Birdwatching in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has more bird species per square kilometre than almost anywhere on earth. These are the places where the payoff — quetzal, scarlet macaw, resplendent trogon — consistently delivers.
🔭 Viewpoints
Cerro de la Muerte
One of the most dramatic and iconic highland regions
Cerro de la Muerte
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas Llanos de Cortez
The most accessible major waterfall in Costa Rica — and the most generous
Bagaces
🦜 Wildlife
Canales de Tortuguero
Boat through rainforest canals watching caimans, sloths, and river otters
Tortuguero
🥾 Hiking
Savegre Valley Trail
Network of cloud-forest hiking trails around San Gerardo de Dota and the upper Río Savegre
San Gerardo de Dota
🥾 Hiking
Sendero Valle del Silencio
A dawn hike into Costa Rica's most remote cloud forest — quetzal territory
Talamanca
🦜 Wildlife
Savegre Valley
Cloud forest river valley at 2,200 metres — primary quetzal habitat, trout in the river
San Gerardo de Dota
🦜 Wildlife
Puerto Jiménez
Main gateway to Corcovado on Golfo Dulce — scarlet macaws in the town trees, pura vida pace
Puerto Jiménez
🥾 Hiking
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Where the cloud never quite leaves and every surface is covered in something living
Monteverde
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Limón
Long stretches of sand, coconut palms, river mouths, and a distinctly wild Caribbean atmosphere
Matina
💎 Hidden Gems
Laguna Hule
One of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanic lakes
Santa Isabel
🥾 Hiking
Barra Honda National Park
Dry forest mesa with 42 caves beneath it — stalactites and fossil seashells 300 metres underground
Nicoya
🥾 Hiking
Varablanca
Known for its cool climate, cloud forests, waterfalls, dairy farms, strawberry fields, and spectacular mountain scenery
Heredia
🦜 Wildlife
Paraíso Quetzal Lodge
A cloud forest, where misty mountain landscapes and frequent quetzal sightings create an unforgettable nature escape.
Dota
🦜 Wildlife
Corcovado National Park
Largest remaining tract of Pacific lowland tropical rainforest in Central America
Osa
🥾 Hiking
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo
One of Costa Rica’s largest and wildest protected rainforest areas
Cartago
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Laguna Don Manuel
A tranquil mountain retreat where a pristine volcanic lagoon is surrounded by misty cloud forests, scenic trails, and fresh highland air.
Dota
🥾 Hiking
San Gerardo de Rivas
The last village before the summit — Chirripó starts here at 3am
San Gerardo de Rivas
🥾 Hiking
Reserva Forestal Río Macho
A world of misty cloud forests, hidden ravines, and extraordinary biodiversity.
Paraíso
💎 Hidden Gems
Finca Bellavista
An extraordinary off-grid treehouse community surrounded by hundreds of acres of pristine rainforest
Golfito
🏊 Swimming
Playa Espadilla Sur
One of the most beautiful beaches inside Manuel Antonio National Park
Quepos
🏊 Swimming
Playa San Josecito
A hike or boat-access only beach where the jungle ends at the waterline and the snorkelling begins
Osa
🔭 Viewpoints
Laguna de Cote
Natural freshwater lake, surrounded by rolling highlands, lush forests, and abundant wildlife.
Guatuso
🥾 Hiking
Savegre River
One of the cleanest rivers in Central America — cold, clear, and running through quetzal habitat
San Gerardo de Dota
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Tamales
Experience protected coastline, tropical dry forest, and a sense of isolation
La Cruz