Costa Rica is a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to over 900 species of birds including over 50 species of hummingbirds. With so many options across the country, it can be difficult to know where the best places are to observe these fast-flying, nectar-feeding birds. Here is an overview of some of the top locations in Costa Rica to see a diversity of hummingbird species.
Central Valley
The Central Valley region of Costa Rica near the capital city of San Jose is a convenient and accessible place to see many hummingbird species. Popular birding spots include:
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
This lush park near Volcan Poas features hiking trails through five spectacular waterfalls. Over 20 hummingbird feeders are strategically placed along the trails and attract up to 15 species including the fiery-throated hummingbird, green thorntail, and violet sabrewing.
Lankester Botanical Gardens
The lush gardens contain over 800 orchid species that attract numerous hummingbirds. Species regularly seen include the green hermit, green-crowned brilliant, and white-necked jacobin.
Sibu Sanctuary
This private reserve contains over a dozen feeders visited by various hummingbird species including the stripe-tailed hummingbird, coppery-headed emerald, and steely-vented hummingbird.
Caribbean Coast
The lush lowland rainforests along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast provide excellent habitat for hummingbirds. Prime spots include:
Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
This wetland area provides breeding grounds for herons, kingfishers, and many hummingbird species like the rufous-tailed hummingbird and cinnamon hummingbird.
La Selva Biological Station
This research station in the Caribbean lowlands contains a network of trails through tropical rainforest. Some 20 hummingbird species can be seen like the white-necked jacobin, green hermit, and blue-chested hummingbird.
Arenal Volcano
There are several lodges around the base of the Arenal Volcano that place feeders to attract hummingbirds. Species that frequent this area include the violet sabrewing, green-crowned brilliant, and coppery-headed emerald.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
This high elevation cloud forest is legendary among birders. Some of the most notable hummingbirds include:
Green-crowned Brilliant
This aptly named hummingbird has iridescent green upperparts and white underparts. The male has a bright crimson throat.
Magnificent Hummingbird
The male has an iridescent purple crown and emerald green underparts. Females are tawny brown with green spots on the throat.
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
As the name suggests, the male has a brilliant purple throat. The mountain-gem prefers higher elevations.
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
This large hummingbird has a bright red throat and iridescent green back. It’s one of the most colorful Central American hummingbird species.
South Pacific Coast
The many protected areas along Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast support tropical dry forest habitat. Top spots here include:
Carara National Park
Over 400 bird species inhabit this transitional forest, including several hummingbirds like the violet-headed hummingbird, white-tailed hummingbird, and glittering-throated emerald.
Manuel Antonio National Park
The forested area and coastal scrub attract many hummingbird species, including the buff-tailed coronet, violet-crowned woodnymph, and black-crested coquette.
Finca Barú National Wildlife Refuge
This tropical dry forest refuge southwest of Dominical contains at least 11 hummingbird species like the black-bellied hummingbird and scaly-breasted hummingbird.
Migratory Hotspots
Some key areas along Costa Rica’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts see migratory hummingbirds passing through during certain times of the year, mainly between March-May and August-October as they migrate between North America and South America. Popular spots include:
Cabo Matapalo
The forests around the Osa Peninsula attract good numbers of ruby-throated hummingbird during the spring and fall migrations.
Savegre Hotel & Spa
This lodge in San Gerardo de Dota maintains feeders that attract various migratory hummingbirds like rufous hummingbird and calliope hummingbird.
Maquenque Ecolodge
Situated in the northern lowlands near the Nicaraguan border, this ecolodge sees many migratory hummingbirds like the ruby-throated hummingbird passing through its grounds.
Conclusion
With so many excellent birding hotspots across the country, Costa Rica is truly a destination for seeing a wide diversity of spectacular, colorful hummingbirds. The key areas to consider for observing hummingbirds are the country’s protected cloud forests, lowland rainforests, dry forests, and strategic coastal locations that intersect with migratory flyways. Visiting some of Costa Rica’s top hummingbird destinations during peak seasons provides a memorable opportunity to observe these incredible birds.
