geniusscientist

My fiancé and I are birders, and we'd like to spend our honeymoon in Central America. Neither of us have been to the region before (well, we did go to Cancun last year, but we stayed on our all-inclusive resort, so I don't think that counts.)

We'd like the trip to be part eco-tourism, part laying-around-and-relaxing. We can't afford to stay someplace fancy the entire time, but we would like to treat ourselves to at least a few nights at an upscale resort. We're up for traveling around somewhat, but I don't want to spend a large part of the vacation traveling. We'd like to spend two weeks down there if we can.

We were planning to go in late January. Is this a good time for birding? I seem to be finding conflicting results . . . on the one hand it's the high season, which seems promising, but on the other it doesn't seem to be nesting season.

So I guess my question is, what do you recommend for a honeymoon in Central America? I see Costa Rica and Belize coming up a lot. Do you have any specific recommendations for places to stay? Things we shouldn't miss? Any specific birding recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

COfieldHerper

Well, as you read through these posts you'll probably see Bosque del Cabo on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica come up repeatedly and it's not for no reason...

http://picasaweb.google.com/10781388...CostaRicaMisc#

http://picasaweb.google.com/10781388...ostaRicaHerps#

As you can see, I'm more into herps than birds, but the place seemed like a birder's paradise to me!

volcanogirl

Monteverde is really popular for birding, particularly for quetzals. The Osa mentioned above has great wildlife; we saw toucans and scarlet macaws there. We've had some good birding in Arenal as well. Some combo of those would be a good trip for you.

cmerrell

COfieldHerper,

Those amphibian and reptile photos are awesome! Did you take all of those on the Osa? And where the heck did you find that fer-de-lance?? I like to see snakes out and about, but that one would scare the dickens out of me!

geniusscientist,

I think you can find what you're looking for in either country. If you decide on Costa Rica, Bosque del Cabo would be an excellent choice...

vova

I'm not a birder but Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica is amazing. It's tough to get to and once you're there, you're not going anywhere but if you love nature it is gorgeous. There are some more high end places - research some places around Drake Bay. It would likely be around $250 per night but that might include food...

I would spend 3-4 days in this area (especially since it's tough to get to). I also really liked Manuel Antonio - the resort Si Como No is really cool.

Cattail

Bosque del Cabo would be my clear choice for a splurge. The Sarapaqui area is excellent; my husband and I stayed at a reasonable school/research facility there. Savegre Lodge for cloud forest. Arenal with a trip on the Cano Negro.

Katie_Valk

www.chanchich.com
http://www.belizeaudubon.org/protect...sanctuary.html