Costa Rica Birding Retreat
Seven days in paradise to discover the art and skill of birding.
November 1 - 7, 2026
Costa Pacifica Hotel in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
EXCLUSIVE INVITATION
7 Day Oceanfront Retreat
$3500 per person
Early Bird Special!
$2250 per person
(Only $500 deposit)
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What is the Costa Rica Birding Experience?
Spend seven days in Costa Rica, discovering the art and skill of birding, from spotting and listening to keeping field notes. With over 900 species, Costa Rica offers endless opportunities to learn.
Does this sound like you?
You’re craving time in nature & ready to step away from the couch and TV and spend a week listening, watching, and learning in nature.
You’re anywhere from curious about birding to an experienced birder, and you want to deepen your skills in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
You are looking for meaningful travel, the kind that connects you with the people and world around you.
You’re ready for a mix of adventure and fun. Birding at sunrise, exploring the country, and enjoying good company along the way.
About our Event Host: Katie Triest
Katie’s love of birds began in college when a roommate taught her the call of the Red-winged Blackbird. Since then, she’s sought out birds across the globe, from Hawai’i to South Africa, and built a career around sharing that passion.
As a licensed Wild Bird Rehabilitator and former Director of Education at the Wild Bird Fund in New York City, she created hands-on programs that inspired her students to connect more deeply with nature.
Now based in Telluride, Katie continues to lead birding programs through her business The Birding Co. She’s particularly excited to bring you to Costa Rica where nearly 950 bird species have been recorded, giving you one of the richest bird-watching experiences on Earth.
About our Event Host: Katie Triest
Katie’s love of birds began in college when a roommate taught her the call of the Red-winged Blackbird. Since then, she’s sought out birds across the globe, from Hawai’i to South Africa, and built a career around sharing that passion.
As a licensed Wild Bird Rehabilitator and former Director of Education at the Wild Bird Fund in New York City, she created hands-on programs that inspired her students to connect more deeply with nature.
Now based in Telluride, Katie continues to lead birding programs through her business The Birding Co. She’s particularly excited to bring you to Costa Rica where nearly 950 bird species have been recorded, giving you one of the richest bird-watching experiences on Earth.
Who Will Be Hosting This Event
Kim Flynn, the owner of the Fenix Hotel & Retreat Center, will be hosting this event along with a local birding expert.
Each morning we will head out on a birding excursion, and our local bird guide will share practical birding techniques and help you connect deeply with the rhythms of nature.
We are so excited to invite you to Costa Rica, where nearly 950 bird species have been recorded. This is one of the richest bird-watching experiences on Earth.
Whether you’re hoping to spot that one special species or simply want to spend your days outdoors enjoying birds in a beautiful setting, this retreat is designed for you.
Tropical Garden Retreat
Hotel Costa Pacifica
Enjoy your stay at Hotel Costa Pacífica, where guests enjoy stepping out of their rooms into lush tropical gardens, with the beach just a five-minute walk away.
The property includes 5 acres of gardens, dedicated bird watching area, spacious rooms, hammocks, gardens, restaurant, gym, and relaxed gathering spaces.
We’re one of the closest beachside resorts to the San José airport in Costa Rica. Easy to reach, yet far enough away to feel like a true escape.
Your Room
Whether you are coming with a friend, a partner, or solo, our guests enjoy comfortable queen rooms with either single or double occupancy options.
Each room has A/C, a patio, and a garden just outside your door. Rooms feature either a peaceful garden view or a pool view.
The regular event fee includes a shared queen double room, with the option to upgrade to a private queen single room for $699.
What can I expect to learn?
The Daily Workshops
🪶 1. Slow Observation
Birding begins with stillness. You’ll learn how to slow down, tune in, and let nature reveal itself. Often the best sightings happen when you stop searching and start noticing.
👂 2. Listening as Seeing
In birding, your ears are as important as your eyes. You’ll practice identifying birds by their calls and songs, deepening your ability to recognize presence through sound alone.
📓 3. Observation Skills
Learn how to recognize patterns in movement, feeding, and vocalizations so you can better understand what birds are doing and why.
🌎 4. Connection Over Collection
Birding isn’t about checklists; it’s about relationship. You’ll explore how curiosity, respect, and care for the natural world transform birdwatching into a way of belonging to place.
Your RETREAT Excursions
Each day begins with morning Morning Coffee & Bird Count, followed by an excursion or free time to relax.
Scarlet Macaw Encounters
Spend your mornings observing one of Costa Rica's most iconic birds as scarlet macaws gather, feed, and fly to their nests on our property.
INCLUDED.
Birding at Carara National Park
Explore one of Costa Rica's premier birding destinations, home to more than 400 bird species.
INCLUDED.
Jaco Artisan Market
Browse local art, handmade crafts, jewelry, and gifts while experiencing one of Costa Rica's vibrant beach communities.
INCLUDED.
Private Tortuga Island Boat Tour
Visit Monkey Island, snorkel, swim at a secluded beach at Tortuga Island, and enjoy sunset from the water. OPTIONAL.
~ $300/person.
