Top Costa Rica Bird Watching in 2026

Explore the tropical forest surrounding Arenal Volcano on a self-guided visit with three trails ranging from easy to challenging. Choose a route that matches your preferred level of activity while taking in panoramic views and volcanic landscapes shaped by past eruptions. With opportunities to learn about the local environment and take breaks along the way, this is a flexible option for experiencing Arenal at your own pace.

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, surfing lessons, an ATV adventure through the rainforest, or a chocolate experience.

Thrill-seekers will love white-water rafting on the class III and IV rapids on the Arenal River. Suitable for adventurous beginners and those who have been rafting before, the 8-mile (13-kilometer) stretch of river offers plenty of chances to paddle hard, get wet, and enjoy views of the surrounding jungle. Refuel after with lunch at a monkey park.

Discover the lush landscape of Monteverde at night on the guided small-group evening tour. As you walk the grounds, be on the lookout for insects such as walking sticks, tarantulas, and leafcutter ants and mammals such as porcupines, opossums, and olingos. Depending on the weather conditions, you might also spot snakes and frogs.

Improve your chances of seeing Costa Rica's birdlife with this private birding experience. Led by a specialized birding guide, head to the Manuel Antonio National Park and the Esquipulas Rainforest to spot scarlet macaws, toucans, and other avian species. As this is a private tour, the experience can be adjusted to the group.

Spend a full day exploring Costa Rica’s notoriously active crater on this 3-in-1 Arenal combo adventure. Hike through the jungle surrounding Arenal Volcano on a series of nature trails and hanging bridges, and trek down to the base of La Fortuna Waterfall to appreciate the height and power of the cascade and swim in a natural pool. Finish with a majestic perspective as you explore the lava fields of former eruptions and look for native wildlife along the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park.

Visiting Monteverde from San Jose in just one day can be challenging on your own, but this guided tour streamlines transportation to make the trip a cinch. Arrive at Monteverde in the morning and head straight to a canopy tour: hike on hanging bridges and learn about the rich cloud forest environment before heading back to San Jose.

Enjoy the convenience of a small-group transfer from Liberia Airport to your hotel in Guanacaste. Whatever time your flight arrives, save yourself the hassle of navigating public transport or haggling with taxi drivers. Your driver will meet you just outside the airport and will be holding a sign with your name on it. Relax in comfort on the way to Guanacaste.

Experience Costa Rica’s longest ocean view dual zipline with admission to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, where you can ride side by side with family and friends. Your experience includes access to the 4,461-foot (1,360-meter) zipline, as well as a ‘Quick Jump’ free fall and a hanging bridge that dangles over crocodile-infested waters.

Your naturalist guide will tell you about the natural history of the park and will explain and provide amazing information regarding facts about the animals that inhabit this beautiful park. You may see some amazing species such as White Faced Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys, Toucans, Two and Three Toed Sloths, Scarlet Macaws and a lot more. You may also see bird species such as Toucans, Pelicans, Tanagers, Ospreys, Kingfishers and the Yellow Crowned Night Heron. It is also possible to see iguanas, lizards, snakes and countless varieties of insects. These are just some of the features of the reserve that make visiting Manuel Antonio National Park an unforgettable experience. We will also help you get the best nature photos using your own digital camera through the lens of our professional telescopes.

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of San Jose on an evening bus tour. Starting from your hotel, board a comfortable double-decker bus with a welcome drink. See over 25 of the city’s landmarks as you take a bus tour, and stop for bilingual guided tours at key locations, including the Costa Rican Art Museum. Enjoy an included dinner of local cuisine before drop-off back at your hotel.

Connect with nature and immerse yourself in the lush rain forest of Corcovado National Park on this full-day adventure from Drake Bay. Hike about 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) through different environments and non-traditional trails, stopping along the way to swim beneath a waterfall, spot local wildlife, and enjoy lunch in the rain forest.

Discover San Jose’s hidden delights with this unique evening tour of the Costa Rican capital. Get up close and personal with the nightlife in San Jose, starting with the Morazán Park where you'll learn post-colonial Costa Rican history. From there, gain an appreciation for San Jose’s historical architecture, with a walk by the Metallic Building, then on to Spain Park for a fantastic view of the Yellow House (now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Continue to charming Barrio Escalante, one of the oldest residential areas in San Jose.  Finish the night with a tasty traditional meal (and wine or beer) at a gourmet Costa Rican restaurant.

Explore an ancient landscape that comes alive with bubbling mud pits, steaming volcanic vents, and the screeches of howler monkeys on this hiking tour through Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Learn about the diverse habitats of Guanacaste’s tropical forests from a naturalist guide while trekking, without worrying about getting lost along the way.

See the Costa Rican cloud forest from a different perspective, and spot animals in their natural habitat, by booking this guided tour. Stroll over suspension bridges that lead you through the jungle surrounding the Monteverde Cloud Forest on a series of nature trails that provide views of the park's natural wonders and such wildlife as spider monkeys, macaws, and more.

Turn your vacation vibes up a notch with this catamaran tour from Jaco to the secluded Fantasia Beach. Relax in a premium catamaran as you sail out on the ocean, and then catch sight of wildlife like turtles and monkeys while eating a lunch prepared by a private chef on a forested beach only accessible by boat. This tour even includes a bar for the ultimate in relaxation.

You will be able to walk in the habitat of different mammals that inhabit our forests, such as the puma, tapir, mountain goat, among others. Our abundant vegetation will dazzle you and with luck you will have the experience of walking among the clouds. All this accompanied by expert guides who will ensure an unforgettable experience. We are located in the mountains of Coronado, San José, just 50 minutes from the center of the capital.

Cruise along one of Costa Rica’s most scenic coastlines on a sailing and snorkeling tour of Manuel Antonio. Relax on deck and sip unlimited drinks from an open bar as you get a new perspective on the unspoiled nature preserve and try to spot dolphins, turtles, and migrating whales. Stop to swim and snorkel among tropical fish in the clear waters off Biesanz Beach, and then reward your efforts with a gourmet lunch prepared right on board.

Located atop the Continental Divide, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a haven of untouched jungle, where rare plant and animal species live among wisps of cloud and thick tree growth. This small-group hiking tour allows you to experience the full breadth of Monteverde’s flora and fauna, while your naturalist guide navigates and provides insight into the area’s rich biodiversity.

Get your adrenaline pumping and explore the rain forests of Costa Rica as you embark on this adventure tour. Head to a reserve and start your adventure walking across a series of hanging bridges, with some dangling from 200 feet (60 meters) high. Then, enjoy a heart-pumping zipline tour across several cables and platforms.

Explore the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest with a passionate guide with over 20 years of experience. More than a tour, it is an immersion in the essence of this natural paradise. You will learn to listen to the secrets of the forest, discover unique species of flora and fauna and live unforgettable moments as you walk paths full of life and mystery. My goal is to offer you a personalized, educational and exciting experience, where every step becomes an adventure and every detail tells a story. Come and live Monteverde like you never imagined before

Discover the beautiful natural attractions of Costa Rica on this all-day tour from San Jose. Fly over the rainforest canopy via a zipline course and rappel down 150 feet (50 meters) at an adventure park. Visit two waterfalls and admire the local wildlife including iguanas. Stop at a coffee plantation where you'll learn how it's cultivated and harvested. Finally, relax in thermal mineral hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano.

Ensure you don't miss any of the major sights at Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park by opting for a guided tour. Learn about the local wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, and lizards, from a nature expert and get an up-close look thanks to gear like spotting scopes. Enjoy some free time at the end as the tour ends at the beach within the park.

Get closer to nature while still experiencing thrills during a fun-filled day in the jungle at the Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic eco-reserve. Your multi-pass gives you access to six different activities, so you can ride an aerial tram, encounter native critters at a butterfly and frog garden, cross a hanging bridge, and explore the jungle on a nature hike at your own pace. Get your adrenaline pumping as you soar through the treetops on ziplines, including one of the longest and fastest in the country.