Custom Bird Watching Tours Designed by Local Experts
Costa Rica Focus designs Costa Rica birding tours and bird photography tours to all the top birding destinations in Costa Rica as well as throughout Central and South America. We offer custom tours as well as guided group tours (see the differences).
We work with the best bird watching lodges and hotels in the country, provide all your transportation to the different locations, and arrange fully guided or unguided birding tours. If you are interested in joining a scheduled group birding trip, click here to see our group options.
Our expert knowledge and local experience will help create the perfect Costa Rica bird watching tour for you. Explore our sample birding & bird photography tours below or contact us if you would like assistance in customizing your upcoming birding or bird photography tour.
Choosing your bird watching trip to Costa Rica can be as tough as counting species in a mixed flock. Lots of companies, lots of choices. We want you to travel the way you want to. It’s your adventure and we’re your personal Costa Rica bird guides, helping you maneuver through all the information and choices that will come your way as you begin researching your bird watching or bird photography vacation to Costa Rica.
It is easy for us to relate to your travel needs because we’ve traveled just like you have. We have carried binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras. We have stayed in simple birding lodges, with no electricity, and lumpy pillows and we’ve pampered ourselves in deluxe ecolodges, overlooking lush gardens. Regardless of the type of trip you’re looking for, we’ll make sure of one thing; the BIRDS. As we live here in Costa Rica, THE bird watchers and photographers paradise, and as we are avid bird watchers ourselves, we will make sure you visit the best photography and birding spots in Costa Rica.
Whether you are looking for an intense bird watching adventure, life list in hand, want an easy-paced exploration of the top species of Costa Rica, or want to photograph the birds of Costa Rica, we’ll help you plan by providing friendly, professional service. If you are interested in other destinations, let us know, we offer birding and photography vacations throughout Latin America.
My wife and I joined a small group, we were 5 in total. Everything was perfectly well organized. Our guide, Minor, was fantastic. He was always ready to help and accomodate us. He also has a fantastic knowledge of wildlife and where to find it. We went to the mountains, Tortuguero in the rain forest and to the slopes of the Arenal volcano. Exotic places, fantastic views and hundreds of species of birds.
I would recommend Costa Rica focus without hesitation.
This was a fantastic 9 day birding/wildlife tour of Costa Rica. We are in our 60’s and chose to do a private tour because it provided the flexibility we needed do to our physical limitations. Our travel planner Adriana created an itinerary based on what we wanted to see and the luxury accommodations we required. We preferred to spend at least two nights at each location to assure we could see the wildlife without having to rush. Our transportation was in a new air conditioned SUV which was very comfortable on the winding mountain roads. Our guide Johan was absolutely the best! We were able to see all the species we requested and many more. We photographed over 100 bird “lifers” as well as iguanas, sloths, frogs, and snakes. He not only knows where to find them but he is also a photographer so he helped to assure we got the best lighting and backgrounds. An added bonus is that he logs every bird into a daily log on eBird so you know where and when you photographed each. I highly recommend the team at Costa Rica Focus! Someone was always available to answer any questions and they followed up with us throughout the trip to assure we were satisfied.
When we booked this we knew nothing about the company and we were a little nervous about what we would be getting. We put some preliminary questions, like “will meals be a fixed menu, or free choice a la carte”. We also worried about whether the guide would be personable, knowledgeable, and with good language ability, etc.
It turned out that not only were these worries unfounded, but we had lucked into a far more generous, efficient, knowledgeable, and exciting company than we could have possibly imagined.
Every last part of this tour was super, and we don’t say that lightly. To begin, of course, the locations were mind blowing, and the birding was great. But then there was the personality, knowledge, and language ability of our guide and of the driver – both great people, and we fell in love with them immediately. And they and the company behind them had really thought of everything. There was never the slightest glitch or problem. To boot, the accommodations were to us first rate, and the food wonderful, and basically unlimited. …
Now, as we are going through our photos, we are impressed over again with every single last bit of this experience. It’s a cliché to say we could not recommend Costa Rica Focus highly enough, but that is exactly the case.
A special parting word about our guide, Alex C. Costa Rica Focus has many guides, but of course we only know about Alex. If in life you can meet a kung fu master or a violin master, or someone who has mastered any field, then it is inspiring. Alex is one of these. He could look in a forest and identify birds we could not even see, often even when he indicated them with his laser pointer. In addition he had a great knowledge of Costa Rican history, geography, culture, and politics, that he shared with great clarity. If Alex is any indication, then the guide you get with Costa Rica Focus is going to be good.
We just completed a 14-day bird photography tour with Costa Rica Focus and the experience was fantastic from start to finish. The level of client commitment and personalized service was outstanding. We have taken many bird tours with both large international companies and small local ones in South America, Tanzania, Central America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada. Without question, Costa Rica Focus is by far the best company we have worked with. Jess was a pleasure to deal with. Her response time was nearly instantaneous; she answered all our questions, and helped us design a private tour that exactly fit our needs. The lodgings she chose were superb and provided us with wonderful birds right outside our bedroom door.
