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Costa Rica Cloud Forest Retreat


  • location: Costa Rica (map)

  • Dates:Nov 21-27, 2026
    (6 nights, 7 days)

  • Location:Costa Rica

  • Price: $TBD USD per person

  • Early Bird: Save 10% if booked by April 1, 2026

  • Group Size: 6-12 participants (minimum 6 required)

  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

What to Expect: Morning birding adventures, afternoon nature experiences, luxury eco-lodge accommodation, all meals included, daily rest time built into schedule

Coming Soon

Experience Overview

Escape to one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems where emerald green canopies meet misty mountain air. This isn't a rushed checklist tour—it's a week of discovery, rest, and connection in the heart of Costa Rica's legendary cloud forests.

Over eight incredible days, you'll wake to the songs of over 400 bird species, spot the legendary Resplendent Quetzal in its natural habitat, watch hummingbirds hover at eye level, and explore trails where every turn reveals something extraordinary. Between birding adventures, you'll have time to breathe, rest in hammocks overlooking the forest, enjoy exceptional Costa Rican cuisine, and remember what it feels like to truly unwind.

This retreat balances birding with cultural immersion, nature walks, fantastic local food, and plenty of quiet time in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth. Come for the birds. Stay for the reset your soul desperately needs.

Dates & Booking

  • Retreat Dates: November 21-27, 2026

  • Arrival Day: November 21, 2026 (meet at San José airport by 2pm)

  • Departure Day: November 27, 2026 (San José airport drop-off by 10am)

  • Price: $TBD USD per person (based on double occupancy)

  • Price: $TBD USD per person (based on Single occupancy)

  • Early Bird Special: Book by April 1, 2026 and save 10%

  • Group Size: Minimum 6 participants, maximum 12

  • Please note: If minimum enrollment is not met by Aug 1, 2026, the retreat will be cancelled with full refunds issued.

Coming Soon

Daily Itinerary

  • Afternoon:
    Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. Our private shuttle will transport you through stunning mountain landscapes to our luxury eco-lodge in Monteverde (approximately 3.5 hours). Settle into your comfortable accommodations with breathtaking cloud forest views.

    Evening:
    Welcome dinner featuring fresh Costa Rican cuisine. Meet your fellow birders, hear Rick's overview of the week ahead, and enjoy your first taste of pura vida living. Early bedtime encouraged—tomorrow morning starts with birds!

    Accommodation:
    Luxury eco-lodge with private balconies overlooking cloud forest

    Meals:
    Dinner included

  • Morning:
    Early wake-up for sunrise birding in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This is prime time for spotting the Resplendent Quetzal—one of the world's most spectacular birds. Watch for Three-wattled Bellbirds, Emerald Toucanets, and dozens of hummingbird species. Rick will help you identify calls and spot movement in the canopy.

    Afternoon:
    Return to the lodge for a leisurely Costa Rican breakfast. Free time to rest, read on your balcony, or enjoy the lodge's amenities. Optional: Visit the on-site butterfly garden or take a nap in a forest-view hammock.

    Evening:
    Guided nature walk through the lodge's private trails. Learn about cloud forest ecology, medicinal plants, and the interconnected ecosystems that make this region so special. Dinner featuring local ingredients and traditional flavors.

    Accommodation:
    Luxury eco-lodge

    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

  • Morning:
    Birding adventure on lesser-known trails where resident guides know the exact spots for target species. Potential sightings include Black-faced Solitaire, Prong-billed Barbet, and if we're lucky, the elusive Bare-necked Umbrella Bird. Rick partners with local experts who know every bend in the trail.

    Afternoon:
    Visit a local hummingbird garden where feeders attract 15+ species. Photograph these tiny jewels hovering inches from your face—Violet Sabrewings, Green-crowned Brilliants, and Magenta-throated Woodstars. Followed by free time and lunch at the lodge.

    Evening:
    Sunset viewing from the lodge terrace with appetizers. Optional night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife (frogs, insects, maybe even a Kinkajou). Dinner and relaxation.

    Accommodation:
    Luxury eco-lodge

    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

  • Morning:
    Birding along forest edges at dawn—excellent for spotting tanagers, warblers, and flycatchers taking advantage of morning insects.

    Afternoon:
    Cultural experience: Visit a local coffee plantation to learn about sustainable farming practices and Costa Rica's famous coffee production. Tour includes coffee tasting and lunch with a local family. Learn how conservation and agriculture coexist in this unique ecosystem.

    Evening:
    Return to lodge for free time. Sunset birding from the property if desired. Dinner featuring farm-to-table ingredients from the morning's visit.

    Accommodation:
    Luxury eco-lodge

    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

  • Morning:
    Early birding session targeting any species we haven't seen yet. Rick adjusts each morning based on the group's interests and "must-see" birds.

