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Top Birding Lodges in Costa Rica

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.

 

Best Birding Lodges in Costa Rica

Aninga Lodge

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 of Costa Rica’s treasures and is known as the Little Amazon and the most important place for the Green sea turtle nesting.

Individual wooden cabins make for a fun authentic experience. After a great day exploring the canals and forest trails, enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool.

Target Bird List: Green & Rufous Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Great Green Macaw, Purple-Throated Fruit Crow, Chestnut Collared Woodpecker, Cinnamon Woodpecker.

Bosque del Tolomuco Lodge

A peaceful retreat located in the heart of the Talamanca Mountains in the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica.

The lodge is surrounded by gardens and natural habitat where birds can be seen all day long.

The unique location allows for a large variety of species as highland and foothill birds come to the gardens and surrounding forest.

Come and visit, relax by the pool, read in the gardens, sit by the fireplace on cool evenings and enjoy a few of the wonderful sights and sounds that surround you.

The Bosque (forest) offers a quiet environment for birdwatching and bird photography. There are numerous well maintained trails for easy hiking and birding along the way.

Accommodations are simple but comfortable.

Target Bird List: Black Guan, Blue-crowned Motmot, Slate-throated Redstart, Silver-throated Tanagers, and even the uncommon Red-fronted Parrolets.

Cerro Lodge

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 trail These are three excellent places for the sighting of birds and other animals.

Cerro Lodge is one of the best places to see the Scarlet Macaw.

Target Bird List: Scarlet Macaw, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Crane Hawk, Double-Striped Thick-knee, Striped Cuckoo, White-Lored Gnatcatcher.

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

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 and the adjoining forest of Piedras Blancas National Park attract over 300 species of birds, almost 100 species of mammals and many amphibians and reptiles.

By planting thousands of trees in nearby La Gamba, the lodge has been certified as 100% carbon-neutral. Esquinas is a leader in sustainability and has been awarded a Certificate of Sustainable Tourism from the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

Target Bird List: Giant Cowbird, Streaked Saltator, Black-Cheeked Ant Tanager, Charming Hummingbird, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Spot Crowned Euphonia, Great Curassow, Uniform Crake.

Hacienda la Pacifica

Hacienda La Pacífica Hotel was founded in the 19th century by former president Bernardo Soto Alfaro and his wife Pacifica Fernández Guardia. They established the hacienda as a retreat from their busy lives in San Jose.

The area is a paradise nestled between the Corobici and Tenorio rivers.

Now, the hacienda operates as a hotel, providing a wonderful natural experience for guests.

Amid the lush flora and fauna of the area, visitors can enjoy the birds and animals that call this area home.

It’s been over 100 since the hacienda was first built. The authentic charm remains. The location not only provides excellent on site birding but a great spot for visiting the top bird watching locations in the area.

Along with lovely grounds and gardens, the hotel features a swimming pool and spa, on-site restaurant serving international dishes, and quaint comfortable rooms, decorated in hacienda style.

Each room has a terrace, private bath, hot water showers, and cable TV.

Target Bird List: White-throated Magpie Jay, Squirrel Cuckoo, Spot Breasted Oriole, Rufous Naped Wren, Wood Stork, White-Fronted Parrots, Long-tailed Manakin.

Hotel Bougainvillea

Hotel Bougainvillea is a favored starting point for birders and nature lovers visiting Costa Rica.

Guests find the gardens an amazing paradise where they can relax and discover the beauty of many Costa Rican plants and a wide array of bird species.

With its 10 acres of carefully tended tropical grounds, the Hotel Bougainvillea features over 50 species of bromeliads, Costa Rican native trees, and numerous species of orchids, herb and cacti gardens; and radiant hummingbirds typical of the Central Valley of Costa Rica.

Target Bird List: White-eared Ground Sparrow, Prevost’s Ground Sparrow, Crimson-Fronted Parakeet, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Brown Jay, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Orchard Oriole.

