Top Bird Photography Lodges in Costa Rica

Explore the best bird photography lodges in Costa Rica, all Physis Certified, and home to an incredible diversity of bird species. Perfect for capturing stunning bird photography in various habitats, from cloud forests to tropical rainforests.

Explore the best bird photography lodges in Costa Rica, all Physis Certified for sustainability and conservation, offering exceptional opportunities to capture stunning bird species in diverse ecosystems.

Savegre Lodge

Location: San Gerardo de Dota, Central Highlands
Area: Cloud Forest

Savegre Lodge is a prime destination for photographing highland bird species in Costa Rica’s stunning cloud forest. This Physis Certified lodge offers comfortable accommodations and expert-guided birding tours.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Savegre Lodge

Resplendent Quetzal
Collared Redstart
Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher
Black-cheeked Warbler
Flame-throated Warbler
Spotted Wood-Quail
Ochraceous Pewee
Golden-browed Chlorophonia
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush
Volcano Hummingbird

Hotel Gema de Bosque

Location: San Vito, Southern Costa Rica
Area: Lowland Forest

Hotel Gema de Bosque offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by vibrant birdlife, ideal for photographers aiming to capture lowland species. This lodge is Physis Certified for its conservation efforts.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Hotel Gema de Bosque:

Turquoise Cotinga
Yellow-throated Toucan
White-crested Coquette
Black-throated Trogon
Blue-crowned Motmot
Spot-crowned Euphonia
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Speckled Tanager
White-vented Euphonia
Fiery-billed Aracari

Selva Verde Lodge

Location: Sarapiquí, Northern Lowlands
Area: Tropical Rainforest

Located in the heart of Sarapiquí, Selva Verde Lodge is perfect for bird photographers looking to explore Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest. This Physis Certified lodge offers fantastic trails and birding tours.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Selva Verde Lodge:

Keel-billed Toucan
Great Green Macaw
Fasciated Tiger-Heron
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker
Crested Guan
Snowy Cotinga
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Green Honeycreeper
Olive-backed Euphonia
Slaty-tailed Trogon

Arte de Plumas Lodge

Location: Turrialba, Cartago Province
Area: Cloud Forest

Specializing in bird photography, Arte de Plumas Lodge is a boutique location where enthusiasts can enjoy photography sessions with customized hides and feeders to attract colorful species of the Turrialba area.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Arte de Plumas Lodge:

Emerald Toucanet
Crimson-collared Tanager
Montezuma Oropendola
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Bay-headed Tanager
Violaceous Trogon
Golden-hooded Tanager
White-necked Jacobin
Squirrel Cuckoo
Yellow-throated Euphonia

Rancho Naturalista

Location: Turrialba, Central Highlands
Area: Mid-Elevation Rainforest

Known for its comfortable accommodations and expert-guided birding tours, Rancho Naturalista is one of the premier bird photography lodges in Costa Rica, offering exceptional opportunities to capture elusive species.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Rancho Naturalista:

Snowcap
Sunbittern
White-crowned Manakin
Tawny-chested Flycatcher
Purple-crowned Fairy
Brown-hooded Parrot
Rufous Motmot
Green-breasted Mango
Collared Trogon
Blue-throated Goldentail

Hotel de Campo Caño Negro

Location: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Northern Costa Rica
Area: Wetlands

Located near the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, this lodge offers an unparalleled experience in photographing wetland species. Birding boat tours allow for close-up shots of aquatic birds.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Hotel de Campo Caño Negro:

Jabiru
Roseate Spoonbill
Snail Kite
Black-collared Hawk
Great Potoo
Nicaraguan Grackle
Northern Jacana
Green Kingfisher
Limpkin
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron

Arenal Observatory Lodge

Location: La Fortuna, Northern Highlands
Area: Arenal Volcano National Park

Overlooking Arenal Volcano, this lodge offers scenic beauty and great birding trails. The mix of rainforest and volcanic landscapes makes for diverse bird photography opportunities.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Arenal Observatory Lodge:

Black Guan
Great Curassow
Crested Owl
White Hawk
Orange-bellied Trogon
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
Collared Aracari
Northern Emerald Toucanet
Rufous-winged Tanager

La Ensenada Lodge

Location: Gulf of Nicoya, Northern Pacific
Area: Dry Forest and Mangroves

With stunning views of the Gulf of Nicoya, La Ensenada Lodge is situated in a region where photographers can capture dry forest and mangrove species, as well as breathtaking sunsets.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at La Ensenada Lodge:

Mangrove Black Hawk
Pacific Screech-Owl
Double-striped Thick-knee
Common Black Hawk
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Turquoise-browed Motmot
White-fronted Parrot
Long-tailed Manakin
Laughing Falcon
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl

Boca Tapada Lodge

Location: Boca Tapada, Northern Lowlands
Area: Tropical Rainforest

A hidden gem near the San Carlos River, Boca Tapada Lodge offers excellent opportunities to photograph tropical rainforest species, with vibrant colors and diverse birdlife.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Boca Tapada Lodge:

Scarlet Macaw
Green Macaw
Great Curassow
Blue Dacnis
Orange-billed Sparrow
Gartered Trogon
Black-mandibled Toucan
Purple Gallinule
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
King Vulture

Maquenque Lodge

Location: Boca Tapada, Northern Lowlands
Area: Tropical Rainforest

Adjacent to a private reserve, Maquenque Lodge is an eco-lodge that attracts birders seeking to photograph rare and vibrant species in the lush rainforest environment.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Maquenque Lodge:

Red-lored Parrot
Crested Caracara
Sunbittern
Bat Falcon
White-throated Crake
Pale-billed Woodpecker
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Cinnamon Becard
Purple-throated Fruitcrow
Crimson-collared Tanager

Hotel Quelitales

Location: Cartago, Central Valley
Area: Highland Forest

Tucked into the highland forests of Cartago, Hotel Quelitales is a peaceful escape for bird photographers looking to capture mountain and forest species in a serene environment.

Top 10 Birds to Photograph at Hotel Quelitales:

Golden-browed Chlorophonia
Emerald Toucanet
Collared Trogon
Scintillant Hummingbird
Slate-throated Redstart
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
White-ruffed Manakin
Black-throated Trogon
Mountain Elaenia
Green-crowned Brilliant

Cerro Lodge

Location: Tarcoles, Pacific Coast
Area: Transitional Dry Forest

Cerro Lodge offers a fantastic combination of dry forest and coastal habitats. This unique setting near the famous Tarcoles River makes it one of the best lodges for capturing forest and aquatic birds.