Limosa GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985

Transcription

1 Limosa GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985 Tour Info Costa Rica Classic Costa Rica Scarlet Macaw at the Rio Tarcoles, Costa Rica kind permission Dr Kevin Elsby/ : Sunday 24th February - Saturday 9th March 2: Thursday 1st - Wednesday 14th August LEADER Jason Horn as guide A 14-day birding tour to Costa Rica. Staying at the best lodges - Selva Verde, Rancho Naturalista, Savegre and Punta Leona - our Classic Costa Rica tour is crammed with great birding! Sunbittern, Snowcap, Scarlet Macaw, Resplendent Quetzal and Large-footed Finch among more than 400 species to be seen on a journey that will take you from Caribbean coast to cloud-forested volcanoes. Friendly, compact Central American country that s positively crammed with brilliant birding See 400+ species on a journey from Caribbean coast to cloud-forested volcanoes Great Curassow, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Great Green and Scarlet Macaws, Resplendent Quetzal More than 30 species of hummingbird to enjoy, including the delightful Snowcap Up to a dozen species of owls and nightjars also possible Leaftossers, motmots, toucans, parrots, trogons, tanagers, tody-flycatchers... and many more! Sloths, Mantled Howler Monkeys, Kinkajou and Tent-making Bats Boat trips on the Rios Sarapiqui and Tarcoles Delightful lodgings: Selva Verde, Rancho Naturalista, Savegre and Punta Leona Expertly led by Limosa s specialist Costa Rica guide, Jason Horn LIMOSA, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: +44 (0) info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 Tour Overview Straddling the narrow neck of land that links the continents of North and South America, the tiny Republic of Costa Rica is blessed with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean shore, while the volcanic mountains between reach so high they touch the clouds. This remarkable chance of geography has given rise to an outstandingly varied flora and fauna, allowing us to sample the enormous wealth of tropical American birds without the need to travel great distances. With upwards of 400 species likely on this spectacular holiday, the birding is exceptional. Past trip highlights have included Ornate Hawk-eagle, Crested Owl, Resplendent Quetzal, Great Green and Scarlet Macaws, Brown-billed Scythebill, Zeledonia and Silvery-throated Jay - not to mention 30 or more species of jewel-like hummingbirds, a whole rainbow of tanagers and an array of fascinating forest mammals such as the endearing Three-toed Sloth! From San Jose, we travel first to the lush foothill forests of Costa Rica s Caribbean slope, where two nights at bird-rich Selva Verde start our trip in style. Keel-billed Toucan and Snowy Cotinga are possible here and we will also enjoy the first of two excellent boat trips on this tour, with chances of the secretive Sungrebe or even a Sunbittern foraging quietly along the bank. Next we head to the Talamanca Mountains and wonderful Rancho Naturalista. The views westward from the lodge are superb and its network of forest trails, busy feeders and hummingbird pools are the realm of bugling Montezuma Oropendolas, Blue-crowned Motmots, Tawny-throated Leaftossers and the enchanting Snowcap. Climbing higher via scenic Tapanti National Park, we ll be watching for mixed flocks that can hold Red-headed Barbet and the dazzling Spangle-cheeked Tanager. Here, Savegre Mountain Lodge is home to some of Costa Rica s most stunning species, including Flame-throated Warbler and the fabulous Resplendent Quetzal. After pausing in the paramo to try for the localised Volcano Junco and Timberline Wren, our tour concludes amid the lowland forests of Costa Rica s Pacific coast, at lovely Punta Leona lodge. From the raucous bellowing of Mantled Howler Monkeys at dawn to the evening roost flights of Scarlet Macaws, our stay here will provide many special memories. And it is here that we will enjoy the second of our two boat trips, along the mangrove-lined Tarcoles River. Combining breathtaking birding and scenery with accommodation at some of the country s finest wildlife lodges, our Classic Costa Rica tour is definitely one Neotropical experience not to be missed - whichever date you choose! Limosa has been operating bird tours to Costa Rica for more than fifteen years, while guide Jason Horn has also been guiding visiting birding groups there for many years. He led Limosa s tours to Costa Rica in , 2011 (2 trips) and 2012 (2 trips), and 2013 will be his eighth year of guiding our groups there. Outline Itinerary Day 1 Fly London-San Jose. Night San Jose Days 2-3 Caribbean lowlands, Rio Sarapiqui boat trip. Selve Verde Lodge (2 nts) Days 4-6 Braulio Carrillo National Park. Rancho Naturalista (3 nts, elevation 1000m) Days 7-8 Tapanti National Park ( m). Savegre Mountain Lodge (2 nts, 2750m) Day 9 Paramo (3400m) to Pacific coast. Punta Leona (3 nts) Days Carara National Park, Rio Tarcoles boat trip Day 12 Guanacaste. Night San Jose Days Fly San Jose-London, arriving day 14 2 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

