Monteverde Birdwatching Tour – Half-Day Premium Experience
📌 Quick Overview
🎟️ Price: $65 – $120 per person
(Varies by season & guide)
OUR GUIDES SEASON 2025
✅ Roy Porras: $65 per person
✅ Sergio Vargas: $65 per person
✅ Tony Castro: $65 per person
✅ Olman Santamaria: $65 per person
✅ Will Nunez: $65 per person
✅ Giuliano Salazar: $65 per person
✅ Jorge Marin: $65 per person
✅ Elvin Rodriguez: $90 per person
✅ Felix Barrantes: $120 per person
✅ Adrian Mendez: $120 per person
- Duration: 6 hours (detailed itinerary below)
- Tour Time: 6:00 AM (Best for bird activity!)
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Family-friendly)
- Meeting Point: CASEM / Curi-Cancha Reserve / Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Includes: Expert birding guide with professional spotting scope
- Target Species: Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Toucans, Tanagers, and more
🚨 Park Entrance not included: Our guide adjusts birding spots based on weather and bird activity, as conditions like wind, rain, or storms may require a reserve change. Therefore, entrance fees are not included.
🌿 Why Choose Our Premium Birdwatching Tour?
✅ Expert birding guides – Deep knowledge of species, habitats, and behaviors
✅ Small groups (1-4 people) – More personalized experience
✅ Flexible birding locations – We adjust based on weather & bird activity
✅ Exclusive photography opportunities – Capture stunning birds in natural settings
🚨 Park entrance fees NOT included: Our guide selects the best birding spots based on real-time conditions (weather, bird activity).
Discover what sets our premium birdwatching tour apart in this article!
🦜 Monteverde Birdwatching Tour Itinerary
Explore Monteverde’s vibrant cloud forest, where over 400 bird species thrive. Led by expert naturalist guides, this tour is designed for bird enthusiasts of all levels—whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious traveler.
🌅 5:45–6:00 AM | Arrival & Sunrise Introduction
📍 Meeting Point: [Monteverde Square – Google Maps Link]
Arrive at the meeting location and greet your expert birdwatching guide.
Enjoy the crisp morning air, the best time to observe bird activity as the forest awakens.
Receive a briefing on bird species you’re likely to encounter and essential birdwatching techniques.
Your guide will assist in adjusting binoculars for optimal viewing and explain how to identify birds by calls and movements.
🔭 The early morning is the prime birdwatching window—let’s make the most of it!
🌄 6:00–7:30 AM | Early Morning Birdwatching at CASEM Area
🐦 Exploring the Forest Edges & Open Canopies
Begin the tour along the edge of the cloud forest, an ideal transition zone for spotting diverse species.
Observe hummingbirds darting between flowers, tanagers moving through the canopy, and the occasional motmot perched in the understory.
Scan for mixed-species flocks—a phenomenon where different bird species travel together, increasing chances of unique sightings.
Learn to identify birds by distinctive songs and calls, with your guide mimicking sounds for better recognition.
🌿 Expect to see: Emerald Toucanet, Three-wattled Bellbird (seasonal), Blue-throated Toucanet, and Black Guan.
☕ 7:30–7:45 AM | Monteverde Coffee Break
📍 Monteverde Coffee Stop
Take a short break at a local Monteverde coffee shop to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of high-altitude Costa Rican coffee.
Discuss sightings with your guide and fellow birders while soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.
Use this time to review bird checklists and prepare for the next leg of the tour.
🌳 7:30–9:00 AM | Curi-Cancha Reserve Exploration
🦉 Venturing Deeper into the Cloud Forest
Transition into Curi-Cancha Reserve, a prime birding hotspot known for its well-preserved habitats.
Walk through open pastures, secondary forest, and dense primary forest, increasing chances of encountering various species.
Look for resplendent quetzals (seasonal), trogons, and manakins performing their mesmerizing mating displays.
Use a spotting scope to zoom in on distant perches and intricate feather patterns.
🌿 Likely sightings: Resplendent Quetzal (seasonal), Orange-bellied Trogon, Long-tailed Manakin, and Chiriquí Quail-Dove.
🍃 9:00–10:30 AM | Quiet Forest Trails & Observations
📍 Shaded Trails & Hidden Perches
Continue along quiet trails ideal for spotting ground-dwelling birds, toucanets, and woodpeckers.
Keep an eye out for raptors soaring above, such as hawks and the occasional Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle.
Learn about the cloud forest’s ecosystem and how birds contribute to seed dispersal and forest health.
Resting Area: Stop at a dedicated resting area with tables, where you can take a break, enjoy the tranquil setting, and review your birding notes.
The Natural Maze: Visit a unique, naturally formed circular maze, a fantastic spot for observing hummingbirds up close as they feed on nectar.
Facilities: Restroom facilities are available before continuing deeper into the reserve.
🚶♂️ Keep Walking & Exploring!
From here, the tour continues in search of missing species of the season.
Depending on the time of year, your guide will focus on locating birds that may have been heard but not yet seen.
This final stretch is a great opportunity to spot rare or unexpected species before concluding the tour.
🌞 10:30–11:00 AM | Final Observations & Rare Bird Spotting
📍 Last Exploration & Special Sightings
As the morning progresses, many birds move to shaded areas—this is the perfect time to spot species that prefer denser vegetation.
Focus on ground-dwelling species like antbirds, tinamous, and quail-doves, which may now be more active.
Your guide will take this time to scan tree canopies for raptors like the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle or Swallow-tailed Kite, which may begin soaring in late morning.
Enjoy one last walk through the forest, making note of any bird calls that haven’t been matched with sightings yet.
This is also a great time for photography, as the changing light highlights intricate feather details and forest textures.
Review any missed species and get final birding insights before wrapping up the experience.
🔚 Conclusion & Return
🚶 Final Recap & Checklist Review
Return to the meeting point, where your guide will summarize the tour and help identify any species you may have missed.
Discuss highlights of the day, from rare sightings to fascinating bird behaviors observed during the tour.
Get personalized recommendations on where to continue birdwatching in Monteverde, whether at another reserve or a hidden local spot.
📜 Receive a Digital Birding Checklist with all recorded species from the tour.
🗣️ Q&A with the Guide – Ask any last questions about Monteverde’s avian life, conservation efforts, or photography tips.
☕ Optional: If you’d like to relax after the tour, enjoy a freshly brewed cup of Monteverde coffee at a local café while reflecting on your birdwatching adventure.
Notable Bird Species
Here are some of the incredible birds you may encounter during your tour:
Resplendent Quetzal
Three-wattled Bellbird
Scarlet Macaw
Keel-billed Toucan
Black Guan
Emerald Toucanet
Great Curassow
Long-tailed Manakin
Blue-crowned Motmot
Golden-hooded Tanager
Orange-bellied Trogon
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Brown Violet-ear (Hummingbird)
Flame-throated Warbler
Black-faced Solitaire
Collared Redstart
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-cheeked Warbler
Yellow-throated Euphonia
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Why Choose Our Birdwatching Tour?
Expert Guides: Join our distinguished naturalist guides, such as Adrian, who bring extensive knowledge and unique insights into Monteverde’s bird species.
Tailored for Enthusiasts: Ideal for birders and photographers seeking a focused and immersive experience.
Exclusive Locations: Explore prime birding hotspots and the renowned Curi-Cancha Reserve.
Key Details
Duration: Approximately 5 hours
Transportation: Not included (participants should arrange their own taxi or drive to the meeting point)
Included: Expert guide FULLY equiped, exploration of birding hotspots, coffee break
Not Included: Admission to Curi-Cancha Reserve ($20)
Recommendations
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing
Walking shoes or sneakers
Camera or smartphone
Bug repellent
Jacket or rain poncho
Binoculars (essential for birdwatching)
Book Your Birdwatching Tour Today!
Experience the best of Monteverde’s birdlife with our expertly guided tour. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a nature enthusiast, this adventure promises unforgettable moments in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions.
Don’t miss the chance to witness the vibrant avian wonders of Monteverde. Reserve your spot now and take the first step toward an incredible birdwatching experience!
IMPORTANT NOTES
We usually limit our birdwatching tours to a maximum of four people, except when they are part of the same group. This is because birdwatching is typically a quiet and immersive experience, and a smaller group allows our guide to provide more personalized attention. Additionally, some guests may not bring their own birdwatching equipment, such as binoculars or a spotting scope. With fewer participants, our guide can more easily share our equipment, help locate birds, and assist with taking photos through the scope
