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
🌊 Waterfalls
Blue Falls of Costa Rica
Six turquoise pools of volcanic mineral water — each a different temperature
Bijagua
🥾 Hiking
Varablanca
Known for its cool climate, cloud forests, waterfalls, dairy farms, strawberry fields, and spectacular mountain scenery
Heredia
🥾 Hiking
Volcán Barva
Explore mystical cloud forest, crater lakes, rich biodiversity, and peaceful hiking trails in one of Costa Rica's most pristine mountain ecosystems.
Barva
🦜 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
🦜 Wildlife
Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Marta
An underrated hidden nature destination in Cartago offering waterfalls, rainforest, wildlife, rivers, and hiking.
Jimenez
🥾 Hiking
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo
One of Costa Rica’s largest and wildest protected rainforest areas
Cartago
🥾 Hiking
Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge
Scenic mountain trails, abundant birdlife, and pristine wilderness offer an unforgettable escape into nature.
San Rafael
🥾 Hiking
Savegre River
One of the cleanest rivers in Central America — cold, clear, and running through quetzal habitat
San Gerardo de Dota
💎 Hidden Gems
Laguna Hule
One of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanic lakes
Santa Isabel
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Limón
Long stretches of sand, coconut palms, river mouths, and a distinctly wild Caribbean atmosphere
Matina
🥾 Hiking
San Gerardo de Rivas
The last village before the summit — Chirripó starts here at 3am
San Gerardo de Rivas
🏊 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
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Tamales
Experience protected coastline, tropical dry forest, and a sense of isolation
La Cruz