Hotel Robledal

This small boutique hotel is conveniently located just 3 miles from the San Jose Airport, providing easy access for the first and last nights in Costa Rica.

As a family owned and operated establishment, El Robledal prides itself on friendly, personalized service. Along with tranquil surroundings, the hotel offers a refreshing swimming pool, and on site dining.

The hotel is located far enough away from towns and the airport to give guests a quiet, peaceful experience. The lush gardens are a wonderful place to relax at the start or finish of your bird watching adventure and the surrounding forest is an excellent place to pick up some of the Central Valley’s top species too.

Target Bird List: Crested Bobwhite, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Laughing Falcon, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, White-throated Magpie Jay.

Hotel Villa Lapas

This rainforest hotel, located in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, is a favorite for bird watchers and nature lovers.

The hotel features just 70 comfortable rooms, completely surrounded by lush tropical gardens and beautiful rainforest.

The 500 acre private reserve includes primary and secondary forest plus a pristine river flowing alongside the hotel.

Be sure to listen for the scarlet macaws, this forest is the perfect place to spot them.

Along with exploring the trails surrounding the lodge, birders and bird photographers can take advantage of the excellent location of the lodge.

Carara National Park and the Tarcoles River Estuary are nearby. These are two must visit areas for all birders visiting Costa Rica.

Each room features a private bath, hot water showers, air conditioning, 2 full size beds or 1 king bed, and television.

Target Bird List: Chestnut Mandibled Toucan, Fiery-billed Aracari, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Slaty Tail, Violaceous, and Black -Headed Trogons, Scarlet Macaws, Green, Amazon, and Ringed Kingfishers, Blue-black Grosbeak, Yellow throated, and Yellow-crowned Euphonias, Golden-Hooded Tanager, Cherrie’s Tanager, Red Legged Honeycreepers, Green Honeycreepers, Painted Buntings, Long-tailed Manakins, Black-faced Antthrush, Baird’s Trogon, Royal Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Great Tinamou, Riverside Wren, and the Red-Capped Manakin.

Hotel de Montana Monteverde

Hotel Montana de Monteverde sits 4500 feet above sea level, on the main road in Monteverde, just outside the small town of Santa Elena and near the famed Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

The hotel offers excellent views of the Monteverde mountains and valleys and excellent on-site trails for birding.

There is a small pond as well, that attracts many species of birds.

The observation deck allows guests to bird watch right from the hotel.

The location is excellent allowing for easy access to the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, Santa Elena Reserve, and Curi Cancha reserve as well as all thee area’s top attractions.

The hotel features an onsite restaurant serving local specialties and excellent local coffee.

Target Bird List: Resplendent Quetzal, Three Wattled Bellbird, Highland Tinamou, Black Guan, Swallow-Tailed Kite, Ornate Hawk Eagle, Collared Forest Falcon, Brown Hooded Parrot, Green-Crowned Brilliant, Orange-Bellied Trogon, Violet Sabrewing.

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.

Target Bird List: 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 and Nicaraguan Seed-Finch.

Las Cruces Biological Station

The Las Cruces Biological station is a mid-elevation site, and protects more than 300 hectares of Premontane Wet Forest habitat. 200 hectares are primary forest.

The topography is rugged and elevation ranges from 1000-1400 m, which allows for high diversity of flora and fauna – including an estimated 2,000 species of plants, more than 400 birds and 113 mammal species.

The station is also home to the Wilson Botanical Garden – the most famous botanical garden in Central America. The garden features beautifully diverse plantings of tropical and subtropical ornamental plants, representatives of unusual plant families, and rare and endangered plants from Costa Rica and elsewhere.

The garden also boasts the second largest collection of palms in the world. Particularly well represented groups include ferns, aroids, bromeliads, gingers, heliconias, marantas, and of course palms.

