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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve G" data-source="post: 1254561" data-attributes="member: 4381">Hi John,Forgive me for sounding like a Costa Rica guru when I'm not!Routine vaccinations would be HepA/Typhoid &  low dose dip/tet/polio booster if overdue. To be honest Typhoid is probably an overkill but it is still recommended. We didn't take antimalarial prophylaxis though First Choice cover themselves by suggesting it is necessary. Malaria is only a problem in CR in the Caribbean lowlands just south of Nicaragua & in an area south of Limon. Bite prevention is of greater importance.The Grand Tour doesn't visit Monteverde so sadly no Hummingbird galleries whilst none of the other sites visited are at sufficient altitude to give a good chance of Quetzal.  Day trips to Monteverde from the coast are likely to be unsatisfactory (an overnight stay would be better) & besides Monteverde is not the best place for Quetzal (consider Savegre valley area). In fact Carlos told me he dislikes Monteverde & rarely goes there as it is too commercialised. He does however put together customised packages dependent on your wishes ( & wallet! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> ).I did three one-day trips with Carlos, -one with the whole family & the other two  my wife & myself only -though we did ask him not to include other birders (easier for bird photography) & we offered to pay him more accordingly. Sharing with other birders will reduce your costs.The big plus for the 7 day tour is the 2 night stay at Tortuguero -this should be the birding highlight of your trip as long as you spend your time there well! In this area Sungrebe is often seen (but not by us!) whilst (according to the local guides) Amani Heron is regular between September & March.Cheers,Steve</blockquote>

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