Costa Rica

03 July 2016 – 16 July 2016

Fabian Schneider and Jean-Esteban Liberek

During our 2 weeks of trip in Costa Rica we encountered 420 species (IOC) including 5 endemics and 63 near-endemics; a high count for such a short trip! We travel in a more budget mode than most of the birders coming in Costa Rica, avoiding the expensive lodges and reserves.

We visited the country in an unsual period, as most people come there during the winter months (dry season). We were during the wet season. It was raining every days but mainly in the end of the afternoon (when the birds were less active). The weather was no problem for birdwatching except in the highest part of PN Los Quetzales (Cerro de la Muerte) where it was always raining or very wet with a dense fog. The number of species observed is relatively high in comparaison of what we read on the other trip report; maybe the birds are more active or easier to encounter during the rainy season. Despite the summer season, we observed a rather important number of migratory waders, especially in Chomes (presumably early migrants and estivants) as well as a 2nd year American Redstart (estivant?) in San José!

Visited Sites

General Travelling Information

Transport

We rent a Daihatsu Terios 4x4 with "Marka Rent A Car". A pleasant and cheap company found on several forum. We paid 495 USD par 14 days.

The roads are in very good condition and it's easy to drive in this country.

Recommended Literature

Birds of Costa Rica, a field guide – 2nd edition” (Richard Garrigues & Robert Dean)

Where to watch birds Costa Rica (Barrett Lawson) 

Acknowledgements

A big thanks to Ross Geredien, Jean-Nicolas and Aurore Pradervand for their help to prepare our trip.

Ujarrás

We went to Ujarrás, located in the southeast of Cartago, to search the localized endemic Cabanis's Ground Sparrow. We found one bird in the field in the northwest of “Las Ruinas de Ujarrás” (09°49'43.43"N, 83°50'13.47"W). The southern part of the spot was pretty attractive and we saw there, the near-endemic Dark Pewee, as well as some Black-headed Saltators.

Target species

  • Dark Pewee Contopus lugubris

  • Cabanis's Ground-Sparrow Melozone cabanisi

  • Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps

San José

In the first morning we walked briefly in the center of the capital, mainly around the University of Costa Rica where we observed a 2nd-year American Redstart.

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in the Casa Echavarria Hotel for about 35 USD (2 pers.) for one night. It was good and well situated.

Los Quetzales – Km 76

We walked several times the two paths starting in front of the “Cafetería Los Chespiritos”: one is the main unpaved road on the right and the other is a small muddy path on the left.

We recorded 17 near-endemic species in this area including Black Guan (1 along the main road: 09°36'40.41"N, 83°49'21.48"W and 2 along the left trail: 09°36'15.62"N, 83°49'2.54"W), Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Ruddy Treerunner, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Black-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-winged Vireo, Black-and-yellow Phainoptila, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Timberline Wren (in the beginning of the main road: 09°36'39.78"N, 83°49'10.33"W), Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Sooty Thrush, Black-cheeked Warbler, Collared Whitestart, Large-footed Finch, Yellow-thighed Finch, Sooty-capped Bush Tanager and Peg-billed Finch (along a small trail on the right of the main road: 09°36'41.68"N, 83°49'8.78"W).

Target species

  • Black Guan Chamaepetes unicolor

  • Fiery-throated Hummingbird Panterpe insignis

  • Silvery-fronted Tapaculo Scytalopus argentifrons

  • Ruddy Treerunner Margarornis rubiginosus

  • Black-capped Flycatcher Empidonax atriceps

  • Yellow-winged Vireo Vireo carmioli

  • Timberline Wren Thryorchilus browni

  • Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops

  • Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus gracilirostris

  • Sooty Thrush Turdus nigrescens

  • Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher Phainoptila melanoxantha

  • Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher Ptiliogonys caudatus

  • Sooty-capped Chlorospingus Chlorospingus pileatus

  • Yellow-thighed Brushfinch Atlapetes tibialis

  • Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis

  • Black-cheeked Warbler Basileuterus melanogenys

  • Collared Redstart Myioborus torquatus

  • Peg-billed Finch Acanthidops bairdi

  • Talamanca Hummingbird Eugenes spectabilis

How to get there

Coming from San José, just stop on the right in front of the “Cafetería Los Chespiritos” and park your car here before exploring the trails.

