Birdwatching in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Birdwatching Tours
Costa Rica Birdwatching Packages for Nature Lovers
Costa Rican Nature carefully designs birdwatching tours to the most iconic and beautiful birding destinations in Costa Rica. With over 900 bird species recorded, including the Resplendent Quetzal, Scarlet Macaw, toucans, and hummingbirds, we take you to world-class hotspots such as San Gerardo de Dota, Carara National Park, and the Tárcoles River.
We offer fully custom itineraries and guided small-group tours, combining our deep local knowledge with expert bilingual guides to create the perfect Costa Rica birdwatching experience for you. Enjoy private transport, hand-picked lodging, premium optics, and flexible scheduling.
Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour: An Unforgettable Journey Among Quetzals and Macaws
If you’ve dreamed of immersing yourself in a paradise full of colors, exotic bird calls, and pure biodiversity, a birdwatching tour in Costa Rica is the experience you cannot miss.
Costa Rica is every birder’s dream, with more than 930 bird species spread across ecosystems like cloud forests, tropical jungles, and coastal areas. From the majestic resplendent quetzal to the vibrant scarlet macaw, each day reveals new and unique sightings. Costa Rican Nature birdwatching tours are carefully designed to help you enjoy them to the fullest.
Costa Rica Birdwatching Itinerary
Day 01
Arrival – San José – CATIE
The valley of Turrialba is located just two hours east of San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, Turrialba is nestled in a mountainous landscape surrounded by abundant tropical vegetation, coffee plantations, farms and sugarcane fields. Since 1942, the valley has been home to the campus headquarters of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) housing some of the most important plant collections in the Americas. This is a regional birding hot spot with an abundance and variety of bird species.
Day 02
CATIE and Botanical Garden
CATIE and the Botanical Garden educate for a changing world, sharing scientific information on agribusiness and natural resources in an interactive manner that is suitable for all audiences. The park draws from CATIE’s 70 years of scientific research and hands-on experience in agro biodiversity, focused on improved human well-being and environmental protection. The Botanical Garden is an interactive experience based on CATIE’s scientific work to create sustainable agricultural systems and promote the sustainability of natural resources. The result is a dynamic and participatory adventure that is fun for all. Here you will learn about a breathtaking variety of tropical fruits, medicinal, oil-producing and ornamental plants, roots, tubers and timber trees.
Day 03
Natural Paradise Farm- Transfer to San Gerardo de Dota
Natural Paradise Farm is a bird watching paradise. Located at an elevation of 2,400 ft. with more than 120 bird species documented on the property this Turrialba birding hotspot teams with brightly colored birds and bird songs. From the Farm’s balcony and trails we can see different kinds of birds including warblers, wrens, trogons, toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers and many other colorful and beautiful birds. Coffee and sugarcane are the main Natural Paradise Farm crops. As we walk around the Farm, we can see, touch, smell and taste different seasonal tropical fruits and vegetables.
Day 04
San Gerardo de Dota.
San Gerardo de Dota is a tiny community in the Talamanca Mountains settled in the fresh mist of a mountain valley surrounded by deep cloud forests and filled with massive tropical trees. San Gerardo de Dota is a high elevation paradise for birdwatchers with more than 170 bird species, including some of the rarest and most endangered species. It is a special place for watching the Resplendent Quetzal, one of the most ornate wild creatures and member of the colorful Trogonidae family. A wide variety of migratory species arrive seasonally, joining the native species to add more colorful views for birdwatchers.
Day 05 & 6
San Gerardo de Dota-Dominical
La Cusinga, boarders Ballena Marine National Park and is nestled inside a 45 year old, 283 hectares private reserve, with many trails and excellent bird watching spots. Birds found at La Cusinga include Red-capped and Blue-crowned Manakins, hawks, owls, toucans, and many more. Sea birds are visible from the comfort of your room, common areas or a short hike. La Cusinga offers a variety of activities. A short walk from your room into the rain forest will allow you to see exotic birds living free in their natural habitat. Interact with local guides to learn about many of the endemic species native to southern Costa Rica. Embark on a marine adventure to visit Isla Ballena, a bird sanctuary in Ballena Marine National Park where you will observe many species of marine birds and wildlife.
Day 07
Carara
Morning departure towards the Central Pacific Coast and Cerro Lodge near the Carara Biological Reserve, a 4,700 hectare reserve at the mouth of the Tárcoles River. The reserve is surrounded by pasture and agricultural land and forms an oasis for wildlife from a large surrounding area.
