Costa Rica, In Search of the Quetzal

Example of a tailor-made journey, fully customisable

Country

Costa Rica

Suggested duration

3 days / 2 nights

The spirit of the journey

The quetzal is considered one of the most beautiful tropical birds in the world. Once religiously revered, it now stands as the emblem of forest conservation and the icon of ecotourism.

The San Gerardo de Dota valley is an essential site for observing the famed quetzal. This mountainous area, located 85 km from San José, is strikingly beautiful and ranks among the country’s most protected regions. The bird nests in the Dota Valley, not far from the Cerro de la Muerte, at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,000 metres. You will observe it under excellent conditions with the help of a local ornithologist.

You will spend two nights in a mountain lodge, ideally located for forest walks in search of this rare bird.

Day by day

Example of a tailor-made journey, fully customisable

A number of lodges around San Gerardo de Dota offer forest walks with an ornithologist guide, in search of the fabled quetzal, a mythical bird with magnificent plumage once worn by the Maya as adornment. This stage of your journey is suited to those curious about or passionate about birds. You arrive in the region in your rental vehicle and will spend 2 nights in a lodge at 2,200 m altitude, your base for observing this legendary bird.
On the first day, a guided outing in the private reserve will help optimise your chances of spotting this magnificent bird and familiarise you with the trails.
On the second day, from dawn, you can return to the site on your own.
During your free time, the lodge offers other activities, such as horseback riding or walks through the rainforest.

Trogon Lodge, Costa Rica

Trogon Lodge

Trogon Lodge is located in San Gerardo de Dota, near Cerro de la Muerte, one of Costa Rica's highest peaks. The lodge is in fact a 42-hectare farm.
It's the ideal spot for nature and bird lovers.
Trogon Lodge lies within a protected forest reserve known as the Los Santos Reserve.
This area is home to the resplendent quetzal, present year-round, along with numerous other species.

Birdwatching au Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a paradise for amateur birdwatchers, and for good reason! Acting as a land bridge between the Americas, it is home to an impressive variety of tropical birds. Few places in the world can claim as many different bird species. More than 850 have been identified — more than the United States and Canada combined!
Popular Costa Rican birds include toucans, scarlet macaws, motmots, and the elusive, striking quetzal. As many as 150 different species have been spotted in a single day. From the dry tropics of Nicoya to the humid lowlands of the Caribbean coast, the extraordinary diversity of habitats and micro-ecosystems creates near-endless opportunities for birdwatching in Costa Rica.