    Afternoon:
    Experience the cloud forest from above on a hanging bridges tour. Walk suspended walkways through the canopy layer—a completely different perspective revealing birds and wildlife rarely seen from the ground. Lunch follows at a local restaurant with panoramic valley views.

    Evening:
    Free evening at the lodge. Enjoy spa services (available at additional cost), relax in your room, or join others for casual conversation. Dinner at the lodge.

    Accommodation:
    Luxury eco-lodge

    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

  • Morning:
    Relaxed birding session—no alarm clocks, no pressure. Walk the trails at your own pace or revisit favorite spots from earlier in the week. This is your time to soak in the final morning in paradise.

    Afternoon:
    Free time for personal reflection, journaling, last-minute photos, or simply sitting in nature. Optional: Visit the town of Monteverde for souvenir shopping or additional coffee tasting. Final group dinner with reflections on the week.

    Evening:
    Pack, rest, prepare for early departure tomorrow.

    Accommodation:
    Luxury eco-lodge

    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

  • Morning:
    Early breakfast and checkout. Private shuttle back to San José airport, arriving by 10am for international departures. Exchange hugs, promises to stay in touch, and memories that will last a lifetime.

    Meals:
    Breakfast included

What's Included

  • Accommodation: 6 nights in luxury eco-lodge (double occupancy, private balconies)

  • All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (Nov 21 dinner through Nov 27 breakfast)

  • Ground Transportation: Private shuttle from/to San José airport, all local transportation during retreat

  • Expert Guidance: Rick Szabo and local naturalist guides throughout

  • Park & Reserve Fees: All entrance fees to National Parks and Private Reserves

  • Activities: All birding excursions, hanging bridges tour, coffee plantation visit, nature walks, night walk

  • Field Resources:bird checklists, site maps, and access to Rick's field library

  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Coffee, tea, juice, and water at all meals

What's NOT Included

  1. International Flights:
    Airfare to/from San José, Costa Rica (SJO)

  2. Travel Insurance:
    Highly recommended; participants responsible for their own coverage

  3. Alcoholic Beverages:
    Available for purchase at lodge and restaurants

  4. Personal Expenses:
    Souvenirs, additional snacks, spa services, laundry

  5. Binoculars:
     Bring your own

  6. Tips/Gratuities:
     For guides, drivers, and lodge staff (suggested amounts provided before departure)

  7. Visa Fees:
    If applicable for your nationality

  8. Single Room Supplement:
    Available for additional $500 (subject to availability)

What to Bring

  • Binoculars (8x42 or 10x42 recommended)

    Camera with zoom lens if you enjoy bird photography

    Field guide to Costa Rican birds (optional—Rick has references available)

    Small backpack for daily excursions

    Notebook for species lists and journaling

  • Waterproof rain jacket (cloud forest = occasional mist and rain)

    Lightweight long pants for morning birding (2-3 pairs)

    Moisture-wicking shirts (avoid cotton; choose quick-dry fabrics)

    Warm fleece or jacket for cool mornings (temps can dip to 60°F/15°C)

    Comfortable hiking shoes with good tread (trails can be muddy)

    Sandals or comfortable shoes for evenings at the lodge

    Sun hat and sunglasses

    Swimsuit (lodge has hot tub)

  • Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)

    Insect repellent (natural formulas work well)

    Reusable water bottle

    Headlamp or small flashlight for night walks

    Personal medications and basic first aid supplies

    Power adapter (Costa Rica uses Type A & B plugs, 120V)

  • Spotting scope if you have one (not necessary but nice for distant views). Rick will have one for the group to use.

    Comfortable travel pillow for the shuttle ride

What NOT to Bring

  • You won't need fancy clothes—casual and comfortable is the vibe.

  • Leave expensive jewelry at home.

  • We're committed to sustainability.

Physical Fitness Level

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

This retreat is accessible to most fitness levels, but participants should be comfortable with:

  • Walking 2-4 miles per day on uneven terrain

  • Standing for 1-2 hours during birding sessions

  • Occasional uphill sections on forest trails

  • Humid conditions and variable weather

Good News: You set your own pace. If you need to rest during a walk, no problem. If you want to skip an optional activity, that's completely fine. This isn't a race—it's a retreat.

Accessibility Note: Some trails have stairs and uneven surfaces. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss accommodations.

Accommodation

You'll stay at a carefully selected luxury eco-lodge nestled in the cloud forest. Expect:

  1. Private rooms with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms

  2. Balconies or terraces with forest views

  3. Hot water, electricity, and Wi-Fi (though we encourage digital detox!)

  4. On-site dining with farm-to-table cuisine

  5. Communal spaces for relaxation and socializing

  6. Commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship

This isn't roughing it—this is nature in comfort.

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Costa Rica Cloud Forest Retreat