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
🥾 Hiking
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Where the cloud never quite leaves and every surface is covered in something living
Monteverde
🦜 Wildlife
Puerto Jiménez
Main gateway to Corcovado on Golfo Dulce — scarlet macaws in the town trees, pura vida pace
Puerto Jiménez
👨👩👧 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
🦜 Wildlife
Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Marta
An underrated hidden nature destination in Cartago offering waterfalls, rainforest, wildlife, rivers, and hiking.
Jimenez
🥾 Hiking
Reserva Forestal Río Macho
A world of misty cloud forests, hidden ravines, and extraordinary biodiversity.
Paraíso
🦜 Wildlife
Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas
Protects far more than beautiful beaches—it safeguards one of the last major nesting strongholds for the Eastern Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle.
Santa Cruz
🦜 Wildlife
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
One of Costa Rica’s richest biodiversity hotspots, where winding waterways, migratory birds, caimans, monkeys, and countless other species thrive.
Los Chiles
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Tamales
Experience protected coastline, tropical dry forest, and a sense of isolation
La Cruz
💎 Hidden Gems
Finca Bellavista
An extraordinary off-grid treehouse community surrounded by hundreds of acres of pristine rainforest
Golfito
🦜 Wildlife
Paraíso Quetzal Lodge
A cloud forest, where misty mountain landscapes and frequent quetzal sightings create an unforgettable nature escape.
Dota
🔭 Viewpoints
Laguna de Cote
Natural freshwater lake, surrounded by rolling highlands, lush forests, and abundant wildlife.
Guatuso
🥾 Hiking
Varablanca
Known for its cool climate, cloud forests, waterfalls, dairy farms, strawberry fields, and spectacular mountain scenery
Heredia
🌊 Waterfalls
Blue Falls of Costa Rica
Six turquoise pools of volcanic mineral water — each a different temperature
Bijagua
🏊 Swimming
Playa San Josecito
A hike or boat-access only beach where the jungle ends at the waterline and the snorkelling begins
Osa
🦜 Wildlife
Playa Sirena
One of the most remote and wildlife-rich beaches, widely considered the best place in the country to observe wildlife.
Osa
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas Bribri
Cascading jungle waterfalls tumble into crystal-clear pools surrounded by the lush rainforest.
Talamanca
🥾 Hiking
Volcán Orosí
An ancient volcano reclaimed by forest and integrated into one of the country's most successful conservation areas
La Cruz
🥾 Hiking
Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge
Scenic mountain trails, abundant birdlife, and pristine wilderness offer an unforgettable escape into nature.
San Rafael