3 Tour Itinerary Day 1 ARRIVAL IN SAN JOSE Morning flight from London to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. We ll be met on arrival in San Jose this evening and transfer directly to our comfortable hotel nearby. Night near San José. Day 2 SAN JOSE, HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN, SARAPIQUI BOAT RIDE & SELVA VERDE A walk in the beautiful gardens of our hotel offers a great introduction to our Classic Costa Rica tour. Here we should see our first tropical birds in the form of Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Blue-crowned Motmot, Great Kiskadee, Rufous-capped Warbler, Blue-grey Tanager, Greyish Saltator, Rufous-collared Sparrow and White-eared Ground Sparrow. With luck, we could also find the rare and local Prevost s Ground Sparrow, too. After breakfast we will set off on a scenic descent through the lush rainforest slopes of the Braulio Carrillo and the awaiting Caribbean lowlands below. Our first stop will be at an old butterfly garden in the Caribbean foothills, a garden full of vervain flowers which hummingbirds can t seem to resist. Here we should get excellent views of such jewels as Violetheaded Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Woodnymph, the ubiquitous Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, the stunning Black-crested Coquette and even Snowcap. The surrounding forest can be terrific for mixed flocks, among them many species of colourful tanagers including Golden-hooded, Black-and-yellow, Speckled and Bay-headed. This will also be our first opportunity to see antbirds, a family endemic to the New World. Checker-throated Antwren, Streak-crowned Antvireo and Spotted Antbird all occur here. If time permits, en route to our lodge we may opt for a roadside stop at El Tigre Marsh, which can be very productive. The marsh is home to various herons and raptors, along with White-throated Crake and the impressive and localized Nicaraguan Seed-Finch among many others. We plan to arrive at beautiful Selva Verde Lodge in time for a late lunch, at the start of a two-night stay. In the afternoon, we will board our boat for a two-hour trip along the attractive Sarapiqui River. As we cruise the waterway, wildlife is not only prevalent but seemingly quite tame. Herons, kingfishers, Green Iguanas and other riparian specialists will all be present, along with possible sightings of Sunbittern, Mantled Howler Monkey and Three-toed Sloth. But the real prize to watch for is the unique Sungrebe, the only member of the finfoot family in the New World. After dinner at the lodge, in the evening we can watch the feeders near the dining area for nocturnal mammals such as the unusual Kinkajou and the rare Central American Woolly Opossum. Two nights Selva Verde Lodge. Day 3 LA SELVA BIOLOGICAL STATION La Selva Biological Station protects some of the best remaining lowland rainforest in all Costa Rica. Colourful butterflies and feisty hummingbirds abound, and as we walk the forest trails beneath trees dripping with epiphytes the likes of Squirrel Cuckoo, Snowy Cotinga, and Rufous and Broad-billed Motmots await. Keel-billed and Yellow-throated Toucans call from the tops of prominent trees, as cacophanous groups of Mealy Parrots wing past overhead. As we watch and listen for an array of trogons, motmots, woodcreepers and antbirds, with patience, other avian treasures will be revealed to us - perhaps a cryptic Great Potoo roosting motionless high in the forest canopy, a White-necked Puffbird perched out on a sunlit branch, or a flashy Rufous-tailed Jacamar hawking insects from a looping liana. Night at Selva Verde. Day 4 SELVA VERDE LODGE, BRAULIO CARRILLO NP & RANCHO NATURALISTA This morning will give us the opportunity to enjoy some profitable birding in the gardens of the lodge. Sunbittern and Fasciated Tiger-Heron are resident along the river, together with three species of kingfisher. Banana feeders at the lodge can produce such highlights as Red-throated Ant Tanager, the smart Orange-billed Sparrow and even the big Grey-necked Wood Rail! 3 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

4 After breakfast we bid farewell to Selva Verde Lodge and pay a visit to Braulio Carrillo National Park, in the Caribbean foothills. This area holds many unique species best seen here than elsewhere in Costa Rica. Highlights could include Ornate Hawk-eagle, Yellow-eared Toucanet and Lattice-tailed Trogon, along with gorgeous Blue-and-gold and Tawny-crested Tanagers. Should we come upon a mixed feeding flock, we ll keep alert for the boldly patterned White-throated Shrike-tanager, which stands sentinel as the restless birds move through the canopy. If we are fortunate, we may encounter an army ant swarm with its attendant birds, such as Ocellated and Bicoloured Antbirds, and other opportunists like Black-headed Nightingale-thrush and Carmiol s Tanager. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant we transfer to our next bird-rich lodge, famous Rancho Naturalista. Set at an elevation of just under 1000m in the Talamanca Mountains, this lodge has been a firm favourite with participants on recent tours. The views westward from the lodge are superb and we can relax with a welcome chilled beer whilst watching animated White-necked Jacobins and Violetcrowned Woodnymphs buzzing to within arm s reach on the verandah as the sun sets over the distant volcanic peaks of Irazu and Turrialba. Three nights Rancho Naturalista. Days 5-6 RANCHO NATURALISTA Our days at Rancho will begin with the local alarm clocks - bugling Montezuma Oropendolas and squawking Grey-headed Chachalacas - calling excitedly outside our rooms. With coffee served on the balcony at dawn and spectacular views of the valley as a backdrop, we ll thrill to an incredible variety of birds at the lodge s feeders. Brilliant Blue-crowned Motmots join wonderful Crimson-collared and Passerini s (formerly Scarlet-rumped) Tanagers for this impressive feeding frenzy. Flowering hedges are attractive to hummingbirds, with further chances of the tiny Violet-headed Hummingbird and Blackcrested Coquette. After breakfast, our mornings at Rancho will be spent discovering the wonderful trails, watching for the likes of Gartered Trogon (now split from Violaceous Trogon), Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner and other alluring forest dwellers. Feeders in the forest should reward us with good views of the amazing Snowcap (Rancho is famous as the place to find this cracking little hummer), along with Green and Stripe-throated Hermits, Green-crowned Brilliants and Brown Violet-ears. Nearby, we may see Checker-throated Antwren, Tawny-chested Flycatcher and Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant plus a trio of manakins: Whitecollared, White-crowned and White-ruffed. Skulking species here include Immaculate, Dull-mantled, and Spotted Antbirds, which can all be in attendance should we encounter an army ant swarm in the forest.. In the afternoons, as we sit quietly beside Rancho s famous Hummingbird Pools, we should be treated to dazzling views of Purple-crowned Fairies as they bathe on the wing, while Golden-crowned Warbler and even the furtive Tawny-throated Leaftosser may visit. Remarkably, we could encounter a dozen or more varieties of hummingbird at Rancho. And when our eyes grow weary of trying to keep pace with the ceaseless activity of these avian jewels, we can turn our attention to less energetic fare such as Stripebreasted Wren, White-breasted Wood Wren, Masked Tityra and Yellow-faced Grassquit... the list of possibilities here seems boundless! Nights at Rancho Naturalista. Day 7 TAPANTI NATIONAL PARK & SAVEGRE MOUNTAIN LODGE Reluctantly leaving Rancho early this morning, we head for the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte. We will break our journey with a visit to Tapanti National Park, one of the most scenic of all Costa Rica s national parks. With an altitudinal range between 1200 and 1500 metres, here we will seek some of the specialities of the wet pre-montane forest. Green-fronted Lancebills hawk insects along the streams, as we search for such gems as Black-bellied Hummingbird, Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush, White-winged Tanager and the delicate Elegant Euphonia. Mixed species flocks are usually a highlight at Tapanti and often include the stunning Redheaded Barbet, along with its larger but less colourful cousin the Prong-billed Barbet. The dazzling 4 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

5 Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted Barbtail, Ochraceous Wren and Three-striped Warbler regularly travel with the busy flocks, too. Riverside specialists here include American Dipper and the darling Torrent Tyrannulet. After lunch at Tapanti, we set off for the cool highlands of the Pacific Rim. Climbing out of Cartago on the Pan American Highway, we will soon reach the montane oak forest of San Gerardo de Dota and the headwaters of the Rio Savegre. Almost every birding stop will add new and unique species to our growing bird list, many of which can only be seen in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama - a region collectively known as the Chiriqui Highlands. We should arrive at our mountain retreat located beside the Rio Savegre in time for a delicious dinner (trout being the speciality of the area), at the start of a two-night stay. Night Savegre Mountain Lodge. Day 8 SAVEGRE MOUNTAIN LODGE Situated at an elevation of 2200m, the birds seem especially tame at Savegre. Mountain Elaenia, Tufted Flycatcher and the sociable Acorn Woodpecker are common in the forests, while the likes of Bluethroated Toucanet, Collared Whitestart and Flame-throated Warbler are amongst the most stunning of all Costa Rica s species. As Long-tailed Silky-flycatchers and White-throated Mountain-gems seek to distract us, it s here that we will also watch for the crown jewel of Central American birds, the superb Resplendent Quetzal - pondering no doubt as to how the males manage to enter their nest hole and incubate the eggs, yet keeping their extraordinary tails hanging outside! After we have birded the productive lodge grounds, to save our legs, we will take a short open-air