We have made our top picks of the best birding lodges in Costa Rica. After more than 20 years of traveling throughout the country here are our favorites. Do you love birding and nature? Contact us to customize a TARGET LIST TRIP, just for you.
The Aninga lodge is strategically located only 5 minutes away from the extraordinary Tortuguero National Park and right across the main canal, facing the town of Tortuguero. Surrounded by a network of picturesque canals, it is considered one of the most exotic regions in the world with its richest flora and fauna. Tortuguero is one…
Considered one of the best birding lodges in Costa Rica and a great place to stay for nature lovers and birders in the Arenal area, the historic Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa offers 48 comfortable hotel rooms in various buildings spread over the property. Enjoy delicious meals in the lodge restaurant and enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows…
Borinquen Mountain Resort & Spa offers birdwatchers and nature lovers a peaceful escape in the foothills of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, located in Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste Province. Set on an expansive 1,200-acre property, this secluded resort encompasses a mix of dry tropical forest, open pasture, and volcanic slopes—an ideal setting for discovering the…
Tucked along the banks of the Río Peje in the Caribbean Foothills of Costa Rica, Canto del Río Lodge offers nature lovers and birdwatchers a peaceful, uncrowded base for exploring this rich ecological zone. The surrounding forest and river corridors attract an impressive variety of foothill species, and the tranquil setting makes it a favorite…
Celeste Mountain Lodge is a peaceful nature retreat located near the small town of Bijagua, at the base of Tenorio Volcano in northern Costa Rica. Set on 3 hectares of open space and 4 hectares of protected primary forest, the lodge provides an excellent base for birders and photographers looking to explore this less-traveled region.…
Cerro Lodge was built to provide the best service for nature lovers, especially birders and photographers. It is surrounded by beautiful landscape, overlooking the sea and the mountains. The facilities are located in a privileged location, just minutes away from the Tárcoles River, the Carara National Park and, of course, only steps from La Barca…
This small friendly ecolodge is all about “GO-GREEN”. They are environmentally-friendly and nature-friendly. The hotel mission is to bring visitors to the lovely Monteverde Cloud Forest area, let them be immersed in nature, without disturbing the flora and fauna. At Cloud Forest Lodge guests will be able to see unforgettable landscapes, a great variety of…
With a prime location on the edge of Corcovado National Park, offering deluxe accommodations, exciting activities and some of the very best Costa Rica bird watching, Corcovado Wilderness Lodge is a must for nature lovers and bird watchers. If you are looking for an authentic, remote and unforgettable vacation experience in Costa Rica, you will find it…
Set on a forested hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Cristal Ballena offers peaceful surroundings, comfortable rooms, and easy access to coastal and foothill birding sites. The hotel sits in the transition zone between lowland rainforest and Pacific coastal forest. The mix of forest edge, gardens, and nearby protected areas makes it a good spot for…
Drake Bay Wilderness Resort offers a comfortable and wildlife-rich base just 30 minutes from Corcovado National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions. Overlooking the calm waters of Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, the lodge is surrounded by vibrant rainforest and coastal scenery. White-faced capuchin monkeys frequently visit the grounds, and it’s not…
Hidden in the jungle of remote Piedras Blancas National Park in the southern zone of Costa Rica, Esquinas Rainforest Lodge lies surrounded by untouched wilderness. It is a hot spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers wishing to experience the sounds and sights of a tropical rainforest in a tranquil, undisturbed atmosphere. The 37-acre private reserve…
Evergreen Lodge offers a peaceful and immersive stay in the heart of Tortuguero’s lush rainforest, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic wildlife destinations. Accessible only by boat, the lodge is nestled between the river channels and the dense lowland forest, providing guests with a front-row seat to the incredible biodiversity of the region. Elevated wooden…
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What Clients Say About Our Birding Tours
Unforgettable 10 Day Costa Rica Birding Trip
I chose Costa Rica Focus for a 10 day birding adventure around Costa Rica and I had the most amazing, unforgettable experience. Everything was so well planned and organized I always knew I was in good hands. I really enjoyed how each place we stayed at was a perfect spot for birding and each birding guide was very professional and so knowledgeable of the area we were birding in. I left this trip with 196 lifers! Thank you Costa Rica Focus for curating this unique experience.
Wonderful trip, all we had to do was show up!
After our trip in April, we couldn’t wait to go back. The accommodations, the guides, the drivers everybody was wonderful, and the schedule was perfectly coordinated. We’ve never had trips that went as smoothly as the one arranged by Costa Rica focus. I could I could tell you all the details but honestly, you just need to call Costa Rica Focus because they have got it down. The nicest part of Costa Rica are the people, but I really love the birds and the plants and the ocean and the mountains….. really it’s an experience you can’t miss.
