Top Central Valley Bird Watching

Step into one of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary birding destinations. In the heart of Braulio Carrillo, this private protected reserve—recognized by the National Audubon Society—offers a rare chance to spot over 400 bird species in one place. Walk through lush rainforest trails, soar quietly above the treetops on the Aerial Tram, and follow an expert naturalist who knows exactly where the most majestic and elusive birds hide. It’s the kind of birdwatching experience you can’t find anywhere else. - One of Costa Rica’s most iconic birdwatching hotspots - National Audubon Society–recognized reserve - 400 plus bird species in a pristine rainforest environment - Aerial Tram ride for incredible canopy views and bird spotting - Led by an expert naturalist guide - Peaceful trails surrounded by rich biodiversity - A unique chance to see rare, colorful, and high-altitude species

Feel the adrenaline rush of soaring over 11 different waterfalls on this Costa Rican canopy tour. Enjoy stunning views over the ocean, mountains, and rainforest on 18 zipline cables. Challenge yourself by tackling two rappelling maneuvers and a swing over a hanging bridge, then cool off with a refreshing dip in a waterfall.

Explore a protected primary forest near La Fortuna on a guided wildlife tour focused on Costa Rica’s native species. Led by a guide, the experience combines nature, education, and wildlife spotting in an environment that has remained largely untouched by development. The tour offers a high chance of seeing sloths in their natural habitat, along with exotic birds, frogs, and other rainforest wildlife, while giving visitors time to take photographs throughout the experience.

The best views of the cloud forest near Monteverde are undoubtedly from above—if you can get high enough. On this easy tour, take a guided nature walk along hanging bridges through the forest canopy in search of wildlife and beautiful plants. Follow your naturalist guide carrying professional optical equipment to the best viewpoints for observing the rich biodiversity, including orchids, epiphytes, and seasonal birds like the Resplendent Quetzal and Black-faced Solitaire.

This experience stands out by offering kayaking down the Peñas Blancas River and transportation from Fortuna. Get picked up in La Fortuna and make the 30-minute drive to La Perla near the Peñas Blancas River. After a restroom break and safety briefing, kayak along the river known as one of Costa Rica’s kayaking and rafting gems, spotting animals such as monkeys, sloths, caimans, iguanas, and various birds along the way.

Book your unique experience in our comprehensive estate! Enjoy a tour full of nature, sustainability and organic practices, guided by Daniel Vega. The person who books the tour can learn by doing on agriculture, accompanied by a beautiful landscape formed by incredible flora and fauna

Puma Trek offers a more intimate and peaceful experience in the Arenal rainforest. Unlike more crowded trails, the tour takes place within a private reserve surrounded by primary forest, allowing a closer connection to nature and greater opportunities to observe fauna and birds in their natural environment.

Explore the Costa Rican capital’s rich history, landmark buildings, and modern culture on a combo bus and walking tour of San Jose. Get a great introduction to city highlights like the National Theater and Art Museum, and stop to walk through bustling markets and public plazas to feel the pulse of this modern Central American metropolis. Get an extra boost of Costa Rican culture by listening to traditional folkloric music onboard the bus.

Combine two of the top outdoor rainforest activities in Costa Rica with this full-day day tour. After pickup from La Fortuna in a minivan, head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges—two miles (3.2 kilometers) of raised walking platforms designed for viewing wildlife in the rainforest canopy and below. After walking the bridges, visit La Fortuna Waterfall, swim in the La Fortuna River, and have a restaurant lunch before returning to La Fortuna.

This experience stands out by offering kayaking down the Peñas Blancas River and a 75-minute Swedish Massage. Get picked up in La Fortuna and make the 30-minute drive to La Perla near the Peñas Blancas River. After a restroom break and safety briefing, kayak or raft down the river known as one of Costa Rica’s white-water gems. After spending a few hours on the river, you’re taken back to La Fortuna for a 75-minute Swedish massage.

This sampler adventure tour from San Jose fits the best of Costa Rica's rivers and rainforests into one action-packed day. En route, go croc-spotting at a famous overlook on the Tarcoles River. Then head to the jungle adventure park where you can choose two activities from a list of thrilling options, including ziplining, horseback riding, surfing lessons, an ATV adventure, and a mountain bike tour.

La Fortuna area is a privileged location to spot birds, not only in Costa Rica but in the Americas. Due to its topography, surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes and different kinds of forests in such a small area, turn La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano in a paradise for those who love birds. Birds are more active early in the morning and in the late afternoon, as the day cools into evening. Join us for a guided walk into our Park for an amazing display of tropical birds. You will have the opportunity to see toucans, parrots, oropendolas, wild turkeys, colorful tanagers, parakeets and many more species in their natural environment. For the more experienced birdwatcher, we can focus on those special treasures and uncommon species. We will tailor the tour for you. We will wrap up the tour by listing and discussing the birds we have seen.

