Joe--I went on the Wings Essential Costa Rica tour this past February from the 7th. through 18th. (but essential 10 full days of birding). The group totaled 441 species, of which I identified 395 to my satisfaction and 288 were lifers. It was my first birding trip to Central America and faced with learning new families of birds, it was almost overwhelming. It might be better in March or May, but I doubt if I could have taken much more excitement. As far as weather, we only used rain gear one day, but El Nino was probably being kind to us. I've never birded in a place where birds were in sight all the time, day after day. Ralph Wall Great Falls, Va. Dendroica@aol.com