Mangrove Kayaking
Free excursion with event purchase! Paddle through mangrove channels while spotting birds, monkeys, and other wildlife. Guided tour included.
INCLUDED.
The 5-Day Add-On Adventure Agenda
The Optional Add-on Adventure is a 5-day tour through Costa Rica, just for participants in the retreat who want to experience more of Costa Rica. Included: Ttransportation, all breakfasts, housing, and daily activities/tours.
Please note: the Add-on Adventure Itinerary depends on time of year, weather & other circumstances. Your exact itinerary might change, but we will always keep it fun and adventure-filled!
Rio Celeste
Watch for birds as we hike through a rainforest to the turquoise Rio Celeste waterfall and its striking blue lagoon. INCLUDED.
Hanging Bridges
Stroll across hanging bridges through a cloud forest with breathtaking views. OPTIONAL.
~ $80/person
Cloud Forest Hike
Join a local birding guide for a walk through Monteverde’s world-famous cloud forest, spotting some of its most iconic species. INCLUDED.
White Water Tubing
Join us on an exhilarating adventure through lush tropical scenery, featuring stunning scenery and yes--more birds. INCLUDED.
Sloth Sanctuary
Meet adorable sloths up close and learn their stories at a serene sanctuary nestled in the rainforest.
INCLUDED.
Your Daily Retreat Itinerary
Your exact itinerary is subject change based on weather and availability.
Sunday
Arrive in San Jose Airport. We will coordinate and provide a shuttle for you! The drive to Esterillos Oeste beach town is about an hour and 45 minutes through well-paved green mountain roads.
You will probably arrive in the late afternoon/early evening, just in time to change into your tropical attire, take off your shoes, and join us for a welcome dinner at The Garden Room & Restaurant.
Monday
Start your day at the Retreat Pavilion with fresh Costa Rican coffee and our morning bird count. Watch Scarlet Macaws fly overhead while enjoying a relaxed start to the day and sharing sightings with fellow birders.
Your first birding session begins today. You’ll learn techniques to slow down, tune in, and really see and hear the birds around you. Expect laughter, shared discoveries, and maybe even a few moments of awe.
For dinner, we will walk to a charming local artsy restaurant to enjoy dinner and drinks.
Tuesday
Start early with a Morning Coffee Bird Count, watching the property wake up during one of the best birding windows of the day. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out for the day.
Jump in the shuttle with us to Carara National Park, one of Costa Rica’s best birding destinations and a transition zone between dry forest and rainforest. Walk the park trails with time to look for scarlet macaws, trogons, motmots, manakins, and other tropical species.
Wind down with a dip in the pool and dinner at the hotel.
Wednesday
Take a low-tide coastal bird walk on the beach, watching for shorebirds, frigatebirds, pelicans, vultures, hawks, herons, egrets, and swallows.
Visit the La Sirena statue, the mermaid landmark that gives this stretch of beach its name. “Sirena” means mermaid in Spanish, making it a sweet local photo stop with a bit of coastal folklore.
After dinner: Optional karaoke night. Expect a mix of great voices, off-key anthems, and a big group sing-along.
Thursday
We always start the morning with our Coffee & Bird Count. Watching the macaws still brings me to tears almost every morning!
We have an optional excursion today: Join the private sunset boat tour to Tortuga Island, with snorkeling, a stop at Monkey Island, and time to swim at a quiet private beach. Lunch included.
If you want to skip the boat route, we will spend time at the Jacó Farmers Market and spend the afternoon at nearby Jaco for tourist shopping and dinner.
Friday
Come with us to the Damas Mangrove Kayaking Tour, paddling through calm mangrove channels known for birds, wildlife, and lush coastal scenery.
For dinner we will celebrate our entire week together with pizza and a relaxed bird review, sharing favorite sightings and stories from the week.
End the evening with margaritas and music around the pool, a laid-back way to unwind together under the Costa Rican sky.
Saturday
The event officially ends Saturday morning as you head back to the airport. After one week together, you might just leave with travel friends for life.
Optional Add-On Adventure Itinerary
Thursday
Adventure Week is all about exploring more of what Costa Rica has to offer, and more birding opportunities. You will see the must-see's (national parks, coffee tours & sloth sanctuaries) along with a few local secrets (hot springs, thousand year-old trees, and local food favorites).
We will kick off the day in Samara with a horseback riding adventure and cross rivers to nearby beaches, strolling through lush farmland and hidden backroads to discover views along the coast.
Friday
We are jumping in the big white van and traveling to MonteVerde today! Nestled in the lush highlands of Costa Rica, Monteverde is a world-renowned eco-destination celebrated for its breathtaking cloud forests and incredible biodiversity. Wear a jacket! The weather is much cooler up in the clouds than on the beach.
Spend your afternoon exploring the enchanting town, nestled high in the clouds, with its delightful shops, cozy cafes, and inviting restaurants.
In the evening, you will tour the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Experience the magic of the Monteverde rainforest after dark on a guided night tour, where you’ll encounter nocturnal wildlife and the sounds of the jungle under the starry Costa Rican sky.
Saturday
Day two in Monteverde starts with with an optional Hanging Bridges Tour, walking through the breathtaking beauty of the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
In the afternoon, we will visit a local coffee farm and spend time with the family who runs it. Learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and dried, then try pressing sugar cane and tasting the juice, and take home freshly processed organic beans. Local coffee makes the perfect gift for friends and family.
For dinner, enjoy live music at one of the iconic tree top restaurants and enjoy the company of your new travel friends.
Sunday
We are off to Rio Celeste this morning, one of the most iconic spots in all of Costa Rica.
After a few hours of hiking, discover the mesmerizing turquoise water of Rio Celeste, a natural wonder nestled within Tenorio Volcano National Park. Complement your adventure with a visit to a Sloth Sanctuary and then relax at a nearby hot springs resort, where you'll rest after your day of hiking.
In the evening, we will head to Liberia to stay in a hotel right across the street from the airport. No need to worry about morning travel!
Monday
The event officially ends Monday morning as you fly out of Liberia Airport. You will leave with a depthy exploration of birding in Costa Rica, and travel friends for life.
Travel FAQ's
Q: What is included for the Retreat? Lodging? Activities? Food? Transportation?
All lodging is included for the retreat.
All transportation to/from the airport to/from the hotel is included.
All transportation to excursions is included.
Activities are included every day, with some optional activities.
All breakfasts are included.
For lunch and dinner you will have a choice of the resort restaurant, or several local restaurants within easy walking distance.
Q: What is included for the Add-on Adventure? Lodging? Activities? Food? Transportation?
All lodging is included for the Add-on Adventure.
Activities are included every day, with some optional activities.
Breakfasts are included. For lunches & dinners, we will take you to a mix of local and well-known restaurants around the country.
All transportation from the Fenix Hotel around Costa Rica, ending at the Liberia airport is included.
Q: Can I come to just the Retreat? Just the Add-on?
Yes! You can come to just the first week: Retreat week!
Yes! You can attend both the Retreat Week and the Adventure Add-on.
Nope, you can't attend just the Adventure Add-on. This portion is not stand-alone. Everyone will already know each other. Usually about half of our Retreat guests elect to come on the Add-on Adventure.
Q: What airport do I fly into? Do I need a passport?
You will fly into the San Jose, Costa Rica airport. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
Yes! You will need a passport.
Q: At the retreat, how much time will be spent in birding tours vs other activities?
We will go on a birding excursion almost every day, for 60 to 90 minutes each day. You can join every morning, or sleep in sometimes--always your choice.
The rest of the day is a mix between planned activities (always optional) and rest & relaxation.
Q: Is the area safe? For solo travelers?
Costa Rica is known for being very safe for travelers. It is known as being the Swizerland of Latin America. No standing army, and the Pura Vida culture is usually very appealing to travelers.
Q: Will there be both men & women there?
Yes! Our birding retreat will be for both men & women. That said, many of our attendees are women.
If you are a man coming solo, you will need to upgrade to a private room.
Q: Can I get a private room?
Yep, private rooms are available until they sell out. Just select the $699 upgrade when you check out.
The regular retreat price is for a shared room. If you come solo, you will be paired with another solo traveler, or you can upgrade to a private room.
Q: What is the age group? Are kids allowed?
All adults are welcome, though most of our guests tend to be 40+. No kids or babies will be at the event.
Q: How much is airfare to San Jose SJO Airport from the US?
$300- $500 round trip is normal, but it depends on what city you are flying from. Most major cities in the US have direct flights.
Q: How far are we from the beach?
About a 5-minute stroll to the beach.
Q: Can I come early / stay after?
As long as the hotel has availability for those dates, absolutely. Contact us to book the hotel as a regular hotel guest outside of the event week. (This site is the only place to book a spot for this event.)
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
Deposits are non-refundable.
All other payments are 70% refundable up to 90 days before the event.
All payments are non-refundable 90 days before the event.
And yes! We recommend travel insurance that will cover you in case of trip cancellation or medical issues! https://www.imglobal.com/travel-insurance
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! You can make a $500 down payment with the remainder due 60 days before the event.
We also accept AfterPay and Klarna (choices upon checkout). These offer monthly payment options, some without any interest.
Q: Will there be mostly solo travelers or friends & couples there?
We usually have about half solo travelers and half friends/couples. The group dynamic tends to be cohesive, so if you are coming solo, you won't be solo for long!
Q: Do I need to upgrade to a private room if I am coming with a partner or friend?
You do not need to upgrade to a private room if you are coming with a friend. If you purchase separately, simply let us know who you would like to room with!
All beds are queen sized. All rooms have A/C.
Q: How far are we from the beach?
We are a five minute walk to a stunning walkable white-sand beach in Esterillos Oeste.
This is a surf beach! And yes, you can take surf lessons while here.
Q: If I have mobility issues, will I be able to do the Adventure Add-on?
Costa Rica is rugged and natural. You will need to be able to hike over rugged terrain, sometimes for extended periods. Many of our activities will include hiking and walking. If you have joint, feet, knee, or leg issues, or have difficulty walking for long periods of time over uneven terrain, we recommend attending the Retreat portion but skipping the Adventure Add-on.
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