Costa Rica is well known for many reasons. It has become a favorite tourist destination for many people too!  Eager travelers from around the world come to visit its tropical beaches, live volcanoes, vibrant rainforests, misty cloud forests, and cultural hubs. While nature and relaxation are the main reasons, Costa Rica is also a very popular place for birdwatchers. So where should you go with so many bird species to spot and admire? Let´s drive to the 5 Best Birdwatching Destinations in Costa Rica with Poas Rent a Car.

Due to its position in the middle of the Americas, Costa Rica is a like a bridge that connects them. Thanks to its tropical climate and numerous mountain ranges, Costa Rica becomes the perfect destination for our furry friends to live, migrate to or stop by on their way north or south during the Spring. In addition, Costa Rica´s trees and skies are filled with birds, where they find food, shelter, and resting places as they fly up and down the Americas.

Costa Rica is the residence of more than 900 birds that fill its forests, savannas, and coastlines.

1.  Monteverde

Monteverde sits on the Continental Divide towards the center of Costa Rica, and it is a favorite for resident and migratory birds, including the elusive Resplendent Quetzal that attracts flocks of bird lovers to search for them in the cloud and rainforest canopies. The male quetzal is exceptionally high on the avid birdwatcher’s checklist. With his 30-inch tail and brilliant emerald plumage, he is a favorite!

Monteverde is home to the cloud forest and is estimated to be home to 400 bird species. This unique place is not only a birdwatcher’s paradise but it is also filled with protected areas, including the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Children’s Eternal Rainforest.

It is also reachable by car and is an easy drive from both the Juan Santamaria International Airport and the Guanacaste International Airport. Poas Rentacar has both offices, making Monteverde your first or last stop easy!

Tip: Look for avocado trees, as the Quetzals love them!

2. Carrara National Park

Carrara National Park is on Costa Rica´s Central Pacific coast and just south of the famous “Crocodile Bridge.” This region of Costa Rica is where the drier forests transition to the rainforest, which means flora and fauna are abundant from the varied ecosystems that converge in this popular part of the country that is home to the well-known beachside tourist towns of Jaco and Manuel Antonio.

Carrara National Park is an easy-to-walk destination with bird and wildlife spotting opportunities. One of these is the loud and colorful Scarlet Macaw. It is the largest of the parrot family, and Carrara is where the most significant remaining wild populations live.

Carrara National Park is just an hour from San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city. Take the modern, tolled Route 27 to Orotina and then onto Route 34, the Pacific Ocean coastal road. Carrara National Park is on this main road. It is also Costa Rica´s first national park with universal accessibility.

3. La Selva Biological Research Station

We will cross the Braulio National Park onto the Caribbean lowlands to visit La Selva Biological Park, located at Sarapiquí, one of Costa Rica´s most bio-rich epicenters. It boasts over 2000 species of plants, 125 species of mammals, and more than 450 bird species, of which about half are local.  This is nature´s back garden!

La Selva Research Station protects 1600 hectares of wet, lowland tropical forest and is operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies. It is one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rainforests and attracts numerous curious and avid nature lovers, including birdwatchers. During your visit, you may check off the following birds from your list of “must-sees”: The bare-necked Umbrella Bird, the Red-capped Manakin, the Great Antshrike, and the Rufous-tailed Jacamar.

La Selva Biological Station, and best birdwatching destination, is about a 2-hour scenic drive from San Jose. You will take Route 32 and Route 4, the North Atlantic Drive. La Selva Biological Station is on that road.

4. Palo Verde National Park

Leave your Poas Rent a car on the river’s banks and hop on a boat to explore this best birdwatching destination. The Tempisque River feeds the Palo Verde National Park wetlands. Extending over nearly 20,000 hectares, it is home to almost 950 species of plants, 78 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 314 resident and migratory birds.

This wetland has been cataloged as a Ramsar Site on the List of Wetlands of International importance. Palo Verde National Park is also home to Bird Island (Isla de Pajaros), which has the largest concentration of bird nesting in Central America! It is also home to the endangered Jaribu Stork, a large, solitary bird that builds large nest platforms that they use over successive seasons.