ride by 4x4 vehicle up a steep track to reach the productive Los Robles Trail. Here in the primary oak cloudforest we will search for Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Silvery-throated Jay, and Largefooted Finch to name a few. Dusk will find us awaiting calls and arrival of yet another localized Chiriqui highland endemic, the Dusky Nightjar. Night Savegre Mountain Lodge. Day 9 THE PARAMO & PUNTA LEONA Leaving Savegre, we will make a short southerly diversion to high altitude, where the windswept paramo (at 3400m above sea level) is home to specialities such as Sooty Thrush, Black-cheeked Warbler, Timberline Wren, Volcano Junco and the rare bamboo specialist, Peg-billed Finch. From here, we backtrack to make another stop, at a slightly lower elevation. This area, known as Paraiso Quetzal, offers our best chances to find the appealing Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher and the uncommon and localised Ochraceous Pewee. Their hummingbird feeders will keep us occupied with spectacular views of Fiery-throated, Magnificent and Volcano Hummingbirds at point blank range. Bidding farewell to the highlands we will descend into San Jose, climb up out of the Central Valley and finally drop back down again to the coast via Atenas and Orotina. Our destination this evening is the lovely Punta Leona Beach Resort, in the Central Pacific lowlands. We should arrive in time to make an initial exploration of the hotel s beautiful gardens. One of the undoubted highlights are the area s numerous and very handsome Scarlet Macaws, which nest on the property. Three nights Punta Leona. Days PUNTA LEONA: CARARA NP, TARCOL MANGROVES & BOAT TRIP As we meet outside our cabins, the early morning comes alive with tropical sounds. Little Tinamou, Gartered and Slaty-tailed Trogons, Turquoise-browed and Blue-crowned Motmots, Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, Lineated and Pale-billed Woodpeckers, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Streaked Flycatcher, bands of Rufous-naped Wrens and others join in a spectacular dawn chorus. Punta Leona also makes a splendid base from which to visit the nearby Carara National Park, where inquisitive White-nosed Coatis forage through the undergrowth and King Vultures sail above the trees. As we bird here along the wide trail near the Rio Grande de Tarcoles, we should encounter many new species - from Fiery-billed Aracari, and Black-hooded and Barred Antshrikes to Baird s Trogon, Royal 5 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

6 Flycatcher and Golden-crowned Spadebill. An oxbow lake along the trail often has nesting Boat-billed Herons, an aptly-named species with a quite extraordinary beak! In the more humid forest, Great Tinamou, Black-faced Antthrush, Streak-chested Antpitta, Riverside Wren and Orange-collared Manakin await. Amongst hordes of feeding birds drawn to fruiting fig trees, spectacular specialities to watch for here include the endangered Yellow-billed Cotinga. Setting off for the mouth of the Rio Tarcoles next morning, we ll devote some time to searching by boat for the many mangrove specialities of the area. The very localized Mangrove Hummingbird can often be found, along with Mangrove Common Black Hawk, Mangrove Yellow Warbler and Mangrove Vireo. Up to five species of kingfisher are possible along the river, including both the New World s smallest member of the tribe - the diminutive American Pygmy Kingfisher - and its largest, the robust Ringed Kingfisher. Shorebirds are plentiful with Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson s, Semipalmated and Collared Plovers, Willet and Black-necked Stilt all likely, while the beautiful Purple Gallinule and odd Northern Jacana are often seen along the edges of the river. The Carara area is also an excellent spot for owls. One evening we can try our luck with Striped Owl and Pacific Screech Owl, while the tiny Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is a daytime hunter. Nights Punta Leona. Day 12 GUANACASTE & RIO TARCOLES ESTUARY, TO SAN JOSE This morning we will explore the southern limit of the dry Guanacaste zone, just north of the Rio Tarcoles. The change in both the vegetation and bird-life is remarkable, with the rainforests south of the river giving way to much drier zone north of the river. Here, in the fields and thorn forests making up this habitat, we will search for Double-striped Thick-knee, Lesser Ground-cuckoo, Cinnamon Hummingbird, the glorious Turquoise-browed Motmot, Black-headed Trogon, the superb Long-tailed Manakin, raucous White-throated Magpie-jays, groups of Stripe-headed Sparrows and even the resident Blue Grosbeak. The estuary at the mouth of the Rio Tarcoles can be excellent for tern roosts and shorebirds too, so scopes at the ready! After lunch we must bid farewell to the deep blue Pacific waters and pristine white sand beaches at Punta Leona and make our way east once more, via Orotina and Atenas, into Costa Rica s Central Valley. Arriving back in San Jose, we ll enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel this evening. Night San Jose. Days