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in Sevegre Valley in the Hotel de Montaña Suria.

Cerro de la Muerte (PN Tapantí)

We tried twice to explore in the afternoon the road to the radio antennas but the weather was really dirty (dense fog and heavy rain). We still could observe at least 3 Volcano Juncos, as well as Timberline Wren, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, and Slaty Flowerpiercer.

Target species

  • Timberline Wren Thryorchilus browni

  • Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus gracilirostris

  • Volcano Junco Junco vulcani

  • Black-cheeked Warbler Basileuterus melanogenys

  • Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea

How to get there

Park your car in the beggining of the small road leading the antennas (9°34'14.1"N 83°45'15.0"W) and walk towards them.

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in the Savegre Valley.

Restaurante La Georgina

We spend some time in the restaurant and the surroundings when it was raining. The feeders around the place attracted Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Admirable Hummingbird and Volcano Hummingbird. We also observed, mainly from inside, Black-capped Flycatcher, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Sooty Thrush, Large-footed Finch, Sooty-capped Bush Tanager and Slaty Flowerpiercer.

Target species

  • Fiery-throated Hummingbird Panterpe insignis

  • Volcano Hummingbird Selasphorus flammula

  • Black-capped Flycatcher Empidonax atriceps

  • Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus gracilirostris

  • Sooty Thrush Turdus nigrescens

  • Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher Ptiliogonys caudatus

  • Sooty-capped Chlorospingus Chlorospingus pileatus

  • Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis

  • Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea

  • Talamanca Hummingbird Eugenes spectabilis

Savegre Valley

We mainly watched birds in two areas in the south of the hamlet of San Gerardo: around the Hotel de Montaña Suria and along the Río Savegre toward the waterfalls.

The trees surrounding the lodge attracted many special hummingbirds like Grey-tailed Mountain-gem, Admirable Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, as well as many other interesting species sach as Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Slaty Flowerpiercer and Flame-colored Tanager.

The trail along the river was worth it and produced some nice species, including Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-winged Vireo, Brown-capped Vireo, Ochraceous Wren, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Flame-throated Warbler, Black-cheeked Warbler, Collared Whitestart and Yellow-thighed Finch. We also saw a Neotropical River Otter at the waterfalls. Along the main road to the North we observed Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher and Flame-throated Warbler.

In the north of San Gerardo de Dota, we particularly explored by foot the amazing 1.5 kilometers of road between “Trogon Lodge” and “Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge”. During the two walks in this sector we encountered 1 endemic and 19 near-endemic species including Grey-tailed Mountain-gem, Ruddy Treerunner, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Black-capped Flycatcher, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-winged Vireo, Black-and-yellow Phainoptila, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Ochraceous Wren, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Sooty Thrush, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Flame-throated Warbler, Black-cheeked Warbler, Collared Whitestart, Large-footed Finch, Yellow-thighed Finch and Sooty-capped Bush Tanager. Other interesting species included Spotted Wood Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, Resplendent Quetzal (unfortunately only a female), Hairy Woodpecker and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush. We recorded also a Dusky Nightjar in the north of “Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge” (09°35'8.72"N, 83°47'55.71"W) at the dusk.

