Welcome to the Pura Vida Birding Nation
Costa Rica is one of the world’s premier birdwatching destinations. Although it occupies just 0.03% of the Earth’s land surface, this small Central American nation protects nearly 6% of the planet’s biodiversity and hosts more than 940 bird species, making it one of the richest countries on Earth for birds.
Situated between North and South America and bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica lies at the crossroads of two continents and two oceans. This privileged location, together with dramatic changes in elevation—from sea level to nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 ft)—creates an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems within remarkably short travel distances.
Birders can explore lush Caribbean rainforests, tropical dry forests, cloud forests, volcanic landscapes, wetlands, mangroves, oak forests, páramo, offshore islands, and pelagic waters, often traveling between completely different habitats in just a few hours.
The Costa Rica Birding Hotspots Route brings together the country’s finest birding destinations into a single network of outstanding lodges, reserves, national parks, local guides, and community-based tourism experiences. Whether your goal is photographing hummingbirds, finding regional endemics, witnessing spectacular migrations, exploring pristine rainforests, or enjoying a relaxed birding holiday, Costa Rica offers unforgettable experiences throughout the year.
Costa Rica Birding Ecozones
The Birding Hotspots Route is organized into seven major birding ecozones, each representing a distinct combination of climate, habitats, bird communities, and flagship species.
Caribbean Lowlands
The Realm of the Tropical Rainforest: The Caribbean Lowlands are home to Costa Rica’s richest birding ecosystem—the tropical rainforest. Stretching from sea level to approximately 600 meters, this ecozone receives over 4,000 mm (160 inches) of annual rainfall and supports more than 600 bird species, the highest diversity of any region in the country. The landscape includes vast rainforests, flooded forests, wetlands, rivers, lagoons, and coastal canals, making it one of the finest destinations in the Neotropics for lowland birding.
Signature hotspots: Sarapiquí, Boca Tapada, La Fortuna – Arenal, Tortuguero, Barra del Colorado, Caño Negro, Bananito, Kéköldi-Sixaola.
Highlights: Great Green Macaw, Great Curassow, Agami Heron, Sungrebe, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, King Vulture, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Lovely Cotinga.
Caribbean Foothills
Hummingbirds, Antpittas and Middle-Elevation Jewels: Between 600 and 1,500 meters, the Caribbean foothills combine rainforest with cloud forest influences, producing one of the richest concentrations of hummingbirds and mixed-species flocks in Central America. These forests are famous for colorful tanagers, woodcreepers, antbirds, and regional specialties, making them a favorite among experienced birders.
Signature hotspots: Miravalles–Tenorio, Pocosol, Bajos del Toro, Cinchona & Virgen del Socorro, Braulio Carrillo Foothills, Turrialba, Hitoy Cerere.
Highlights: Snowcap, Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Black-crested Coquette, Sharpbill, Lattice-tailed Trogon, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, White-bellied Mountain-gem.