Talamanca Highlands Paramo

Cerro de la Muerte

The páramo of Cerro de la Muerte represents the northernmost páramo ecosystem in the world, offering birders a rare opportunity to explore this unique high-altitude habitat within Costa Rica. Found above 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) and rising to 3,491 meters (11,453 feet), the páramo is a windswept landscape dominated by dwarf bamboo, grasses, and colorful alpine wildflowers such as Indian Paintbrushes, Asters, and Lupines.

There are only two places in Costa Rica where birders can reliably search for páramo-specialist species, and Cerro de la Muerte is by far the most accessible and rewarding. This stark yet beautiful landscape is home to a suite of range-restricted birds adapted to the cool, oxygen-thin environment—species that can’t be found in any other habitat in the country. 

Target Species:

Volcano Junco, Volcano Hummingbird, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Timberline Wren, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, Peg-billed Finch, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Black-capped Flycatcher, Barred Becard, Large-Footed Finch, Sooty Thrush, Maroon-chested Ground-Dove, Slaty Finch, Band-Tailed Pigeon, Talamanca Hummingbird, Ruddy Treeruner, Yellow-winged Vireo, Mountain Thrush, Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher, Long Tailed Silky Flycatcher, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, Yellow Thighed Brushfinch, Flame Throated Warbler, Collared Redstart, Volcano Junco and more.