Target species

  • Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus

  • Dusky Nightjar Antrostomus saturatus

  • Talamanca Hummingbird Eugenes spectabilis

  • White-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis castaneoventris

  • Volcano Hummingbird Selasphorus flammula

  • Scintillant Hummingbird Selasphorus scintilla

  • Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno

  • Sulphur-winged Parakeet Pyrrhura hoffmanni

  • Silvery-fronted Tapaculo Scytalopus argentifrons

  • Ruddy Treerunner Margarornis rubiginosus

  • Black-capped Flycatcher Empidonax atriceps

  • Yellow-winged Vireo Vireo carmioli

  • Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus

  • Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops

  • Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus gracilirostris

  • Sooty Thrush Turdus nigrescens

  • Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher Phainoptila melanoxantha

  • Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher Ptiliogonys caudatus

  • Golden-browed Chlorophonia Chlorophonia callophrys

  • Sooty-capped Chlorospingus Chlorospingus pileatus

  • Yellow-thighed Brushfinch Atlapetes tibialis

  • Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis

  • Flame-throated Warbler Oreothlypis gutturalis

  • Black-cheeked Warbler Basileuterus melanogenys

  • Collared Redstart Myioborus torquatus

  • Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea

  • Spangle-cheeked Tanager Tangara dowii

Facilities & accommodation

We spend 2 nights in the Hotel de Montaña Suria, San Gerardo de Dota. The place was nice but a bit expenive (our more expensive nights in the country with the Cerro Lodge), maybe try the Quetzal Valley Cabins that is cheaper.

Other wildlife observed

Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)

Talari Mountain Lodge

We just spent the end of the afternoon around the Talari Mountain Lodge exploring the trails and the surrounding of the lodge. We found nobody at the reception so we felt rather uncomfortable to bird around. Interesting species observed here included Fiery-billed Aracari, Orange-collared Manakin, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush and Speckled Tanager.

Target species

  • Fiery-billed Aracari Pteroglossus frantzii

  • Orange-collared Manakin Manacus aurantiacus

  • Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops

  • Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris

  • Speckled Tanager Ixothraupis guttata

Río Rincón

We walked twice around the bridge over the Río Rincon. The best was to bird 1 kilometer from the bridge along the road towards the north where we observed King Vulture, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Black-hooded Antshrike, Turquoise Cotinga, Yellow-billed Cotinga, Riverside Wren and Spot-crowned Euphonia. We saw also a Common Black Hawk and Laughing Falcon from the bridge.

Target species

  • King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa

  • Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena

  • Black-hooded Antshrike Thamnophilus bridgesi

  • Turquoise Cotinga Cotinga ridgwayi

  • Yellow-billed Cotinga Carpodectes antoniae

  • Riverside Wren Cantorchilus semibadius

  • Spot-crowned Euphonia Euphonia imitans

Wilson Botanical Garden

We spend a bit less than a half day on this nice site. A ride on the paths below the biological station produced some interesting species like Marbled Wood Quail, Olivaceous Piculet, Western Woodhaunter, Black-faced Antthrush, Blue-crowned Manakin, Sulphur-rumped Myiobius, Northern Schiffornis, White-throated Thrush and the near-endemic Spot-crowned Euphonia.

Target species

  • Spot-crowned Euphonia Euphonia imitans

  • Mayan Antthrush Formicarius moniliger

  • Marbled Wood-Quail Odontophorus gujanensis

  • Western Woodhaunter Automolus virgatus

San Vito area

This region around San Vito holds many species with a restricted range in the Costa Rica. We were birdwatching at three different places in the northeast of San Vito around San Joaquín. First on the edge of the pond in front of the air field on the right side of the road from San Vito. There we encountered Chiriqui Yellowthroat and Bran-colored Flycatcher. The second spot was around the wetland in the southeast of the airstrip. We observed from a small hill near the main road on the south of the wetland. From here we saw Scaled Pigeon, Costa Rican Swift, Vaux's Swift, Fiery-billed Aracari and Streaked Saltator. We finished by visiting a drier bushy area in the other side of the road from the last spot. We observed there Isthmian Wren and Yellow-bellied Seedeater.

Target species

  • Costa Rican Swift Chaetura fumosa

  • Fiery-billed Aracari Pteroglossus frantzii

  • Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava

Dos Brazos

We spend two days on the Penisula de Osa. We slept in Los Mineros Guesthouse, a cheap (ca.35 USD/night for 2 persons) and nice option and well located to explore the nearly forest. It is not necessary to sleep in an expensive lodge there to have a huge bird list; the proof, we encountered an amazing total of 127 bird species including 1 endemic and 10 near-endemics.

