As featured in Forbes
Birding Tours by Costa Rica Focus, Local Bird Watching Experts

Five Costa Rica Bird Watching Trips You Must Take

Costa Rica’s bird watching trips are one of many reasons why foreigners choose this amazing green country to visit. One of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, Costa Rica is home to more than 900 bird species within a relatively compact area roughly the size of Lake Michigan. Its rich ecosystems and well-protected reserves make it one of the world’s premier destinations for birdwatching.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, Costa Rica offers incredible opportunities to observe both iconic and rare species in stunning natural settings. From cloud forests and coastal wetlands to tropical lowland rainforests, the diversity of habitats supports an unmatched concentration of birdlife. It one of the best tourist destination for bird watchers.

Below we highlight five must-visit birding hotspots that showcase the best of what Costa Rica has to offer. You’ll also find details about our expertly guided multi-day tours designed to take you deep into the country’s top birding regions.

Get ready to explore some of the most vibrant and rewarding birding experiences in Central America.

1. Wilson Botanical Garden and Las Cruces Biological Station

Located near San Vito in southern Costa Rica, Wilson Botanical Garden is part of the Las Cruces Biological Station, one of the country’s premier centers for tropical research and biodiversity. The garden spans 12 hectares and is surrounded by over 250 hectares of protected forest, creating a rich environment for birdlife.

With one of the most extensive collections of tropical plants in Central America—including palms, bromeliads, and heliconias—the garden attracts a wide range of species such as hummingbirds, flycatchers, and tanagers. Visitors can enjoy scenic trails and birding right from the garden paths, making it an excellent destination for birders and nature lovers alike.

2. Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge

Tucked away in the Caribbean lowlands near the Nicaraguan border, Caño Negro is one of Costa Rica’s top birding destinations, especially for wetland and migratory species. The refuge protects a seasonal floodplain, including swamps, lagoons, and the Río Frío, providing critical habitat for nesting and resting birds.

Species highlights include Snail Kites, Glossy Ibis, Anhinga, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, and various kingfishers, herons, and ducks. Boat tours through the wetlands are the best way to explore the area and observe its remarkable biodiversity up close.

3. Talamanca Highlands

The Talamanca Highlands is one of the best places to encounter Costa Rica’s highland / cloud forest endemics. Sitting at elevations over 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet), this cloud forest ecosystem is cool, misty, and filled with spectacular birdlife.

It’s one of the most reliable places to see the Resplendent Quetzal, as well as hummingbird species like the Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, and Talamanca Hummingbird. Other highlights include Black-and-Yellow Silky-Flycatcher, Sooty Thrush, and Flame-Throated Warbler. This region, with San Gerardo de Dota being the top area, is paradise for bird watchers and bird photographers

Photo: Talamanca Mountains

4. Río Tempisque and Palo Verde National Park

The Río Tempisque, running through Palo Verde National Park, is a haven for wetland and aquatic bird species. This region offers some of the best boat-based birding in Costa Rica, particularly along the Bebedero River, where expansive marshes and gallery forests attract hundreds of species. Several mangrove sites, salt ponds and coastal habitats round out this productive region.

Birders can expect to see Roseate Spoonbills, Jabiru Storks, Jacanas, Limpkins, Gallinules, and multiple species of herons, egrets, and kingfishers. The park is also an important habitat for migratory waterbirds and waders during the dry season.

5. Carara National Park

Located on the Central Pacific coast just a short drive from San José, Carara National Park is one of the most accessible and ecologically diverse parks in Costa Rica, and often a A favorite among the country’s bird watching destinations. Positioned at the intersection of tropical dry forest and humid rainforest, Carara is a transitional zone that supports a rich mix of wildlife.

It’s one of the best places to see Scarlet Macaws in the wild, along with species like the Gartered Trogon, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Great Tinamou, Slaty-tailed Trogon, and Bare-throated Tiger-Heron. The park’s well-maintained trails and boardwalks make it a favorite for birders and photographers.

These five locations represent just a sample of world-class birding Costa Rica sites.

Other top destinations include Monteverde Cloud Forest, La Selva Biological Station in Sarapiquí, The Osa Peninsula, and the Arenal region, each offering its own unique habitats and iconic species. With more than 900 bird species across the country, Costa Rica remains a dream destination for birders and nature travelers from around the world.