The lodge is rustic and simple but comfortable. There is hot water and private bathrooms for each room as well as ceiling fans.

Target Bird List: Turquoise Cotinga, White-Crested Coquette, White-throated Thrush, Speckled Tanager, Crested Oropendola, Bran-colored Flycatcher, Black-Cheeked Ant Tanager, Dot-Winged Antwren.

Macaw Lodge

Macaw Lodge is a working, growing and evolving center for eco-tourism, research and conservation.

Today, people from around the world come to Macaw Lodge to discover the natural wonders of Costa Rica.

The Lodge is the culmination of a long-held vision of the Gordienko family. They took part in a government-sponsored Forestry Investment program designed to reverse damage done by overplanting of monotonous agricultural crops.

In the 1980s, they were honored to purchase and become stewards of Santuario de Macao Limitada—the farm that is now home to Macaw Lodge and The Macaw Lodge Private Forest Reserve.

Over the past two decades, they have created a model of sustainability, restored the health of the forests and fostered a return of many animal, plant, insect and bird species, including the Scarlet Macaw.

With accommodations for up to 24 guests, you’re assured a highly personalized experience.

Our eco-resort is completely off-the-grid solar power is used to generate electricity and heat water.

Macaw Lodge was created as a model of sustainability where lovers of nature can experience both comfort and harmony with the environment.

The spacious, open ground floor of the Lodge is home to the restaurant, lounging area, Internet access, electronics charging center, lending library and bathrooms.

It affords amazing views of surrounding ponds, gardens, forests and wildlife.

Target Bird List: Scarlet Macaw, White-throated Crake, White-Whiskered Puffbird, King Vulture, Dot-winged Antwren, Long billed Gnatwren, Charming Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed hummingbird.

Monteverde Cloudforest Lodge

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 bird species, monkeys, and other animals on the well kept forest trails.

The property is conveniently located just 3.4 miles from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and 4.2 miles from the Children’s Eternal Rainforest.

Target Bird List: Resplendent Quetzal, Three-Wattled Bellbird, Violet Sabrewing, Ornate Hawk Eagle, Highland Tinamou, Emerald Toucanet, Green Crowned Brilliant, Purple Throated Mountain Gem.

Pacuare Reserve Camp

Casa Grande Ecolodge is a complex comprising Casa Grande and Casa Baula. Casa Grande is a timber structure with 3 guest rooms and a common living room/kitchen area. The bedrooms are simply furnished using local materials and are comfortable and pleasant. Casa Baula is a basic, rustic guest house with several bedrooms and a shared bathroom.

Imagine a place hidden in a dense jungle forest along the Caribbean Sea, a quasi-island surrounded by the ocean and canals. You can only get there by boat.

A place with no electricity and where howler monkeys, egrets, herons and kingfishers herald your arrival. No crowds, no traffic, no luxury… all left behind for the unique chance to experience raw nature, to be a part of something great, to observe, to learn and maybe teach others as well.

On the beach, you may notice a small group quietly gathering data from a nesting leatherback turtle, or you may see an instructor leading students into the forest to observe a certain species of bird.

The only other people here are the reserve staff, instructors, biologists, students, volunteers or other like minded visitors.

This is the Pacuare Reserve experience. A chance to be a part of the conservation efforts. A chance to live and feel the power of shared passion for conservation and ecology in action.

This is a very rustic experience. No electricity, hot water, or air conditioning. It is also an amazing experience that visitors will never forget.

Target Bird List: Agami Heron (seasonal), Tiger Heron, White-Necked Puffbird, Pygmy Kingfisher, Black Crowned Antshrike, Stripe Breasted Wren, Green Ibis, Slaty-Tailed Trogon.

Palo Verde Biological Station

Palo Verde Biological Station is located within the Palo Verde National Park on the Pacific slopes of Guanacaste Province in northwestern Costa Rica.

The 20,000-hectare park has seasonally dry forest on limestone outcrops and extensive wetland vegetation bordering the Tempisque River that flows into the Gulf of Nicoya.

Along with Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve, it is considered one of the sites with the greatest ecological diversity in Costa Rica, encompassing more than 13 different habitats, including mangrove and swampy forests, salty and freshwater marshes, evergreen forests, deciduous forests, lowland and limestone forests and secondary forest in a wide range of successional stages.

The freshwater marsh in front of the Station is an important feeding ground for 60 species of resident and migratory water birds. Within the marsh, species such as the black-bellied whistling duck and the blue-winged teal have been observed by the thousands.

The Park is also a principal wintering ground for many neotropical migrants, including hummingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, tanagers, orioles, vireos, owls, and falcons.

The Lodge is very rustic, but provides most comforts that guests will expect. Each cabin includes a private bathroom, fans, and individual beds.

Meals are served family style in the station’s dining room. While the accommodations are basic, the location and access to wildlife are extraordinary.

Target Bird List: Jabiru Stork, Limpkin, Roseate Spoonbill, White Ibis, Masked Duck, Bay-Winged Hawk, Elegant Trogon, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Spotted-breasted Oriole.

Poas Volcano Lodge

Poas Volcano Lodge is a stunning and unique mountain lodge nestled into rolling pastures, with breathtaking views of Poas Volcano and the northern Caribbean Plains.

The eleven en-suite bedrooms, some with balconies to enjoy the majestic views and others with their own private garden backing onto the cloud forest, are divided between the main Lodge and the outside Garden Rooms.

The Lodge is located on a farm, on the edge of Poas Volcano National Park, with easy access to the delightful local villages and attractions. It is only 45 minutes away from San José (Juan Santamaria) Airport making Poas Volcano Lodge an ideal choice of stay for those just arriving or about to depart Costa Rica.

At Poas Volcano Lodge our ambition is to offer you the most authentic experience of a mountain Lodge in the Costa Rican cloud forest.

Guests are welcome to enjoy the nature trails created throughout the farm. Well kept paths take visitors through farmland and virgin cloud forest.

At the Lodge guests are warmly welcomed and made to feel very much at home. The staff encourages everyone to enjoy a relaxing time sitting by the fire in the Library or Sitting room, have fun with a game of pool or chess in the game room, or watch a film in the media room.

Whether travelling with family or friends, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.

Originally the Lodge was a domestic residence that over time was transformed into a bed & breakfast and later into what it is today, a cosy yet elegant, mountain Lodge.

One of the main features of the Lodge is the beauty and purity of the materials used in the construction of the building, with wood taken from fallen trees on the farm and stone walls blended with modern architecture.

The eleven comfortable and elegant rooms, some of which are newly refurbished, each have their own character and individuality. All rooms are en suite, with showers or baths and some can accommodate families of up to four people.

Target Bird List: Zeledonia, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Maroon-Chested Ground Dove, Slaty Finch, Black Guan, Large Footed Finch, Sooty Robin, Chestnut Capped Brush Finch, Red-Headed Barbet.

Tirimbina Lodge

Rustic comfort in the middle of a fascinating rainforest setting, this is Tirimbina Lodge. The sustainably managed Tirimbina Lodge borders their private Tirimbina nature reserve – a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers, and a highly respected site for scientific research.

The lodge and its rainforest reserve straddle the beautiful Sarapiquí River. The lodge area connects to the reserve on the other side of the river by a hanging bridge, which monkeys also use! Here you can experience the vibrant jungle and its abundant wildlife with all of your senses.

Exciting adventures, unforgettable impressions, new scents and sounds, are all right at your doorstep. Visitors won’t know where to point their cameras first.

Simple yet cozy and comfortable guest rooms are located in a long building at ground level, they are surrounded by rainforest and an impressive variety of tropical flowers.

The restaurant is decorated in traditional style, amid abundant tropical vegetation that attracts colorful birds and butterflies.

