Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

Laguna del Lagarto Lodge, at Boca Tapada, San Carlos, Costa Rica, offers genuine contact with nature. Exuberant trails in the tropical rainforest allow for direct access to nature. 150 species of trees, monkeys, caimans, coatis, red frogs and the symphony of 350 species of birds – the most wanted dream of bird watchers and photographers…

Quick Facts on Laguna del Lagarto Lodge
- Type of Location
  Rainforest Lodge
- Habitat
  Gardens, Lowland Rainforest, Wetlands, Secondary Forest, Lagoons
- Commonly Seen Bird Species
  Tawny-faced Quail, Uniform Crake, Green Ibis, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Sungrebe, Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Great Green Macaw, Central American Pygmy-Owl, Common Potoo, Pied Puffbird, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Black striped Woodcreeper, Streak-crowned Antvireo, Checker-throated Antwren, White-flanked Antwren, Bare-crowned Antbird, Gray-headed Piprites, Speckled Mourner, Snowy Cotinga, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, King Vulture, The Brown-Hooded Parrot, White-crowned Parrot, Keel-billed Toucan, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Black-cowled Oriole, Black-crowned Tityra, Long-billed Hermit, Pale-billed Woodpecker

What to Expect During Your Stay at the Laguna del Lagarto Lodge...

Rooms and Amenities

The lodge offers rustic cabins and standard rooms with private bathrooms, ceiling fans, and porches overlooking the forest or gardens. Rooms are simple but comfortable, well-suited for birders and photographers. Meals are served in the open-air restaurant, featuring local Costa Rican cuisine. Special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Birding on the Property

Laguna Lagarto is famous for its King Vulture blind, covered bird photography platforms, feeding stations for toucans, aracaris, and oropendolas, and fruit tables that attract tanagers and honeycreepers. Trails through primary and secondary forest, as well as boardwalks over wetlands, provide varied birding opportunities. Canoes are available for exploring the lagoons.

Other Activities Available

In addition to birding, guests can enjoy guided night walks, canoeing, and photography workshops. Boat trips to the San Carlos River can be arranged for aquatic and riverine species.

Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

Travel & Logistics

Conservation Initiatives
Laguna Lagarto has been safeguarding primary rainforest for decades, working with local communities to promote sustainable tourism. The lodge maintains its land as a private reserve and actively plants native species to expand forest cover.
How to Get There
Located near Boca Tapada, access involves travel on gravel roads for the final stretch. A 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially in wetter months, though standard transfers can be arranged.
Seasonal Notes
Birding is excellent year-round, with King Vultures possible every month. August–November tends to be slightly drier, offering especially good conditions for photographers, though feeding stations are active year-round.
Best Times to Visit
Any time of year. August–November is slightly drier and particularly favorable for photography.

A Few More Notes on Laguna del Lagarto Lodge

Laguna del Lagarto Lodge, at Boca Tapada, San Carlos, Costa Rica, offers genuine contact with nature.

Exuberant trails in the tropical rainforest allow for direct access to nature. 150 species of trees, monkeys, caimans, coatis, red frogs and the symphony of 350 species of birds – the most wanted dream of bird watchers and photographers – are all part of this enchanting experience.

Laguna del Lagarto Lodge comprises 500 protected hectares that can be toured in different ways, by foot, by horse or by boat, and each trip will leave you with a great impression.

The Lodge has specially located platforms to take pictures of birds at a strategic distance of no more than four meters. Along with the platforms, photographers will find an amazing blind designed to photograph the King Vulture. It’s a one of a kind experience.

Birders and photographers can also visit Adolfo’s gardens, and set up special sessions for photographing bats, or for macro-photography sessions.

For photographers and lovers of nature, Laguna del Lagarto is a must for any visit to Costa Rica.