Go birdwatching in the Curi-Cancha Reserve in the Monteverde Cloud Forest on a half-day tour led by a naturalist guide and spot more than you would going alone. Look out for resplendent quetzals, silvery-fronted tapaculo, toucans, hummingbirds, and more—identify up to 60 species. Enjoy exploring the mountainous forest trails without the risk of getting lost. Monteverde-area transfers can be provided for an extra fee.

What distinguishes this experience in Slothland is its combination of nature, conservation and tradition in an authentic tourist experience. More than a tour, it is the opportunity to enter a natural sanctuary where the sloth and other species are observed in freedom, within a protected and completely natural environment. Every encounter becomes a genuine and unforgettable moment. In the middle of a lush tropical rainforest, you will discover one of Costa Rica’s most fascinating ecosystems, surrounded by biodiversity and unique landscapes. The experience is complemented by a sensory experience of coffee and chocolate, where you will meet artisan processes, actively participate and taste flavors that reflect the cultural richness of the region. Adventure, learning and real connection with nature make this activity a unique experience in Costa Rica.

There are more ways to explore Costa Rica’s spectacular nature than roughing it on foot—with this tour, you’ll get to wander Turrialba’s bucolic coffee and sugarcane plantations on horseback. Following your local guide, you and a small group will trot across volcanic slopes, admiring the flora and fauna of this rich, verdant region. It’s a taste of Pura Vida, indeed.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Tortuguero National Park with this two-day, one-night package. You'll travel from San Jose to the park, driving through the Braulio Carrillo National Park and Biosphere Reserve along the way. You'll then make your way out to Caño Blanco, where you'll take a boat out to your overnight destination, Pachira Lodge, right in the heart of the national park.

Our tour aims to convey a different message to the community, particularly those solely dedicated to agriculture. While agriculture is crucial for Costa Ricans' livelihoods, it's often forgotten that cultivating crops requires sacrificing the forest, which serves as the habitat for many species. On the way to our property, you'll notice vast plains where the forest has been cleared for agriculture. However, our company has partnered with a family of farmers committed to preserving the forest, spanning 60,000 square meters. In this way, our company supports this forest by paying daily entrance fees. Thus, we help this family continue to maintain the forest intact, providing a home for many animals.

It is an activity where you will enjoy a real experience of what it is to work on a coffee farm, where you will share with the collectors and the owner, you will be able to feel what a collector feels in his daily work, you will be able to carry out other activities adjacent to coffee production such as it is fertilizing, weeding, spraying etc. It is a unique and 100% real experience. Also, if they wish, they can have breakfast or lunch on the farm and also have the opportunity to see a great diversity of birds and our river with the waterfall.

Explore three of Costa Rica’s natural highlights on an easy small-group day tour from La Fortuna. Nature-loving travelers who are short on time will love walking over the hanging bridges, hiking to Arenal Volcano, and swimming at La Fortuna Waterfall all in one day. Admire impressive views throughout the day and learn more about Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity from your guide.

If you are a fan of birds, you are in the right place to take a tour, in Costa Rica we have a wide diversity of birds with an approximate of 924 birds in the national territory, due to the different micro-habitats and diversity in flora, it favors us to have the opportunity to see different species

This activity is an interpretation of the forest while we spot wildlife as much as we can with the help of your experimented, certified tour guide (Local & Naturalist) with profesional equipment and interesting information to share with you about the rain forest as we together spot sloth, birds, amphibians, insects and reptiles making this tour interesting. Also, you do not need to be a profesional photographer, our guide will assist you on getting the best angle for the best picture and making this experience unforgettable.

This experience combines moderate hiking, wildlife watching and rainforest exploration within one of Costa Rica’s most renowned trails. What really makes the difference is the accompaniment of a local naturalist guide, specializing in locating fauna that normally goes unnoticed by most visitors. During the tour, travelers can observe sloths, toucans, monkeys, frogs and many other species using ground-based telescopes and professional observation techniques. The pace of the hike is relaxed and adapted to the group, allowing you to enjoy both the suspension bridges and landscapes and the small details of the tropical ecosystem. The experience offers an excellent balance between nature, photography, environmental education and panoramic views near Arenal Volcano.

See the vast diversity of Costa Rica on a 3-day tour that includes hiking at Arenal Volcano, exploring the Monteverde cloud forest, and enjoying the tropical white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. This expertly organized all-inclusive tour covers all of your transportation and accommodations, so busy travelers can maximize their time and not worry about any of the logistics.