Welcome to the Birdwatching in Costa Rica information page

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General Information

Costa Rica is a small country [54,100 sq.km.], located in he Central American isthmus, between Nicaragua and Panama. With coasts on both Caribbean and Pacific, this peacefull democratic Republic hosts a population of approx. 3,750,000 people. Politically stable for over 100 years, yet economically weak, the government has made a big effort to preserve this country's living forms. Costa Rica holds 5% of all living forms within it's small boundaries, thus 25% of the land surface is somehow protected against modern devastation. More information about Costa Rica?

With multiple habitats and micro-habitats, in a large variety of ecosystems, this nation is home to 877 different species of birds [AOCR2000]. The main reasons seem to be the climatic influence of both coasts, many different and diverse geographic formations such as high mountains [tallest: Cerro Chirripó 3820 at mtrs.s.n.m.], valleys, extensive lowlands, lakes, estuaries, gulfs, bays, etc. [see topographic map] Therefore there are a lot of different places to watch very distinctive species, and the best of all, they are very close together. We could define the populations by regions and their habitats as well as their climate:

• The dry NW part of Costa Rica, basically all the province of Guanacaste, is known as the Tropical Dry Forest. Here is where the Long-Tailed Manakin, the Cinnamon Hummingbird and the Crested Caracara can be spotted, among many others.
• The Highlands run among the mountain range that crosses the country from NW to SE. Although they vary in height and climate, defining different population, we can generalize it as one. Quetzals, Prong-billed Babets, Acorn Woodpeckers are just a few of the possible sightings.
• The Caribbean Lowlands is probably the most diverse place on earth. Yet the least protected part of the country. Here it is possible to see the Great Tinamou, White-necked Jacobin and the Long-tailed Tyrant.
• The South-Pacific Lowlands are about as plentifull in Biodiversity, as the Caribbean, but presents more endemic species. Here it is frequent to see a Beryl-crowned hummingbird, the Fiery-billed Aracari or the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager.

Since habitats are diverse and plenty, you should aim at specialiced sites. Below you'll find the main habitats, a close location and their recommendation listed. The location on the map can be viewed too.

• Mangrove: Manglar de la Boca del Rio Sierpe. San Isidro del General [ map ]
• Estuary: - no recommendation yet -
• Lake: Laguna de Caño Negro, National Park. Upala [ map ]
• Tropical Dry Forest: Santa Rosa, National Park. Liberia [ map ]
• Carribbean Lowland Rainforest: La Selva, Biological Station. Puerto Viejo [ map ]
• South-Pacific Lowland Rainforest: Marenco, Biological Station, Private Refuge. San Isidro del General [ map ]
• Highlands: Monteverde, private Wildlife Refuge. Monteverde [ map ]