“To travel is to live”
Photo by Matthew Tarr // Coffee & Birds in Paradise V Jan 2026
Photo by Matthew Tarr Coffee & Birds V Jan 2026
On the eight edition of our signature Dreamcatchers trip we’ll be taking you on a unique journey to the heart of the most beautiful country in the world. Coffee & Birds in Paradise is a birding trip through some of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse and beautiful areas and highlights its uniqueness as the world capital of peace and happiness. We'll be exploring many sides of paradise— from the central volcanic range to rich, tropical coastlines to the verdant mountains of the cloud forest.
This is a trip for bird lovers, slow travelers, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with nature. We’ll rise with the birds, walk among howler monkeys and toucans, sip freshly roasted bird-friendly coffee, and unwind in boutique ecolodges tucked into the heart of nature. Along the way, you’ll meet passionate conservationists, explore biodiverse microclimates, eat amazing food, and witness the quiet magic of Costa Rica’s biodiversity and natural secrets. Our journey is not a tour, it is a true natural adventure in paradise.
“This wasn’t just a vacation; it was an experience that shifted how I see the world. I’m incredibly grateful to Dreamcatchers for creating something so special, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.””
Photo by Matt Tarr / Coffee & Birds in Paradise V January 2026
The Essentials
When we’re going We’ll be exploring Costa Rica together from February 8–17, 2027. It’s a 10-day, 9-night journey.
The price per person is $5,599 if you’re traveling with a partner or a friend and sharing a room. If you’d prefer the privacy of your own room, the price for a solo traveler is $5,999. You can click here to see all the specifics on payment and our cancellation policy.
What’s covered We want you to leave your wallet in your bag. The fee covers all ground transportation including airport pickups and drop-offs, all meals, accommodations, and tours and activities.
Our group size To keep the experience intimate and personal, we limit the journey to just 12 guests.
The Team Phil Brown and Ignacio Oreamuno will be your guides for the duration of the trip. We’ll be traveling in our private bus, the “DreamMachine,” driven by our professional driver.
Have a question? If there is anything at all you’re wondering about, just send me a note at ignacio@thedreamcatchers.co and I’ll get right back to you.
“Magic Carpet” Dreamcatchers treatment from beginning to end.
Beautifully curated natural adventures & excursions each day
Travel like a local and discover some of the most unique natural sites and secrets of Costa Rica
Enjoy gorgeous scenic drives that will inspire awe
A naturalist guide, adventure guide, and our private driver will be taking care of you the entire time
Explore Costa Rica’s majestic national parks and biological reserves
Visit amazing natural features like volcanoes, waterfalls, and natural hot springs
Travel in a state of blissful comfort
Stay in unique, comfortable accommodations
Visit a variety of unique microclimates and natural habitats
Visit and learn about bird-friendly cacao and coffee farms
Meet and interact with inspiring local artists and their work
Eat delicious, healthy, and authentic food from the moment the sun comes up until the sun goes down
Get up close with local wildlife including monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds, and sloths
Have piles of fun, good conversation, and new connections with positive like-minded adventurous individuals
Fully relax your body & mind
Let go and feel The Dreamcatchers Experience.
“I came to see birds, but I left with so much more—new friends, new perspectives, and a renewed sense of wonder.”
𖧶 A Birding Journey Like No Other
Over the course of the journey, you’ll travel through a vibrant tapestry of distinct microclimates—each offering its own light, sound, and birdlife. From misty highlands to sunlit valleys, scenic fincas to rainforest river trails, the diversity of landscapes opens the door to an equally diverse array of birds.
Expect encounters with a broad spectrum of species—from dazzling hummingbirds to charismatic toucans, elusive endemic birds, and the steady rhythm of migratory visitors passing through. Every location is different and reveals a new opportunity to witness Costa Rica’s extraordinary avian life.
You’ll rise early for birdsong, then return to comfortable lodges, delicious meals, and the warm company of others who share your love for the natural world.
Whether you’re building your life list or rekindling your sense of wonder, this is a birding experience designed to inspire, restore, and connect.
𖧶 The Dreamcatchers Experience
This is not your typical birding trip— it is a Dreamcatchers’ journey.
