Top Costa Rica Bird Watching in 2026

Costa Rica is famous for its coffee—but while anyone can drink a cup or even bring home a bag of beans, it takes insider access to see how the crop is grown and processed. On this small-group, half-day tour, get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane as you participate in day-to-day activities inside lush, tranquil Tio Leo coffee farm in Guanacaste.

Combine three adventurous activities in a single tour: a hike to Arental Volcano, visit to the Hanging Bridges, and exploration of La Fortuna Waterfall. This full-day tour from La Fortuna, perfect for nature lovers, includes hiking and swimming amidst Costa Rica's beautiful natural scenery. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Discover the natural beauty of the La Fortuna region on an action-packed full-day tour that is ideal for people who enjoy outdoors activities. Go on hikes through lush rain forest; visit a butterfly garden and Maleku Indian village; take a dip at La Fortuna waterfall; look for wildlife; and view the Arenal Volcano. Top off the day with a cocktail and a relaxing soak in a natural hot water river.

Explore the jungle at night when the temperature drops and nocturnal animals make their appearances. On this nighttime jungle walk, you’re picked up from Quepos or Manuel Antonio and taken to a protected jungle area nearby. Spend about 1.5 hours taking an easy hike through the jungle at night, when it’s filled with the sounds of insects and frogs, and nocturnal snakes, insects, tree frogs, and mammals come out.

Zipline through Costa Rican rainforest on a canopy tour that goes over the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall—an exciting opportunity not offered on similar excursions. Between cables, take in views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato and talk to your guides about the La Fortuna area. No experience is needed and almost anyone who is interested in Costa Rica’s biodiversity will enjoy this immersive adventure.

Animal and nature lovers will enjoy exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest on a horseback tour. Tours depart at three different times, with each being best for a different type of activity: bird watching, clear landscape views, or sunset skies. Cover a lot of ground without getting tired when traveling on a horse. Look out for toucans, parrots, monkeys, and other wildlife as you peacefully trek through the forest.

Immerse yourself in the bird lover’s paradise of Monteverde cloud forest on this 2.5-hour early-morning bird-watching tour. With up to 450 species of birds, including the rare Resplendent Quetzal, Monteverde is a natural playground for wildlife enthusiasts and your expert guide will ensure you tick off as many as possible. Don’t just train your binoculars on the treetops either – white-throated capuchin monkeys, coatis, agoutis and deer are also common sightings.

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.

Explore Costa Rica's rainforests whilst getting a dose of adrenaline during this group activity package. Enjoy a comphrensive experience that includes logistics, lunch, and activities, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the day. Go ziplining and river tubing, and unwind in natural hot springs and volcanic mud baths afterwards.

Go in search of crocodiles and other wildlife on a boat cruise along the Tarcoles River, home to one of the largest populations of crocodiles in the world. Learn about the area’s flora and fauna from your guide as you cruise along the river, and keep an eye out for crocodiles, reptiles, and more than 50 bird species.

Discover the incredible biodiversity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest on this guided natural history hike, ideal for travelers who want to explore one of Costa Rica's most fascinating and biodiverse ecosystems. Accompanied by an expert local naturalist guide, you'll hike along carefully selected trails within the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, renowned worldwide for its extraordinary ecological richness. During the hike, you may spot tropical birds such as toucans, hummingbirds, and, with a bit of luck, the famous Resplendent Quetzal. You might also encounter insects, amphibians, reptiles, and an impressive diversity of plants, including orchids, bromeliads, and giant ferns, that characterize the cloud forest. Thanks to the guide's expertise and the use of professional optical equipment, your chances of observing wildlife are greatly enhanced. This tour is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and birdwatchers.

Check out some of the dazzling birds, both permanent dwellers or migratory, that live in the protected bird sanctuary of Arenal Oasis. Your guide will give you pointers and info about the species that you see. You’ll be in a small, intimate group, so you will keep costs down by being in a group, but not be imposing while you look for wildlife.

Grab your passport and head over the border for a full-day tour of Nicaragua’s highlights from Costa Rica. Start with a scenic Nicaraguan breakfast and then take in the views from Catarina Volcano. Visit the active Masaya Volcano and stand near the crater. Explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views from La Merced Church, followed by a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a scenic cruise.

Immerse yourself in the natural wealth of Monteverde with our Bird Watching Tour, an experience designed for nature and photography lovers. Accompanied by an expert guide, you will explore the magical cloud forest trails in search of some of the nearly 600 species of birds that inhabit the region, including the majestic Shining Quetzal, the mysterious Monteverde Owl, the vibrant Blue and Yellow Tangara, and the iconic Bellbird. During the tour, your guide will use his knowledge and specialized equipment to facilitate sightings and help you identify each species by its colors, songs and behaviors. In addition, you will have high-quality telescopes and binoculars to appreciate every detail of these winged jewels in their natural environment.

Discover the wildlife and scenery of Manuel Antonio National Park on a guided nature tour designed to help you see more than you might on your own. Use professional optical equipment to get closer views of wildlife while learning about the ecosystem and the animals that inhabit it. Combining guided interpretation with rainforest, beach, and coastal scenery, this is an engaging way to experience one of Costa Rica's best-known national parks.

Guanacaste is home to many of Costa Rica’s most stunning natural landscapes. But travelers without their own transportation often find themselves confined to their hotels and resorts. On this half-day combo tour, experience a mix of thermal hot springs, river swims, hiking trails, and birdwatching all in the vicinity of Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Lunch and transfers from central Liberia are provided for an easy day out.

Explore and swim under the Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortés waterfalls, without the pressure of getting there on your own, with this group activity package. Enjoy a seamless experience that covers your itinerary, optional transportation, park fees, and lunch, meaning you can relax and immerse yourself in the day's activities. Along with the waterfalls, hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit a sloth sanctuary.

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.

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.

In just one day, it’s possible to visit top Costa Rica attractions including Arenal Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, and Arenal Hot Springs when you book this full-day guided tour from San Jose. All-inclusive private transport smooths over otherwise tricky transportation logistics, and your guide keeps you entertained and informed as you explore. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, all entrance fees, plus two meals, adding up to a great value.

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.

Lace up your hiking boots for this full-day immersion in the wild beauty of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Look for wildlife on the drive from La Fortuna, and feel like a jungle explorer on the trek to Rio Celeste, known for its mystical aquamarine waters. Take a dip in warm volcanic river pools, admire a cascading waterfall, and reward your efforts with a typical Costa Rican lunch.

Get a bird's eye view of the Monteverde Cloud Forest with a hanging bridges tour. Your knowledgeable local guide will lead you on a walk through the forest canopy of Selvatura Park, telling you all about the plants, insects, and animals that call this corner of the world home.

Woodpecker Conservation Preserve, as its name suggests, is dedicated to preserving nature and promoting sustainable development by offering different options for guided tours. We provide personalized services with a certified, experienced, and professional naturalist guide for each tour. At our location, you can explore and discover the most fascinating secrets of Monteverde's flora and fauna, and you will be left speechless when contemplating the magnificent views of the mountains, lowlands, and the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance. Live a unique experience.