Costa Rica Nature Tours for Birders, Wildlife Lovers & Eco-Travelers
Costa Rica is ideal for birders, wildlife lovers, and eco-travellers.
July 27, 2026
10 minute read
If the wild is calling you, a trip to Costa Rica is a great way to answer. With 12 ecosystems to explore and around a half million species to see, you get a lot of biodiversity on Costa Rica nature tours.
In one trip you can cruise along Tortuguero’s waterways looking for wildlife, spend time in Monteverde’s cloud forest listening for birds, and hike through lava fields near Arenal Volcano.
In this post, you’ll learn why people love Costa Rica and what kinds of nature tours you can choose from or ideally combine into one trip.
Don’t feel like reading? Collette offers guided Costa Rica tours that combine the best things to do in Costa Rica into one well-paced trip. Skip all the planning and book today!
Why Choose Costa Rica for Nature Tours?
Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in Central America for travellers who love nature. It sits on the land bridge between the Americas, where animals and plants from North and South America come together, creating a land rich in biodiversity.
Costa Rica’s location on a land bridge and its volcanic activity have created an extremely varied topography. You can experience jungle-like rainforests, one of the world’s few cloud forests, wetlands, waterways, volcanoes, and the coast on one trip.
What’s more, you can feel good about nature tours in Costa Rica. The country is a leader in eco-tourism and sustainable travel. More than a quarter of the land is protected by the National System of Conservation, forming a network of national parks, wildlife refuges, and biological reserves, many of which you can explore.
What Kind of Costa Rica Nature Experience Is Right for You?
Some people go to Costa Rica for birdwatching. Others are eager to spot monkeys, sloths, reptiles, and other wildlife in protected habitats. Some choose walking tours or boat safaris, while others opt for one of Costa Rica’s zip line canopy tours.
Choosing the right tour really depends on what you want to see and what activity level you’re comfortable with. Our tours in Costa Rica intentionally include a variety of experiences and choices so you can customize the trip to include your must-sees and fit your personal sense of adventure.
Where to go in Costa Rica for Bird Watching
Monteverde is one of the best places in Costa Rica for bird watching, with opportunities to spot quetzals, as well as hundreds of other bird species. That said, Costa Rica is home to 600 bird species year-round and another 200 migratory species, so birding isn’t limited to one reserve. Even people who don’t consider themselves birders get excited about all the different birds they see.
“The birds were beautiful. Being in the rainforest was great. I loved the river cruises. I loved being outside so much.” Elizabeth R., Traveller on Costa Rica: A World of Nature.
Some of the birds you can see in Costa Rica include:
Quetzals - One of the most beautiful birds in Costa Rica, the quetzal has a green body, red breast, and ridged crest. During mating season, males grow a tail that can reach up to half a metre long.
Parrots - Costa Rica is home to 16 types of parrots, most of them found in the lowland forests. The Great Green is the most common, and Scarlet Macaws are another standout. Parrots often fly in pairs because they are lifelong monogamous partners.
Hummingbirds - You can find more than 50 species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica. They are easy to spot because they seem to hover instead of fly, and they help pollinate flowers as they feed on nectar.
Toucans - To spot toucans, look for their large bills and compact bodies. Their bills help them eat fruit, and the seeds they spread help support new tree growth in the forest.
Insider tip: Having a local guide (included on Collette tours) can make a big difference in how many birds you see. Many are easier to hear than to find if you don’t know where to look.
Where to go in Costa Rica for Wildlife
Tortuguero National Park is a great destination for overall wildlife viewing in Costa Rica. You reach it by boat or plane and can stay in an eco-lodge in the middle of the jungle. Boats serve as safari vehicles as you wind through the canals with a local guide looking for more than 350 species of birds and mammals, along with amphibians and reptiles.
What Animals Can You See in Costa Rica?
In addition to its impressive number of birds, Costa Rica is home to sea turtles, monkeys, sloths, jaguars, manatees, ocelots, crocodiles, caimans, tree frogs, and so much more. Below are a few of the animals you might see.
Howler Monkeys – One of the world’s loudest animals, with a sound that can be heard up to 3 miles away.
Sloths - Sloths are on many people’s must-see list, but they are more elusive than many travellers assume because their camouflage helps them disappear into the trees. A local guide increases your chances of spotting one.
White-faced capuchin monkeys - Live in large social groups and bring a lot of energy and fun when they appear.
Ocelots - These secretive rainforest cats are beautiful but harder to spot, making sightings feel extra special.
Sea Turtles - On some Collette tours, we visit a conservation station to learn about the four species here: green, hawksbill, leatherback, and loggerhead sea turtles.
Crocodiles - Look for these big reptiles on crocodile jungle safaris, like the one included on Collette’s Costa Rica: A World of Nature tour.
Best Places to see Volcanos in Costa Rica
The Arenal volcano in Costa Rica is the country’s best-known volcano. It rises more than 5,400 feet above the surrounding countryside, dominating the landscape.
Travellers can hike across lava fields formed by the 1968 eruption and enjoy hot springs naturally heated by the area’s volcanic activity. The Arenal area is also a good base for other activities, including hanging bridges, zip lining, and white-water rafting.
Insider Tip: Stay at Lomas del Volcán Hotel for striking views of Arenal Volcano, a highlight on Collette’s tours to this region.
Best Places in Costa Rica for Eco-Travellers
While the whole country is known for eco-tourism, there are a few places where you can stay in eco-lodges, including the highly-rated Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero.
The Evergreen Lodge is set in the middle of the jungle, about a five-minute boat ride from the park entrance. It’s a small property with 66 rooms that are more rustic than a four-star hotel but still quite lovely and comfortable. Many cabins are built on stilts above the rainforest floor to reduce environmental impact, and you’ll find netting instead of glass windows. It’s an immersive experience that works in harmony with the surrounding jungle.
“EverGreen Lodge was so beautiful. I enjoyed the rustic feel, the frogs and critters that put us to sleep at night and the morning howls of the monkeys and the songs of the birds. The boat tours were wonderful and the Turtle Research Station was so interesting.” Rosemary M., Traveller on Costa Rica: A World of Nature
Stay in Tortuguero on Collette’s Costa Rica: A World of Nature Tour.
How Local Guides Help You Spot More Wildlife
If you go to Costa Rica to see wildlife, a naturalist guide is a must. The country is teeming with life, but many of those animals are experts at hiding in plain sight. Subtle movement and telltale signs are easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.
On Collette’s nature-focused Costa Rica tours, you’ll visit place like Tortuguero with certified naturalist guides. They know how to read the landscape, listen for movement, and spot the animals you might miss. And they love sharing their knowledge, naming each animal and sharing fun facts that make the experience more memorable.
Depending on the tour, you might also meet local birding experts or a visit to a sea turtle conservation and research centre to extend your experience.
Tours Led by an Expert Naturalists
Collette’s Costa Rica: A World of Nature tour is led by expert naturalist guides. “If you’re going to Costa Rica to see wildlife — this is the tour. We designed it to maximize nature, from boat rides to eco lodges to expert guides," says Tour Designer Sam K.
Thoughtful tour design and expert guides are what take your Costa Rica experience to the next level. You’re not just in the jungle, you’re looking in the right places for sloths, monkeys, rare birds, and macaws, feeling the excitement of spotting something new, and learning what it is from a knowledgeable naturalist guide.
FAQs About Costa Rica Nature Tours
Is Costa Rica good for birders?
Yes. Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in the region for birders because it is home to 600 bird species year-round and another 200 migratory species. Even travellers who are new to birding often find it rewarding because birdlife is so visible across the country’s forests, waterways, and reserves.
Is Costa Rica a good destination for wildlife lovers?
Yes. Costa Rica is a popular destination for wildlife lovers because it has a variety of protected habitats that are home to around a half million species. Travellers can see monkeys, sloths, colourful birds, reptiles, and other species while exploring canals, rainforests, and a cloud forest.
What makes Costa Rica appealing to eco-travellers?
Costa Rica appeals to eco-travellers because the country protects a large share of its land and offers access to varied ecosystems, including rainforests, a cloud forest, wetlands, waterways, and volcano country.
Are guided tours better for spotting wildlife in Costa Rica?
If your goal is to see wildlife, guided tours can make a big difference. Local guides know where to look, what sounds to listen for, and how to spot animals that many travellers would otherwise miss.
When is the best time to take a Costa Rica nature trip?
Most travellers choose to visit Costa Rica during its dry season (December to April), but there are advantages to low-season travel. Our post on when to go to Costa Rica provides more details to help you decide.
See More of Costa Rica on a Guided Tour
Costa Rica offers a lot for birders, wildlife lovers, and eco-travellers in one destination. You can explore canals, rainforests, a cloud forest, volcano country, and the coast while surrounded by wildlife in their natural habitat. Not to mention that you can do this on foot, from a plane, by boat, or from above on ziplines and hanging bridges.
There are abundant choices for nature lovers, but choosing the right mix and making all those reservations and arranging transport and guides can be daunting.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With over 100 years of tour design experience, Collette is known for thoughtfully paced tours that include the right mix of planned activities, cultural moments, and free time. And we offer one of the best travel protection plans.
Learn more about our guided tours to Costa Rica.