One of the most unique aspects of all our trips is that no one except us, your guides, know the itinerary. This is what we call a blind-itinerary and it means that everything we do every single day, is a beautiful surprise and a journey into the present moment for all our guests. The Dreamcatchers experience is like a magic carpet ride that peels back expectations and drops time from the equation, making each and every moment rich and intense for all our senses. While traveling in comfort and safety we will take you to see some of the many amazing places we have discovered over the years so you can experience each and every thing with the eyes of a child. Your job is not to predict or think about what is next, but to simply enjoy each experience as it gets presented to you.
People that come on our trips tend to come back again and again (and again) because a journey like this can open your soul, fill you energy, and make you feel alive again. It’s about letting go, trusting, and experiencing the zero gravity of expectations.
Every single iteration of Coffee & Birds in Paradise takes a different route, allowing our passengers to repeat their visits with us and keep discovering and adventuring in Costa Rica into new places, micro-climates, and adventures.
“This trip was truly magical. Accommodations perfectly suited the locations we visited – some basic, some luxurious. We returned home feeling grounded, inspired, and grateful, with a deeper appreciation for birds, nature, community, and Costa Rica’s pura vida way of life. We wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone who engages in birding, and looks forward to travel that nourishes curiosity, community, and spirituality. Since each trip is unique, we look forward to returning next January!””
𖧶 Your bird way finder
Coffee & Birds in Paradise is a 10-day immersion into the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica, guided by renowned naturalist Phil Brown. With many years of experience leading birding expeditions, Phil brings in an incessant passion of birds and the natural world that is contagious and inclusive. His unique approach to exploring and appreciating nature makes every outing a fun educational and inspirational experience for birders of all levels, from newbies to seasoned pros.
𖧶 Explore a Breathtaking Display of Biodiversity
Costa Rica is home to over 900 bird species and contains some of the richest biodiversity on the planet! We’ll search for and appreciate the wide diversity of unique birds including hummingbirds, parrots, antbirds, herons, hawks, and so many more. Past trip lists have yielded over 250 bird species. We’ll venture beyond the usual tourist spots and uncover some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path birding hotspots.
Traveling Costa Rica’s winding roads is a journey in itself. As we move between destinations, we’ll pass through some of the country’s most stunning landscapes, with handpicked scenic routes that reveal unexpected moments—local art tucked into hillsides, roadside nature trails, and unforgettable bites of regional cuisine. We’ll ride in a spacious, air-conditioned deluxe van, always stocked with cold drinks, fresh fruit, and snacks, so you can stay comfortable and refreshed along the way. Prepare to fall in love with this extraordinary country or to reignite your passion for a place you’ve been dreaming of getting back to.
“I didn’t want to go home. Something about the pace, the people, the places—it felt like how life should be.”
Photo by Matt Tarr / Coffee & Birds in Paradise V January 2026
“Every day was a surprise, and each one was better than the last. I didn’t know travel could feel like this.”
Photos by Dreamcatcher Dave Tucker // Coffee & Birds in Paradise II April 2024
𖧶 The Birds and the Beans:
A Journey into Costa Rican Coffee
Costa Rica produces some of the best coffee in the world, and you’ll see why as we explore the majestic highlands of the coffee regions.
You’ll witness the massive impact this simple bean has had on the history, culture, and economy of Costa Rica. On this trip, we’ll dive straight into the wonderful world of coffee by visiting a small traditional Costa Rican coffee farm, where we’ll learn about growing and processing high-quality coffee, and better understand the bird-friendly practices that make it all possible.
𖧶 Up-Close Encounters with Wildlife
It’s not just birds! Our expert guides will seek to find incredible views of monkeys, exotic reptiles and amphibians, fascinating insects, diverse plant life, and even an occasional sloth.
𖧶 Relaxation & Camaraderie
One of the most beautiful parts of our trips are the lasting friendships that get forged on these adventures. Our travelers tend to be thoughtful, open-minded, positive, well-traveled, and deeply connected and curious about the natural world.
“I didn’t expect to laugh so much. The group became a little family by the end.”
𖧶 Your Smiles Are Our Compass
“I’ve been on birding trips before, but never like this. There was soul here.”
Your happiness is our priority. We put great effort to make sure you feel good every step of the way, from the moment you decide to come on the trip until the very last day.
