Costa Rica Birding Lodges

Any suggestions for good birding lodges in Costa Rica? We're not interested in any of the extras, just good clean rooms, reasonable meals and good birding. Poking around on-line, a lot of the of the resorts and eco-lodges I found were well outside our price range. I know many of you have been there, so I thought I'd seek some suggestions. We'd like to spend some time in both the mountains and the lowlands about this time next year.

Thanks,

Hi Dennis: I've had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica two different times. Savegre Mountain lodge is a nice place. Great birding, cool temps (it is above 7000 feet). Arenal Observatory lodge is another nice place. The opportunity to photograph the volcano is amazing, as well as very nice grounds with some great birding opportunities. Costa Rica is not an easy place to get around. The roads are interesting to say the least. After being there, I wouldn't attempt to go without a guide, or at least someone to get you from point A to point B. I highly recommend Greg Basco. He lives there and is very knowledgable. Even if you chose not to use him, I'm pretty sure Greg would be more than happy to talk with you (e-mail or otherwise) about opportunities in Costa Rica. Greg's Web site can be found at Deep Green Photography http://www.deepgreenphotography.com/

I have no business connection with Greg, just a very satisfied customer. Feel free to let Greg know I sent you if you decide to get in touch with him.

Keith

I notice that one of Greg's stops is the Selva Verde Lodge. Coincidentally, I just heard good things about Selva Verde from a friend who guides down there, so it must be a good place. I wish I had more input, but I don't concentrate on birds and spend most of my time on the Pacific coast looking for other wildlife.

Max

It's been a few years since I was in Costa Rica. But I'd strongly recommend Selva Verde Lodge; it may be the only place on the planet where you are awakened by raucous Montezuma's Oropendolas at dawn. Plan on a river boat ride or two, also.

Costa Rican roads are best described as gravel stream beds with speed bumps. Be warned.

Dennis --- May I suggest Panama? Right next door to Costa Rica, Panama has a very high diversity of birds. It also has the very detailed "Bird-Finding Guide to Panama" by George Angehr, Dodge Engleman, and Lorna Engleman (Comstock/Cornell University Press). Pertinent to your request, the book includes information on food, lodging, and travel directions in the many remote locations of Panama where the birds are found. They cover the whole range of places to stay, especially the economical ones ($20-$40 range).
---John

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I'll second the Arenal Observatory. They have lots of birds which provide great photo ops. Also, if you're there the Arenal Volcano is very fun! You can take time exp night photos which can be very interesting.
Also, the Lapaz Waterfall Gardens are an excellent place to see birds galore. Many are in cages, but there are plenty of wild ones that are very approchable.

Dennis- I travel to Costa Rica frequently as a pilot for a large domestic carrier. I've had the opportunity to see most of the area within a 3hr drive of San Jose and I will second the recommendations for Savegre and Selva Verde. I've had success in the Savegre River Valley, especially with Quetzals. A local guide is a very good idea not only for the birding, but the transit between areas...the roads are tricky. In addition to Savegre Mountain Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota you might try looking into Dantica Lodge (info@dantica.com). I'm not sure of the price, but the lodge sits on the top of a ridge line -beautiful vistas and where a lot of the action can be found.

Thanks again, everyone. This is a great list.