Day 4 - 2017 Costa Rica Journal

We woke up to a foggy, rainy morning.  After breakfast we spent some time packing up then relaxing on our deck until the rain stopped.  Although we were snug and dry, the White-nosed Coati’s didn’t look like they were enjoying the rain!

White-nosed Coati

We also got looks at our only Black-cowled Oriole of the trip.

Black-cowled Oriole

One of the more common birds at Arenal was the Chestnut-sided Warbler. They were in non-breeding plumage and not as bright as we see them during spring migration in Texas. 

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Before we knew it, it was time for our last meal at Arenal Observatory Lodge.  The food here has been delicious.  Mediterranean style with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, rice, chicken, fish, and outstanding desserts.

Our driver arrived right on time for our 3 hour trip to Hotel Villa Lapas. 

Villa Lapas is a 550 acre private reserve located in a beautiful forest valley along the Tarcolitos River just two km inland of the Pacific Ocean.  It’s only about 5 minutes south of Carara National Park which we will be visiting tomorrow.

We arrived in time to walk around a little bit before dinner. 

Our very comfortable room.

Another maid that decorates with flowers!

Deck and outdoor restaurant from the bridge over the Tarcolitos River.

All meals are served in the large outdoor restaurant.  Again the food was Mediterranean style with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, rice, chicken, fish, and amazing soups!

Beautiful landscaping!

Heliconia sp.

Tamarindus sp.

We were told this is the Jicara Tree.

Road around hotel - Pacific lowland rainforest

And it looks like our White-nosed Coati will be replaced by Common Agouti here.

Common Agouti

Next time:  Day 5 - Carara National Park - Home of the Scarlet Macaw.

I decided to do the bird list a little differently for the second part of our trip.  This is a total list for Hotel Villa Lapas only.  Individual lists will follow after each individual trip.

Birding list for Hotel Villa Lapas grounds and road to the hotel:

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

White Ibis

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Short-billed pigeon

Inca Dove

Squirrel Cuckoo

White-collared Swift

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Rufus-tailed Hummingbird

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Gartered Trogon

Fiery-billed Aracari

Red-lored Parrot

Scarlet Macaw

Dusky Antbird

Greenish Elaenia

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Yellow-olive Flycatcher

Social Flycatcher

Tropical Kingbird

White-ruffed Manakin

Blue-crowned Manakin

Black-crowned Tityra

White-winged Becard

Rose-throated Becard

Lesser Greenlet

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Mangrove Swallow

Barn Swallow

Rufus-naped Wren

Clay-colored Thrush

Northern Waterthrush

Tennessee Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Rufous-capped Warbler

Blue-gray Tanager

Golden-hooded Tanager

Speckled Tanager

Variable Seedeater

White-collared Seedeater

Buff-throated Saltator

Orange-billed Sparrow

Summer Tanager

Blue-black Grosbeak

Painted Bunting

Baltimore Oriole

Black Iguana

Agouti