A 'must-see' Sunbittern lights up the streamside at Rancho Naturalista kind permission Wayne Easley

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1 Costa Rica CLASSIC COSTA RICA A 'must-see' Sunbittern lights up the streamside at Rancho Naturalista kind permission Wayne Easley 2017 Thursday 16th February Wednesday 1st March (14 days) Small group tour with Colin Bushell & Herman Venegas Taking advantage of new British Airways flights nonstop to San José, and featuring a selection of the country's best lodges - La Quinta, Rancho Naturalista, Tapanti Media, Savegre and Punta Leona - our 'Classic Costa Rica' tour is simply crammed with great birding. Join our Latin America specialist Colin Bushell for a trip that's got everything - from Sunbittern and Scarlet Macaw to Volcano Junco and Resplendent Quetzal, as we journey from the Caribbean lowlands and cloud-forested volcanoes to the Pacific coast in this tiny, bird-rich country. 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 Mammals include sloths, Mantled Howler Monkeys, Kinkajou and Tent-making Bats Delightful lodgings at La Quinta, Rancho Naturalista, Tapanti, Savegre Valley and Punta Leona Expertly led by Limosa's Colin Bushell and specialist Costa Rica bird guide Herman Venegas What's Included? Limosa Tour Leader and expert English-speaking Costa Rican bird guide Flights - London Gatwick to San José (Costa Rica), nonstop with British Airways 12 nights accommodation at comfortable hotels and lodges in Costa Rica All meals included, featuring much that is locally grown - including the coffee Two boat trips - on the Rio Sarapiqui and the Rio Tarcoles All local travel, entry fees, tour based tips and taxes LIMOSA HOLIDAYS, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: +44 (0) info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 Outline Itinerary Day 1: Days 2-3: Days 4-6: Day 7: Fly London-San José, nonstop with British Airways. Night Hotel Bougainvillea, San José (1,170m) We take in the hummingbirds of La Paz Waterfall, La Virgen Valley & La Selva OTS Biological Station. La Quinta (2 nts, elevation 300m) Rio Sarapiqui boat trip and hummingbird sites, plus 2 1/2 days at renowned birding lodge Rancho Naturalista (3 nts, elevation 900m) We visit a wetland site and look for key species in the Cartago Valley. Nt Tapanti Media Lodge (1100m) Days 8-9: Tapanti National Park ( m) and highland specialities of Savegre Valley. Hotel Savegre (2 nts, elevation 2200m) Day 10: We reach our highest elevation today, visiting the Paramo (3400m) before descending to Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Punta Leona (3 nts) Days 11-12: Carara National Park & Guanacaste Day 13: Day 14: Tour Overview Rio Tarcoles boat trip; afternoon return to San José for flight home Arrival in London 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. Upwards of 400 species are likely on our twoweek birdwatching tour to Costa Rica. The birding really is exceptional and past trip highlights have included Spotted Wood Quail, Ornate Hawk-eagle, Crested Owl, Resplendent Quetzal, Great Green and Scarlet Macaws, Brown-billed Scythebill and Zeledonia... not to mention 30 or more species of jewel-like hummingbirds, a whole rainbow of exotic tanagers and fascinating forest mammals such as the endearing Three-toed Sloth! From San José, we travel first to the lush rainforests of Costa Rica s Caribbean lowlands, where two nights at bird-rich La Quinta 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 the curious Sunbittern foraging along the bank. Next we head to the Talamanca Mountains and three nights at 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, Tawny-throated Leaftossers and the enchanting Snowcap. From Rancho, we continue on to the lush premontane forests of Tapanti National Park, where we have added a one-night stay in order to maximise our birding there. We'll be watching for mixed flocks that can hold Red-headed Barbet and the dazzling Spangle-cheeked Tanager. Climbing higher, we spend the next two nights in the highlands of the Savegre Valley - 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 Punta Leona. From the raucous bellowing of Mantled Howlers at dawn to the evening roost flights of Scarlet Macaws, our stay here will provide many special memories. It is also here that we will enjoy the second of our two special boat trips, along the Rio Tarcoles and its mangrove-lined channels. Limosa has been operating birding tours to Costa Rica for 20 years now and this 2017 trip will be guide Colin Bushell's sixth visit to Costa Rica. Combining breathtaking birding and scenery with accommodation at some of the country s best wildlife lodges - and the convenience of British Airways new nonstop flights - our Classic Costa Rica tour is definitely one Neotropical experience not to be missed! info@limosaholidays.co.uk

3 Daily Itinerary Day 1 FLY LONDON TO SAN JOSÉ Our two-week birdwatching tour to Costa Rica begins with a morning departure from London Gatwick on British Airways new nonstop service to San José, capital of Costa Rica. We ll be met by our local guide Herman on arrival in San José this evening and transfer directly to our most lovely hotel nearby. Night Hotel Bougainvillea, San José Day 2 SAN JOSÉ, LA PAZ HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN, SELVA VERDE & RIO SARAPIQUI BOAT RIDE A walk first thing 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. After breakfast, we set off on a scenic journey through coffee plantations and highland forest patches on the slopes of first the Barva Volcano and then Poas Volcano before arriving to La Paz Waterfall Garden for hummingbird overload! The fruit feeders at La Paz can hold Silverthroated, Crimson-collared and Passerini s Tanagers along with Common Chlorospingus - but the buzzing of hummingbirds below will beckon us down to the feeders. An incredible variety of hummingbird species can be seen at close range here, among them such delights as Green Hermit, Green Thorntail, Violet Sabrewing, Magenta-throated Woodstar, both White-bellied and Purple-throated Mountaingems, the endemic Coppery-headed Emerald and the unique Black-bellied Hummingbird to name but a few. Other birds to watch for in the area include Sooty-faced Finch and Black-cowled Oriole, while on the forest trails we may run into roving feeding flocks comprising the likes of Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted Barbtail, Spotted Woodcreeper, Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush and gorgeous Bay-headed and Spangled-cheeked Tanagers among many others. After an excellent buffet lunch we will continue downslope to La Virgen del Socorro, a forested valley in the Caribbean foothills. We will search for mixed flocks which here could hold Collared Trogon, Russet Antshrike and Speckled Tanager while a Torrent Tyrannulet or American Dipper is always possible along the rocks of the rushing river below. Raptors present include Swallowtailed Kite, and both White and Barred Hawks. In the late afternoon, we make our way to La Quinta Coutry Inn, our comfortable lodge for the next two nights. In the evening, we can listen out for Spectacled Owls around the lodge. Night La Quinta Country Inn Day 3 LA SELVA BIOLOGICAL STATION - CARIBBEAN LOWLAND BIRDING AT ITS BEST This day in the Caribbean lowlands will certainly be one of the best days of the tour, filled with an abundance of tropical wildlife sightings. We will want to get an early start to take in one of the best birding sites in the New World tropics: La Selva Biological Station. La Selva 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 the likes of Great Tinamou, 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 and Red-lored Parrots wing past overhead. Great Green Macaws have been increasing in numbers in the area and we hope to get fine views of this most impressive member of the parrot family. As we watch and listen for an array of forest tinamous, trogons, motmots, woodcreepers and antbirds, with patience other avian treasures will be revealed to us - perhaps a cryptically marked Vermiculated Screech Owl roosting motionless in the vine tangles of the mid-canopy; a Whitenecked Puffbird perched out on a sunlit branch; or a Rufous-tailed Jacamar hawking insects from a looping liana. Mammals are well represented at La Selva with both Two-toed and Three-toed Sloths, Whitethroated Capuchin, Mantled Howler, Central info@limosaholidays.co.uk

4 American Spider Monkey, Collared Peccary, and Central American Agouti all very possible. Noteworthy reptiles and amphibians include the dragon like Green Basilisk Lizard, the huge Green Iguana, and both Green-and-black and Strawberry Poison Dart-Frogs. We will return for a second night at our comfortable lodge, where another excellent dinner awaits us. The air-conditioning will feel especially welcome this evening after a long but very satisfying day in the field. Night La Quinta Country Inn Day 4 RIO SARAPIQUI BOAT RIDE, OLD BUTTERFLY GARDEN & RANCHO NATURALISTA This morning we will board a boat for a twohour ride along the Rio Sarapiqui. As we cruise the tranquil waterway, wildlife is not only prevalent but also seemingly quite tame. Herons, kingfishers and other riparian specialists should all be present along with possible sightings of Sunbittern, Green Ibis, Buff-rumped Warbler, Mantled Howlers, Three-toed Sloth and giant Green Iguanas. A real prize would be a close encounter with the unique Sungrebe, the only member of the finfoot family in the New World. After the boat trip, we will make a concerted effort to locate the beautiful Fasciated Tiger Heron along one of their favourite stretches of river, before paying a visit to the old butterfly garden for more exceptional hummingbird viewing. The hummers just can t seem to resist the large patch of Vervain flowers present here and we should be rewarded by excellent views of such jewels as Violet-headed Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph, the stunning Blackcrested Coquette and the incomparable 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. After lunch, a quick stop at another feeding station in a small village should produce close views of more hummingbirds, with chances here of both Long-billed and Stripe-throated Hermits, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer and Blue-chested Hummingbird. Grey-necked Wood-Rails seem tame here and the proprietor usually has Spectacled Owls on a nearby roost - and sometimes Crested Owl, too. The afternoon will find us making our way to our next bird-rich lodge: famous Rancho Naturalista, where we stay for three nights. Set at an elevation of 900m 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 Green-breasted Mangos buzzing to within arm s reach on the veranda as the sun sets over the distant volcanic peaks of Irazu and Turrialba. Night 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 Orangebilled Sparrows join wonderful Passerini s Tanagers for this impressive feeding frenzy. Flowering hedges are attractive to hummingbirds, with further chances of the winecoloured Snowcap and delightful Black-crested Coquette. After breakfast, our mornings at Rancho will be spent discovering the lodge's wonderful trails, watching for the likes of Gartered Trogon, Plainbrown and Cocoa Woodcreepers, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Dull-mantled Antbird and other alluring forest dwellers. Nearby, we may see Chequer-throated Antwren, the highly localized Tawny-chested Flycatcher and Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant plus a trio of manakins: Whitecollared, White-crowned and White-ruffed. On our second morning we will drive just a short distance to a rocky river to locate the resident Sunbitterns. We should get excellent views of this unique and beautiful species as it forages beside the water and, with luck, we will also see them in flight - showing the amazing sunbursts from which the species derives its name info@limosaholidays.co.uk

5 In a nearby valley we will search for tanager flocks, which can hold an astounding number of colourful species including Emerald, Speckled, Bay-headed and Black-and-yellow. An open area on the way back often produces the localized White-throated Flycatcher along with White-tailed Kite, Grey-crowned Yellowthroat and a selection of seedeaters. Back at the lodge in the late afternoons, we will sit quietly beside Rancho s famous Hummingbird Pools, where we should be treated to dazzling views of Crowned Woodnymphs and Purple-crowned Fairies as they bathe on the wing, while Golden-crowned Warblers 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 Plain Antvireo, Stripe-breasted Wren, Whitebreasted Wood Wren, and Masked Tityra... the list of possibilities here seems boundless! Two further nights at Rancho Naturalista Day 7 RANCHO NATURALISTA TO TAPANTI NATIONAL PARK AREA Our final morning at Rancho will be spent at a nearby reservoir. This wetland site has attracted a number of localised species in Costa Rica, with Snail Kite, Limpkin, Shiny Cowbird and Red-breasted Blackbird to look for amongst the more widespread Eastern Meadowlarks and Giant Cowbirds. From here, we journey on through the coffee plantations of the Cartago Valley, stopping for more speciality birds along the way. Orangebilled Nightingale-thrush and the appealing Prevost s Ground Sparrow are among several key species to look for in the coffee plantations. This is an excellent area for birds, but one that has largely been 'ignored' on our previous trips - a situation we remedied for the first time on our 2016 tour to great success with an overnight stop at Tapanti Media Lodge, surrounded by coffee plantations. Time permitting, we will do some 'owling' from our lodge tonight in hopes of coaxing in a Bareshanked Screech Owl or Mottled Owl. Night at Tapanti Media Lodge Day 8 TAPANTI NATIONAL PARK & SAVEGRE VALLEY Tapanti National Park is one of the most scenic of all Costa Rica s national parks. With an altitudinal range between 1300 and 1600 metres on the country's Caribbean slope, the habitat of wet pre-montane forest holds many specialties we will be searching for today. Near the entrance of the park, Green-fronted Lancebills hawk insects along the streams as we search for such gems as Black-bellied Hummingbird, the bold White-winged Tanager and the delicate Elegant Euphonia. Mixed species flocks are usually a highlight at Tapanti and often include the stunning Red-headed Barbet, along with its larger but less colourful cousin the Prong-billed Barbet. The dazzling Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail, Spotted Barbtail, Ochraceous Wren and Threestriped Warbler regularly travel with the busy flocks, too. Riverside specialists here include American Dipper and the darling Torrent Tyrannulet, while the understory is home to Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush and Chestnutcapped Brushfinch. On the rare event we enjoy a sunny day in these mist-laden mountains, we will be on the lookout for soaring raptors such as Barred Hawk, and both Black and Ornate Hawk- Eagles. After lunch at Tapanti, we set off for the cool highlands. 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. We should arrive at our tucked away mountain retreat located beside the Rio Savegre in time for a delicious dinner (fresh trout being the speciality of the area). We spend two nights at this famous lodge, still owned and operated by the original settlers, the Chacon family. Night Hotel Savegre info@limosaholidays.co.uk

