I was attracted to Costa Rica to explore its lush jungles, mighty volcanoes and the dramatic coastline. Little did I know that I would return home with a new hobby. From the Osa Peninsula to Tortuguero I was well aware of Costa Rica’s reputation as the most biodiverse country on Earth and I was eager for the opportunity to spot monkeys, sloths, coatis, wild cats, frogs and whatever else I was lucky enough to observe. I also knew that Costa Rica was a birding paradise but I really didn’t give much thought to that. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy birds but honestly I really didn’t pay that much attention to them. Costa Rica changed that.
Three flights and one hour long bumpy jeep ride delivered me to the Osa Peninsula in the remote Southwestern portion of Costa Rica, the lodge my new Eden. Set on a cliff overlooking the Pacific surrounded by rainforest this area was full of sights and sounds unlike any I’d experienced. Within minutes of arriving flashes of red gracefully gliding through the sky caught my eye. Scarlet macaws call the Osa home and its impossible not to be fascinated by these sunset colored beauties.
I soon started noticing the avian bounty around me. Fierce raptors, zippy little hummingbirds and a variety of jewel toned songbirds beckoned. Often we’d have great sightings right from the dining area, eating with binoculars and cameras at the ready. It wasn’t uncommon for a small hummingbird to cause the dining area to jump up and leave half eaten breakfasts in hopes of capturing the tiny bird’s antics.
Arenal, famous for its volcano, thermal hot springs and adventure activities is another haven for birders( check out this guide for what to do in La Fortuna). I was woken in the morning by the work of woodpeckers, joined on a hike by a curious broad billed mot-mot(he followed us for a good 10 minutes!), and caught the silhouette of the turkey like guan roosting in the treetop at dusk.
On my last morning I got quite the show during breakfast. We heard a ruckus in the trees about 40 feet away and spotted the distinctive bills of a pair of toucans. I focused my binoculars on the pair to find them raiding another bird’s nest and eating the eggs! Who knew they were predatory?!? It was in that moment I discovered how much was going on above me if only I took the time to look up. I was hooked.
I once thought birding to be the province of retirees and die hard naturalists but I’m happy to now count myself among their ranks. I wasn’t a birder when I went to Costa Rica but I certainly came back as one.
Anna | slightly astray says
Beautiful pictures! It must be so nice to see the birds in the wild. Animal encounters is always the best part of travel, I think (except for food, haha). Osa Peninsula is on my list for when I visit Costa Rica, but I’m lazy and it seems like such a hassle to get there!
Brianna says
It’s totally worth the effort to get there if you’re a wild life fan but I really don’t think you can go wrong anywhere in Costa Rica.
noel says
I’m never patient enough to do birding, but when there are so many to choose from there, I’m sure it must be fantastic – great pics!
Brianna says
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed them. Its really not hard to bird in Costa Rica, they’re everywhere!
Marsha says
Wow that is spectacular! I’ve always had a fascination with Costa Rica; I’ve love to visit. I never thought of going bird watching but if I ever make it there, I’ll make sure to look up! 🙂
Brianna says
Costa Rica is a spectacular destination. Npo matter what you do you’ll have a blast!
antonette says
hey cool, another birder 🙂 I came to love them over the past years of travel we did and heard that Costa Rica is actually birding heaven!
Brianna says
They are so much fun to watch, whether its a little sparrow in my backyard or a beautiful scarlet macaw.
Daidri | Thee Getaway Gal says
I love bird watching and will often times sit for far too long taking pictures of them. You captured some good pics here, they are beautiful! I’ve not been to Costa Rica, I’m sure I’d love it there.
Brianna says
Costa Rica is one of my favorite destinations to date. The views, vibe and wildlife are all spectacular.
Ming @OnALim1 says
I too find that birds are easy to ignore till I’m at a place where the attraction is…birds, and it always ends up being a very enjoyable and eye-opening experience. Great pics!
Brianna says
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos :). I came home to discover I live in a pretty good birding area myself.
Emma says
That sounds like a fantastic adventure! Love your pictures, especially the hummingbird! 🙂
Brianna says
The hummingbirds were so fun to watch! Its just hard to snap a picture of them since they’re so quick.
Margherita @The Crowded Planet says
Amazing post with loads of stunning pics! Love that red macaw, the jungle looks great too. I should definitely visit Costa Rica!
Brianna says
It’s almost impossible not to take good pictures in Costa Rica, its a visual feast!
Mary {The World Is A Book} says
Your pictures are stunning and these birds are beautiful! I love how you captured a variety of birds. I’m not surprised this turned you into a bird watcher. Costa Rica has been high on our travel wish list and these photos are so inspiring.
Brianna says
Thanks Mary, the variety of birds and wildlife is amazing. Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for kids too!
JR says
These pics are just fab. I love Costa Rica so much. I also wrote a recent blog about it. The animals and jungles and beaches and people. All so wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Lauren says
Your pictures are amazing! Wow, I think it would be an amazing discovery to keep seeing new birds, especially those that we don’t typically see in the wild. I love toucans! I am glad that you enjoyed this and will keep it up as a new hobby 🙂
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey says
What amazing photos. I would never be patient enough to get those shots, so great you are though. Big thanks for taking the time to link up with us for #SundayTraveler
Tamika says
what a fun new hobby! I love the pictures!
Brianna says
Thanks, you can’t help but fall in love with all of the wildlife in Costa Rica!
Carmen@CarmensTravelTips says
We love Costa Rica so much that we got married there. Your pictures brought back many fond memories of all the wildlife we saw during our trip. Great pictures!
Brianna says
Costa Rica is a fabulous place to start your life together!
frankaboutcroatia says
I would think of birding just like you (BTW, like your “die hard naturalists” expression 🙂 ). I missed Costa Rica due to the bad weather back in time when I worked on a cruise ship (we were supposed to dock in Limon). Still regret this and planning to visit it on my own one day. And now your gorgeous photos make me plan that Costa Rica trip sooner. Wildlife there really seems impressive.
Brianna says
Costa Rica is one of my favorite destinations to date, just so much to see and do.
Adelina | PackMeTo says
When I was younger I was obsessed with macaws and toucans. It must have been so cool to see them in real life. Costa Rica has never been too much on my radar but the more I learn about it, the more I want to go.
Brianna says
I don’t know anyone who has visited Costa Rica who hasn’t loved it
Neil says
Excellent photos. Birds are not so easy to capture since they often fly away just when you’ve got them lined up! We plan to be in Costa Rica in November 2014 and will certainly take your advice as to where to enjoy the natural setting. I’m glad there are so many choices!
Brianna says
I’ve really just scratched the surface of birding in Costa Rica, the birding and wildlife is off the charts. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful trip.
Elena says
Lovely photos Brianna! I had friends volunteering in Osa peninsula and I know the area is gorgeous and full of life!
Brianna says
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoy them. For me the Osa is one of the Earth’s special places, there really is nothing like it.
Jenn T. says
Beautiful shots! I totally agree with you-it’s hard not to fall in love with Costa Rica’s birds. My husband and I have been here for about 10 months now and are becoming increasingly obsessed. If you ever have the chance, visit the ARA Project on your next trip to CR. They breed and release Scarlet and Great Green Macaws-it’s awesome to see so many of them flying free in the wild. Cheers!
Brianna says
Glad you like my photos. CR is really a visual feast isn’t it? I’ll be sure to check out the ARA project when I’m nearby, I love supporting animal rehab projects.
Samantha says
So much wildlife in Costa Rica! You’ve taken some lovely pictures! I’m hoping to visit Central America in 2016! 🙂
Brianna says
There is so much to see in CA!
Raphael Alexander Zoren says
Those photos of the hummingbird are totally awesome!!!!
Brianna says
Thanks 🙂 With the sheer abundance of birds in CR I was bound to get some good shots!
kenin says
Lauren and I had a similar experience the last time we were in Trinidad. We visited a couple of bird sanctuaries and found a new passion for birding as well. Looks like we’ll have one more thing on our list when we finally make it to Costa Rica.
Brianna says
You can’t help but notice the bird and other wildlife in Costa Rica. It’s one of my favorite destinations to date.
Katherine Belarmino | Travel the World says
My mom loves bird watching and I’ve always thought it was kind of funny. Now my husband is crazy for birds and loves photographing them. His interest started more as a photography thing when we traveled, but as he saw how intricate their feathers and colors are in the photos, he started paying more attention to the birds themselves.
Brianna says
I had always found it a bit odd too but that trip really showed me a new side of birds that I hadn’t noticed before. As a photographer I also think its about the challenge of getting a good shot, birds don’t always make the most cooperative models.
Dale says
Great pictures, even better animal choices!
Would love to see them first hand some time in the immediate future.
Brianna says
The wildlife in Costa Rica is off the hook!
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
Amazing photographs! The clarity of your photos is excellent. Thanks for sharing you new found love of birding. I believe you’re right, Costa Rica can convert anyone into a nature lover.
Brianna says
I didn’t expect to love Costa Rica as much as I did. With wildlife that prolific and spectacular its hard not to get great photos!
Traveling Ted says
I enjoyed the bird life in the Osa Peninsula as well. We saw a ton of macaws, toucans, and several great currosows, which is this fierce looking wild turkey. You are off to a great birding start with these fantastic shots.
Brianna says
Thank you. It’s hard not to get a few good shots in with the Osa’s abundant wild life.
Jennifer says
You got some beautiful pictures! Costa Rica is quite a beautiful place. Looking forward to hopefully getting some wonderful bird pictures myself. Happy travels!
Brianna says
The wildlife in Costa Rica is just amazing!
Jen Joslin says
Wow, birding in Costa Rica looks simply incredible! I just finished up a unit on the rainforest with my first graders, so I recognized quite a few of these birds. It must have been amazing to see them and other animals so close up!
Brianna says
Still to this day one of the most amazing places I’ve been. THe wildlife of all kinds is so abundant.
Christina says
I have the same experience when we were in Costa Rica. Just like you, I had associated birding with the retired crowd. Now, I am obsessed with it. Great pictures!
Brianna says
Seriously, its crazy how much drama is going on overhead if we just take the time to look up.
Travel Croatiam says
Scarlet Macaw is an amazing parrot. So many different birds. Your photos are stunning.
Thank you for sharing.
Brianna says
thank you!