Even though I voted for you to go to San Gerardo de Dota, I agree with Shillmac that it's not worth it for a single night after a long drive from Arenal.

Your group will see so many beautiful birds and other wildlife and plant life everywhere, that missing the quetzal will not matter a bit!

There is a good chance you will see some in Monteverde. We were shocked to see two building a nest in July just a few feet from the trail.

Thanks again. I think we'll save San Gerardo for a future trip.

rpowell.........Just had to respond to this post. We were at San Gerardo de Dota (Trogon Lodge) on November 29 and 30 and actually saw 7 Quetzals! We were so excited. On the morning we left there were actually two on the roof of our cabin that gave the people above us some great pictures. It was totally amazing. Had no idea we would get so lucky. It was all so amazing and beautiful. What a wonderful place to visit!

I saw 2 in early December at the Monteverde Cloud Forest, it was good to have a guide to spot these amazing birds.

We saw quetzals in Monteverde in Jan. 2000. We had a guide.

We saw quetzals 2 weeks ago in Monteverde Cloud Forest with the help of a guide. They are beautiful!

I am in costa rica now. we saw several quetzals in Mondaverde two DAYS AGO. We hired a private guide and I EVEN got a picture through his scope. AS A SPECIAL treat I actually saw a female fly from one tree to another. SPECTACULAR!

Thanks to all for their help before we left. I will write a report when i RETURN.
jan

Just came back from CR last night. Saw both a female and male Quetzal in Monteverde within 20 minutes of our tour. Fabulous!