FLY SAN JOSE-LONDON Our flight home departs San Jose today. Depending on flight schedules (can vary between a morning or an afternoon departure), there may be time to enjoy some final birding around the capital before we leave. Arrival back in London the following day (day 14), where our Classic Costa Rica tour concludes. Trip Information Group Limit 10 participants & 1 guide (the optimum party size for birding on Costa Rica s rainforest trails and to avoid the need to split the party into two separate groups along forest trails). Birds (Feb/Mar) species. (Aug) species. Mammals We should encounter a good variety of forest species, typically seeing between 10 and 20 species, including up to three species of neotropical monkeys, two species of sloth, White-nosed Coati, Collared Peccary, Agouti and Tent-making Bats. Accommodation We stay at good hotels and lodges throughout. All rooms have private facilities. 6 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

7 Meals All included in the price. Food is good to excellent in Costa Rica, with much that is locally grown - including the coffee. Walking & Altitude Please note: Costa Rica is a mountainous country so all visitors should expect some trails to be steeper in parts - but these are always taken slowly, with frequent stops to bird. The walking effort is mostly easy, but can be moderate at times due to the terrain. At Savegre, we shall be birding at elevations of m, with a couple of hours only spent in the paramo zone at around 3400m. Our birding at Punta Leona and Selva Verde is at or near sea-level. Maximum elevation: 3400m. As one would expect, rainforest trails can sometimes be muddy, so sturdy waterproof walking shoes or boots with good grip essential. Weather Tropical to temperate climate. Our February-March tour runs during Costa Rica s dry season but rainfall can (and does!) of course occur year-round in the mountains and rainforests! It can be cool and misty in the mountains and cloud forest; generally hotter and sunnier on the coast (10-30C). Our early August tour is purposely timed to coincide with Costa Rica s veranito or little summer. Although the birding in Costa Rica is outstanding year round, we are frequently asked about the best time to visit, particularly by those anxious to avoid Central America s rainy season. To help you decide, our local agents in San Jose have provided the following climatic summary:... We have 2 rainy seasons and 2 dry seasons here in Costa Rica. The 2 rainy seasons can be separated into 2 catagories: Major Rainy Season - mid-sept through Oct (except in far SE); Medium Rainy Season - mid-may through mid-july. The 2 dry seasons can also be separated into 2 catagories: Major Dry Season - mid-jan through April; Medium Dry Season (veranito or little summer ) - mid-july through Aug. As with weather patterns anywhere, these may vary slightly from year to year, but they basically hold true. The period it varies most is during the two-week transition from one season to another, so the best time to visit Costa Rica in summer is during the middle of the Medium Dry Season - roughly the first two weeks of August. When rainfall does occur at this time, it is usually in the early afternoon when the group is generally having a siesta or travelling from one site to the next.... Flights There are no direct flights from the UK to Costa Rica, so all routes involve a change of planes en route. On this tour, we use the scheduled services of United Airlines or similar, from London to San Jose with a change of planes in Newark or Houston. [Iberia also have flights from London to San Jose; these go via Madrid, but in recent years their fare has been double the cost of other airlines flying to San Jose. Our office will be happy to check and advise the additional cost should you prefer to fly with Iberia.] Ground Transport We travel by small, comfortable air-conditioned coach (Toyota Coaster), driven by the same excellent local driver that we've used for many years; (occasionally, minibus if small group). Boat Trips Our tour price includes two river trips - on the Rio Grande de Tarcoles and the Rio Sarapiqui - in boats that are large enough to accommodate our whole group. Each trip last approx. 2-3 hrs. Insects There is currently no malaria risk in any of the areas visited on our tour. During March in particular you will generally notice very few mosquitoes anywhere. (See also Health, below) Photos Generally tricky in the forest (due to low light levels). Excellent photographic opportunities in more open habitats, especially at feeders around the lodges - birds, other wildlife and scenic shots. 7 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