She kept in contact with us before during and after the tour and there wasn’t a moment during the entire tour that we didn’t feel well looked after. Our guide, Eric, was exceptional. His knowledge of Costa Rica birds is phenomenal. He was a wizard at finding birds and getting us great looks and photographs, even in some difficult dark jungle environments. We have gone on bird tours before and come home with a huge bird list only to ask ourselves when going over the list, “did we really see that bird?” Not so with Eric. He was unbelievably talented at getting us great looks at nearly every bird. We had an extremely high ratio of photos per bird encounter. He is also an outstanding photographer and provided tremendous photographic advice to help us get the best photographs possible. The trip was a perfect balance of serious birding and bird photography. Never once did we feel rushed. Eric answered every question with knowledge and grace. He even politely allowed my wife to practice her rudimentary Spanish throughout the tour.
This was our first birding trip to Costa Rica. Many friends had expressed what a great place this is. We had high expectations for our trip and Costa Rica Focus was a perfect facilitator. They designed an independent travel package as we don’t like touring in groups. Very detailed information and planning. Listened to what our desires were. Connected us with great accommodations, drivers who are timely and knowledgeable, birding guides who are knowledgeable and personable. The whole experience was top notch and fun! Met so many folks along the way who were charming. And the BIRDS! Oh my what a beautiful treat. Want to go back again and would only consider working with all the folks at Costa Rica Focus. Jess was so helpful and in constant contact. Thank you so much. Pura Vida!
In pursuit of the Resplendent Quetzal, snow capped hummingbird, sunbittern, and turquoise browed motmot and many other endemics. By luck I had connected with Costa Rica focus and together with our representative Sven Watson he formulated a 12 day independent tour catering to our wishes and my friends walking limitations. I desired to spend time at Hotel Bougainvillea, Rancho Naturalista, Trogan Lodge, Cerro lodge, and Villa San Ignacio. It was a seamless well organized itinerary. We explored each lodge and were captivated by all its beauty not to mention the magnitude of birds we stumbled across. We had no worries. We were communicating via WhatsApp and had a new representative Adriana, who ensured we were completely satisfied with our lodging and tour at all times.
It was incredible to have a wonderful contact available 24/7. A testament to the company’s customer service. Navigating the country was all pre-arranged with drivers scheduled to pick us up and transport us to the next lodge. All drivers were early friendly and most accommodating. We had scheduled guides special mention to Mercedes, Raul and Wilky who were personable and a wealth of knowledge and each found us our target birds. It was a most memorable trip, I was able to share with my friend Marilyn on her very first trip to Costa Rica my third. Costa Rica’s focus exceeded our expectations and we felt completely well taken care of. Costa Rica is a bird watcher’s dream destination. In future I wouldn’t hesitate to schedule a tour with this company they excel in delivering an amazing itinerary
Joan and company were excellent by being so responsive, attentive, cooperative with making adjustments and extremely helpful at navigating our way around the country of Costa Rica.
They had great connections with the locals and we got to know the people as well as the wildlife and the countryside. Our nature guides were top notch as well as our drivers. Very knowledgeable and patient (traffic and roads can be crazy at times).
We always felt remembered each day as they checked in with us and them with us. The app is fantastic for knowing what was up each day. Highly recommend!
I went on the A Quest for the Agami Heron in June of 2023 and have meant to write a review since then. I am going with better late than never. My cousin talked me into going with her and insisted I take her camera. I could not get a picture for three days that I could even see but on the third day magic happened and my life changed. From the moment I walked out of the airport to the moment they dropped me back off everything was taken care of. Our guide, Minor, and our driver, Victor, took care of us and were an amazing team to get us to very unique hotels, wonderful restaurants and to birds I never knew existed. Resplendent Quetzels, Sunbitterns, and Agami Herons were some of my favorites. We saw baby turtles released into the sea and all cried together when they made it. We built friendships through our experiences that were real and lead to another one this summer and a reserved one for next year. I highly recommend Costa Rica Focus. 5+ out of 5 stars.
| Feature | Privately Guided Tour | Scheduled Group Tour | Independent Tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Type | Custom | Pre-scheduled | Custom |
| Guide Availability | Dedicated Guide from arrival to departure | Dedicated Guide from arrival to departure | Local guides for specific excursions only |
| Transportation | Guide as driver (small groups) or separate driver (larger groups) | Most include dedicated driver | Private transfers |
| Birding Flexibility | Maximum flexibility, guide available at all times | Flexible within group schedule | Limited to scheduled excursions |
| Species Count | Highest (approximately double other tours) | High (approximately double independent tours) | Good, but lower than guided tours |
| Birding Style | Matches guests' pace and intensity | Matches group's pace and intensity | Self-paced with scheduled guided excursions |
| Tour Dates | Fully Flexible | Fixed departure dates | Fully Flexible |
| Additional Activities | Can be added to customized tour | Not Flexible | Fully Flexible |
| Private Airport Pickup | Included | Included | Included |
| Impromptu Stops | Unlimited | Based on group consensus | Not included |
| Meals Included | All meals (B/L/D) | Usually all meals | Breakfast Only |
| Official Birding Checklist | Included | Usually included | Not included |
| Daily Species Recap | Included | Included | Not included |
| 24/7 In-country Assistance | Included | Included | Included |
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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