We explored several paths going up to the different ridges around the hamlet of Dos Brazos. All trails were interesting and held several interesting species but the one on the north-east of the hamlet was maybe the most productive (08°31'52.70"N, 83°24'36.33"W). We found easily the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-tanager with couples observed at four different locations. Other observations of interest around Dos Brazos included King Vulture, Blue Ground Dove, Costa Rican Swift, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Black-hooded Antshrike (common), Russet Antshrike, Black-faced Antthrush, Turquoise Cotinga, Blue-crowned Manakin, Orange-collared Manakin, Sulphur-rumped Myiobius, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Northern Schiffornis, Scrub Greenlet, Black-bellied Wren, Riverside Wren and White-throated Shrike-Tanager.

We also observed the birds along the road between Puerto Jimenez and Playa Pan Dulce. We did some stops to watch the bird around. We saw for example a Great Curassow crossing the road (08°24'40.87"N, 83°17'1.27"W). During the night return we observed well a Striped Owl (08°31'11.60"N, 83°18'42.22"W) and numerous Pauraques.

Target species

  • Costa Rican Swift Chaetura fumosa

  • King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa

  • Golden-naped Woodpecker Melanerpes chrysauchen

  • Black-hooded Antshrike Thamnophilus bridgesi

  • Orange-collared Manakin Manacus aurantiacus

  • Turquoise Cotinga Cotinga ridgwayi

  • Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes

  • Riverside Wren Cantorchilus semibadius

  • Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Habia atrimaxillaris

  • White-throated Shrike-Tanager Lanio leucothorax

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in Los Mineros Guesthouse, a cheap (ca.35 USD/night for 2 persons) and nice option and well located to explore the nearly forest

Uvita area

Around Uvita, we watched mainly the birds along the road to the mouth of the Río Uvita where unfortunately we bogged down our rental car... Despite this little incident we observed some nice species like Grey-headed Kite, American Pygmy Kingfisher, White-necked Puffbird and we heard a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl at the dusk. We saw also 2 Grey-crowned Yellowthroat in an open area near a bifurcation (09°09'42.57"N, 83°44'52.66"W).

Target species

  • Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum

  • Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis

  • American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea

  • White-necked Puffbird Notharchus hyperrhynchus

  • Gray-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala

Facilities & accommodation

We stay in the Hotel Blue Sunshine, a cheap and rather OK option.

PN Manuel Antonio

We stayed for just few hours around midday near the PN Manuel Antonio. We didn’t enter the park itself, but we walked in the nearby parks which produced for example Northern Barred Woodcreeper and we did some seawatch for Bridled Tern.

Target species

  • Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus

Parrita

On the road to Tarcoles, we did a short detour near Parrita along the Río Pirrís. We did one stop near the last curve near the river (09°29'44.32"N, 84°19'31.42"W) and we walked toward its mouth. The site was good for water birds. We observed a big group of Wood Storks and also Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Sanderling and White-rumped Sandpiper. Some Royal and Black Terns were flying near the mouth. The area held many Lesser Nighthawks (roosting on the shore and on the poles along the road).

Target species

  • Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis

  • Riverside Wren Cantorchilus semibadius

Lower Tarcoles River

We stay for one night in the Cerro Lodge, one of the most expensive hotel visited during our trip but a beautiful lodge surrounded by nice ecosystem. A Black-and-white Owl was singing near the hotel at the night. A small walk around the lodge and on the nearby trails produced Cinnamon Hummingbird, Yellow-naped Amazon, Rose-throated Becard and Stripe-headed Sparrow.

We did a short stop at the Crocodile Bridge. Even if the crocodiles are the main attraction, we also observed some interesting bird species like Muscovy Duck and Boat-billed Heron.

