Costa Rica is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean sea. There you will find an incredible amount of biodiversity, which makes it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Costa Rica is home to more than 900 species of birds living in the dense rainforests, cloud forests, lowlands, highlands, and everything in between, so you can only imagine how great birdwatching in Costa Rica is.
Let’s explore together lots of tips for birdwatching in Costa Rica in this guide. From finding the over 50 hummingbird species, to spotting the most treasured Resplendent Quetzal, we’re here to help you plan your own Costa Rica birding adventure.
The Geography and Habitat of Costa Rica
Costa Rica has an incredibly diverse habitat, so much so that even driving 15 minutes can take you from one to the next, where you will find a completely different range of birds. There are hot and humid rainforests, cool and misty cloud forests, beaches and coastal habitats, majestic rivers, mangrove swamps, and more. This gives a home to a large diversity of birds, from the colorful toucans and macaws, to the magical resplendent quetzal, raptors such as hawks, eagles, and vultures, or the dazzling array of hummingbirds.
Also to boast is the country’s large amount of protected areas, national parks, and reserves. A few of the most popular areas for birders to explore are Corcovado National Park, Palo Verde National Park, and Tortuguero National Park, among others. There you will find many knowledgeable local birders and certified guides that lead tours of the extensive parks.
Bird Species You Can’t Miss
You will find some of the most beautiful birds in the world right here in Costa Rica. Probably the most sought after is the resplendent quetzal, due to it’s stunning colors and feathers. Some of the best places to find the quetzal are in the Savegre River Valley, San Gerardo de Dota, and in the Monteverde area, such as the cloud forest reserve, Curi-Cancha Reserve, etc.
Many bird watchers also want to check a few macaws off their lists: Costa Rica is home to the Scarlet Macaw, the highly endangered Great Green Macaw, and there is also a hybrid among the two which can be seen in some locations. The Scarlet Macaw is most commonly found on the Pacific Coast, in places like the Osa Peninsula in the southern region and Carara National Park near Jaco. The Great Green Macaw is almost exclusively found in the Caribbean lowlands areas, and a few good areas to find it is at Nectar Pollen Reserve near Braulio Carrillo National Park, certain areas around Sarapiqui, Siquirres, and the southern Caribbean area near Puerto Viejo, where there are also Great Green Macaw conservation initiatives.
If you love hummingbirds, you will be thrilled to check them off your list one by one. Over 50 different hummingbird species can be found here, several of which are endemic and can only be found in Costa Rica. Look for the fiery-throated hummingbird, the volcano hummingbird, and the violet sabrewing. You won’t be sorry!
Best Places to Go Birdwatching in Costa Rica
There are many birdwatching hotspots all around the country, so the opportunities and bird species are abundant. These are some of our favorite birding hotspots:
Monteverde
The name says it all: “Green mountain”, Monteverde is a beautiful mountainous area that features lush cloud forests and several micro climates. Here you can find the famous bell bird, quetzal, gorgeous hummingbirds, chlorophonias, and more.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
We love this spot because it is so close to San Jose, Alajuela, and the Central Valley. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens you can see a lot of birds in a very small area. Read more on our blog post about it here.
La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano
You can find a lot of the most tropical, colorful birds here such as toucans. There are also swampy areas and rivers where you can find water loving birds, like the boat-billed heron.
Savegre Valley, San Gerardo de Dota
We could go to San Gerardo de Dota any day and be fascinated by the variety of birds. I promise you, you won’t regret making a trip there. It’s located between San Jose and the Pacific Coast, so is an obligatory stop if you are heading the the southern Pacific region like Corcovado. Read more about what you will find here in our blog post on San Gerardo de Dota, and watch our Youtube video.
Birdwatching in Costa Rica – A Few Important Tips
To get the most of your time birding in Costa Rica, and to spot the most birds, we recommend the following:
1. Hire a guide. In some locations, such as Corcovado National Park, a local guide is required to walk the trails. However, more than a requirement for your safety, having a local guide with you will help you spot and identify the greatest amount of birds and other wildlife in a short amount of time, so we highly recommend it!
2. Be respectful towards the habitat and wildlife by following park rules and being a responsible tourist.
3. Don’t forget your binoculars, and bring a bird field guide with you. We recommend the book Birds of Costa Rica which you can purchase on Amazon prior to your trip.
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4. Download the Merlin Bird ID app and download the Costa Rica Pack before your trip. Also download the eBird app to keep a checklist record of your sightings.
5. Cultivate patience, and enjoy the silence. You will enjoy the peaceful aspect of birding and be able to observe more elusive bird species.
Without a doubt, Costa Rica is a paradise for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and those that are looking for peace. Let your eyes be dazzled by the magnificent colors of the variety of hummingbirds, quetzals, toucans, and macaws. If you are not planning your Costa Rica birdwatching adventure yet, why not start now? If you need help, we are your local friends! Please reach out with any questions about planning your birding trip and we’ll be glad to help. Also, there are many resources, tips, and articles on this website, and our Youtube videos can help as well. So start planning, pack your suitcase, and come on down to this birdwatching paradise. Pura vida!
