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…

Quick Facts on Las Cruces Biological Station
- Type of Location
- Habitat
  Rainforest, Botanical Garden, Secondary Forest, Open Areas
- Commonly Seen Bird Species
  Turquoise Cotinga, White-crested Coquette, White-throated Thrush, Speckled Tanager, Crested Oropendola, Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Dot-winged Antwren, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Marbled Wood-Quail, Orange-collared Manakin, Baird’s Trogon, Elegant Euphonia, Collared Forest-Falcon, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Rufous-tailed Jacamar

What to Expect During Your Stay at the Las Cruces Biological Station...

Rooms and Amenities

Accommodations are simple but comfortable, designed for researchers, students, and nature travelers. Rooms include private bathrooms, hot water, and fans. While the station is not a luxury lodge, it offers clean, well-maintained facilities. Meals are served buffet-style in the dining hall and include a mix of Costa Rican and international dishes. Vegetarian and other dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Birding on the Property

The station is home to the Wilson Botanical Garden, a world-class collection of tropical plants that attracts an exceptional variety of birds. Several kilometers of trails lead through forest, gardens, and secondary growth, providing excellent birding and photography opportunities. Observation decks and garden overlooks allow for relaxed viewing.

Other Activities Available

Guests can join guided tours of the botanical garden, take night walks in search of frogs and nocturnal mammals, or visit cultural attractions in nearby San Vito.

Las Cruces Biological Station

Travel & Logistics

Conservation Initiatives
Managed by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), Las Cruces is dedicated to tropical research, conservation, and education. The station actively restores degraded land, protects native forest, and supports environmental education programs in local schools.
How to Get There
Las Cruces is about 6 km from San Vito, reached via paved and gravel roads. It is accessible year-round by regular vehicle.
Seasonal Notes
Birding is productive year-round. The dry season (Dec–Apr) offers sunnier conditions and better trail access, while the green season (Aug–Nov) brings more flowering and fruiting, attracting frugivores such as the Turquoise Cotinga.
Best Times to Visit
December–April for the driest weather and best trail conditions. May–July and August–November can be wetter but offer excellent bird activity, especially for frugivores and mixed flocks.

A Few More Notes on 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.