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The Best Bird-Watching
Observing Oropendola and Blue-Crowned Motmot at Parque del Este: A boon for city bird-watchers, this San José park rambles through a collection of lawns, planted gardens, and harvested forest, but it also includes second-growth scrub and dense woodland. Oropendola and blue-crowned motmot are common species here. Take the San Ramón/Parque del Este bus from Calle 9 between Avenida Central and Avenida 2.
Spotting Hundreds of Marsh and Stream Birds along the Río Tempisque Basin: Hike around the Palo Verde Biological Station, or take a boat trip down the Bebedero River with Swiss Travel Services (tel. 282-4898; www.swisstravelcr.com) or Safaris Corobicí (tel. 669-6191; www.nicoya.com). This area is an important breeding ground for gallinules, jacanas, and limpkins, and is a common habitat for numerous heron and kingfisher species. Palo Verde is about a 3 1/2-hour drive from San José.
Looking for 300-plus Species of Birds in La Selva Biological Station: With an excellent trail system through a variety of habitats, from dense primary rainforest to open pasturelands and cacao plantations, this is one of the finest places for bird-watching in Costa Rica. With such a variety of habitats, the number of species spotted runs to well over 300.
Sizing Up a Jabiru Stork at Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge: Caño Negro Lake and the Río Frío that feeds it are incredibly rich in wildlife and a major nesting and gathering site for aquatic bird species. These massive birds are getting less common in Costa Rica, but this is still one of the best places to spot one. Caño Negro Natural Lodge (tel. 265-3302; www.canonegrolodge.com) sits right on the edge of the refuge and makes a great base for exploring this region.
Catching a Scarlet Macaw in Flight over Carara National Park: Home to Costa Rica's largest population of scarlet macaws, Carara Biological Reserve is a special place for devoted bird-watchers and recent converts. Macaws are noisy and colorful birds that spend their days in the park but choose to roost in the evenings near the coast. They arrive like clockwork every morning and then head for the coastal mangroves around dusk. These daily migrations give birders a great chance to see these magnificent birds in flight. The reserve is located about 2 hours from San José along the central Pacific coast.
Looking for a Resplendent Quetzal in the Cerro de la Muerte: Don't let the name (Hill of Death) scare you away from the opportunity to see this spectacular bird, revered by the ancient Aztecs and Mayas. Serious bird-watchers won't want to leave Costa Rica without crossing this bird off their lists, and neophytes might be hooked for life after seeing one of these iridescent green wonders fly overhead, flashing its brilliant red breast and trailing 2-foot-long tail feathers. Trogon Lodge (tel. 293-8181; www.grupomawamba.com) can almost guarantee a sighting. The Cerro de la Muerte is a high mountain pass along the way to San Isidro de El General about 1 1/2 hours from San José.
Spotting Hundreds of Species at Wilson Botanical Gardens: With more than 7,000 species of tropical plants and flowers, the well-tended trails and grounds of this beautiful research facility are fabulous for bird-watching. Hummingbirds and tanagers are particularly plentiful, but the bounty doesn't end there -- more than 330 different species of birds have been recorded here. Wilson Gardens is located about an hour outside the town of Golfito.
Taking Advantage of the Caribbean's Best Birding at Aviarios del Caribe: In just a few short years, Aviarios del Caribe (tel. 750-0775) has established itself as the prime bird-watching resort on the Caribbean. If it flies along this coast, chances are good that you'll spot it here; more than 330 species of birds have been spotted so far. Located on the Caribbean coast, Aviarios del Caribe is about a 3-hour drive from San José.
Maps
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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