Arenal Observatory Lodge Reserve

A day of birding at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails in Costa Rica offers an immersive experience in one of the country's premier birdwatching destinations. Situated adjacent to the Arenal Volcano National Park, the lodge encompasses over 350 hectares of diverse habitats, including primary and secondary forests, tropical gardens, and pastures. With more than 500 bird species…

Quick Facts on Arenal Observatory Lodge Reserve
- Hotspot Type
  Observatory Deck and Nature Trails
- Habitat
  Secondary Forest
- Bird Species
  Montezuma Oropendola, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Emerald Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Bay-headed Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Shining Honeycreeper, Tawny-capped Euphonia, Black-crested Coquette, Brown Violetear, Great Curassow, Keel-billed Toucan, Lovely Cotinga, Bare-crowned Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Nightingale Wren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Streak-crowned Antvireo, Sharpbill, Golden-crowned Warbler, Orange-bellied Trogon, Gartered Trogon, Black-headed Nightingale Thrush, Long-tailed Tyrant, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black Hawk-Eagle, White Hawk, King Vulture, The Brown-Hooded Parrot, Black-cowled Oriole, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Broad-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Great Potoo, Gray-headed Kite, Great Antshrike, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Keel-billed Motmot, Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Long-billed Hermit, Stripe-throated Hermit, Crested Guan, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Crimson-collared Tanager, Rufous-winged Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, Carmiol’s Tanager, White-throated Thrush, Black-crowned Tityra, Masked Tityra, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Great Black Hawk, Eastern Meadowlark, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Magenta-throated Woodstar, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Bicolored Antbird, Dull-mantled Antbird, Ocellated Antbird, Spotted Antbird, Dusky Antbird, Zeledon’s Antbird, Black-throated Wren, Song Wren, Thicket Antpitta, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Spotted Woodcreeper, Tropical Pewee, Yellow-billed Cacique, White-crowned Parrot, White-necked Puffbird, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Brown Jay

A day of birding at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails in Costa Rica offers an immersive experience in one of the country’s premier birdwatching destinations. Situated adjacent to the Arenal Volcano National Park, the lodge encompasses over 350 hectares of diverse habitats, including primary and secondary forests, tropical gardens, and pastures. With more than 500 bird species recorded on the property, it’s a haven for bird enthusiasts.

Your day begins with morning exploration around sunrise when bird activity is at its peak. Accompanied by your private guide, you’ll traverse various trails that wind through different habitats, increasing your chances of spotting a wide array of bird species.

Trail Network:

The lodge boasts an extensive network of trails totaling approximately 11 kilometers. These trails vary in difficulty and traverse diverse ecosystems:

Danta Waterfall Trail: Leads to a picturesque waterfall, offering opportunities to observe forest-dwelling birds and other wildlife
Los Monos Trail: Known for frequent monkey sightings, this trail also provides chances to spot canopy birds.
La Hormiga Trail: A shorter trail ideal for those looking for a less strenuous walk, yet still rich in birdlife.

Additionally, there’s an 800-meter paved trail designed for accessibility, allowing all visitors to enjoy the surrounding nature.

Observation Platforms:

“The Nest” Observation Tower: Standing at 28 meters tall, this tower offers panoramic views of the forest canopy, Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and the Tilarán Mountain Range. Climbing its 146 steps provides birders with a unique vantage point to observe species that dwell in the upper forest layers.
Restaurant Deck: Adjacent to the lodge’s restaurant, this deck features fruit feeders that attract a variety of birds, including Montezuma Oropendolas, Brown Jays, and various tanagers, making it an excellent spot for photography and leisurely observation.

Gardens and Grounds:

The lodge’s meticulously maintained gardens are planted with flowering and fruiting trees and bushes, creating an inviting environment for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. These gardens serve as a tranquil setting for observing smaller bird species and enjoying the vibrant flora.

In the afternoon, your bird watching continues. Depending on the species you want to see, you and your guide may continue exploring additional trails, revisiting favorite spots, or return to the restaurant deck to see which species return to the feeders.

Mammals: Mantled Howler Monkeys and Central American Spider Monkeys are quite common around the lodge as are the White-nosed Coatis. Also watch for Tamanduas, Agoutis, armadillos, various bat species, and Opossum species. There is a “resident” Ocelot who can be seen prowling the forest as well.

More about the Lodge and La Fortuna

The town of La Fortuna is home to the majestic Arenal Volcano. This perfect cone volcano casts an imposing backdrop to the small town and surrounding farmlands. The Caribbean Foothills, with pre-montane forest, primary tropical rainforest, secondary forest, and pasture lands assures that birders and photographers will have an amazing experience observing many bird species and getting the top shots of their trip. A stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge is a must.

The lodge was formerly the research for The Smithsonian Institute. It now serves as a comfortable lodge for birders, photographers, and nature lovers. With an 870 acre private reserve, guests can expect to see an extremely wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects.