Bird-Watching

The birding around the Osa Peninsula is world renowned, with more than 400 species. Regional species include Baird's trogon, yellow-billed cotinga, whistling wren, black-cheeked ant-tanager, the glorious turquoise cotinga, and, of course, the brilliant, impossible-to-miss scarlet macaws, which make frequent visits to the almond trees around town and all along the coast.

Bosque del Río Tigre Lodge. The area's best English-speaking birding guides are at Bosque del Río Tigre Lodge, just west of Puerto Jiménez, in prime birding habitat, with river, forest, and open areas. A three-hour morning bird walk starts at 5:30 am; it does not include transportation to lodge, but it does include coffee and banana bread beforehand and a hearty breakfast afterward. 12 km (7½ miles) northwest of Puerto Jiménez, at end of dirt road and across shallow river, Dos Brazos del Tigre, Puntarenas, 60702. www.bosquedelriotigre.com. $63 per person for three-hour bird walk.

Rincón. One of the best spots on the peninsula to spot a rare and highly endangered yellow-billed cotinga is along the north side of the bridge over the river at Rincón. Scan the forested hills above the road. Turquoise cotingas are also spotted here. Make sure to get there before 7 am for the best birding. Main road, 40 km (25 miles) north of Puerto Jiménez, Rincón, Puntarenas, 60702.