A library and a souvenir shop are at guests’ disposal.

The lodge has been awarded the maximum level of “5 Leaves” for the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica, due to its use of sustainable practices like solar energy.

Guests can enjoy hiking several loop trails in the nature reserve, as well as other on site activities.

This lodge is set in the Tirimbina Nature Reserve and 2 km from De la Virgen Park. It features free Wi-Fi, an extensive garden and a furnished terrace.

The rooms are rustic, but comfortable and include air conditioning, a fan, safety box and garden views. The bathrooms are private and come with a hot water shower.

Target Bird Species: Great Green Macaw, Speckled Mourner, Streak-Chested Antpitta, Great Potoo, Rufous Motmot, Red-Capped Manakin, Fasciated Tiger Heron, Sunbittern, Snowy Cotinga.

La Selva Biological Station

La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rainforest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site.

La Selva Biological Station is a rustic lodge that still acts as a research station for scientists and students. All rooms have fans, comfortable beds, and hot water. The main lodge has a large dining area, a porch with rocking chairs to relax and watch the birds moving through the garden, and a small gift store with snacks and basic needs.

The accommodations are basic but the location and forest make up for the lack of luxury amenities. La Selva is one of the most vibrant areas of the country for plants, birds, and wildlife. Enjoy the trails, and the central lodge (where your meals are served); you will be completely immersed in nature.

Target Birds: Ornate Hawk Eagle, Tiny Hawk, Yellow-billed Cotinga, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Pied-Puffbird

La Ensenada Lodge

Hacienda La Ensenada is a National Wildlife Refuge located in the province of Puntarenas, on the Gulf of Nicoya.  It’s just 2.5 hours from San José and 1.5 hours from Liberia. It is an ideal place for naturalists, bird watchers, and nature lovers.

The ranch is a paradise where you will find the perfect point of balance between nature and serenity. The lodge offers accommodations in comfortable rooms facing the Gulf. Each room has a private bathroom, hot water, closet and a spacious terrace with a hammock. On-site guests can enjoy a swimming pool, restaurant, and hiking trails. Because of its family management, the lodge offers guests the opportunity to participate in the daily activities of the farm as well. Guests can become part of the typical life on a Costa Rican ranch. The Gulf of Nicoya, the mangroves, and the forest offer those who love birds and photography many different species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects to discover.

Target Birds: Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Mangrove Hummingbird, Crested Bobwhite, Northern Potoo

Selva Bananito Eco Lodge & Ecotourism

Selva Bananito is situated in a pristine and natural setting, located at the foothills of the Cerro Mochila, the eastern outcropping of the Talamanca Mountain Range, in the province of Limon, Costa Rica. Bananito means little banana and is the name of the river that starts in the Private Reserve; Selva Bananito. Selva stands for jungle; hence, the name of the lodge “Selva Bananito”.

Selva Bananito Lodge offers spacious, elegantly tiled bathrooms with solar heated water, one queen or two queen beds in each room, and cozy hammocks for your afternoon siestas. Selva Bananito is “off the grid” meaning there is no electricity. Water is heated by solar power, and dinners are served by candlelight. There are no generators on site to spoil the serenity and peaceful surroundings. The main lodge provides a comfortable area for meals and socializing as well as ample decks with spectacular views.

The remote setting at the lodge provides for some of the best birdwatching in Costa RicaIn the Caribbean lowlands and specifically in the Talamanca Mountain Range the raptors migration occurs twice a year. The sight of hundreds of thousands of raptors flying north or southbound is an incredible experience for all Costa Rica birders.

Target Birds:  Checkered-throated Ant-wren, Great Jacamar, Snowy Cotinga, Black-chested Jay, Central American Pygmy Owl

Arenal Observatory Lodge

Considered one of the best places 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 for gazing at the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Be sure to take time to visit the huge observation deck located just outside the restaurant. The views are amazing, plus you will have front row seats to the many bird feeders located throughout the gardens. Bring your binoculars!

