Located in the heart of the Arenal Volcano National Park, the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is a gateway to experience the birdlife of Costa Rica, one of the most recommended “Birding Hotspots” in the Arenal & La Fortuna area.
Half of the birds in Costa Rica, more than 500 species have been recorded in our forest, such as: cute cotinga, black-crested flirt, yellow-eared toucanet, parasol bird, black-eared tanager, great peacock curassow, cinnamon-bellied tororoy, golden eagle, tiger heron, etc.
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is one of the best places for Birdwatching in Costa Rica and is part of the Birding Hotspots Route of the country.
Our 350-hectares property encompasses two life zones: the tropical rain forest of the Caribbean plains and the premontane forest at the foot of the Atlantic slope. The diversity of habitats, from primary and secondary forests to agricultural pastures, creates various niches for birds and other animals to inhabit. During your stay at the hotel do not miss the opportunity to climb our 28-meter Observation Tower “The Nest” for a unique birdwatching experience. The incredible abundance of flora and fauna in and around Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails will make your stay truly a birdwatching paradise.
Birdwatching Tours
Bird Sanctuary in Costa Rica
Morning Tour
2 hours
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Sunrise is a magical time at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails (AOL). The air is fresh, the trails are quiet, and the forest is full of life. The morning bird watching tour is conducted with our experienced guides. Within our private reserve you will be able to enjoy the different habitats that will allow you to appreciate a great diversity of bird species; more than 500 species of birds have been observed such as toucans, trogons, tanagers etc. or maybe the Umbrella Bird with its weird hairstyle and loud calls, you will never know what to expect.
Afternoon Tour
2 hours
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If you don’t like to get up early or if Bird Watching in the morning was not enough to satisfy your desire, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers you the bird watching tour in the afternoon. This tour starts after your nap and will return before dinner. Similar to the morning tour, this package includes an experienced guide who will show you the best birding spots and help you in your identification process. On many occasions the birds found in the afternoon are different from the species in the morning hours, this makes the excursion in the afternoon a new experience for those who enjoyed the morning walk.
All Day Tour
7.5 hours
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If you want more opportunities to observe as many bird species as possible then Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers the full day birding tour. This tour combines morning and afternoon excursions (with a break for breakfast, lunch, and nap). This tour allows our guides more time to show you around the property and the areas preferred by birds while admiring the micro habitats that exist on our property.
Hanging Bridges Tour
6 hours
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Live a unique experience with a bird tour in the nearby “Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park”. On this property you will observe a great variety of bird species and you will have the opportunity to see the forest from an elevated perspective. These suspension bridges offer an excellent opportunity to view birds that are normally camouflaged in the shadows. More than 350 species of birds have been observed in this area, including migratory and resident species.
El Silencio
4 hours
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AOL and El Silencio
7.5 hours
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“Birdwatchers know that the more different habitats you explore, the more bird species you’re likely to see. Also, Costa Rican birders know that arguably the richest life zone for bird diversity here is the Caribbean foothill belt. That may be due in part to the ease with which both lowland and middle elevation species overlap at elevations between about 500 and 900 meters (1,640 – 2,953 feet), but there are also many birds that you will only find in the foothills. It therefore comes as no surprise that the Arenal Observatory Lodge is a favorite place for birders as the lodge itself sits at 740 meters (2,428 feet) above sea level and the entire property spans an elevation gradient from 600 to 1100 meters (1,969 – 3,609 feet). Add to that a variety of habitats comprising gardens planted with flowering and fruiting trees and bushes, pastures, second-growth woodlands and rainforest, and you have the potential for seeing lots of birds. No wonder the species list for the lodge and its vicinity has grown to more than 400 species seen over the years!”
Noted by renowned naturalist and birder, Richard Garrigues, author of The Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide.