hawks and eagles, parrots, and antbirds.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Night
Visit to Tabacón Hot Springs
In the evening, visit the Tabacón hot springs. Enjoy bathing in the natural hot springs flowing through the forest.
-
Hotel Linda Vista
Overnight stay in Arenal.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Visit to Arenal Volcano National Park & Sarapiquí Nature Reserve
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and visit Arenal Volcano National Park.
Of the two trails, we will guide you to the location with the highest probability of observing wild birds.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private car transfer
After finishing the national park walk, depart Arenal and transfer to the Sarapiquí nature reserve (about 2.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Sarapiquí
-
Afternoon
Chocolate-making experience
After arriving at the reserve, check in at the lodging and enjoy nature walks and a chocolate-making experience with a guide. There are several bird feeding stations within the reserve that attract various wild birds, and the grounds are also home to sloths, colorful frogs, tropical butterflies, and other insects.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
-
Night
Night tour
At night, a night tour is conducted within the reserve (about 2 hours). In addition to nocturnal frogs, snakes, and insects, if you are lucky you may also observe mammals such as Hoffmann's two-toed sloth and opossums active at night.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Pierella Ecological Garden
Overnight in Sarapiquí.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:× DIN:⚪︎
Free time in Sarapiquí
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Free time in Sarapiquí
All day, free time within the reserve. Enjoy nature observation within the reserve.
Also on this day we will guide you on a birdwatching tour in the mountainous area of Sarapiquí.
In the mountain area you can expect to see different species such as the scarlet macaw, raptors, and different species of antbirds than those in the reserve; the different environment offers opportunities to observe other types of wild birds.
-
Lunch
-
Dinner
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:⚪︎
Join kayak tour & San José city tour
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Kayak tour
After breakfast, join a kayak tour in Sarapiquí (including transfer, about 2.5–3 hours). Explore nature while traveling down the Puerto Viejo River. You can expect to observe howler monkeys, sloths, green iguanas and basilisk lizards, small crocodilians such as caimans, and water birds like kingfishers, sandpipers, and herons. For the river trip you can choose between a kayak, canoe, or SUP (stand-up paddleboard). The river flow is gentle, so people of all ages can participate.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
After the tour, return to the reserve and have lunch.
-
Afternoon
Private car transfer
After lunch, depart Sarapiquí and transfer to San José (about 2 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - San José
-
San José city tour
After arriving in San José, we will show you city highlights such as cafés where you can enjoy Costa Rican coffee, the National Theatre, museums, cultural plazas, the cathedral, the Legislative Assembly, and Democracy Square.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private car transfer
Depart San José and transfer to the airport. The guide and driver will say farewell at the airport entrance.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Welcome to Costa Rica
-
Costarica - San José
-
Morning
Private Vehicle Transfer
A Japanese-speaking guide will be waiting near the airport exit with a name board.
Depart the airport and travel to a coffee farm in the Los Santos region (about 3–3.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Los Santos
-
Lunch
Have lunch upon arrival at the farm.
-
Afternoon
Coffee Farm Tour
After lunch, take a coffee farm tour (about 1.5–2 hours).
This farm produces high-quality coffee exported to Japan and practices environmentally conscious production.
You can also expect to observe wild birds within the grounds.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the tour, transfer to San Gerardo de Dota (about 1.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - San Gerardo de Dota
-
Cabinas San Gerardo
Overnight in San Gerardo de Dota.
Quetzal Search Tour
-
Early Morning
Quetzal Search Tour
Join a guided quetzal search tour (about 2 hours).
Search for quetzals—often called the most beautiful birds in the world—and other highland bird species.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Breakfast
Return to the hotel after the tour and have breakfast.
-
Free time until the afternoon tour.
-
Afternoon
Second Quetzal Search Tour
In the afternoon, join a second quetzal search tour with a guide (about 2 hours).
In addition to quetzals, look for hummingbirds, euphonius, woodpeckers, toucan relatives, and more.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Cabinas San Gerardo
Overnight in San Gerardo de Dota.
Quetzal Search & Boat Tour
-
Early Morning
Third Quetzal Search Tour
Take a third early-morning quetzal search tour (about 2 hours).
Focus on quetzals and also seek and observe other highland bird species.
-
Breakfast
Return to the hotel after the tour and have breakfast.
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Tarcoles (about 4–4.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Tarcoles
-
Lunch
Upon arrival in Tarcoles, have lunch at the boat tour venue.
-
Afternoon
Boat Tour
After lunch, start an approximately 2-hour boat tour.
Search for giant crocodiles, iguanas, basilisk lizards, kingfishers, cormorants, herons, shorebirds, frigatebirds, pelicans, ospreys and other raptors, scarlet ibis, whistling herons, and more. If lucky, you may also observe flying macaws.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the tour, transfer to the hotel in the Carara area (about 30–45 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Carara
-
Hotel Cerro Lodge
Overnight in Carara.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Carara National Park Visit
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Carara National Park (about 30–45 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Morning
Carara National Park Visit
Upon arrival at Carara National Park, take a guided walk (about 2 hours). Expect to see sloths, several species of monkeys, toucans and hummingbirds,
manakins, parrots, honeycreepers and other birds, as well as iguanas, basilisk lizards, and poison dart frogs. Carara National Park is also known as one of Costa Rica's largest macaw breeding sites.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the park walk, transfer to Bijagua. En route, there will be stops for lunch and restroom breaks.
Arrive in Bijagua in the evening.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Bijagua
-
Kakao Lodge & Garden Río Celeste
Overnight stay in Bijagua.
Birdwatching & Wildlife Exploration
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Birdwatching & Wildlife Exploration
Birdwatching and wildlife exploration in Bijagua (about 2.5–3 hours).
In the morning, visit a private reserve, home to various species including white-crested hummingbirds, toucan relatives, motmots, woodpeckers, manakins and other birds, as well as mammals such as coatis and monkeys. The reserve also hosts Baird's tapir, the largest mammal in Central America. After walking in the private reserve, visit an ecolodge also located in the Bijagua area.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
-
Afternoon
Trail Walk
After lunch, take a trail walk (about 1.5–2 hours).
You can expect to observe various birds including rare hummingbird species with limited ranges, antbirds, motmots, toucans, hummingbirds, and manakins. After the tour, return to the hotel.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Kakao Lodge & Garden Río Celeste
Overnight stay in Bijagua.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Tenorio Volcano National Park (about 30–45 minutes).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Tenorio
-
Morning
Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour
Upon arrival at Tenorio Volcano National Park, enter and walk with a guide. The park is famous for its turquoise-blue shining waterfalls and rivers, surrounded by tropical rainforest. Enjoy hiking while looking for birds and other wildlife.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private Vehicle Transfer
After the tour, depart the national park and transfer to Monteverde (about 3.5–4 hours). Travel with stops for lunch and restroom breaks along the way.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Monteverde
-
Los Pinos - Cabañas & Reserva
Overnight stay in Monteverde.
Visit to Monteverde Nature Reserves
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Nature Reserve Visit
After breakfast, visit a Monteverde nature reserve with a guide (about 3 hours including travel). We will take you to the reserve with the highest probability of wildlife sightings for the season. In addition to quetzals, you may see various manakins, hummingbirds, warblers, toucans, toucanets, as well as mammals like monkeys, coatis, and agoutis.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Afternoon
Second Nature Reserve Visit
In the afternoon, visit another Monteverde nature reserve. This reserve has a different environment from the morning site and you will look for various birds such as tanagers, woodpeckers, toucanets, hummingbirds, and manakins.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Los Pinos - Cabañas & Reserva
Overnight stay in Monteverde.
Arenal Sightseeing
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Private Vehicle Transfer
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart Monteverde for Arenal (about 3.5–4 hours).
Along the way, you may see Arenal Lake, Costa Rica’s largest man-made lake, and the picturesque Arenal Volcano if the weather is good. At the lake you might also spot waterbirds such as kingfishers and sandpipers.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Arenal
-
Lunch
-
Afternoon
Arenal Sightseeing
After arriving in Arenal, spend the afternoon observing nature with a focus on birds in the forest adjacent to Arenal Volcano National Park. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in this region, including toucans, hummingbirds, manakins, chachalacas and other cracids, raptors such as hawks and eagles, parrots, and antbirds.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Night
Visit to Tabacón Hot Springs
In the evening, visit the Tabacón hot springs. Enjoy bathing in the natural hot springs flowing through the forest.
-
Hotel Linda Vista
Overnight stay in Arenal.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Visit to Arenal Volcano National Park & Sarapiquí Nature Reserve
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and visit Arenal Volcano National Park.
Of the two trails, we will guide you to the location with the highest probability of observing wild birds.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private car transfer
After finishing the national park walk, depart Arenal and transfer to the Sarapiquí nature reserve (about 2.5 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - Sarapiquí
-
Afternoon
Chocolate-making experience
After arriving at the reserve, check in at the lodging and enjoy nature walks and a chocolate-making experience with a guide. There are several bird feeding stations within the reserve that attract various wild birds, and the grounds are also home to sloths, colorful frogs, tropical butterflies, and other insects.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Dinner
-
Night
Night tour
At night, a night tour is conducted within the reserve (about 2 hours). In addition to nocturnal frogs, snakes, and insects, if you are lucky you may also observe mammals such as Hoffmann's two-toed sloth and opossums active at night.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Pierella Ecological Garden
Overnight in Sarapiquí.
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:× DIN:⚪︎
Free time in Sarapiquí
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Free time in Sarapiquí
All day, free time within the reserve. Enjoy nature observation within the reserve.
Also on this day we will guide you on a birdwatching tour in the mountainous area of Sarapiquí.
In the mountain area you can expect to see different species such as the scarlet macaw, raptors, and different species of antbirds than those in the reserve; the different environment offers opportunities to observe other types of wild birds.
-
Lunch
-
Dinner
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:⚪︎
Join kayak tour & San José city tour
-
Breakfast
At the hotel.
-
Morning
Kayak tour
After breakfast, join a kayak tour in Sarapiquí (including transfer, about 2.5–3 hours). Explore nature while traveling down the Puerto Viejo River. You can expect to observe howler monkeys, sloths, green iguanas and basilisk lizards, small crocodilians such as caimans, and water birds like kingfishers, sandpipers, and herons. For the river trip you can choose between a kayak, canoe, or SUP (stand-up paddleboard). The river flow is gentle, so people of all ages can participate.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Lunch
After the tour, return to the reserve and have lunch.
-
Afternoon
Private car transfer
After lunch, depart Sarapiquí and transfer to San José (about 2 hours).
[Japanese Guide]
-
Costarica - San José
-
San José city tour
After arriving in San José, we will show you city highlights such as cafés where you can enjoy Costa Rican coffee, the National Theatre, museums, cultural plazas, the cathedral, the Legislative Assembly, and Democracy Square.
[Japanese Guide]
-
Private car transfer
Depart San José and transfer to the airport. The guide and driver will say farewell at the airport entrance.
[Japanese Guide]
Meals B/F:⚪︎ LUN:⚪︎ DIN:×
Price Includes / excludes
Accommodation
As specified in the itinerary
Car
As specified in the itinerary
Guide / Assistant
As specified in the itinerary
Activity
As specified in the itinerary
Meal
B/F:10 LUN:6 DIN:2
As specified in the itinerary
Excludes (Others)
• International airfare.
• Telephone charges and tips for personal requests.
• Some beverage charges such as alcoholic drinks.
• Tips for drivers and guides. *These are not mandatory.
• Any visits, admissions, facility usage fees, and handling charges for locations not shown in the itinerary.
• Porterage fees at airports and hotels.
• Meals for portions marked with a cross (×) or labeled "No meal arrangement" in the itinerary.
Accommodation list
| 1 |
San Gerardo de Dota
Cabinas San Gerardo
3person(s)
|
|
| 2 |
Carara
Hotel Cerro Lodge
3person(s)
|
|
| 3 |
Bijagua
Kakao Lodge & Garden Río Celeste
3person(s)
|
|
| 4 |
Monteverde
Los Pinos - Cabañas & Reserva
3person(s)
|
|
| 5 |
Arenal
Hotel Linda Vista
3person(s)
|
|
| 6 |
Sarapiquí
Pierella Ecological Garden
3person(s)
|
|