A working research station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, about 1,600 acres of lowland forest, where scientists and students come from all over the world every year to study. Its bird list is over 450 species long, and there are 70 species of bats besides.
For a birder, what that research gives you is the trail system. 57 kilometres of it, 35 miles, through forest that is studied every day, walked with the station's naturalist guides, who can tell you a great deal about what you are looking at.
There are early-morning bird walks, and you eat with the scientists. La Selva is also one of our lodges, so you can sleep at the station and be on the trails at first light.
On the far side, the station's forest runs up to Braulio Carrillo National Park, which has a page of its own.
The reason to come here is the length of the list rather than one bird. The birds we bring people to Sarapiquí for are the Great Green Macaw and the Keel-billed Toucan with the rainbow bill, the two birds of the zone, with the Great Jacamar and the hanging nests of the Montezuma Oropendola in the tall trees.
| English | Scientific | Spanish | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Green Macaw | Ara ambiguus | Guacamayo Verde Mayor | |
| Keel-billed Toucan | Ramphastos sulfuratus | Tucán Pico Iris | |
| Great Jacamar | Jacamerops aureus | Jacamar Grande | |
| Montezuma Oropendola | Psarocolius montezuma | Oropéndola de Moctezuma | |
| Gartered Violaceous Trogon | Trogon caligatus | Trogón Violáceo | |
| Slaty-tailed Trogon | Trogon massena | Trogón Coliplomizo | |
| Graceful Black-throated Trogon | Trogon tenellus | Trogón Cabeciverde |
Fly into San José. Sarapiquí is two hours from the airport, and Selva Verde Lodge is a few kilometres west of the station.
All year. It rains in every month in the Caribbean lowlands, and the station's walks run in all of them.
Two lodges: the station itself, for the birder who wants the scientists at dinner, and Selva Verde on the river for the one travelling with people who are not.
Photo: La Selva Biological Station
Sarapiquí
Visit a Research Center Working to Protect Nature's Diversity and Bounty
★★★
A working research station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, about 1,600 acres of lowland forest with a bird list over 450 species long. You walk it with their naturalist guides, early bird walk included, and eat with the scientists.
Photo: Selva Verde Lodge
Sarapiquí
A Great Jungle Eco-Retreat with a Wide Variety of Activities Just 2 Hours from San Jose
★★★
About 500 acres of Sarapiquí rainforest the lodge has looked after since 1986, 15 km of paths, and the river at the bottom of the garden. Two hours from San José, so it is often the first night of the trip.
No fixed trip stops here yet; we add it to a custom trip.
A few minutes on the form, and one of our Costa Rica specialists comes back to you personally with a first itinerary: the lowlands in the right order with whatever else is on your list, and how many nights each stop really needs. That first version is just a place to start.
Or call us: 1 (800) 996-1139 from the US and Canada, +506 4052-2140 in Costa Rica.
Keep going: add more birds, lodges or tours, then turn your Wishlist into a trip.
