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| I have birded Costa Rica in one-week increments in July of 2000 through 2007 mostly without guides. The following information is the accumulation of birding trips to a variety of parks and refuges - all by car. Because of the summer weather, we have operated out of western Costa Rica every year. |
Bird Checklist
(cumulative, all years)
Photos of a few areas
My wife and I started vacationing in Costa Rica in 2000. I had done a couple of trips to Costa Rica prior to that time, but it wasn't until that year that we decided to rent a car for a couple of days and see what it was like. We quickly realized all the advantages, and from that point on we rented a vehicle every year prior to our arrival. Almost all rental car people speak English (behind the desk anyway), and it's usually quick and painless.
In terms of roads and traffic, Liberia is simply less complicated than San Jose. This web site will be useful for anyone driving around Costa Rica and birdwatching, but it will likely be much more useful for those people who stay in northwestern Costa Rica.
Northwest
Costa Rica - the jumping-off point.
Simple
Geographical Map of Guanacaste
Road Map of
Guanacaste
For many years, all International flights flew into San Jose, Costa Rica. It is now possible to fly non-stop into Liberia, Costa Rica, Daniel Oduber airport, (in NW Costa Rica, Guanacaste region) from many U.S. cities.
At present, I believe Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston have non-stop commercial flights to the Liberia International Airport. Dallas and sometimes Minneapolis have had direct summer charters to that airport. Dallas is the only city that has offered both. The Liberia airport likely will continue to expand, so keep checking possibilities.
Consider Liberia as your jumping off point if:
1. You can only go in summer and want to
stay in a dry location
2. You have a spouse who wants to recreate in a sunny environment near the ocean
(Guanacaste is the sunniest and driest area in CR)
3. You have limited time and need the extra time a Liberia flight might give you
over a San Jose flight
4. You think it would lower expenses flying from your particular city into
Liberia rather than into San Jose
5. You won't be using any birding guides or tour companies and intend to explore
with a small vehicle using a single home base.
All of these are good reasons.