Half Day Birdwatching/Nature Tour (Private and Customized)
All tours at Tapir Valley can accommodate a range of interest and allow visitors the freedom to pursue what they love most, but our Private Customized tours allow you to fully design your experience around your specific goals as a photographer, birder, naturalist or simply a devoted lover of nature. Would you like your half-day tour to focus on the diverse amphibians present in our rainforest reserve? Are you eager for a deep dive into the insect life of the rainforest? Are there particular species you are eager to add to your life list or photography portfolio? Our experienced local guides will create a private tour around your passions.
Are you an avid birdwatcher and want to find a particular species? Or perhaps you are just getting into birding? We are here to help you tailor the tour that you want. As you already know, having a private guide that knows the area is one of the best investments you can make to ensure that your birding adventure is the best it can be. You will not be disappointed.
Come and experience some of the best birding in northern Costa Rica. You will venture into Tapir Valley Private Reserve with an trained bilingual guide. We only work with the best birding guides in the area, who are passionate about birds and showing you the best places to spot some of the more elusive species.
Tapir Valley has many different habitats, including open grasslands, a wetland and primary and secondary forests. Our trails are well maintained and soft and silent underfoot. We have three birdwatching platforms.
Species that you may be able to see:
The todymotmot, Ornate Hawk Eagle, Yellow – eared Toucanet, Lovely Cotinga, Bare – necked Umbrellabird, Yellow – winged Tanager, Keel – billed Motmot, Great curassow, Three wattled bellbird, Dull mantled antbirds, Lattive tailed trogon, Brownhooded parrot, White collared manikin, Ruffous winged tanager.
Start / Finish Times: 5.30-11.30am
Duration: Around 6 hours.
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be served during the duration of the tour.
Rates: The rate will be separated into the tour fee, the entrance fee to Tapir Valley ($26). The Costa Rican Value Added Tax (VAT/IVA) of 13% is added to the overall rate at the end of the booking process.
Days available: Everyday except Sunday.
Meeting point: All tours depart from the reception area at Tapir Valley Nature Reserve, unless otherwise specified. We have a secure carpark where you can leave your car. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of your tour. You can contact us before the tour on WhatsApp +506 86101608
Phone signal: There is no phone signal at Tapir Valley Nature Reserve.
Rates: Our rates include the guide fee and the entrance fee to Tapir Valley. Value Added Tax (VAT/IVA) is added to the rate of each tour at the end of the booking process.
Payments: A deposit of 50% is required to secure your reservation. Please make the balance of your payment directly to your guide in colones or US dollars. We can't process cards or electronic payments at Tapir Valley.
Wet weather policy: Our tours operates rain or shine. We only cancel if there is an extreme weather warning. We receive high amount of rainfall in our unique rainforest microclimate. We have three undercover platforms in the nature reserve where we can shelter from the rain.
Recommendations: Be prepared to be outdoors in a forest environment where the weather can change quickly. It is recommended to wear pants and long sleeves (using dark colours) and closed in shoes.-There are many mosquitos here. Please bring a water bottle, repellent, closed shoes, hat, backpack rain jacket, travel umbrella, camera and binoculars (if you have them). We supply flashlights and batteries for the Jungle Night Tour. There is no phone signal at Tapir Valley Nature Reserve.
Don't forget your bird guide and your smart phone so that you can upload your sighting to ebird later on!
Risks: This is a wilderness area. Enter at your own risk. You must follow your guides' instructions at all times. Many animals live here including snakes. Please listen to your guide at all times and follow all instructions.
Habitats: This is also the habitat of the endangered Bair's Tapir. You may see evidence of the Tapir's presence here during your tour. It is an endangered animal and sightings are extremely rare. We do not sell tours to see the tapir.
Guides: We work with professional and expert bilingual nature guides who are passionate about what they and have extensive experience and expertise working at Tapir Valley Nature Reserve.
Tips: It's culturally appropriate to tip if you liked your tour and the service. It's actually a very nice way to support your guide, their family and our community.