What you should know before birding in Costa Rica | How to prepare, what to bring, and where to go

[@dirkswildworld]

What more to say! A perfect video guide, not only for beginners. Thanks a lot! When I travelled to CR the very first time in 1992 I knew NOTHING about being in the tropics and some things I learned the hard way. Now, after travelled there 7 times, people are asking ME for advice. Quite a good feeling. LIVING in Costa Rica of course is a totally different kettle of fish 😂...

[@jabirustories]

Thank you so much! Happy to hear it resonates :) Sitting here and talking about it, I'm sure there's something I forgot. The time I took my camera but zero memory cards to Cinchona still hurts...

Hi Tim, sehr gute Tips für eine gelungene Birdingreise nach Costa Rica. Ich erinnere mich gern an meine Reise im Januar diesen Jahres. Diese Tour hast du toll organisiert, tolle Unterkünfte, tolle Birdingspots und sehr gute Experten. Insgesamt eine schöne Reise und durch deine Begleitung habe ich soooo viel über Costa Rica und seine vielen Vögel gelernt. Die Sichtung des Jabiru auf seinem Nest wird mir immer in Erinnerung bleiben.

[@jabirustories]

Dankeschön! Ja, die meisten Touren stehen und fallen mit den Guides! Glücklicherweise hat man hier wirklich selten Pech

[@AngelikaAlder]

Hallo Tim, sehr interessante Informationen über Costa Rica, gut gemacht. 😊😊

[@jabirustories]

Dankeschön, und vielen Dank fürs Reinschauen :)

[@tuckson1831]

Great tips! I'd add 'bring insect repellent' to the list. ;) Also want to emphasize just how good Pat's guide is, I can't imagine there's better resources for birding out there anywhere. Good stuff there's still a lot of birding to be done next time I'm around. :)

[@jabirustories]

Haha, fair point! But do some research to make sure the repellent actually repels tropical insects as well ;) Agree on Pat's guide - it's an absolutely incredible piece of work. I wish something like that existed for every country. Maybe you'll have to start on the European ones!

[@kiah9318]

I am planning a bird photography trip to Costa Rica, this video contains good tips for the preparation. I subscribed to your channel.

[@jabirustories]

Thanks so much! I’m sure you’ll love your time here :) Any specific regions you’re planning on visiting? Any special target birds?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Awesome video. I hope 1 day I can go to Costa rica!!

[@jabirustories]

Thanks so much - I'm glad you enjoyed it! You'd really love it here, I feel it's a paradise for wildlife photographers. Although you're not in a terrible part of the world either, I must say :D

[@Nate-jn9df]

Heading to Arenal in a week, thanks for the tips !

[@jabirustories]

Thanks! And enjoy the trip! If you're "dragging" non-birders along, I recommend Bogarin Trail. Fun for birding and lots of sloths which tends to keep others happy ;)

[@paulpugh6178]

Superb… and with a great sense of humour 👌

[@RobWynlee]

Thanks for the recommendation to get Pat's book. It is incredible!!

[@jabirustories]

@@RobWynlee Happy to hear you find it useful! It’s an incredible reference, and I can’t even begin to imagine how much work must have gone into it.

[@dalloiselle7274]

Thank you; very well and wisely put

[@Wynn-tr5rw]

Could you recommend a bird guidebook for Costa Rica. Thanks

[@jabirustories]

I’d say both standard field guides (Dean&Garrigues and Dyer&Howell) are very good - certainly better than many other field guides for the tropics. The latter is newer and more up-to-date with taxonomy. I personably still use the older Dean&Garrigues but have met many birders who really love the new one. You’ll likely stumble across an older one (Stiles&Skutch) - it’s a great(!) reference book but impractical for carrying around. Hope this helps (although it’s not really an answer 😅)

[@mariotsck]

So jeans are bad option to pack, that is for the weather?

[@jabirustories]

I really wouldn't-they're normally too hot and don't dry. I really only ever wear mine (a single pair that I bought at a second-hand store for a trip to Mexico) in the rainy season in SJ. That being said, it depends a bit on your itinerary. The mountains (Dota, and to some extent the Monteverde area) can get quite chilly, even in the dry season.

[@wabnerviolinista]

Hello, I speak from Brazil. I don't know your language, I'm using a translator. Does the e-book have tips on places with bird feeders? 

[@wabnerviolinista]

Bird feeder with fruit, e.g. banana

[@jabirustories]

Thanks for stopping by! Yes, Pat's e-book has quite detailed descriptions of each spot. He also includes the information if a place has feeders.

[@wabnerviolinista]

@@jabirustories thank you, my friend

[@tasce21]

The link to the book is not working by the way

[@jabirustories]

Thanks! It does indeed look like Pat's whole blog is down at the moment. I think it's only temporarily but I'll keep an eye on it!

[@jabirustories]

Seems like it was temporary! His website is back up and for me the link works. Let me know if you continue to have troubles and I'll look into it

[@tasce21]

Thank you so much. You are the best i just bought the book via paypal. Will i get it per e-mail or how does it work?

[@jabirustories]

Yes, he usually sends it directly via email. If he's out birding it may take him a few hours ;) @@tasce21