Birding

A paradise for birdwatchers!

Home to 922 recorded bird species, Costa Rica is a dream destination for bird lovers from around the world. From lowland jungles to misty cloud forests, birds fill the air with song, colour and life.

You will encounter a wide variety of species, including toucans, quetzals, hummingbirds, owls, raptors, vultures, water birds, migratory species and even rare nocturnal birds such as nightjars and night swallows.

The most iconic include:

6 species of toucans, with their vibrant beaks and striking silhouettes
52 species of hummingbirds, dazzling in the highlands and around flowering plants
5 species of trogons, including the legendary Resplendent Quetzal, considered the most beautiful bird in the world

Where to spot them?

Hummingbirds can be seen most easily in the highlands, particularly in cloud forests and gardens with nectar-rich flowers
Quetzals thrive in cloud forests such as those found in Los Quetzales National Park and Monteverde
Water birds gather in wetlands and on the coastal plains, especially in Caño Negro, which is a haven for species such as roseate spoonbills, herons and giant jabiru storks
With a little luck, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive King Vulture, which is occasionally spotted in the South Pacific region

🐦 Best time for birding in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a year-round birding paradise, but the dry season, which runs from December to April, is generally considered to be the best time. During these months:

The trails are more accessible
There is better visibility due to less rain
There are many migratory birds present
Forest edges and gardens are buzzing with activity

Birdwatching is a great activity across the region, but it is particularly rewarding in the cloud forests, wetlands and tropical lowlands.

🟢 Best time to spot the resplendent quetzal

The best months to see the iconic Resplendent Quetzal are February to April, during their mating season.

In this period, males show off their brilliant feathers and are more active, making sightings easier.

📍 Best locations to spot Quetzals:

Los Quetzales National Park
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
San Gerardo de Dota

🕊️ Migratory birds in Costa Rica – overview

🗓️ Migration Periods

Spring migration (northbound): February – May
Fall migration (southbound): September – November
→ October is the peak month for most species!

📋 Key migratory birds you can spot

🦅 Raptors

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis)

📍 Top spots: Tárcoles River, Cerro de la Muerte, Caribbean lowlands

🐦 Songbirds

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

📍 Commonly seen in: Tortuguero, Sarapiquí, Boca Tapada

🐤 Waterbirds & Shorebirds

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)

📍 Best areas: Caño Negro, Palo Verde National Park, Caribbean coastal zones

Guided birding experiences

If you’re interested in specific species or want to take your birdwatching to the next level, Into Nature offers tours led by specialist birders. Armed with binoculars and a powerful telephoto lens, you will explore habitats that are best suited to your birdwatching goals, whether you are a casual admirer or an avid life-lister.

Costa Rica offers year-round birdwatching, with new species and sounds to be discovered in every region. From colourful plumage to quiet wingbeats, this is a land where birds are not just seen, they are experienced.