TUCURRIQUE
CARTAGO
Here is the place we’ll see Snowcap, the tiny hummingbird with its striking white cap. And how about 21 species of tanagers (including the Emerald Tanager shown in the photo), Lovely Cotinga, Scaled Antpitta, Black-headed Antthrush as well as trogons and four species of manakins! Our birding guide says this location offers the very best of the Caribbean slope.
Finding this place on a Costa Rica map is a challenge. Look for Pejibaye, which is the name for a river, a town and a palm tree. Or, if you are familiar with Google Earth, try "Fly to Tucurrique Costa Rica." Zoom out and then use the 3-D tilt option until you can see the Caribbean Sea in the distance. You will see that Tucurrique lies within the Talamanca mountains near the Pejibaye River Valley. On the Google Earth map you can see the two tallest volcanoes in Costa Rica, Volcán Irazú (11,150 ft.) and Volcán Turrialba (10,958 ft.). Surrounding the lodge, the pre-montane Caribbean slope rainforest offers hiking trails where we have a good chance of finding Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Brown-billed Scythebill and with patience the secretive birds such as Dull-mantled Antbird, Thicket Antpitta and Black-throated Wren.
Leaving from San Jose, we will pick up our guides nearby and start our birding as we continue through the province of Cartago toward Tucurrique. Our transportation will get us within a 20-minute walk of the rustic hotel (they will have a tractor available to cart our bags). We will have all the necessities for our accommodations, but don't expect a fancy resort. We are here for the birds, not the resort. Small rooms, each holding up to three people on bunk beds, shared bathrooms, showers but no hot water since this place is run by solar panels. Costa Rica style meals, "basic but tasty" is part of the package, and "lots of hot coffee."
Our visit to Tucurrique could very possibly be the birding highlight of our Costa Rica trip.
Common birds of Caribbean slope
| Gray-headed Chachalaca | White-collared Manakin |
| Gray-chested Dove | White-ruffed Manakin |
| Crimson-fronted Parakeet | White-crowned Manakin |
| Chestnut-collared Swift | Torrent Tyrannulet |
| Green Hermit | Slaty-capped Flycatcher |
| Brown Violet-ear | Paltry Tyrannulet |
| Green Thorntail | Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant |
| Violet-crowned Woodnymph | Tawny-chested Flycatcher |
| Snowcap | Gray-capped Flycatcher |
| Green-crowned Brilliant | Southern Rough-winged Swallow |
| Purple-crowned Fairy | Stripe-breasted Wren |
| Collared Trogon | Buff-rumped Warbler |
| Rufous Motmot | Olive Tanager |
| Hoffman's Woodpecker | Palm Tanager |
| Spotted Woodcreeper | Silver-throated Tanager |
| Russet Antshrike | Bay-headed Tanager |
| Plain Antvireo | Orange-billed Sparrow |
| Slaty Antwren | Tawny-capped Euphonia |
Package Features access to Tucurrique trails for birding.
local bird guides throughout our stay.
2 nights accommodation.
6 meals.
services of caravan birding guide and social director.
$227 per person
.