Bird watching in Costa Rica is a lot of fun. There are so many different birds in Costa Rica and if you are an avid bird watcher this place is ideal for a vacation. There are many various bird watching tours available in different areas Costa Rica. It is definitely an exciting time viewing this species while amidst breathtaking and spectacular scenery.
Birds Costa Rica Watching Tours – Where To Go
When going bird watching in Costa Rica, you should know where to go in order to see these feathered friends. Bird viewing can be done anywhere in Costa Rica, from the mountains to the lowlands. Many of the national parks such as Manuel Antonio have bird watching tours and special places to view them from. Using Manuel Antonia as an example there are 270 species of bird that reside in this park. Birds such as Scarlet Rumped Tanagers and Fiery Billed Aracari are just two of the birds that you may find in this particular National Park site. Tours can even be customized depending upon your location and the exact bird species you want to see.
Places To Bird Watch
Bird watching in Costa Rica is an excellent activity to indulge in when you are in this region. You can visit the Bosque de Paz Cloud Forest Lodge and Preserve. This is one of the best places to watch birds. Another place to watch birds is the Cano Negro Wildlife Sanctuary which is located on the northern slope of the Caribbean and birds such as Tiger Heron and Great Potoo are usually spotted here. OTS La Selva Biological Station is located in the Caribbean low lands and is a tropical biology research facility. You can see birds such as the Great Tinamou and Purple Throated Fruitcrow here. The Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge is another popular spot for bird watching as it hosts over 350 bird species. The area extends to about 330 hectares of land. But bird watching in Costa Rica is not limited to reserves, you will find bird watchers throng to forests, river banks, seashores, wetlands, pastures and even open plantations.
Bird Watching Hotels – Where To Stay
When bird watching in Costa Rica, ensure that you stay close to a venue that is frequented by exotic birds. Here are some hotels and the services that they provide to bird watchers. EcoLodge is a good choice when considering accommodation. They have canopy tours, horseback riding and are surrounded by private reserves which are excellent for bird watching. Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge and Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge Hotel are also great choices as it keeps you close to nature. You can even hire a guide to help you spot the different varieties of birds around. Other choices include Laguna Lodge, Hotel Belmar, La Selva Biological Station, Rancho La Merced, Villa Lapas Hotel and Fonda Vela Hotel.
Main regions for Birding
Popular places for birding in the Highlands include Cerro Chirripó, Cerro de la Muerte, Volcanoes and Parque La Amistad. In the Littoral of the Caribbean, famous birding locations are San Carlos Flat Lands, Sarapiqui, Caño Negro and Turrialba. In the North Pacific it is Península de Nicoya, Guanacaste, North Puntarenas and Monteverde. In the South Pacific it is Uvita, Dominical, Drake Bay, Carara, San Vito and Valle de El General. Finally in the Central Valley birding locations include San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Metropolitan Area and Cartago.
Different varieties of birds
Bird watching in Costa Rica is a wonderful experience as there are so many varieties of birds to spot. Some of the birds, depending upon where you are in Costa Rica include the following species: Roseate Spoonbill, Great Potoo, Purple throated Fruitcrow, Toucans, Crested Guans, Scarlet Macaws, Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher, Fiery Billed Aracari, Black Bellied Wren, Emerald Toucanets, White Lipped Peccaries, 15 different types of Hummingbird, Snowy Egret, Blue Winged Teal, Snowcap, Sharpbill, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, White Ibis and many more. Near the water you will find whimbrels, phalaropes, sanderlings, sandpipers, frigatebirds and pelicans. Remember when bird watching in Costa Rica you will find plenty of variety in size, shape and color! So just pack your bags and head to this great location to experience the best of God’s creation!
