We're just finished with our first travel adventure with our travel partner, Reefs to Rockies. Costa Rica is one of the most bird-rich countries in the New World, with ~900 bird species recorded, almost half of the roughly 2,000 species found across North America. Its unique geography and habitat diversity make it a go-to destination for nature lovers making this first Wild Birds Unlimited travel adventure a smart choice. Our local guide, Arlet Quirós Calvo and fellow travelers: Annette, Jeff, Karen, Michael, Rod, Rosaline, Russ, and Sebastian. Special thanks to our driver, Jimmy, who brought us to our destinations safely and with a smile.

The trip brought our group through an incredible range of habitats. Lush gardens to tropical rainforest, coastline, and high mountain cloud forest and along with it, an equally incredible range of wildlife. Beautiful birds, colorful insects, fascinating reptiles, incredible plants, and plenty of mammals (yes, sloths too!). Enjoy some photos from this outstanding adventure.

Our locations included the famous Hotel Bougainvillea and its beautiful gardens as an introduction to Costa Rica's birdlife. We saw garden residents like Lesson’s Motmot and Mottled Owls. Then it was onto Carara National Park, where we saw a White-whiskered Puffbird and a Bicolored Antbird. So many birds...so little time!

Near Dominical we had Howler Monkeys right outside the door, while Manuel Antonio National Park delivered some of the trip's most unforgettable rainforest-meets-coastline memories.The fresh coconut juice was off-the-dial refreshing after the hike to the beach.

Two Costa Rica favorites! A Scarlet Macaw munching on almonds and a famous Red-eyed Tree Frog. Imagine being along a highway and pulling over to see this stunning bird enjoying lunch?!

Our high-mountain/cloud forest birdwatching was at the famous Paraíso Quetzal Lodge, home to one of Costa Rica's most sought-after birds, the Resplendent Quetzal, and Batsù Garden, a stunning high-elevation haven full of birds, flowers, and views.

Thank you, Reefs to Rockies, for a fantastic adventure, and thank you to everyone who joined us. If a trip like this has you dreaming of your next adventure, come talk to us in the shop. We have plans for 2027! To see a list of birds and critters we enjoyed on our travels go here. All photos by PD unless otherwise noted.

With gratitude,

PD St. Clair
Marketing Team Member
WBU Albuquerque Eastside & WBU Santa Fe