6 Day 9 SAVEGRE VALLEY AND HIGHLAND SPECIALTIES Savegre Valley is situated at an elevation of 2200m. The birds seem especially tame here, with Mountain Elaenia, Tufted Flycatcher and the sociable Acorn Woodpecker common in the forests, while the likes of Emerald Toucanet, Collared Whitestart and Flame-throated Warbler are amongst the most stunning of all Costa Rica s species. In the lodge's garden, there are yet more hummingbirds to enjoy - from sparkling Green Violetears and White-throated Mountain-gems to Volcano, Scintillant and Striped-tailed Hummingbirds. It's also in this valley that we will watch for the crown jewel of Central American birds - the superb Resplendent Quetzal. February begins the breeding season for this remarkable bird and with any luck we will have the opportunity to ponder how the males manage to enter their nest hole and incubate the eggs - yet keeping their extraordinary tails hanging outside, looking for all the world like a fern growing on the side of a tree! After we have birded the productive grounds of the lodge, to save our legs we will take an openair ride by 4WD vehicle up a steep track to reach the Los Robles and QuebradaTrails. Among many birds to look for here amidst the primary oak cloud-forest are Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Ochraceous Pewee, Black-cheeked Warbler and Large-footed Finch. As night falls, we will make a special effort to find another localized Chiriqui highland endemic, the Dusky Nightjar, before returning to spend a second night at our lodge in the valley. Night Hotel Savegre Day 10 THE PARAMO & PUNTA LEONA Leaving Savegre this morning, we will make a short southerly diversion to high altitude, where the windswept paramo (at 3400m above sea level) is home to high level specialities such as Sooty Thrush, Timberline Wren, Volcano Junco and the localised bamboo specialist, Peg-billed Finch. From here, we backtrack to our next stop, which is set at a slightly lower elevation. This second area, known as Paraiso Quetzal, offers our best chances to find the appealing Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher as well as getting close views of Fiery-throated Hummingbird. Bidding farewell to Costa Rica's highlands, we then drop back down to San José and continue to descend to the Pacific coast. Our destination this evening is the Punta Leona Beach Resort, in the Central Pacific lowlands. We should arrive in time to make an initial exploration of the hotel s wooded grounds. One of the undoubted highlights are the area s numerous and very handsome Scarlet Macaws, which nest on the property. Night Punta Leona Days PUNTA LEONA GROUNDS, CARARA NATIONAL PARK & GUANACASTE As we meet outside our cabins, the early morning comes alive with tropical sounds. Little Tinamou, Gartered, Baird s and Slaty-tailed Trogons, Turquoise-browed and Blue-crowned Motmots, Yellow-throated 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 makes a splendid base from which to visit nearby Carara National Park. Birding here along the wide trail near the Rio Tarcoles, we should encounter many new species - from Fiery-billed Aracari, and Black-hooded and Barred Antshrikes to Dot-winged Antwren, Royal Flycatcher and lekking Orange-collared Manakins. In the more humid forest, Great Tinamou, Black-faced Antthrush, Streak-chested Antpitta, Golden-crowned Spadebill and Riverside Wren await. The afternoon will find us huddled in the forest watching many colourful species come into for their daily late afternoon bath. Striking Red-capped Manakins often steal the show, but Blue-crowned Manakins will be vying for our attention as well! Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Green Honeycreeper and many northern migrant warblers are also likely to make an appearance at this popular bathing site info@limosaholidays.co.uk

7 Next 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 a 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 Groundcuckoo, 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. Midday while in the Carara and Guanacaste areas will see us back at the lodge for a buffet lunch and a welcome air-conditioned siesta - or you might opt for a stroll on the white sands of the adjacent beach. 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 diurnal hunter to be looked for during daylight hours. Two further nights Punta Leona Day 13 BOAT RIDE ON THE RIO TARCOLES, FLY SAN JOSÉ-LONDON Setting off for the mouth of the Rio Tarcoles, we ll devote our final morning in Costa Rica to searching by boat for the many mangrove specialities of the area. The endemic and highly localized Mangrove Hummingbird can often be found with diligence, along with Mangrove Common Black Hawk, Mangrove Yellow Warbler and Mangrove Vireo. Up to five species of kingfisher are also 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. Waterbirds are plentiful, with roosting Boat-billed Heron, Bare-throated Tiger Heron and Tricolored Heron, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson s and Semipalmated Plovers, Willet and Black-necked Stilt all likely; the beautiful American Purple Gallinule and odd Northern Jacana are often seen along the edges of the river, too. The estuary at the mouth of the Rio Tarcoles can be a great spot to find roosting terns and shorebirds. As Magnificent Frigatebirds and Brown Pelicans cruise overhead, and we watch our last pair of Scarlet Macaws fly past it is a reminder that we too must be flying away soon. After lunch, we turn our backs on the deep blue Pacific waters and pristine white sand beaches at Punta Leona and make our way east once more into Costa Rica s Central Valley. Afternoon arrival in San José, where we bid farewell to our local guide and driver and check-in for our British Airways nonstop overnight flight home. Day 14 ARRIVAL IN LONDON Morning arrival back at London Gatwick, where our 'Classic' birdwatching tour to Costa Rica concludes. Trip Information Group Limit 10 participants & 2 guides Birds species Mammals We should encounter a good variety of forest mammals, typically seeing between 10 and 20 species. Possibilities include up to three species of Neotropical monkeys, two species of sloth, White-nosed Coati, Collared Peccary, Central American Agouti and Tent-making Bats. Accommodation 12 nights accommodation in Costa Rica, staying at good hotels and lodges. All rooms have private facilities. Meals All main meals (and drinking water provided during the day) are included in the tour price, commencing with dinner in Costa Rica on Day 1 and concluding with lunch there on Day 13. Food is good to excellent in Costa Rica, with much that is locally grown - including the coffee. Walking & Altitude 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. As one would expect, rainforest info@limosaholidays.co.uk

8 trails can sometimes be muddy underfoot, so sturdy waterproof walking shoes or boots with good grip essential. The walking effort is mostly easy, but can be moderate at times due to the terrain and/or altitude at a few spots. At Savegre, we shall be birding at elevations of m, plus a couple of hours only spent at higher elevation, in the paramo zone around 3400m. Our birding at Punta Leona and Selva Verde is at or near sea level. Maximum elevation this tour: 3400m. Weather Tropical to temperate climate. Our February-March tours run during Costa Rica s dry season but note 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). Birding in Costa Rica is outstanding year round, but we are frequently asked about the best time to visit the country, particularly by those anxious to avoid Central America s rainy season. To help you decide, our local agents in San José have provided the following climatic summary: We have two dry seasons and two rainy seasons in Costa Rica. The two dry seasons can also be separated into two categories: Major Dry Season (verano) mid January through April; Medium Dry Season (veranito or little summer ) mid July through Aug. The two rainy seasons can be separated into two categories: Major Rainy Season mid September through October (except in the far southeast); Medium Rainy Season mid May through mid July. As with weather patterns anywhere, these 'seasons' 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 during the early afternoon when the group is generally having a siesta or travelling from one site to the next.... Flights On this tour we use the new scheduled services British Airways, nonstop from London Gatwick to San José (Costa Rica). Our flightinclusive tour cost includes the Costa Rica departure tax (US $29). Ground Transport By comfortable Toyota Coaster (minicoach) with air-conditioning and driven by the same excellent local drivers that we've worked with for many years. (A minibus may be used in the event of a small group). Boat Trips Our tour price includes the cost of 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 boat trip lasts approx. 2-3 hrs. Insects There is currently no malaria risk in any of the areas visited on our tour (see also Health section, below) Photos Excellent photographic opportunities in more open habitats, especially at feeders around the lodges - birds, other wildlife and scenic shots. Tricky in the forest due to low light levels. Tour Cost 2017 (14 days): 4295 (inc flights from London, non stop with British Airways) Land only cost: 3695 Deposit: 600 Single Supp (Feb): 525 Cost includes Services of our expert guides; flights London Gatwick-San José nonstop with British Airways; 12 nights hotel and lodge accommodation in Costa Rica; all main meals (with drinking water provided); surface transport; boat trips on the Rio Sarapiqui and Rio Grande de Tarcoles; entry fees to reserves, parks and gardens, all tour based tips (lodges, driver and local guides); airport taxes (incl. Costa Rica departure tax, US $29); map and Limosa checklist of birds. Cost excludes Insurance, drinks, airport snacks/meals & other items of a personal nature info@limosaholidays.co.uk

9 About Your Guides Colin Bushell A birder since his teens, Colin lives in Lancashire, where he works as both a professional bird tour guide and freelance ornithologist for ecology consultancies. His first forays into overseas birding were to Majorca, Austria, Greece and Morocco - before the draw of the tropics became irresistible. After exploring Africa and the Far East, Colin immersed himself in South America and its vast avifauna, becoming a frequent visitor there (particularly to Peru and Brazil) and amassing a wealth of experience leading bird tours to the 'Bird Continent' over the last twenty years. With a keen interest in migration, he has also led tours to Europe and the Middle East, including Lesbos and Jordan. Colin lives with his wife and two chocolate Labradors near the Ribble Estuary, where he spends most of his spare time birding the marshes. Our 2017 Classic Costa Rica tour will be Colin's sixth visit to Costa Rica and his seventeenth tour to Central America. Herman Venegas A native Costa Rican, Herman s story of how he got into birding shows how contagious the love of birds can be! He began working at the birding lodge of Rancho Naturalista in jobs unrelated to birding. Soon the resident bird guides noticed that he showed a great interest in birds and was eager to learn more. Of course they obliged and before long Herman was joining them on walks and day trips to nearby areas in his free time. Herman progressed to become the resident bird guide at Rancho Naturalista and held that position for six years. As many guides do, he wanted to branch out and get to know all of Costa Rica's birds, taking every opportunity to travel with his fellow birding friends - who just happen to be some of the premier birding guides in the country. Herman has now worked as a full time Costa Rica bird guide for the last 5 years, getting rave reviews from his many satisfied clients. His bird finding skills and easy personality will add greatly to your personal enjoyment of the tour, not to mention his knowledge of all things Costa Rica. Herman lives in Platanillo (near Rancho Naturalista) with his wife Jenni and the apple of their eye, their son Yurel. What You Say An excellent holiday covering a good range of habitats, which far exceeded my expectations in terms of accommodation and quantity of birds seen. My personal list was 425 species, mostly seen well, with good views of those I most wanted to see, including an impressive 38 hummingbird species." SG, Classic Costa Rica tour Our second trip with Limosa to Costa Rica; even better than the first! All the accommodation was first class - good food and safe water. Overall the trip was excellent and the group and leaders gelled well. Good fun!" CA, Classic Costa Rica tour 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... Thank you for yet another wonderful Limosa holiday! A&JB, 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! JC & DH, Classic Costa Rica tour Financial Security Limosa Holidays is a fully bonded Tour Operator and a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO). We hold an ATOL (Air Tour Operators Licence) granted by the CAA, providing for your protection in the event of Limosa Holidays' insolvency. Our licence number is ATOL For tours not including the cost of a flight from the UK or for holidays booked by you as Land Only, all payments made to us are fully bonded info@limosaholidays.co.uk

10 through the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT). Our ABTOT membership number is For details please see our brochure or website: Limosa Loyalty Discount We are proud of the number of loyal customers who travel regularly with us. As our way of saying thank you, we offer a Frequent Travel Discount. Under the scheme, everyone who takes four trips with us is entitled to claim a 5% discount on their 5th trip *1. Remember to request your discount at time of booking! *1 Please note: This offer applies to the basic tour cost only and excludes certain commissionbased 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 Check availability on our website or with our office. We are happy to hold Provisional Reservations for up to 7 days. After this, we do require a Booking Form and deposit to confirm your place on tour. Any unconfirmed space will be released. Book Online, by Phone or by Post You can book and pay the deposit simply and securely Online via our website, using the Book This Tour button on the relevant tour page or the Booking tab at the top of the page. Telephone bookings must be confirmed in writing by completion of a Booking Form (there's one tucked inside every brochure or as a PDF download from our website), which can be mailed to us in the time honoured way. Be sure to read our Booking Conditions and General Information (found at the back of our brochure, on our website or available from our office on request) prior to booking. When to Book Early booking is advised since flights and accommodation are much more easily secured well in advance. To encourage early booking, we are pleased to offer an Early Bird Discount - see our current brochure or website for details. Our tours are limited to small group sizes. So they can fill up quickly - sometimes even before our new brochure comes out! 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 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! Payments The amount of booking deposit per person is shown alongside every tour. We accept deposit payments by debit card, cheque (payable to Limosa Holidays and drawn on a UK bank in GB Pounds Sterling) and BACS (please ask for our bank details). We also accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards, with no transaction charge on payment of tour deposits. Full payment of the balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure (20 weeks in the case of certain tours such as cruises or those involving rail travel). We will send you an invoice before the balance is due. We accept payment for balances (and interim payments) by cheque, BACS or UK debit card. We also accept balances (and interim payments) by credit card or overseas debit card but with a charge of 2% of the transaction amount to help offset card company charges. [Note that we do not retain your card details, which are destroyed once used. This means we may need to phone you again for details for subsequent payments.] Payment by overseas customers must be in GB Pounds Sterling and may be made by transfer to our bank (please ask for our bank details), or by overseas debit or credit card with a 2% info@limosaholidays.co.uk

11 transaction charge. Please note we do not accept cheques on US Banks in US Dollars, or cheques in Euros or Eurocheques. Late Booking Payments: In order for us to guarantee your airline seats, hotels etc., full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). Other Things You Need To Know Passports & Visas All participants must be in possession of a valid passport. Your passport should have at least one day s validity from the date you are leaving Costa Rica. No additional period of validity beyond this is required, but when travelling anywhere overseas we always recommend that your passport has a minimum of 6 months left to run after your intended date of return home, in case of unforeseen delay. VISA NOT REQUIRED by British nationals for entry into Costa Rica. 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 allinclusive tour, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide one. Health & Vaccinations Visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), visit: travelhealthpro.org.uk/countryinformation/ and by NHS (Scotland), visit: Useful information and advice about healthcare abroad is also available at NHS Choices website: ad/pages/healthcareabroad.aspx Compulsory vaccinations: None for travellers arriving from the UK. However, note that all visitors to Costa Rica arriving from any of the following countries - Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, 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 required to produce an International Certificate of Vaccination documenting yellow fever vaccination before entry to Costa Rica will be granted. NB. Be aware that such certificates only become 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 also be recommended in some circumstances. Malaria: Our agents in Costa Rica 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. See - ral-america/costa-rica.aspx Other: A sun hat is essential, and the use of an effective barrier cream and sunglasses advised. The above information, together with that contained within 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 (if any) are needed for your chosen holiday. For full and up-to-date health information we urge everyone to consult The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) info@limosaholidays.co.uk

12 website prior to booking any overseas holiday. NaTHNaC is funded by the UK Government s Health Protection Agency and provides health information for both health professionals and travellers, with information compiled by its own clinical and scientific team. You can search for individual country requirements, which are updated regularly. Your Safety & Travel Advice An unavoidable aspect of travelling abroad nowadays is the threat it may pose to your safety and security. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 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 relevant FCO Travel Advice both prior to booking and regularly before you travel. It is standard Limosa policy for our office to send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice about the tour to all participants along with their Final Letter (ca. 2-3 weeks prior to the trip). Travel Aware - staying safe and healthy abroad - is a travel safety campaign run by the FCO, and another useful resource. Go to: Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before setting off on any overseas trip. In common with all responsible tour operators, it is a condition of booking that all clients are fully and adequately insured before travelling overseas with us. Your travel insurance should cover against cancellation, curtailment, missed departure, delay, personal accident, death, loss of baggage and valuables (see note below), personal liability and legal expenses. Most importantly, 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 recommend that you obtain travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected right from the word go 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. Once you have arranged your insurance, please be sure to send us the following essential details: name and contact details of your insurance provider, your policy number, expiry date and your insurers 24hr Emergency Assistance number. Important things to note about insurance 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. Most travel insurance policies limit the amount of cover, typically up to a maximum tour cost of 5000 per person. If the tour you are booking exceeds this amount, additional cover can usually be provided upon payment of additional premium. We recommend all travellers check their individual policy limit to ensure the full cost of their holiday is covered. Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, info@limosaholidays.co.uk

13 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 (Tour Info Packs), trip reports, trip photos and the latest Limosa News. 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. 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 and when watching wildlife. 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 (24hrs) 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 we look forward to hearing from you again! CKKE info@limosaholidays.co.uk