Quetzal Birdwatching Tour Quepos: Early Morning San Gerardo

See the Resplendent Quetzal on its own schedule, not the tour's

A 10-hour birdwatching tour from Quepos to San Gerardo De Dota in the highlands of Costa Rica, led by a licensed guide with a top-line Swarovski scope. You start at 2:30 am to catch the Resplendent Quetzal and other highland birds as they move upland at dawn, then descend to lower elevations later in the day to spot different species. Breakfast, a typical Costa Rican lunch, water, snacks and all scope photos are included. Minimum two people per booking. Minimum age 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Birdwatching and hiking in San Gerardo De Dota

• Start early morning birdwatching
• Observe quetzals and other birds
• Enjoy breakfast after birding
• Descend to lower lands for more birding
• Receive water and snacks during hike

The experience

San Gerardo De Dota sits high enough that the Resplendent Quetzal (considered one of Central America's most beautiful birds) nests and feeds there. The catch is timing: quetzals sleep in the lowlands and move uphill early to forage, so the tour departs Quepos at 2:30 am. This early start is what puts you in the right place when the birds are active. You'll walk through Los Quetzales National Park with a licensed guide who carries a Swarovski scope, the kind of optics that lets you see detail most binoculars can't match. Beyond quetzals, the highlands hold hummingbirds, flycatchers, woodpeckers, tanagers and wrens. The guide knows where to listen and look for each one.

After the morning birding, you'll have breakfast at a local spot, then head back down to lower elevations where different birds feed as the day warms. The guide provides water and fruit snacks throughout to keep your energy up for the walking and watching. Lunch is a typical casado: rice, beans, salad, and your choice of pork, chicken, fish or vegetarian protein. Any photos or video you want taken through the scope are yours at no extra cost. The whole day runs about 10 hours, and you're back in Quepos by early afternoon.

The highlands stay cool year-round, so bring a coat. The national park is not a zoo: animals move freely, and while the guide will work to find as many as possible, sightings depend on the birds' own behavior and the day's conditions. Bad weather means the tour reschedules or refunds. You'll need to bring your own binoculars. The scope is provided.

What’s included

• Breakfast with coffee, tea or hot cocoa.
• typical Costa Rican casado lunch with rice, beans, salad and your choice of pork, chicken, fish or vegetarian style.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• fruit snacks and iced tea.
• use of a top-line Swarovski scope.
• all photos and videos taken through the scope.
• licensed guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup from Quepos or Manuel Antonio.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Costa Rica Wakoo Tours – Jason Solano, Naturalist & Birding Guide

Is this one for you?The 2:30 am departure is early, but it's the only way to be in the highlands when quetzals feed. If you're willing to start before dawn and walk for several hours in cool mountain air, you'll have the best chance to see birds in their natural rhythm rather than on a schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the tour leave Quepos?

Pickup is around 2:30 am from Quepos or Manuel Antonio. The early start is timed to the Resplendent Quetzal's morning movement into the highlands to feed.

What birds can I expect to see in San Gerardo De Dota?

The Resplendent Quetzal is the main draw, but the highlands also hold hummingbirds, flycatchers, woodpeckers, tanagers, wrens and other species. The guide will point out different birds as you hike, though sightings depend on the birds' natural behavior and cannot be guaranteed.

Is the scope included, or do I need to bring binoculars?

The tour provides a top-line Swarovski scope for viewing and photography. You'll want to bring your own binoculars as well for scanning and spotting birds at a distance.

What's included for meals and water during the day?

Breakfast, a typical Costa Rican casado lunch with rice, beans, salad and your choice of protein, bottled water, fruit snacks and iced tea are all included. The guide provides water and snacks throughout the hike to keep your energy up.

How fit do I need to be for this tour?

The tour suits all fitness levels, though it involves walking and standing for several hours in the cool highlands. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, knee or hip problems, or poor cardiovascular health. Minimum age is 12.

What if I don't see the quetzal?

The Resplendent Quetzal and other birds move freely in the national park and are not held in captivity. The guide will do everything possible to find them, but sightings cannot be guaranteed. If bad weather prevents the tour, it will be rescheduled or refunded.