Target species

  • Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila

  • Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata

  • Yellow-naped Parrot Amazona auropalliata

  • Stripe-headed Sparrow Peucaea ruficauda

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in the beautiful Cerro Lodge, one of the most expensive hotel visited during our trip but a beautiful lodge surrounded by nice ecosystem. We pay about 80 USD the night for 2 persons with breakfast.

PN Carara

We walked on the trail in the PN Carara heading north starting one kilometer after the Crocodile Bridge (09°47'35.88"N, 84°36'6.44"W). Just after the beginning an endemic Mangrove Hummingbird was observed. We encountered many species not or very little recorded in the other sites visited like Double-toothed Kite, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Blue-throated Sapphire, Turquoise-browed Motmot, White-whiskered Puffbird, Black-hooded Antshrike, Dusky Antbird, Bicolored Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta, Orange-collared Manakin, Black-bellied Wren and Scrub Euphonia.

Target species

  • Mangrove Hummingbird Amazilia boucardi

  • White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis

  • Black-hooded Antshrike Thamnophilus bridgesi

  • Dusky Antbird Cercomacroides tyrannina

  • Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys bicolor

  • Streak-chested Antpitta Hylopezus perspicillatus

  • Orange-collared Manakin Manacus aurantiacus

  • Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in the beautiful Cerro Lodge, one of the most expensive hotel visited during our trip but a beautiful lodge surrounded by nice ecosystem. We pay about 80 USD the night for 2 persons with breakfast.

Mata de Limón

We walked on the road in the north of Mata de Limón along the mangroves. We saw Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Black-headed Trogon, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Northern Scrub Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Rose-throated Becard, Yellow-green Vireo, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Mangrove Warbler and Spot-breasted Oriole.

Target species

  • Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus

  • Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus

  • Northern Scrub-Flycatcher Sublegatus arenarum

  • Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis

  • Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia

    Mangrove Warbler

Chomes

We ended up the day after the heavy rain around the basins located south of Chomes. Many of them were full of waders. We observed almost 1’000 birds from 12 species (rather impressive number for this season). Among the numerous Western Sandpipers (about 300 individuals), Semipalmated Plovers (200 ind.), Whimbrels (100 ind.) and Willets (100 ind.), we observed a few Wilson's Plovers, Marbled Godwits, Short-billed Dowitchers, as well as a rare Long-billed Curlew!

Target species

  • Wilson's Plover Anarhynchus wilsonia

  • Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus

  • Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa

  • Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus

Reserva de Santa Elena

The beautiful cloud forest of the reserva de Santa Elena gave us many interesting species like Prong-billed Barbet, Ruddy Treerunner, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Streak-breasted Treehunter, Brown-billed Scythebill, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Ochraceous Wren, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Black-eared Warbler, Collared Whitestart, Yellow-thighed Finch and Spangle-cheeked Tanager.

Target species

  • Prong-billed Barbet Semnornis frantzii

  • Silvery-fronted Tapaculo Scytalopus argentifrons

  • Streak-breasted Treehunter Thripadectes rufobrunneus

  • Ruddy Treerunner Margarornis rubiginosus

  • Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus

  • Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops

  • Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii

  • Yellow-thighed Brushfinch Atlapetes tibialis

  • Costa Rican Warbler Basileuterus melanotis

  • Collared Redstart Myioborus torquatus

  • Spangle-cheeked Tanager Tangara dowii

Bajo del Tigre

Interesting observations here included Black-eared Wood Quail, Three-wattled Bellbird, Long-tailed Manakin, Golden-browed Chlorophonia and Rufous-capped Warbler.

Target species

  • Black-eared Wood-Quail Odontophorus melanotis

  • Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis

  • Three-wattled Bellbird Procnias tricarunculatus

  • Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops

  • Golden-browed Chlorophonia Chlorophonia callophrys

Monteverde

From our hostel “Moon House Bed and Breakfast” in Santa Elena, we explored the different sites around including the village of Monteverde itsetf. We encountered 90 species including 1 endemic and 14 near-endemics. 