The Palo Verde National Park is on the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Guanacaste. It is about an hour from Tamarindo and just over an hour from Guanacaste International Airport. Drive through rural towns and farmlands to reach the Palo Verde National Park, and best birdwatching destination in Costa Rica!

5. Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge

Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge involves a drive over Costa Rica´s northern lowlands. This vast agriculture-rich countryside extends to the Caribbean Sea and is where the Arenal Volcano is located too. Your travels along the Northern Atlantic Highway will definitely be filled with contrasts, crops, and cattle ranches.

This best birdwatching destination in Costa Rica is also a Ramsar Site. Filled with fauna, Caño Negro is reported to have 307 species of birds, including endemic and rare ones. About 200 are residents, and the other 100 are migratory birds. With birds, there are fish, and Caño Negro´s wetlands are full of fish, a food source for the birds and wildlife and the avid anglers too!

Some favorite birds you can spot at Caño Negro are the Yellow-tailed Oriole, Black-collared Hawk, Lesser-Yellow Headed Vulture, Yellow-Breasted Crake, Sungreebe, and the elusive Agami Heron. Explore the wetlands, rivers, canals, lagoons, and lowland rainforest during your bird and wildlife-watching expedition.

Poas Rentacar can take you to the five best birdwatching destinations in Costa Rica! Choose from its fleet of modern vehicles and take to the open roads exploring this beautiful country that the birds have chosen to visit yearly!

The temperatures are going down, and the leaves are beginning to fall. It is time to decide where to escape the winter whites and enjoy tropical blues and greens! Welcome to Costa Rica where unforgettable vacations are made!  Costa Rica is the perfect place to spend your vacations for many reasons, and while we wholeheartedly agree, the experts have said it, and we believe them! 

So, what puts Costa Rica on the perfect place to vacation radar of so many people year after year from all over the world? So, with your Poas Rent a Car reserved and ready to start exploring Costa Rica and its beautiful corners, let´s begin to create that unforgettable vacation!

1.     Well Connected to the World!

Did you know it is faster to fly from New York to Costa Rica than to Los Angeles? With more than 1000 flights entering and leaving the country from its two modern international airports, Costa Rica is perfectly positioned in the middle of the American continent.   You choose whether you fly into or out of the Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste or to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose.

With a wide range of daily flights from around the globe, Costa Rica is just hours away from many North American hubs, including Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles.   It also has direct flights to and from Europe and Latin America, so you are flying away from many possibilities coming to or going from beautiful Costa Rica.

Poas Rent a Car has offices in both airports, so picking up your rental car upon arrival is easy and efficient. Costa Rica is a small country also, so you are never far away from where you need to go.   The road systems are extensive and reach nearly all corners of the country, although it`s fun to get off the beaten track, too, sometimes!

2.     Where the sun always shines

One of the other reasons Costa Rica’s location is so fantastic is that it has excellent weather.   Not far north of the equator, Costa Rica has ideal warm weather, and the coastal areas have the perfect beach weather the whole year.   The sun always shines in Costa Rica.

Cooler weather happens during the afternoon tropical bursts of rainfall that refresh and revive, making the rainforest greener and the blue ocean water shimmer. So that afternoon coffee is richer, too, while basking in the sunset from your terrace.

The excellent year-round climate and several micro-climates result from the impressive forest-laden volcanic mountain ranges, the rich coastal lowlands, and the oceanic winds from the Pacific and the Atlantic.

These near-perfect conditions guarantee lots of wildlife and adventures that Costa Rica is famous for. It also means fresh produce in the form of fruits, vegetables, and meat sources is available anywhere and everywhere.  

3.     Nature’s Backyard

Costa Rica has decided to lead the world when it comes to affirmative action in the protection of wildlife.  An impressive 25% of the country is protected through the country’s national park system, which helps to protect the equally amazing biodiversity that calls Costa Rica home. 

It may be small in size, but Costa Rica boasts nearly 5% of the world’s biodiversity, and wherever you are, you will see and feel its presence.   Embrace activities close to nature experiences, so be prepared to admire the sleepy sloths, the cheeky monkeys, the dancing dolphins, and the beautifully loud scarlet macaws announcing their arrival.

