About this tour
Bijagua de Upala is one of Costa Rica’s most unique destinations for birdwatching. Located between Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, this region sits in a special transition zone between the Caribbean and Pacific slopes, allowing for an exceptional diversity of bird species in a relatively small area.
During the tour, we explore a variety of habitats including rainforest trails, cloud forest edges, open areas, gardens, and riverbanks. This diversity creates excellent opportunities to observe birds at different levels of the forest, from the understory to the canopy.
The tour is conducted at a relaxed pace, perfect for enjoying bird sounds, learning about their behavior and ecology, and taking nature photography. Depending on the specific location (such as private reserves or Río Celeste surroundings), it is possible to find hundreds of bird species in the region.
Birds You May Encounter in Bijagua
Bijagua is well known for combining Caribbean species, foothill birds, and some Pacific influence. Some highlights include:
Iconic and colorful species
Toucans (Keel-billed Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan)
Motmots (Keel-billed Motmot, Tody Motmot)
Aracaris
Great Curassow (occasional)
Bare-necked Umbrellabird (rare but possible)
Forest species
Tinamous (Great Tinamou, Little Tinamou)
Black-breasted Wood-Quail
Antbirds (such as Dull-mantled Antbird)
Ground-cuckoo (very rare and special sighting)
Hummingbirds (great diversity)
Snowcap
Black-crested Coquette
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Crowned Woodnymph
Violet-headed Hummingbird
Canopy and colorful birds
Tanagers
Euphonias
Orioles
Blue-gray Tanager
River and stream species
Sunbittern
Torrent Tyrannulet
Why this tour is special
Less crowded and more pristine environment
Unique mix of ecosystems → higher chances of rare species
Ideal for birdwatchers, photographers, and nature lovers
Great for building an extensive bird list in a single day