This is the premium tour of the Costa Rican Bird Route. As a highly endangered flagship species, the Great Green Macaw is the pioneer of a conservation legacy still unfolding in one of the world's most biologically rich places, Costa Rica.
The Lapa Verde Tour is the only multi-day trip in the country that focuses on observing, photographing and learning about the Great Green Macaw, its natural history and the impact the conservation of this species has on the biodiversity of its unique habitat.
The Costa Rican Bird Route offers Lapa Verde Tours of three varying lengths:
FEATURES OF THE TOUR
(varies depending on tour length):
- The Arita Show: An educational program about the Great Green Macaw with Arita the macaw mascot
- Visit a Great Green Macaw nest
- Search for the Great Green Macaw
- View feature film Almendro: Tree of Life
- Campfire talk where you hear local stories, sing songs of the Great Green Macaw, and even eat cooked seeds of the Almendro Tree
- Visit former Great Green Macaw Research Station
- Interpretation that creates a sense of understanding of the plight of the Great Green Macaw.
- Great general birding and wildlife opportunities
Although the main focus of these tours are on the Great Green Macaw and the conservation of the region it calls home, the tours will provide the participants with good general birding opportunities and additional information about natural history of the country and the region.
RESERVATIONS:
For more information or to make a reservation please contact:
Rainforest Biodiversity Group
Costa Rican Bird Route
info@costaricanbirdroute.com
In U.S.: (608) 698-3448
In Costa Rica:(506) 8840-1267
Sarapiquí Tourism Board (CATUSA)
birdroute@sarapiquicostarica.com
(506) 2761-0570
Eco-Aventura
olivier@ecoaventura.co.cr
Ph./fax: (506) 203-6773
Mobile: (506) 822-0226
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
- Ground transportation from/to base accommodation in Sarapiquí
- Meals as indicated below
- Entrance fees to all sites
- Guided bird watching hikes
- English speaking guide
- Donation for habitat conservation in the area
| Day | Activity |
| 1 | 07:00: Travel to Facility 1 10:00-12:00: Introduction to Facility 1. Independent Birding 12:00-13:00: Lunch at Facility 1 14:00: Travel to Tirimbina 15:00-17:00: Presentation on the Great Green Macaw and the Arita show 17:00: Travel to Facility 1 18:00: Dinner at Facility 1 |
| 2 | 06:00: Breakfast at Facility 1 07:00-12:00: Search for the Great Green Macaw. Search location will be based on latest data. 12:00-13:00: Lunch on the road (Bag lunch) 13:00-18:00: Search for the Great Green Macaw. Search location will be based on latest data. 18:00: Arrive at Selva Verde Lodge. Dinner at Selva Verde Lodge 19:00-20:30: View Film Almendro: Tree of Life 20:30: Travel to Facility 1 |
| 3 | 06:00: Breakfast at Facility 1 07:00: Travel to Albergue el Socorro 08:30-12:00: Introduction to Albergue el Socorro and casual birding. 12:00-13:00: Lunch at Albergue el Socorro. 13:00: Return to San Jose or continue on to next destination of tour. |
ITINERARY 2: Sarapiquí and Northern Area (4 days, 3 nights)
| Day | Activity |
| 1 | 07:00: Travel to Tirimbina Rainforest Center 08:30: Coffee and Birding at feeders in Cichona. 10:00: Introduction to Tirimbina Rainforest Center 13:00: Great Green Macaw Presentation 14:00-17:00: Visit Tirimbina Reserve or Independent Birding 18:00 Dinner at Tirimbina 19:00: The Arita Show |
| 2 | 06:00: Breakfast at Tirimbina 07:00-12:00: Search for the Great Green Macaw on way to Facility 2 12:00-13:00: Lunch at Facility 2 13:00-18:00: Search for the Great Green Macaw at Facility 2 18:00: Dinner at Facility 2 |
| 3 | 06:00: Breakfast at Facility 2 07:00: Travel to Mi Pedacito de Cielo 08:30-12:00: Visit Great Green Macaw Nest and Mi Pedacito Reserve 12:00-13:00: Lunch at Mi Pedacito 13:00: Travel to Maquenque Eco-Lodge 13:30-18:00: Birding at Maquenque Eco-Lodge 18:00: Dinner at Maquenque Eco-Lodge 19:00-21:00: Roasting of the Almendro and campfire with singing of anthem of the Great Green Macaw 21:00: Return to Facility 2 |
| 4 | 06:00: Breakfast at Facility 2 07:00: Travel to Boca Tapada 08:00: Visit Great Green Macaw Research Station in Boca Tapada 09:00: Return to San Jose or continue to next location on tour |
ITINERARY 3: Sarapiquí and Northern Region (5 days, 4 nights)
| Day | Activity |
| 1 | 07:00: Travel to Tirimbina Rainforest Center 08:30: Coffee in Cichona 10:00-12:00: Presentation on the Great Green Macaw at La Tirimbina 12:00-13:00: Lunch at Tirimbina 13:00-15:00: The Arita Show 15:00: Travel to Laguna Lagarto 19:00: Dinner at Laguna Lagarto Lodge |
| 2 | 06:00: Breakfast at Laguna Lagarto Lodge 07:30-12:00: Visit Laguna Lagarto Lodge and look for forest at Laguna Lagarto Lodge while birding. 12:00-13:00: Lunch at Laguna Lagarto Lodge 13:00-17:00: Look for Great Green Macaw in area on way to Maquenque Eco-lodge 17:00: Vist Maquenque Eco Lodge 18:00: Dinner at Maquenque Eco Lodge 19:00: Roasting of the Almendro seeds and campfire with singing of anthem of the Great Green Macaw 21:30: Return to Laguna Lagarto Lodge |
| 3 | 06:00: Breakfast at Laguna Lagarto Lodge 07:00: Transport to Mi Pedacito de Cielo 07:30-12:00: Observation of Great Green Macaw nest tree and birding in area 12:00-13:00: Lunch at Mi Pedacito de Cielo 13:00-18:00: Independent Activity: Birding, canoeing, walking 18:00: Dinner at Mi Pedacito de Cielo. Overnight here or Laguna Lagarto |
| 4 | 06:00: Breakfast at Mi Pedacito de Cielo 07:30: Travel to Boca Tapada to Great Green Macaw Research Station 9:00 - 12:00: Travel to Selva Verde Lodge 12:00: Lunch at Selva Verde Lodge 08:00- 9:00: Visit Great Green Macaw Research Station 13:00-18:00: Birding and hiking at Selva Verde Lodge 18:00: Dinner at Selva Verde Lodge 19:30-20:30: Presentation of film Almendro: Tree of Life |
| 5 | 06:00: Breakfast at Selva Verde Lodge 07:00: Travel to Albergue el Socorro. 08:30-12:00: Birding and hiking at Albergue el Socorro 12:00-14:00: Lunch at Albergue el Socorro 14:00: Return to San Jose or continue to next location of tour |