IMG
© Dionisio Paniagua Castro

Wilson Botanical Garden

8.78741 , -82.96090

Costa Rica

Estación Biológica Las Cruces, OTS Las Cruces

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Admin : : 8.7853/-82.9593 (2019-02-20 00:00:00 )

Site name was set by Admin : as "Estación Biológica Las Cruces" (2019-02-20 00:00:00 )

Not available yet

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Scaled Pigeon (Patagioenas speciosa)
Chiriqui Quail-Dove (Zentrygon chiriquensis)
Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy)
White-crested Coquette (Lophornis adorabilis)
Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis)
White-tailed Emerald (Microchera chionura)
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird (Saucerottia edward)
Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias)
Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis)
Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus)
Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi)
Plain Antvireo (Dysithamnus mentalis)
Middle American Leaftosser (Sclerurus mexicanus)
Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa)
Brown-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus pusillus)
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner (Clibanornis rubiginosus)
White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera)
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus)
Scaly-breasted Wren (Microcerculus marginatus)
Rufous-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius rutilus)
Elegant Euphonia (Chlorophonia elegantissima)
Costa Rican Brushfinch (Arremon costaricensis)
Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus)
Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi)
Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus)
Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus)
Speckled Tanager (Ixothraupis guttata)
Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola)
Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala)
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis (Dacnis venusta)
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus)

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis (Dacnis venusta) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:36:21)

Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:35:48)

Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:35:28)

Scaly-breasted Wren (Microcerculus marginatus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:33:36)

Rufous-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius rutilus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:33:10)

Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:32:47)

Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:32:15)

Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:31:54)

Brown-billed Scythebill (Campylorhamphus pusillus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:31:34)

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:31:03)

Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:30:43)

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:30:09)

Chiriqui Quail-Dove (Zentrygon chiriquensis) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:29:53)

Scaled Pigeon (Patagioenas speciosa) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:29:37)

Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:28:52)

Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:28:34)

Middle American Leaftosser (Sclerurus mexicanus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:28:11)

Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:27:28)

Ruddy Foliage-gleaner (Clibanornis rubiginosus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:27:11)

White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:26:43)

Plain Antvireo (Dysithamnus mentalis) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:26:27)

Elegant Euphonia (Chlorophonia elegantissima) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:26:05)

Speckled Tanager (Ixothraupis guttata) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:25:43)

Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:24:31)

Snowy-bellied Hummingbird (Saucerottia edward) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:23:22)

Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:23:05)

Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:22:50)

Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:22:25)

Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:22:06)

White-crested Coquette (Lophornis adorabilis) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:21:30)

Costa Rican Brushfinch (Arremon costaricensis) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:21:09)

Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:20:36)

White-tailed Emerald (Microchera chionura) was added by Dionisio Paniagua Castro (2023-05-10 22:20:18)

  • Timing and strategy

The Wilson Botanical Garden is a botanical garden that is located in the Las Cruces Biological Station, which is part of the La Amistad Biosphere Reserve that includes 475,000 hectares of reserves and areas of preserved tropical forest, centered in the south of the Cordillera from Talamanca, in the southern Pacific of Costa Rica. It is administered by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OET),

It is located in the southern zone of Costa Rica, in San Vito of the canton of Coto Brus, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

History
This botanical garden was founded in 1963 by Robert and Catherine Wilson, and is currently the most important botanical garden in Costa Rica. The Wilsons were former owners of "Fantastic Gardens in Miami." Its design was heavily influenced by the Brazilian artist and landscape painter Roberto Burle Marx.
This botanical garden is home to more than 1,000 genera of 212 families of tropical and subtropical plants from both Costa Rica and other parts of the world, which are rare or threatened.

The best time of the year to visit it is in the dry season that goes from the end of December to the beginning of May, for bird lovers the best time of day is early in the morning when the highest peak of the activity occurs, It has banana and papaya feeders in front of the restaurant that can be spectacular to photograph or simply enjoy the great variety of birds that visit them.
The place is scenically very beautiful so you can easily spend the whole day walking the paths of both the garden and the forest.
In the morning it is recommended to spend more time in the dining room where the feeders are and there is a very good view towards the treetops where you can see various types of parrots, flycatchers and tanagers, when the sun is hot it is best to go to the forest trails to look for forest species that generally extend the activity longer and with luck you will find a swarm of army ants hunting. In the afternoon it is best to return to the garden paths that are more open and have better light.
Depending on the species you want to see, it is best to visit the different spaces designed for the garden, in the heliconia sector you can see more hummingbirds, in the gardens more tanagers and flycatchers, in the forest more antbirds and manakins.
At the feeders tanagers, honeycreeper, euphonias, toucans, saltators and more.

The garden has a guide service specialized in birds but there are also guides in the area that can be contacted directly.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Dionisio Paniagua Castro on 2023-05-08 22:28
The Wilson Botanical Garden is a botanical garden that is located in the Las Cruces Biological Station, which is part of the La Amistad Biosphere Reserve that includes 475,000 hectares of reserves and areas of preserved tropical forest, centered in the south of the Cordillera from Talamanca, in the southern Pacific of Costa Rica. It is administered by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OET), It is located in the southern zone of Costa Rica, in San Vito of the canton of Coto Brus, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. History This botanical garden was founded in 1963 by Robert and Catherine Wilson, and is currently the most important botanical garden in Costa Rica. The Wilsons were former owners of "Fantastic Gardens in Miami." Its design was heavily influenced by the Brazilian artist and landscape painter Roberto Burle Marx. This botanical garden is home to more than 1,000 genera of 212 families of tropical and subtropical plants from both Costa Rica and other parts of the world, which are rare or threatened. The best time of the year to visit it is in the dry season that goes from the end of December to the beginning of May, for bird lovers the best time of day is early in the morning when the highest peak of the activity occurs, It has banana and papaya feeders in front of the restaurant that can be spectacular to photograph or simply enjoy the great variety of birds that visit them. The place is scenically very beautiful so you can easily spend the whole day walking the paths of both the garden and the forest. In the morning it is recommended to spend more time in the dining room where the feeders are and there is a very good view towards the treetops where you can see various types of parrots, flycatchers and tanagers, when the sun is hot it is best to go to the forest trails to look for forest species that generally extend the activity longer and with luck you will find a swarm of army ants hunting. In the afternoon it is best to return to the garden paths that are more open and have better light. Depending on the species you want to see, it is best to visit the different spaces designed for the garden, in the heliconia sector you can see more hummingbirds, in the gardens more tanagers and flycatchers, in the forest more antbirds and manakins. At the feeders tanagers, honeycreeper, euphonias, toucans, saltators and more. The garden has a guide service specialized in birds but there are also guides in the area that can be contacted directly.
  • How to get there

It can be reached by bus directly from San Jose with the TRACOPA bus company, or from San Vito on a local bus route San Vito - Ciudad Neily and vice versa. It is located just 5 kilometers from San Vito.

You can also fly from San Jose to Golfito and from there a taxi for two hours to the Garden. Usually the flights are operated by the airline SANSA

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Dionisio Paniagua Castro on 2023-05-08 22:35
It can be reached by bus directly from San Jose with the TRACOPA bus company, or from San Vito on a local bus route San Vito - Ciudad Neily and vice versa. It is located just 5 kilometers from San Vito. You can also fly from San Jose to Golfito and from there a taxi for two hours to the Garden. Usually the flights are operated by the airline SANSA

To visit the garden it is necessary to pay the entrance fee at the reception and it costs $4 for nationals and $10 for foreigners. Open from 8 am to 5 pm

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Dionisio Paniagua Castro on 2023-05-08 22:39
To visit the garden it is necessary to pay the entrance fee at the reception and it costs $4 for nationals and $10 for foreigners. Open from 8 am to 5 pm
  • Other attractions

The garden has a guided walk included in the price paid for lodging, but you can also hire the natural history walk at the reception even if you are not staying.

Because it is a forest island it is not easy to see mammals, the most common to see are Agoutis, Red-tailed squirrels and white-faced monkeys.

On night walks you can see glass frogs, tree toads, rain frogs, red-eyed frogs, tarantulas, opossums and Kinkajou. 

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Dionisio Paniagua Castro on 2023-05-08 22:54
The garden has a guided walk included in the price paid for lodging, but you can also hire the natural history walk at the reception even if you are not staying. Because it is a forest island it is not easy to see mammals, the most common to see are Agoutis, Red-tailed squirrels and white-faced monkeys. On night walks you can see glass frogs, tree toads, rain frogs, red-eyed frogs, tarantulas, opossums and Kinkajou. 

The Wilson Garden has very spacious rooms with a deck that overlooks the forest, they have good light, very comfortable beds and pillows, and a very pleasant temperature. They are located very close to the restaurant and the feeders where they have coffee at all hours of the day.

There is a visitor center where you can learn about the history of the garden and visit the souvenir shop that sells a lot of nature material.

For those who visit for the day, there are toilets in various places in the garden and a bird-watching tower with a spectacular view of the forest.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Dionisio Paniagua Castro on 2023-05-08 23:00
The Wilson Garden has very spacious rooms with a deck that overlooks the forest, they have good light, very comfortable beds and pillows, and a very pleasant temperature. They are located very close to the restaurant and the feeders where they have coffee at all hours of the day. There is a visitor center where you can learn about the history of the garden and visit the souvenir shop that sells a lot of nature material. For those who visit for the day, there are toilets in various places in the garden and a bird-watching tower with a spectacular view of the forest.

San Vito is a very safe town and the Garden is in a rural area where it would be very rare for a situation of violence and robberies to occur.

Although there are poisonous snakes, it would be very rare to come across one since they are very rare.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Dionisio Paniagua Castro on 2023-05-08 23:03
San Vito is a very safe town and the Garden is in a rural area where it would be very rare for a situation of violence and robberies to occur. Although there are poisonous snakes, it would be very rare to come across one since they are very rare.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2016-07-03 to 2016-07-16 Costa Rica Fabian Schneider and Jean-Esteban Liberek
Wilson Botanical Garden - Orniverse