The pace of this trip is both active and relaxed, with ample time dedicated to easy physical adventures combined with relaxing time off to enjoy the calm beauty of nature. Balance and flow are the key elements of the Dreamcatchers experience.
Coffee & Birds in Paradise VIII will open up a world that we’ve been exploring for decades and which hopefully helps you discover not just Costa Rica, but perhaps even parts of your very self.
𖧶 The adventure of food
Exploring Costa Rica is as much about the plate as it is the path. We’ll be eating our way through the country, uncovering a rich gastronomy rooted in fresh, natural ingredients and prepared with love. From sun-ripened tropical fruits to traditional family recipes, you’ll taste the local flavors that make every meal feel like a piece of heaven.
𖧶 Your Guides
Our mission is to create authentic and powerful experiences in nature that have a profound and lasting positive effect on our passengers. Guiding is our art and purpose.
The trip is an escape to a place where all things are right, where abundance is all around us, and the beauty of nature is expressed through birds, trees, oceans, mountains, animals, flowers, and sunsets in a spectacular show just for you.
Our journey is a true adventure, designed to feel natural and effortless, so that on day one you are smiling and feeling grateful for having decided to come.
Together as a team we will keep you comfortable, safe, and happy as we explore the magic of Costa Rica.
Guides: Ignacio Oreamuno & Phil Brown
You are invited.
𖧶
The Dreamcatchers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should come on this trip?
"Birds & Coffee in Paradise" is designed for adventurous travelers that love comfortably exploring the beauty of nature, meeting new people and eating delicious food while adventuring in the most beautiful country in the world.
This trip is suited for anyone that wants to get a true insider's view into Costa Rica's ecological wonders, culture and food. The trip will have be especially geared toward finding and enjoying the diversity of birdlife the country’s varied habitats host, and we will also spend time visiting and learning about bird-friendly practices on coffee farms.
What level of physical activity is required for this Dreamcatchers trip?
This trip is a perfect balance between relaxed comfort and light nature trekking. Most walks will be easy and accessible to all ages.
Is there free time?
Yes. the rhythm of the trip allows for free time each day to relax, nap, call home, or do anything you please. We will take great care not to over book each day and provide you with ample alone time – if that is what you seek.
I have food and dietary restrictions, am I going to be ok?
Yes. Prior to the trip we'll be collecting your dietary preferences and restrictions and we’ll cater to these needs as best as possible.
Will I be able to connect with my phone?
Yes. Costa Rica has a strong mobile network and most phones will have coverage even in the most remotes part we'll visit. In addition to that most or all of the places we'll be staying will have wifi. We'll ensure you have connectivity most of the time.
Do I need to know Spanish?
Not at all! You'll be in the company of two guides that are all fluent in English and Spanish. In addition, a lot of people speak English in Costa Rica. By the end of the trip however, we expect you'll know many new words!
Pipa = Coconut in Costa Rica. Vamos a tomar muchas pipas frias en la playa! We're going to drink a lot of cold coconut water at the beach!
What is our transportation like?
We will be traveling on the awesome deluxe Dreamcatchers bus (AKA The DreamMachine). It's got great comfortable seating, air conditioner, good music, snacks, driven by our professional driver.
We'll be driving leisurely and making lots of pitstops along the way for snacks, coffee (of course) and bathroom breaks.
What kind of gear do I need for this trip?
We will be providing all our guests with detailed list of gear for each specific trip. I will be very specific about what you need so you won't need to worry about being under or over packed.
What is your all inclusive policy?
We want to minimize the amount of times you reach for cash. All hotels and accommodations, meals, tours, outdoor activities, bus snacks, fruit, and water, will all be included!
What is not included?
Tips, alcoholic beverages, items of personal nature, and flights to and from Costa Rica. In addition it's important that you arrive a day or two before the trip begins and the cost of that hotel night and meals is not included.
What happens when I arrive in Costa Rica?
We will personally be there to pick all our guests at the airport and whisk you off on the adventure. At the conclusion of the trip we will also drop off all our guests at the airport. We'll always be there taking good care of you.
What's the weather like?
The temperature can vary drastically depending on where we are, ranging from high 80's (30° Celcius) in the beach, to a cool 65 in the high altitudes of the mountains (18°). Costa Rica is well known for its very comfortable temperatures throughout.