Arenal Observatory Lodge is a preferred destination for bird watching in Costa Rica, with more than 500 species of birds found on the grounds and surrounding forest.

Arenal Observatory is a  sustainable eco-lodge with a rating of Four Leaves in the Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST) by the Costa Rican Tourism Board. Additionally, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa consistently wins TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence award every year and is a proud member of its Green Leaders program.

Your stay with us at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa includes daily complimentary walks in their gardens and the rainforest with a naturalist guide. On the 870-acre property, guests can explore 11 kilometers (7 miles) of well-maintained trails. An 800-meter (0.5 miles) paved trail allows universal access to explore the gardens and rainforest.

Target Birds: Umbrella Bird, Scale-crested pygmy tyrant, Black-crested Coquette, Spotted Antbird, Ocellated Antbird

Selva Verde Lodge

Selva Verde is more than a lodge and more than a rainforest reserve. It is your gateway into a magical world of towering Almendro trees, Mantled Howler Monkeys, and Keel Billed Toucans. Immerse yourself in tropical nature as you hike through the deep green forest or reflect quietly in a comfortable hammock. Rekindle your sense of wonder and discover the out-of-the-ordinary. Experience Selva Verde! For decades, Selva Verde has been a birding hotspot – captivating beginner and expert alike.

Located just 2 hours from San José, Selva Verde provides easy access to the wonders of the rainforest. The lodge offers a variety of room types, most with air conditioning. Guests can also choose to include all meals in their stay if preferred. For over 30 years, Selva Verde has been a haven for nature enthusiasts from around the world. The abundant biodiversity, comfortable accommodations, and exciting activities are ideal for adventure seekers, bird and wildlife watchers, students, and families.

Target Birds: Great Green Macaw, Grey-necked Wood Rail, Sunbittern, Violet Crowned Wood Nymph, Broad-Billed Motmot

Rancho Naturalista

This premier birding lodge in Costa Rica, Rancho Naturalista is among the finest in Central America for avid bird watchers. At Rancho Naturalista the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. This comfortable lodge is famous for its excellent food, well prepared, and made with the best fresh local ingredients. The weather is almost perfect year-round, not too hot and not too cold.

Enjoy the large, open upstairs balcony where you can watch a huge array of hummingbirds zoom through the garden, see tanagers and honeycreepers visiting the feeders, and view the distant smoking Tenorio volcano.

Over 450 species of birds have been recorded in the private forest reserve and within the local area. Hike and bird the trails on your own or with one of the lodge’s excellent on-site guides. Rancho Naturalista is a wonderful getaway for bird watchers, hikers, photographers, and naturalists. Make Rancho Naturalista the highlight of your trip to Costa Rica!

Target Birds: Rufous Motmot, Tawny-Crested Flycatcher, Snow-Capped Hummingbird, White-Crowned Manakin, Purplish-Backed Quail-Dove

Playa Cativo

Surrounded by some of the most unspoiled and diverse rainforests in the world, Playa Cativo is a Costa Rica Eco Lodge located on the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce, the inner side of the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. (Golfo Dulce is the only tropical fjord in the Americas.). Unique in its native beauty, seclusion and natural treasures where everything is pitch perfect, Playa Cativo (Cativo Beach) offers an unparalleled experience for those eager to be immersed in nature and away from it all.

Getting to Playa Cativo is an adventure by itself. The flight from Costa Rica’s capital city of San José to Golfito or Puerto Jimenez is a beautiful experience. The 50-minute domestic flight provides spectacular views of Costa Rica’s diverse landscape, including the mountains, farms, rivers, Pacific Ocean, Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula and finally, the Golfo Dulce. Our friendly staff will meet you at the local airport to take you on a stunning 30-minute boat ride to Playa Cativo while you take in the magnificent coastline with tropical vegetation. You may even be welcomed by the occasional school of dolphins! Just sit back, relax and prepare for the experience of a lifetime. Each of the  luxurious guest rooms revolve themselves around the unbelievable natural surroundings and are constructed from precious reclaimed hardwood and colorful tile works crafted by local artisans, the open-air design offers an unspoiled 180-degree view of both the ocean and rainforest allowing for the most amazing symphony of sounds of birds, frogs, monkeys, animals and the lapping waves to really feel connected to the natural atmosphere. Bird watching at Playa Cativo is an amazing experience. The lodge borders one of the hidden gems of Costa Rica, Piedras Blancas National Park. P.B. National Park is one of the least visited National Parks in the country, simply due to its very remote location. This means birds and wildlife are abundant. Between the 1,000 acres private reserve and the National Park, bird watchers can expect a myriad of species to add to life lists.

Target Birds: Black-Cheeked Ant-Tanager, Fiery-Billed Aracari, Lovely Cotinga, King Vulture, Thick-Billed Euphonia

Casa Corcovado Lodge

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, Casa Corcovado 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 at Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge. Set above a palm-fringed beach, in tropical gardens surrounded by 170 acres of pristine rainforest, this much-loved destination is the ultimate combination of comfort and adventure.

The jungle lodge was built in harmony with the landscape and the environment in order to enjoy the undisturbed natural beauty of Corcovado. The tranquil hilltop setting provides awe-inspiring views and both ocean and rainforest breezes. The bungalow accommodations are spaced throughout the garden for maximum peace and privacy. The ‘Organic Design’ of the rooms mixes the vibrant, earthy colors and textures of the jungle with contemporary sophistication. Stylish, open-air showers are designed to give you the unique and refreshing experience of being at one with nature.

Casa Corcovado is a leading example of responsible tourism. The lodge has been designed and constructed in a manner that minimizes the impact on the environment and prides itself on adhering to green and sustainable principles in every aspect of the day-to-day operations.

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge is the closest accommodation to Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s extraordinary, world-renowned national park system. Located on the Osa Peninsula, on the south-western Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Corcovado is the last remaining large and sustainable lowland rainforest in Central America.

Target Birds: Marbled Wood-Quail, Turquoise Cotinga, Black-Faced Ant-Thrush, White-Crested Coquette, White Hawk

Hotel Savegre

Hotel Savegre is a lovely mountain lodge set within its own private reserve within the Talamanca Mountain Range. Travel over the highest peaks in Costa Rica, through the paramo, and into a gorgeous valley of white oak trees and lush forests to one of the richest birding areas in Costa Rica.

On one side of the lodge, you will find a cool mountain stream, rich with local trout, on the other the White Oak mountains and a series of forest trails that are wonderful for hiking, birding, and photography. The 1000 acre private reserve provides the perfect habitat for an amazing array of wildlife. Savegre is an absolute bird watching paradise. There are 82 endemic species only found in this area of Costa Rica and Panama.

Enjoy your meals on the patio surrounded by lush gardens and watch the hummingbirds dart throughout the area. Each room is rustic but comfortable with comfortable bedding and hot water showers. The hotel has a lovely spa as well if you want to pamper yourself after a day of hiking and bird watching. Due to the mountain climate, air conditioning is not needed at Hotel Savegre, in fact, be sure to bring a sweater, evenings and early mornings in the Talamanca Mountains are quite chilly.

Target Birds: Resplendent Quetzal, Fiery-Throated Hummingbird, Dusky Nightjar, Peg-Billed Finch, Yellow-Thighed Finch, Long-Tailed Silky

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About Costa Rica Focus

Costa Rica Focus is a birding tour company that offers customized Costa Rica birdwatching tours for individuals or groups of people and guided by a knowledgeable birding expert who will help you spot and learn about the beauty of the birds of Costa Rica. Let’s talk about your Costa Rica birding vacation!

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