The striking plumage of the quetzal makes it truly the jewel of Costa Rica’s vibrant bird species.
Shimmering tail feathers stream behind, trailing up to 20 inches long, while its dazzling blue and green plumage reveals flashes of a ruby red chest when in flight. The cloud forests of the Quetzal National Park, near San Gerardo de Dota, are the ideal habitat for these almost mythical birds, with wild avocado trees providing both shelter and food.
This early morning tour takes you into the forest when the birds are at their most active, and the early rays of the sun intensify their colours. Your guide is on hand to answer questions about the quetzal and other birdlife found in this unique region.
Be the lesser spotted human! Take a relaxed wander through the Osa Peninsula National Park and spot tapirs taking a stroll just a stones throw away and a humpback whale breaching in the distance.
Trip Ideas
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Classic Costa Rica
Costa Rica EscortedExplore the emerald landscapes of Costa Rica on this 15-day escorted tour and see for yourself why it’s called the ‘rich coast’!
From £1895 Excluding Flights
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Essential Costa Rica
Costa Rica Independent Self DriveFrom the bustling streets of a vibrant capital city to the lofty cloud forests of the Highlands, this budget-friendly self-drive trip packs in all the star highlights.
From £1480 Excluding Flights
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Luxury, Wellness and Adventure in Costa Rica
Costa Rica IndependentFrom the wild and remote Osa Peninsula to the chic beach vibes of Santa Teresa, it’s time to treat yourself to the best of Costa Rica.
From £5295 Excluding Flights
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Hike and Drive Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveLace up your boots and put your best foot forward on this active adventure through some of Costa Rica's most stunning and remote spots.
From £2460 Excluding Flights
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Costa Rica Coast to Coast
Costa Rica Self DriveExplore two very different coastlines, from the Caribbean vibes of the southeast to the gorgeous tropical beaches of the Pacific Ocean.
From £2638 Excluding Flights
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Wildlife and Nature of Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveTake a front-row seat for nature’s greatest show: this wildlife journey through Costa Rica provides animal encounters like nowhere else on earth.
From £3902 Excluding Flights
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Costa Rica Discovery
Costa Rica Independent Self DriveDiscover Costa Rica’s best bits, from the flooded canals of Tortuguero to the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet.
From £3195 Excluding Flights
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Green Season Highlights
Costa Rica Self DriveMake the most of Costa Rica’s quieter green season, exploring the best of the east and the colourful Caribbean Coast.
From £3920 Excluding Flights
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Costa Rican Family Adventure
Costa Rica Independent Self DriveCosta Rica's unique blend of adventure, nature and culture promises unforgettable memories for every generation.
From £4360 Excluding Flights
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Birdwatching Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveStay in seven of our favourite birding hot spots, each with its own unique ecosystem revealing a staggering variety of birds and other wildlife.
From £3232 Excluding Flights
Blogs
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Top 5 Wildlife Locations in Costa Rica
With 5% of the world's biodiversity found in Costa Rica, it is a wildlife lovers dream destination. Travel writer, photographer and zoologist, William Gray picks five of his top wildlife destinations in Costa Rica…
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Costa Rica: Insider Tips from the Experts
Among the most bio-diverse counties on the planet, Costa Rica is a heady mix of weird and wonderful wildlife, luscious landscapes and colourful culture. As we launch our collection of holidays, we've put a few of the most asked questions to our Costa Rica specialists. Read what they had to say...
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Costa Rica: Behind the Scenes Launching a New Destination
Having put the finishing touches on the latest destination to join the Discover the World growing collection - Costa Rica - we've taken a behind the scenes peak at what goes in to launching a new holiday programme.
