Cinchona Feeders & Trails

Cinchona Feeders – Iconic Bird Watching in Costa Rica’s Highlands

Perched along the scenic mountain route between Varablanca and Sarapiquí, the Cinchona Feeders, also known as the Mirador San Fernando—offer a rewarding bird watching stop in Costa Rica.

This humble, family-run café sits on the edge of a lush valley, with panoramic views of forested slopes and a distant waterfall, creating a spectacular natural backdrop for viewing birds.

Dozens of strategically placed feeders attract a vibrant cast of species, including tanagers, barbets, toucanets, and a variety of hummingbirds—many just feet from your binoculars. Frequent visitors include the Crimson-collared Tanager, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Prong-billed Barbet, Red-Headed Barbet and Green-crowned Brilliant. The café’s balcony offers shelter from the rain and ideal angles for eye-level viewing, making it a favorite for both serious and casual birders alike.

In addition to the feeder action, short trails near the café provide chances to spot additional highland species in the surrounding forest. Accessibility is easy, with no hiking required, and the site is welcoming to all levels of bird watchers. Whether you’re stopping for a quick coffee or spending time adding species to your life list, Cinchona delivers an unforgettable glimpse of Costa Rica’s highland birdlife.

Target Species:

Emerald Toucanet, Red-Headed Barbet, Prong-billed Barbet, Blue-gray Tanager, Scarlet Rumped Tanager, Rufous Tailed Hummingbird, Coppery-Headed Emerald, Tennessee Warbler, Green Thorntail, Black Vulture, Black-bellied Hummingbird, White-Bellied Mountain Gem, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Turkey Vulture, Brown Violetear, Melodious Blackbird, Summer Tanager, Gray-breasted Wood Wren, Slate-throated Redstart, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Common-Tody Flycatcher, Lesser Violetear, Great Kiskadee, Blackburnian Warbler, Purple-throated Mountain Gem, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Black-headed Saltator, Black and White Warbler, White-collared Swift, Bay-headed Tanager, Slaty-backed Nightingale Thrush, Yellow Winged Tanager, Tropical Parula, Tropical Kingbird, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Black Guan, Green Hermit, Bat Falcon and many more.