8 Tour Cost 2013 (Feb/Aug, 14 days): 3395 (inc flights from London) Deposit: 500 Single Supp (Feb): 420 Single Supp (Aug): 345 Cost includes Return scheduled flights London-San Jose, all accommodation at the hotels and lodges, meals, coach transport, boat trips on the Rio Sarapiqui and Rio Grande de Tarcoles, entrance fees to parks and gardens, tips to lodges, driver and guides, airport taxes, Costa Rica departure tax, map, bird checklist and services of the leader. Cost excludes Insurance, ESTA (for transit USA, $14), drinks & other items of a personal nature. About Your Guide Jason Horn Jason is our resident Costa Rica expert and guide. Although born and raised in Pennsylvania, he has birded extensively throughout North, Central and South America (with limited experience in Europe and Africa, too). He has a BSc in Biology and has worked as a professional bird guide at both Rancho Naturalista and Tarcol Lodge in Costa Rica, where his expertise with bird calls and remarkable field identification skills have been put to excellent use by our specialist local agents in Costa Rica. Jason has been guiding visiting birdwatching groups throughout this amazingly bird-rich Central American country for many years now. He led Limosa s tours to Costa Rica in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 (2 trips) and 2012 (2 trips), and 2013 will be his eighth year of guiding our groups there. What You Say:... What a fantastic trip! I know we have left Costa Rica a little late in our neotropical experiences but it truly was a brilliant birdwatching experience. The guides, lodges, staff, food and transportation (including flights) were all first class - I was reluctant to get on the plane to come home; tempting to stay with Jason for his next tour of the more northern regions. Thank you for yet another wonderful Limosa holiday!... Andy & Jane Baxter, Costa Rica tour... Jason Horn was without doubt the best guide I have been with - he seemed to be able the birds minds! Added to that, his humour was something we will always remember. Vernon was an excellent driver - careful and courteous. His knowledge of birds was so unexpected - felt like having 2 guides. A tour that ticked every box and more!... John Reilly, Classic Costa Rica tour... A top quality tour exceeding our expectations. Jason skillfully enticed difficult birds into view. Our highlights were Sunbittern family at their nest, two Sungrebes swimming beside our boat, dancing and bathing manakins, gaudy tanagers and frogs, spotlighted Kinkajou... Steve & Sue Place, Classic Costa Rica tour 8 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

9 ... The meals at Rancho were excellent - they really went out of their way to look after us and even cooked us an early breakfast - they were particularly friendly and helpful. This was such an enjoyable and memorable holiday. Jason Horn and Vernon (the driver) were a fabulous team who made sure we saw as many birds as we possibly could. Jason s sense of humour also added to the enjoyment and his knowledge of birds and nature in general were fantastic... Janette Reilly, Classic Costa Rica tour... They [Jason and Vernon] are a formidable team and really made the trip. Vernon drove magnificently on roads that were really tricky and was patient in city traffic. Jason is in a class of his own!... Phil Hodgson, Classic Costa Rica tour We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica. For us it was a great balance of birding, adventure, fun and discovery... We had unmatched views of some thrilling birds... This was our best birding holiday! Joyce Collins & Dinah Harrison, Classic Costa Rica tour Just a quick note to say I had a fantastic holiday in Costa Rica. The weather was great, our group got on well together... An unforgettable holiday. Mary Laing, Classic Costa Rica tour Limosa Loyalty Discount The success of our business is built upon repeat custom and our Frequent Travel Discount is one way of saying thank you to all who travel regularly with us. Under the scheme, everyone who takes four trips with us is entitled to claim a 5% discount on their fifth trip*. Or you can opt to save your discounts up and carry them forward to claim a 10% discount on your 10th trip. The choice is yours - but do please remember to request your discount at time of booking! * Please note: This offer applies to the basic tour cost only and excludes certain commission-based trips, extras such as additional flights, private extensions and cancellations. Discounts cannot be given in lieu of tour deposits or off the cost of single room supplements. How to Book Be sure to read our Booking Conditions and General Information found at the back of our current brochure or on our website. Book Online: You can book swiftly and securely online via our website: Book By Post: Please complete both sides of the Booking Form, remembering to sign and date the reverse please. Mail this to us, together with the appropriate Booking Deposit (see above). Telephone bookings: We are happy to accept bookings by telephone and will hold a place for you on a provisional basis for up to 14 days to allow time for your booking form and deposit to reach us by mail. 9 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