Target species

  • Black-breasted Wood-Quail Odontophorus leucolaemus

  • Prong-billed Barbet Semnornis frantzii

  • Three-wattled Bellbird Procnias tricarunculatus

  • Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops

Facilities & accommodation

We stayed in the hostel “Moon House Bed and Breakfast” in Santa Elena (apparently closed now).

Reserva Curi-Cancha

The nice Reserva Curi-Cancha is perfect to observe the Three-wattled Bellbird. The reception provided us good advices to encounter the local specialties. During our walk on the different trails we observed some species that we recorded only here including Highland Tinamou (observed crossing the trail; 10°18'22.47"N, 84°48'3.37"W), Chiriqui Quail-dove (near-endemic; 10°18'13.96"N, 84°48'14.03"W) and Purple-throated Mountain-gem (near-endemic; at the feeders). We also observed Black-eared Wood-quail, Coppery-headed Emerald (endemic), Long-tailed Manakin, Ochraceous Wren (near-endemic), Black-headed Nightingale-thrush and White-throated Thrush.

Target species

  • Highland Tinamou Nothocercus bonapartei

  • Black-eared Wood-Quail Odontophorus melanotis

  • Chiriqui Quail-Dove Zentrygon chiriquensis

  • Coppery-headed Emerald Microchera cupreiceps

  • Purple-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis calolaemus

  • Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis

  • Three-wattled Bellbird Procnias tricarunculatus

  • Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus

  • Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops

Arenal Volcano NP

We explored the flanks of the volcano twice during the afternoon/evening. We were sleeping in La Fortuna to avoid the very expensive lodges around. We recorded 89 species in our visits in this national park and the place is really good for the antbirds and co. We visited two sectors:

  • Penisula sector: we visited twice this area. We walked along the small road. We saw one Great Curassow (10°28'0.85"N, 84°45'21.75"W) and several other interesting species like Blue-throated Sapphire, Laughing Falcon, Bare-crowned Antbird, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, White-ringed Flycatcher and Red-winged Blackbird in the meadow nearby (10°28'23.16"N, 84°44'14.63"W)
  • Arenal Obsevatory Lodge: the lodge was out of our budget to sleep but we still explored the trails around (with a small entrance fee). A swarm of army ants near the lodge (10°26'18.60"N, 84°42'27.03"W) gave us some nice observations of Dull-mantled Antbird, Bicolored Antbird, Spotted Antbird and Ocellated Antbird. Other interesting species encountered from the trails near the lodge included White-ruffed Manakin, Northern Nightingale-Wren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush and Carmiol's Tanager. The waterfall trail in front of the lodge was a bit less productive but we heard Thicket Antpitta (10°25'57.78"N, 84°42'23.79"W) and saw Rufous Mourner.

Target species

  • Great Curassow Crax rubra

  • Ocellated Antbird Phaenostictus mcleannani

  • Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys bicolor

  • Spotted Antbird Hylophylax naevioides

  • Dull-mantled Antbird Sipia laemosticta

  • Bare-crowned Antbird Gymnocichla nudiceps

  • Thicket Antpitta Myrmothera dives

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in the Arenal Hostel Resort in La Fortuna. A nice and cheaper option thant the lodges arounf the National Park.

Other wildlife observed

White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica): common around the lodge

La Fortuna

We explore the small reserve of Sendero Bogarin located near La Fortuna and it really worth the visit. A small morning walk along the trails enabled us to record about 50 bird species there including a few White-throated and Uniform Crakes, as well as Golden-olive Woodpecker, Slaty Spinetail, Black-throated Wren, Black-headed Saltator and Greyish Saltator. In addition to the nice species the owner of the reserve is very friendly and helpful.

Target species

  • White-throated Crake Laterallus albigularis

  • Uniform Crake Amaurolimnas concolor

  • Black-throated Wren Pheugopedius atrogularis

  • Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps

Facilities & accommodation

We slept in the Arenal Hostel Resort in La Fortuna. A nice and cheaper option thant the lodges arounf the National Park.

Barrio Loma Linda

We did a little walk in a small reserve belonging to the owner of the posada where we were sleeping. The wooded patch is located at the northeast of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (10°28'2.35"N, 84°02'17.61"W). We observed a roosting Spectacled Owl, as Black-crested Coquette, Great Green Macaw and Blue-black Grosbeak. 

Target species

  • Black-crested Coquette Lophornis helenae

  • Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata

  • Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus

Facilities & accommodation

We were sleeping for 2 nights in the nice Posada Andrea Christina.

Other wildlife observed

Fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper)

Cinchona

We walk a bit on a small road on the left side after San Martin (on the road between San Miguel and San José), as well as in the Restaurante Cinchona (where some feeders are installed). We observed a Golden-olive Woodpecker along the small road and White-bellied Mountain-gem, as well as Coppery-headed Emerald at the feeders.

Target species

  • Coppery-headed Emerald Microchera cupreiceps

  • White-bellied Mountain-gem Lampornis hemileucus

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí area

We stayed in the nice and friendly Posada Andrea Christina in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui; a cheaper option than the lodge of La Selva. We encountered 119 species around the area without properly visiting the expensive reserve of La Selva.

Around Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, we mainly walked the trails in front of the posada starting near the farm (10°27'9.25"N, 84°01'3.67"W) up to the river. This itinerary was pretty productive with some nice species like Grey Hawk, Blue Ground Dove, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, Olive-throated Parakeet, Great Green Macaw, Snowy Cotinga (10°26'59.01"N, 84°01'6.30"W), Red-capped Manakin, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, Red-shouldered Blackbird, Dusky-faced Tanager and Blue-black Grosbeak.

Target species

  • Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus

  • Snowy Cotinga Carpodectes nitidus

  • Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava

Facilities & accommodation

We were sleeping for 2 nights in the nice Posada Andrea Christina, a cheaper option than the other lodges like in La Selva.

Quebrada Gonzalez

We visited the Quebrada Gonzalez sector of the Braulio Carrillo NP twice, one in the late afternoon and one in the morning. We observed some species that we recorded only here like Emerald and Black-and-yellow Tanagers, other noteworthy birds included White-ruffed Manakin, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Northern Nightingale-Wren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Carmiol's Tanager and Black-faced Grosbeak.

Target species

  • Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster

  • Black-and-yellow Tanager Chrysothlypis chrysomelas

  • White-throated Shrike-Tanager Lanio leucothorax

  • Blue-and-gold Tanager Bangsia arcaei

Facilities & accommodation

We stay for one night in the Casona Tica Linda, a nice and cheap place (33 USD/nights for 2 persons) located south of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.

Other wildlife observed

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog (Oophaga pumilio)

La Selva Biological Station

As we didn’t want to pay the relatively expensive entrance (for very few target species) we just along the main road leading from the car park and along a small trail in the North of La Selva. Without a visit in this iconic reserve, we still encountered 119 species in this region, including most of the emblematic species.

Along the road to La Selva, we heard Great Tinamou and observed Great Curassow, Olive-throated Parakeet, White-ringed Flycatcher and Black-faced Grosbeak.

We explored twice (once in the evening and once in the morning) the area in the North of La Selva near the river. We encountered several interesting species like Great Tinamou, Anhinga, Sunbittern, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Rufous Motmot and Scarlet-rumped Cacique. We also observed a Neotropical River Otter along the river.

Target species

  • Great Curassow Crax rubra

  • Sunbittern Eurypyga helias

  • Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena

  • Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster

Other wildlife observed

Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)

Butterfly Garden

We just stopped briefly at the abandoned butterfly garden/ecotourism known as El Tapir. The site was closed but it was no problem to observe from the road. We saw Snowcap, Carmiol's Tanager and Blue-black Grosbeak here.

Target species

  • Snowcap Microchera albocoronata

Species List

Order: systematic | alphabetic | highlights first
Published: 02 March 2019
Last updated: 23 June 2021
Costa Rica - Orniverse