Day 08
Carara
Early breakfast and departure to the Carara Biological Reserve where you will see the brilliantly patterned Scarlet Macaws and many other species including guans, trogons, toucans, and motmots. Monkeys, squirrels, sloths and agoutis are among the more common mammals present at Carara. In the afternoon we will embark on an adventure along the Tárcoles River and mangrove forest. This mangrove forest is one of the most important in the mid Pacific Coast for the conservation of the Scarlet Macaw and rare and endangered bird species such as the Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, and Panama Flycatcher. A variety of egrets and many herons spend most of the day in the forest and roost at night in the mangroves.
Day 09
Departure
Return to San Jose. Transfer to the international airport.
Why Costa Rica is a Birdwatching Paradise
Costa Rica is home to more than 930 bird species, making it one of the most exciting destinations for birdwatchers worldwide. Thanks to its compact size and extraordinary diversity of habitats, birding in Costa Rica allows you to experience multiple ecosystems in a single trip.
From colorful toucans to the majestic resplendent quetzal, the country offers unforgettable encounters for both novice and expert birders.
Habitats That Make Birding Unique
The richness of Costa Rica’s bird life is supported by an incredible variety of ecosystems. Within just a few hours, you can explore:
🌳 Rainforests – home to toucans, trogons, and parrots.
☁️ Cloud forests – where the resplendent quetzal thrives.
🌴 Mangrove swamps – a refuge for herons and kingfishers.
🌾 Dry forests – ideal for spotting motmots and orioles.
🏝 Coastal habitats – offering seabirds and shorebirds.
🏞 Rivers and wetlands – with abundant waders and waterfowl.
This diversity is what makes bird watching tours in Costa Rica truly exceptional.
More Than Birdwatching
At CostaRicanNature, we also design experiences for every type of traveler. Alongside birding tours, we create:
💕 Romantic getaways for couples.
👨👩👧👦 Family adventures with kid-friendly activities.
👫 Group tour packages for friends or special interest groups.
Every itinerary is customized to your needs, ensuring that your time and budget are used efficiently.
Commitment to Conservation
Costa Rica is a world leader in conservation and sustainable tourism.
Over 25% of the territory is protected by national parks and private reserves.
The country ranks in the top 20 worldwide for biodiversity, hosting nearly 500,000 species — around 4% of all species on Earth.
By choosing CostaRicanNature, you support ecotourism efforts that protect habitats and educate future generations.
Plan Your Costa Rica Bird Watching Tour
Whether you are a seasoned birder or just beginning your journey, CostaRicanNature offers the perfect way to explore the country’s biodiversity. Our local guides provide expert knowledge and a personalized experience, taking you to the best birding hotspots across Costa Rica.
👉 Contact us today to customize your unforgettable Costa Rica bird watching tour.
FAQs: Your Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour
The dry season (December–April) is often considered the best time because of easier access to trails and more predictable weather. However, the rainy season (May–November) offers fewer crowds and just as many bird species, especially active in the early mornings.
Costa Rica is home to more than 930 bird species, more than the United States and Canada combined. This makes it one of the top birding destinations worldwide.
While you can spot birds on your own, a professional naturalist guide significantly improves your experience. They can identify species by calls, silhouettes, and habitats—helping you see more in less time.
Some of the most popular hotspots include Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano, Carara National Park, La Selva Biological Station, Palo Verde Wetlands, and Corcovado National Park.
The resplendent quetzal is most commonly seen during the breeding season (February–July), particularly in highland cloud forests such as Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota.
The best place to see scarlet macaws is Carara National Park on the central Pacific coast, as well as the Osa Peninsula. These regions have some of the largest macaw populations in the country.
Bring lightweight, waterproof clothing, sturdy hiking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a good pair of binoculars. A field notebook is also useful for recording calls and behaviors.
Even in a week you can see hundreds of species, but dedicated birders often stay 2–3 weeks to maximize sightings. Extended itineraries can record more than 500 species.
Costa Rica’s biodiversity is unmatched. Besides birds, you may see sloths, monkeys, tapirs, coatis, crocodiles, iguanas, and countless butterflies and amphibians during your birding tours.
Absolutely. With diverse habitats, incredible species variety, expert guides, and eco-friendly lodges, Costa Rica is considered one of the best birdwatching destinations in the world. Many birders return multiple times because every trip brings new discoveries.
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Sitio Mata 300m sur de la escuela Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica.
+506 8619 5060
info@costaricannature.com
www.costaricannature.com