Simply the best!
We can’t say enough about how pleased we were that we went with Costa Rica Focus, and thoroughly recommend them in every respect … As for our guide and driver Andres, what can we say? If a review sheet had a plus and minus column, we would request a third plus-plus column. He was absolutely amazing in every respect. We arrived to meet Andres as a stranger only to leave two weeks later feeling like we just left our best friend behind. He was the most knowledgeable guide, an extremely careful and diligent driver, plus a delightfully thoughtful fellow in every respect. Nothing was too much trouble and any questions or requests were answered or taken care of immediately. …
Costa Rica Focus made our first Costa Rica experience perfect.
What a vacation this turned out to be. I’ve had the best vacation of my life, and a big part of this is down to Costa Rica Focus. Thanks a lot, and I want to recommend this company to everyone with a wish to visit Costa Rica. A thoroughly professional company, which gave my first-time birding experience with the American continent another dimension.
The drivers brought us safely between the sites. The local birding guides did an excellent job, and I were satisfied to discover the guides were equally nerdy as me. The guides knew bird-ID, song/calls and sites very well. I ended up with a species list of nearly 300, but would certainly have struggled reaching 220-230 without the help by the local birders from Costa Rica Focus. They also included my not-so-nerdy wife in a brilliant way, which made her happy as well.
Another home run by Costa Rica Focus
A 10-day birding trip with a photography focus. Great birding and photography with our fabulous guide Sr. Minor H. despite occasionally iffy weather. Locations were great, accomodations ranged from luxurious to very basic, food from merely very good to excellent, including some pleasant surprises like Pizzeria Los Colibries, on the road to Savegre where we ended up when our destination restaurant turned out to be closed due to a medical emergency in the owner’s family – really good pizza with near-perfect crust and hyper-local ingredients like local mushrooms, herbs from their own gardens, lettuce from their hydroponic gardens, etc. It’s the first pizza place on the right on the road down to San Gerardo de Dota from National Route 2. You can’t miss it:). Logistics were perfect, including arrival and departure.
Not a lot ot add to the overwhelmingly positive reviews of Costa Rica Focus. This is the fifth trip I’ve taken with them in four years, including one to Ecuador in collaboration with Ecuador Birds Tours, and if I go again to a destination they offer, I can’t think why I would look elsewhere.
Out of Body Experiences – “¡Lo No Creo!”
I don’t know where to start. The countryside, the people, the food, our driver, our guide, my group companions, and, of course, the birds, all combined to make this tour the greatest experience of my near 72 year lifetime. Minor’s expertise bordered on magical. Daily I would stand agog at what he showed us, what he did, and what I was looking at. I would think, what am I (a simple retired school teacher), doing here looking at this. Only problem, I drank too much coffee, but who wouldn’t drink too much Costa Rican coffee. It will take me weeks to process through all my pictures and I need to continue to practice the new photography skills that Minor taught me. Thank-you CRF (Tavo) for patiently convincing me to take this plunge. – John (Eugene, OR)
Dream Trip to Costa Rica
The Itinerary was tailor-made with a private guide by Costa Rica Focus. I have been on a group excursion with this company in the past and wanted to streamline a trip. Jess, Wanda and Joan provided the exact trip that I requested with even more extra stops suggested by my guide along the way.
My guide, Alex C. is accomplished, knowledgeable and an affable companion, constantly displaying his expertise and enthusiasm. Costa Rica Focus treats every client like family. I was asked about my comfort and experience throughout the trip. I am an older female adult, travelling alone. I felt totally safe at every location.
The accommodations were comfortable, clean and in all cases surrounded by a habitat of exquisite beauty and an abundance of birds and other wildlife. I could not have asked for anything more.
Best birding company.
This was our 2nd trip with Costa Rica focus and it was even better than the 1st which was fantastic. They are affordable, are always available for questions and plan the absolute best trips. Their guides are extremely knowledgeable and make the trip fun. Can’t wait to go back.
Bird Watching Tours: Privately Guided vs Scheduled Group vs Independent… Differences?
When booking your tour, it’s important to know the different options available to you. Based on the experience you are looking for, the intensity of birding, and budget, Costa Rica Focus will help you choose the best option for you.
Feature
Privately Guided Tour
Scheduled Group Tour
Independent Tour
Tour Type
Custom
Pre-scheduled
Custom
Guide Availability
Dedicated Guide from arrival to departure
Dedicated Guide from arrival to departure
Local guides for specific excursions only
Transportation
Guide as driver (small groups) or separate driver (larger groups)