10 Payments Deposits: The amount of deposit per person is shown above. We accept payment by cheque (drawn in GB Pounds Sterling) and debit card. We also accept most major credit cards (not AmEx). Final Balance: Full payment of the balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure. We will send you an invoice at about this time. We accept payment for final balances by cheque or debit card. Card Charges: Please note due to escalating credit card charges we are no longer able to absorb the cost of these in respect of balance payments. A 2% commission charge is made on any final balance paid by credit card, but not on deposits nor on payments made by debit card. Late Bookings In order for us to guarantee airline seats, hotels etc for you, full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). When to Book This is one of the most Frequently Asked Questions. And the short answer is as early as possible! Accommodation and flights are much more easily secured well in advance - and there is nothing more frustrating than to know that on paper space is still available on the tour but that hotels and/or flights are full. To encourage early booking therefore, we are pleased to offer an Early Booking Discount - see our current brochure for details. Our tours are limited to small group sizes, so they can fill up quickly - sometimes even before our new brochure comes out. It's not unusual to find trips are fully booked around four to six months in advance. Single rooms in particular can often be in short supply and among the first to go, so do try to plan well ahead if you definitely require one of these. Last-minute bookings: We inevitably receive a few unexpected late cancellations over the course of a season so it is always worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour - even for those departing in just a few weeks time! Other Things You Need To Know Passports & Visas All participants must be in possession of a valid passport. Passports must have a minimum of 6 months validity beyond your intended date of return home. VISA NOT REQUIRED for entry into Costa Rica by UK passport holders. All others should contact their nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate to check whether or not they require a visa/s. If a visa/s is required, you will need to apply locally. If the embassy or consulate requires you to provide a letter confirming that you are booked on an all-inclusive tour, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide one. *** NOTE: The following section APPLIES ONLY to passengers travelling to and/or transiting through the USA. If your flights to Costa Rica are NOT going via the USA, skip to next section, Health & Vaccinations *** 10 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

11 IMPORTANT! For all passengers on flights to Costa Rica which transit via the USA, please note that US Government Transit/Visa regulations ALSO APPLY. (Please note: our office may not be in a position to advise flights or routing for this tour until minimum group size has been achieved.) A brief summary is given here: VISA NOT REQUIRED for entry/transit into the USA by UK passport holders eligible under the current US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). Under the VWP, travellers must ensure they comply with new US Customs regulations in advance of travel. The measures require all those travelling under the VWP to provide details online at least 72 hours prior to travel - this is known as an Electronic Travel System Authorisation (ESTA), and is mandatory. The latest information about entry requirements including ESTA can be found on the UK s Foreign & Commonwealth Office website at - click on the Travel & Living Abroad header and follow the Travel Advice by Country link to find the US advice page. For more information, and to apply online, please visit the official ESTA website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Need help? Our Costa Rica Travel Info sheets (sent to all participants who book this tour) contain further details and our office will also do its best to answer any questions you may have. But if you have any doubts about whether you are eligible to enter (or transit) the US under the VWP, or about visa matters generally, you are advised to check online or contact the US Embassy in London before your travel. The Visa Information line is (calls are charged at 1.20 per minute). Health & Vaccinations Compulsory vaccinations: None for travellers from the UK. However, note that all visitors to Costa Rica arriving from any of the following countries - Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, French Guyana, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia and Sudan - are now required to produce an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis documenting yellow fever vaccination before entry to Costa Rica will be granted. Certificates are valid 10 days after the date of vaccination. Recommended vaccinations: tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A. Consult your doctor for current advice regarding diphtheria, TB, hepatitis B and typhoid, which may be recommended in some circumstances. Malaria: Our local agents advise that there is currently no malaria risk in the areas to be visited on our tour. Nonetheless, we always recommend that you check with your doctor prior to travel as areas of risk can change. The above information (together with that