Top Costa Rica Bird Watching Hotspots

14 Jan 2011


Resplendent Quetzal


With over 800 documented avian species in Costa Rica, it comes as no surprise that bird watching in the country is unparalleled. Here is a list of our top places to see for phenomenal Costa Rican birding:

  • Palo Verde National Park – Located at the mouth of the Tempisque River, Palo Verde National Park is home to species like the toucan, currassow and scarlet macaw along with egret, spoonbill and ibis. You can also expect to find various hummingbird and other breathtaking species in the area.


    • Cano Negro National Park - Because of its rather isolated location, Cano Negro National Park is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in the country. Its soggy mangroves are hotbeds for birds like wood stork, roseate spoonbill, neotropic cormorant, sparrow hawk and kingfisher.
    • Cerro de la Muerte – Cerro de la Muerte is renowned for its legendary bird watching, and birders flock here from around the world in search of the precious and rare resplendent quetzal. The best time to come is between December and June. You can also hope to find the resplendent quetzal in the Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve, Los Angeles Cloud Forest Reserve, Tapanti National Wildlife Refgue and Chirripo National Park.

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    Top Five Things to do in Tortuguero

    07 Jan 2011


    Nearby banana plantation


    Tortuguero is one of the most lush and biodiverse places in Costa Rica. Although it is the largest nesting site in the country for green sea turtles, it is also home to three other species of turtle, along with countless birds, insects and reptiles. The area is also surrounded by lush banana plantations, which can make for an interesting day trip.

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    Costa Rica Food: Ayote (Acorn Squash)

    30 Dec 2010

    Acorn squash, known in Costa Rica as ayote, is a delicious vegetable that seems too tasty to be healthy. Baked or boiled, sweetened or salted, the ayote is sure to become a fast favorite for any fan of pumpkin or butternut squash – the best part about it is its completely natural buttery taste, which comes right out of the oven (without the added fat of actual butter).

    Ayote only has about 80 calories per cup of cubed baked pieces, and is high in vitamin C, B6, potassium, folate, thiamine, and magnesium. It is also loaded with beta-carotene, the precursor to Vitamin A – which is credited with improving eyesight and reducing the likelihood of lung cancer (although according to www.cancer.org , some studies say that long term use of high-dose supplements may actually increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers).

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    Scuba Diving Coiba National Park, Panama

    24 Dec 2010


    Spadefish


    Three breaching humpback whales and a smaller baby humpback swam around the dive site, in what seemed like a formal invitation to jump in. I couldn’t have imagined a better omen.

    We were on a liveaboard diving trip to Panama’s Coiba National Park with Coiba Dive Expeditions, and so far we’d seen quite a lot of life.  This penal colony-turned-national wildlife refuge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the most legendary diving in the country – attracting endangered species ranging from sea turtles to hammerhead and whale sharks. Today marked day three of the 8-days island hopping around the park’s 430,825 acres.

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    Playa Tamarindo Raft Up Fundraiser

    16 Dec 2010


    Round Trip Transportation from Playa Flamingo or Tamarindo


    Nature Air is proud to announce sponsorship of this year’s “Raft Up” fundraiser party benefiting the Playa Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo communities. Local hotels, restaurants, shops, and agencies pulled together to sponsor the event, sell tickets, provide boat transportation, and ensure the success of one of the most important charities in the area.

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