Arenal Observatory Lodge - Birdwatching & Photography

About the Location

If I was forced to choose only one place in Costa Rica to go birdwatching it would easily be the Arenal Observatory Lodge. With 506 species observed there, it is second only to Rancho Naturalista (519) for the greatest species variety in Costa Rica. The Arenal Volcano museum on the property tells the story of the creation of the Lodge. To make a long story short, a family farm had been hosting some vulcanologists from the Smithsonian Institution who were observing Arenal Volcano and gradually it turned into the sprawling ecohotel and wildlife reserve it is today.

Why I Recommend It

The habitat variety at the Arenal Observatory Lodge: second-growth forest, pastures, streams, and meticulously maintained gardens, combined with its ideal elevation (around 700 meters above sea level) and location (at one of the most convenient crossover spots between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes) make the Arenal Observatory Lodge a nature lovers’ paradise. Plus almost anywhere on the property, you’re treated to spectacular views of Arenal Volcano.

From a photographic standpoint, the gardens are extremely well laid out to get great shots as you’ll see in the gallery below. Beyond just birds, wildlife, in general, is abundant there. Outside of Corcovado National Park it’s the only place I’ve seen a Baird’s Tapir in the wild (only once though, don’t get your hopes up!) Three species of monkeys are found there and hearing Howler Monkeys is very common. There are loads of Coatis and other small mammals, too.

Also, unlike the exorbitant rates charged by some of the other high species count hotspots (in excess of $50-75 for a day pass!) it is very affordable to enter and eat there. Even the most expensive option (a day pass that includes lunch for non-residents/citizens) is only about $30.

Birdwatching & Photography Highlights

Unlike many spots where beyond the feeders you are in the poorly lit forest, the Arenal Observatory Lodge has a fantastic collection of gardens mixed in between forests combined with fruiting bushes that attract many photogenic species. That means you can get both common feeder birds as well as some less frequently photographed species. I consider it a slow day if I see anything less than 50 species in a day there. The list below is far from exhaustive and focuses on highlights or birds that are harder to see elsewhere.

Feeder Birds

Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers

Montezuma Oropendola

Great Curassow

Crested Guan

Tanagers (Scarlet-rumped, Blue-gray, Palm, Golden-hooded, Emerald, Bay-headed)

Collared Aracari

Euphonias

Black-striped Sparrow

Baltimore Oriole (Oct-Apr)

Great Spot For:

The feeder birds are also observed around the property rather abundantly

A LOT of hummingbirds (Rufous-tailed, Violet-headed, Hermits, White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Green Thorntail, Black-crested Coquette, Crowned Woodnymph, Bronze-tailed Plumeleter)

Gartered Trogon

Yellow-throated and Keel-billed Toucans

Woodpeckers (Black-cheeked, Pale-billed, Lineated)

Antbirds (Spotted, Dusky, Dull-mantled, Ocellated)

Thicket Antpitta (heard but rarely seen)

Black Phoebe

Wrens (House, Nightingale, White-breasted Wood)

Occasionally a Lovely Cotinga is spotted there and the much sought-after Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo has also been spotted there.