Birdwatching Private Tour in Cloud Forest, Coronado, San Jose

San Jose, Costa Rica

6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance to the facilities
Lunch

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup point

Parque Francia
WWMM+RQG, C. 29, San José, Barrio Escalante, 10101, Costa Rica
France Park, Escalante Quarter.

Pickup details

Travelers should take an Uber or taxi to Parque Francia, Barrio Escalante, San Jose and wait for our properly identified transportation. Our off-road vehicles will pick you up there to take you to the Iral Cloud Forest and back to the same point. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes. They should arrive 1 hour before the set time. To arrange private transfers to hotels or other locations, contact El Iral directly.

Meeting point

El Iral Bosque Nuboso
Unnamed Road X3WG+8C2 Cascajal de Coronado, Finca el Iral, Vasquez de Coronado, San José, 10802, Costa Rica
From San Jose downtown: head to coronado. From the Church of Coronado, 10km towards Cascajal. From the cheesemaker Pichi 5km east on calle Iglesias.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.6:00 am

Ticket Redemption Point

El Iral Bosque Nuboso, Unnamed Road X3WG+8C2 Cascajal de Coronado, Finca el Iral, Vasquez de Coronado, San José, 10802, Costa Rica

What To Expect

El Iral Bosque Nuboso

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Infants must sit on laps

Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

based on 5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Explore Iconic Birds One Hour Outside the City of San José

Laura_E, Feb 2026

This was a terrific experience in a beautiful place: El Iral Bosque Nuboso. Getting 1 hour outside of San José was so worth it! It is private land developed for ecotourism in partnership with the dairy farmer. It has a variety of nice hiking trails, some that go as high as 11,000 ft on Costa Rica’s highest volcano. The birdlife is very abundant! We had an expert guide, Esteban, who knew all the birds sighted and could mimic the calls of many to draw them in. He had a spotting scope so we could really view birds that perched. We spotted several Resplendent Quetzals and quite a few hummingbird species. Really a dream come true to see quetzals. Esteban was so personable and interesting. He kindly wrote up all the bird species we had seen - over 30! In the beautiful, newish building (4 years old) we had a delicious and generous lunch (included): grilled trout for me and steak for my husband. The views are amazing from the building- hills, pastures, and active bird feeders. The car pick up was timely and professional (also included). We had the place to ourselves on a weekday but apparently it is quite busy on the weekends. We met the owner and he is a delightful person with a vision. I highly recommend this experience ~ Pura Vida indeed!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thanks Laura! Hope to see you again soon to continue enyoing El Iral .

Birding tour to El Iral Bosque Nuboso

Marya_M, Oct 2025

Fabian Robles is an excellent bird tour guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about birds and nature. As previously arranged he picked us up at 6 am and drove us to the El Iral Bosque Nuboso. (El Iral Cloud Forest) We corresponded through WhatsApp beforehand and asked what birds we would like to find. Fabian found 28 different birds which we could view close up through the scope he carried, and he led us up and down through the beautiful mountain scenery considerate of our different physical abilities. It was interesting to start the day with sunshine and amazing views, and gradually watch the clouds blanketing everything. To help us remember all of the birds, Fabian provided us with the list of birds we saw and the close up photographs and videos he took through his scope. We enjoyed a delicious lunch in the restaurant while it was raining, watched the Hummingbirds at the feeders, and then drove back to San Jose. We saw many beautiful birds and learned about Costa Rica too, a great day.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thanks, Marya! We're thrilled you had a wonderful time at El Iral. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon!

Magical Day in the Cloud Forest

Abbie_Z, Jul 2025

We spent a magical day in the Cloud Forest with our knowledgable and passionate guide Fabian. Not only is he an excellent birding guide, he also shared a wealth of information about the plants and ecosystem. We also enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the onsite restaraunt.

Great time with nice people

gonzalo_C, May 2025

Great experience , made contact as soon as i booked , picked me up from my hotel. Went on a fairly easy hike, must have seen 26 different species, beautiful landscapes then finished off with a great meal. Had q great. Time

Response from Host, May 2025

Thanks Gonzalo! Hope to see you again in your next trip to Costa Rica!

Max was our guide and he...

Beverly_D, May 2025

Max was our guide and he was very very knowledgeable. We may have walked a couple of miles but we saw and was able to take photos. He pointed out over 32 different birds. This tour exceeded our expectations. We had an excellent lunch at the restaurant located on the property and saw the water falls that was also located on the property.