contained in our Travel Information sheets - sent to everyone who books) outlines health requirements for this tour. Please note that these details are given for guidance only - and are only for certain diseases - and you must consult your doctor in good time prior to travel as to what immunisations are needed for your chosen holiday. For full and up-to-the minute health information we urge everyone to consult The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website prior to booking any overseas holiday. NaTHNaC promotes standards in travel medicine, providing travel health information for health professionals and the public, and is funded by the UK Government s Health Protection Agency. Your Safety & Travel Advice Risks to your safety and security are an unavoidable aspect of all travel. The best current advice on such risks is provided for you by the UK s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice unit. It is 11 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

12 standard Limosa policy for our office to send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice to all participants along with their Final Tour Letter (2-4 weeks prior to the trip). Know Before You Go is a travel safety campaign run by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). It encourages British nationals to be better prepared for their overseas trips with a view to avoiding common travelling traumas, risks and dangers. In order for you to assess and protect against any risks in your chosen destination it is strongly recommended that you refer to the FCO website - both prior to booking and regularly before you travel. Follow the Know Before You Go link or call Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before departing on any overseas trip - and is to be much recommended for UK holidays as well. In common with all responsible tour operators, it is a condition of booking that all participants must be fully and adequately covered by insurance before setting out on holiday. Your insurance must cover you fully in respect of medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue with the tour, including the cost of emergency evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance should this be necessary. Note that passenger liability insurance covering the transportation that we hire, particularly in Third World countries, may be inadequate; it is therefore important that your insurance cover includes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident. We strongly recommend that you obtain your insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected in the event of unexpected cancellation prior to departure due to accident or illness. You must inform your insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions (including those of persons not necessarily travelling but upon whom your holiday may depend) that may require treatment during a period of overseas travel or might cause you to cancel the trip. Be aware that Travel Insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover for valuable optical equipment, which is often best protected under your own household insurance policy. If in doubt ask your insurers for advice prior to travel. Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under new Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, please note we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, choice of destination and other factors, while many people nowadays have Annual Travel Insurance cover. For these reasons, we leave you free to shop around and pick your own policy, one best suited to your own individual needs. General Information Our website gives easy access to detailed tour itineraries, bird lists, trip reports and the latest Limosa News. It also has useful Links to the FCO and other websites. Special Diets & Other Requests We pass on all such requests to the airlines, hotels and other suppliers, and do our best to ensure (but of course cannot guarantee) that your needs will be met. Please be sure to tell us about these (in as much detail as possible) at the time of booking, to allow good time to make the necessary arrangements. 12 Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see:

13 Smoking Almost all of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment. For the enjoyment and comfort of all, we ask that smokers refrain from smoking in proximity to the group and respect our NO SMOKING policy in the vehicle, at meal times, while watching wildlife and when otherwise in close company of fellow participants. Any Questions? If you have any questions at any time, you ll find our office staff friendly, efficient, approachable - and just a phone call away, eager to assist you in every way. Our office is open hrs Mon-Fri, and can also be reached by fax and . In the event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone (24 hrs) and our office will contact you as soon as we can. Thank you for your interest in our tours. We do hope that you will be able to join us - and look forward to hearing from you again! WPCK/KE Any questions? Please call: +44 (0) Or see: