The Best Spot for Quetzals and Endemic Hummingbirds in Costa Rica

About the Location

Located just off the Panamerican Highway in the Talamanca Mountains south of San José, Paraiso Quetzal Lodge is my favorite spot for hummingbird photography. And as the name implied, it’s also a great spot for Quetzals. The highlands of Costa Rica are home to many endemic species. Being located at about 2,800 meters above sea level, Paraiso Quetzal Lodge is an awesome spot for five highland endemics.

Why I Recommend It

I’ve yet to find a better location for photographing and filming hummingbirds and Quetzals. In fact, I’ve rubbed shoulders there with photographers from National Geographic and Emmy-winning videographers filming for Netflix and Disney+. The hotel is also home to one of Costa Rica’s eleven MOTUS stations used to track migratory birds as well as the KABEK conservation program that supports the conservation of the wild avocado trees that Resplendent Quetzals rely on to survive.

Birdwatching & Photography Highlights

The highlands are home to fewer numbers of species (hence the 238 species registered on Paraiso Quetzal Lodge’s eBird Hotspot), but the ones that are there are disproportionately endemics. Almost half (fifty) of Costa Rica’s 107 endemic species are found in the highlands.

Feeder Birds

The feeders at Paraiso Quetzal are only for hummingbirds. However, there is also a wide variety of native plants for both hummingbirds and other birds to feed on that allow for some great shots.

Endemic Hummingbirds: Talamanca Hummingbird, White-throated Mountain-Gem, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear.