Lodging Guide

Costa Rica is one of the most important birdwatching destinations in Central America. Its diversity of ecosystems makes it possible to design circuits that connect lowlands, rainforests, cloud forest, mountains, and the South Pacific. This guide brings together 15 lodges that are especially interesting as bases for birders and photographers.

A Selection of Birding Lodges & Photography Destinations

Caribbean and Northern Lowlands

Rancho Naturalista

Turrialba, Cartago — Caribbean mountain region.

For birding and photography: One of Costa Rica's most specialized destinations for birdwatching and bird photography. It is known for its gardens, feeders, and trails, which allow visitors to observe a wide variety of species within a relatively compact area.

Geographic description: Located in Caribbean premontane rainforest, with trails ranging from approximately 880 to 1,200 m a.s.l. The property covers more than 120 acres and connects with adjacent forested areas.

Selva Verde Lodge

Sarapiquí, Heredia — Caribbean Lowlands.

For birding and photography: Lodging surrounded by tropical rainforest, ideal for exploring the biodiversity of Sarapiquí and observing lowland birds, toucans, tanagers, trogons, and many other species.

Geographic description: It is located in the Sarapiquí River valley, in the Caribbean lowlands, within a landscape of rainforest, rivers, and agricultural areas.

Laguna Lagarto Lodge

Boca Tapada, San Carlos — northern region.

For birding and photography: A destination well known among birders looking for rainforest species of the northern lowlands. Its trails and the areas around the lodge offer good opportunities for observation and photography.

Geographic description: It is located near the border with Nicaragua, in a region of very humid tropical forest and lowlands, at approximately 100 to 150 m a.s.l.

Arenal and Northern Region

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

La Fortuna, Alajuela — Arenal Volcano region.

For birding and photography: A classic of Costa Rican birding and an excellent base for exploring the avifauna of Arenal. Its trails, gardens, and observation towers are especially attractive to photographers.

Geographic description: Its property spans more than 350 hectares and combines rainforest, premontane forest, primary and secondary forest, gardens, and open areas. More than 500 bird species have been recorded in its forests.

Highlands and Cloud Forest

Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa

San Gerardo de Dota — Talamanca Mountain Range.

For birding and photography: One of the classic lodges for looking for the Quetzal and exploring the avifauna of high-elevation cloud forests. An excellent choice for birding and photography circuits.

Geographic description: Located in a mountain valley of the Talamanca Range, at around 2,000–2,200 m a.s.l., surrounded by cloud forest and montane ecosystems.

Trogon Lodge

San Gerardo de Dota — Talamanca Mountain Range.

For birding and photography: One of the traditional bases for exploring the cloud forest of Dota. It is ideal for looking for quetzals, trogons, tanagers, and other mountain birds.

Geographic description: It is located in the Talamanca Range, in a landscape dominated by montane and cloud forest, at elevations above 2,000 m a.s.l.

Paraíso del Quetzal

San Gerardo de Dota — Talamanca Mountain Range.

For birding and photography: A widely recognized destination for observing and photographing the Quetzal. Its gardens and feeding areas offer excellent opportunities for bird photographers.

Geographic description: It is located in the cloud forest of the Talamanca Range, in a high-elevation area with cool temperatures, surrounded by montane forests.

Gema del Bosque

San Gerardo de Dota — Talamanca Mountain Range.

For birding and photography: A mountain lodge surrounded by biodiversity, with a special focus on birdwatching and bird photography. Its facilities are designed to enjoy the forest and its gardens.

Geographic description: Located in the cloud forest of the Talamanca Range. The lodge offers views of the forest and the mountains, in a high-elevation setting.

Talamanca Natural Reserve

Talamanca Mountain Range — montane and cloud forest.

For birding and photography: An option for exploring high-elevation forests and looking for quetzals, trogons, tanagers, and other species typical of Costa Rica's mountains.

Geographic description: It is part of the Talamanca mountain system, characterized by montane and cloud forests, with elevations above 2,000 m a.s.l. across much of the region.

Hotel Quelitales

Cachí, Cartago — Orosí Valley.

For birding and photography: An attractive lodging for bird photography thanks to its gardens, natural setting, and observation possibilities. It is a good stop for combining montane forest species with birds of landscaped areas.

Geographic description: It is located in the mountains of Cartago, near the Orosí Valley, in a landscape of forest, coffee plantations, and montane vegetation.

Central Pacific

Macaw Lodge

Central Pacific — Carara area.

For birding and photography: An excellent base for exploring the ecosystems of the Central Pacific and looking for macaws, toucans, trogons, and numerous tropical forest species.

Geographic description: It lies in a transition zone between dry forest and rainforest, with a mix of forests, open areas, and low-elevation tropical vegetation.

Cerro Lodge

Tárcoles, Puntarenas — Central Pacific.

For birding and photography: A practical option for exploring Carara, the Tárcoles River, and the surrounding area. Its location makes it possible to combine photography of forest birds, open areas, and riverside habitats.

Geographic description: It is situated in the Central Pacific lowlands, near the Tárcoles River and Carara National Park, in a tropical transition landscape.

South Pacific

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

Piedras Blancas / Golfito, Puntarenas — South Pacific.

For birding and photography: Surrounded by tropical forest, it offers an excellent base for exploring the biodiversity of the South Pacific and for nature photography.

Geographic description: It is located near the Golfo Dulce, one of the rainiest and most biodiverse regions of Costa Rica, with lowlands and mountain foothills.

Hotel de Montaña El Pelícano

San Gerardo de Rivas, Pérez Zeledón — South Pacific / Talamanca Mountain Range.

For birding and photography: A mountain lodging ideal as a base for exploring the nature of San Gerardo de Rivas and its surroundings. The setting offers opportunities to watch birds while enjoying gardens and mountain landscapes.

Geographic description: It is located near the Talamanca Range and the Chirripó Pacífico River, with views toward mountains such as Uran and Ventisqueros, whose peaks rise above 3,500 m a.s.l.

Danta Corcovado Lodge

Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas — South Pacific.

For birding and photography: A special destination for those who want to experience the rainforest of the South Pacific. It is an excellent option for combining lodging, nature, birdwatching, and photography.

Geographic description: It is located on the Osa Peninsula, in a landscape dominated by tropical rainforest, rivers, and extraordinary biodiversity, near the area of influence of Corcovado National Park.