What makes the fact that Costa Rica is full of wildlife even better is that you will have national parks and verdant rainforests, pristine rivers, and long stretches of beach just minutes away from wherever you may be.   All this nature means you will always be just steps away from great adventures and beautiful scenery.

4.     A Foodies Delight Destination

Come to Costa Rica for some fantastic food.  The culinary revolution has begun all around Costa Rica, whether you are at Jaco Beach, Santa Teresa Beach, Arenal, La Fortuna, San Jose, or Corcovado.  Wherever your Poas Rent a Car takes you, there will be a fantastic eatery for your foodie spirit.

Cooking has always been exceptional and the pride of many a Costa Rican, and with fresh fruits and vegetables all day, every day, thanks to the fantastic weather, food is hearty and feels very homemade.  The famous “Casados,” a plate with a mixture of Costa Rican staple diet elements like rice, black beans, salad, a protein, was the classic, traditional cuisine. While many kitchens have moved on, many of these dishes continue on many a menu.

Thanks to a new generation of innovative and creative chefs, you will now find twists and variations on a theme using those fresh ingredients and local produce and converting them into fantastic new culinary experiences.   The fusion of local and international flavors with the originality and curiosity of these great creators is putting Costa Rica on the foodie’s map.

This period of experimentation in the kitchen is part of an artistic and cultural evolution that the country is enjoying. So, come prepared for some great new culinary expressions in the diversity of little eateries, bars, cafes, and restaurants in all corners of the country.

5.     The Beaches are the Best!

According to our sources, let’s say that Costa Rica has over 300 beaches to choose from, and many of them are literally deserted and could only be reached in a Full Size or Premium SUV from the Poas Rent a Car fleet of modern vehicles. This is an adventure, the Costa Rican way, and what a way!

The Pacific Ocean borders Costa Rica on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, which translates to hundreds of miles of sand, waves, and palm trees.   Each coast is very different from the other, but you can get from one on the same day, so there are no excuses to cross the mountains to get to the other side.  

On the northern Pacific coast and along the Nicoya Peninsula, the beaches are white-sanded, and you will find lots of places to stay and things to do.  Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, Conchal, and Nosara are popular beach towns worth checking out.   This is great for surfers, too, so bring your board and request a roof rack from Poas Rent a Car when reserving your car.

Along the Pacific Coast that meets the Panama border, life is slower and greener than in the north but is just as beautiful.  This stunning coastline is where green is the color of choice, and wildlife thrives. It is a surfing paradise, with Dominical, Pavones, and Hermosa standing out as the big names.  It is also home to the famous Jaco Beach and Manuel Antonio, favorites to stay at, with excellent hotels and nightlife!

On the Caribbean side of the country, this is where fantastic flavors and rhythms mix with the spectacular, rainforest-bordered beaches that will take your breath away.  Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are popular beach destinations. So prepare yourself for some Afro-Caribbean-influenced gastronomy, music, language, and vibe while lounging on the beautiful beaches. 

So, when are you coming to the best place on earth for an unforgettable vacation!!?? Let us know, and we will help you decide which car to take you there!

What could be Costa Rica´s most iconic natural landmark, the Arenal Volcano, is located on the northern lowlands that extend to the Caribbean Sea. This area of vast plains, winding rivers, and quaint rural towns are host to various stunning natural landscapes and adventure activities in nature. Let´s explore the Arenal Volcano hotspot and its surrounds! It is a signature Costa Rican experience! So buckle up, and let´s get on the road!

Driving to the Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna is picturesque and easily accessible. Your Poas Rent a car will get you there safely and surely. All roads to Arenal are in good condition, so choose any of the range of modern vehicles from the fleet. If you would like to take the back roads or explore the less traveled roads, rent a Standard or Full-Size SUV to experience the northern lowlands from a different perspective.

How do I get to the Arenal Volcano – La Fortuna

• If you are coming from Guanacaste, take the Cañas – Tilaran – Lake Arenal route, which will take you through a beautiful farming country and then around the lake.
• If you are coming from San Jose, take Route 32 through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, and then the North-Atlantic Corridor, Route 4, will take you through lush forests and pineapple plantations. Route 4 will connect you with the Caribbean too.
• An alternative route from the Central Valley is via San Ramon. Take Route 1, the Pan American Highway north, and then through the small city of San Ramon and the town of Chachagua. This is also a very scenic route.
• If you want to explore beyond the Arenal Volcano, consider Rio Celeste, another Costa Rican natural icon. It is north of Arenal and is an easy drive along a well-maintained road. It is an hour and a half drive along the North Atlantic Corridor.

Wellness tourism in nature: Thermal Springs

The Arenal region is a favorite for wellness tourism thanks to the volcanic gift of thermal springs. Deep below the earth, water is heated by the volcano, and on the surface can enjoy bathers. These thermal springs can be found in resorts, hotels, and spas dotted around the base of the Arenal Volcano. One is a short drive away if your hotel doesn’t have its thermal springs.

The thermal springs are not only relaxing, but they are also medicinal. They are rich in sulfate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium, and other minerals, ready to soothe your mind and body. After a day of adventure in nature, this is the ultimate open-air wellness experience.

Our sleeping giant, the Arenal Volcano

As you drive towards the Arenal Volcano area, keep your eyes on the road, and the distance as this incredible cone-shaped spectacle begins to appear on the horizon. It is hard to miss and will be a constant companion that transforms the closer you get to it.

The Arenal Volcano sits within a national park of the same name and is a stratovolcano reaching 5350 feet above sea level. Although it is presently in a resting or sleeping phase, it is an active volcano, and while there are no minor eruptions, it continues to be a sight to see and will captivate you.

New experiences on the Lake Arenal

The Arenal Volcano has always been the main attraction in the area, and its fame is well deserved. Nevertheless, Arenal Lake is gaining traction with visitors, and there are a variety of aquatic activities you can enjoy. Lake Arenal also has stunning views of its volcanic neighbor, so while exploring the lake, you get birds-eye views of the sleeping giant in the near distance.

The drive to Arenal Lake is also pretty and not far from La Fortuna. It will take you along the hotel strip that borders the Arenal Volcano, and then you will begin to wind around its base to the other side through lush rainforest and over small streams, some warmed by the volcano. This drive takes about 15 minutes, and you will have views of the volcano all the way.

What can you do on Arenal Lake? Kayak, Pedal boarding, take a boat ride, fish, or hop on a SUP. This is a fun way to explore the surrounding area and view the Volcano from the other side!

The thriving town of La Fortuna

La Fortuna is a small, bustling town at the base of Arenal Volcano. It caters to the large number of tourists that visit the region throughout the year and is lively and busy. Choose from various restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, cafes, and tour operators offering their once-in-a-lifetime adventure and nature experiences.

While La Fortuna is big on tourism, it is also a traditional, rural town with the central park facing the church and the local school not far away. This is how many Costa Rican towns are anchored so you will get a sense of the local traditions and way of life. It is also home to many Costa Ricans who love their town.

La Fortuna is walkable, so park your car by the park or in one of its side streets and wander around the shops, have some lunch or dinner, or some delicious coffee to get a feel of the place. It is laid-back, friendly and with views of the volcano too!

Levels of Adventure for everyone

The Arenal Volcano region is world-renowned for its epic adventure activities and close-to-nature experiences.  Choose from a myriad of possibilities that range in adrenaline-rush levels. However, what is true is that all the activities are immersed in nature, and you decide on the thrill level.

Arenal offers you white water rafting, canyoneering, rappelling, or mountain biking for genuine thrill seekers. For the less adventurous-spirited, why not do horseback riding, kayaking, birdwatching, or hiking? Vacations are about trying new experiences and creating unforgettable memories, and Arenal will do just that.

For the even less adventurous, Arenal also has cultural activities that include visits to working farms to learn about cacao, sugarcane and coffee growing or to the Maleku indigenous community to witness their ancestral traditions and cosmovision. Then again, you can just lay back and relax in the thermal springs or by the hotel pool too.

Poas Rentacar has offices at San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste International Airport. They are just a few hours away from the Arenal Volcano – La Fortuna area, so hop in your car soon after you jump off the plane, and this beautiful region awaits your visit.