Birdwatching Tour - Esteban Daily Guided Tours

Over 850 species of birds have been recorded in Costa Rica and half of them can be found in the cloud forests of Monteverde. Because of the rich diversity of birds and other forms of wildlife, sanctuaries were established here starting in the 1970s to protect the virgin forest environment and its inhabitants. Your professional bilingual guide, whose vast knowledge and daily observations of the birds in the area, will take you on a birding expedition you are not likely to forget.

The hike along the well groomed forest paths starts at 06:00am in the morning and lasts for approximately five hours. Transportation will be provided from your lodgings in Monteverde and the small town of Santa Elena. Depending on the current conditions, your guide will choose which cloud forest preserves, including Curi-Cancha, will offer the best opportunities for birding that day.

You will visit four different ecosystems focusing first on the endemic species of the region, such as the Orange Bellied Trogon, Three Wattled Bell Bird or Resplendent Quetzal, but enjoying all the sightings that come your way. Equipped with a portable high powered, high definition spotting scope, your guide can quickly put you in position for optimum viewing as well as for taking photos through the scope itself. This is a private tour of only up to six people so you won’t be waiting in long lines to take your turn to look through the scope. Also you will have the time to be able to ask your knowledgeable guide many questions.

With years of listening experience, your guide will alert you to the kind of birds surrounding you and using a laser pointer will show you exactly where to look with your own binoculars or scope. The migration of birds from North America between the months of September and May will heighten your chances of adding more species to your checklist during these months. But the native species you rarely find elsewhere are the most thrilling to discover, such as the Great Curassow, Black Guan, or Prong Billed Barbet.

Your tour will include a trip to a hummingbird garden where up to 14 species of these aerial acrobats may be observed. This Birdwatching Tour is a favorite among birding enthusiasts but you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy scouting through a beautiful cloud forest with its abundant flora and fauna learning about bird life. It may even become a habit!

Round trip transportation is included in this tour as well as your professional bilingual guide with spotting equipment, and all park entrances. It is highly recommended to bring waterproof jacket or poncho and wear closed hiking shoes.