Bird watching in Costa Rica

Looking for an excuse to spend even more time outside during your upcoming car rentals Costa Rica vacation? Well, what about bird watching? Costa Rica is home to some of the rarest birds in the world, making it an amazing place to bird watch all year long. From the endangered resplendent quetzal to the impressive jabiru stork, you'll be amazed at the variety of birds living just outside your hotel window. All it takes to find these creatures is a tour guide, a pair of binoculars, some comfy sneakers, and a sense of adventure.

So many birds, so little time

Customers of Avanti Car rentals Costa Rica are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of bird watching facilities in and around San Jose. Here are some of the best places to bird, along with what you'll likely see during your visit:

Parque del Este: This urban park is a boon for city bird watchers, so don't be surprised if you see dozens of other tourists in the area. Located in San Jose, the Parque del Este features a collection of lawns, planted gardens and harvested forests. There's also a second-growth scrub and dense woodlands. This mix of habitats is perfect for the oropendola and the blue-crowned motmot, so be sure to keep an eye out for both of these species during your visit.

The Rio Tempisque Basin: The area around the Rio Tempisque Basin is a popular nesting place for marsh and stream birds. Travelers in Avanti Car Rentals Costa Rica are encouraged to take a hike around the Palo Verde Biological Station, or enjoy a boat trip down the Bebedero River. Both will give you plenty of opportunity to see gallinules, jacanas and limpkins. Herons and kingfishers are also abundant in the area. The Rio Tempisque Basin is located near Palo Verde, which is about a 3 our drive from San Jose.

Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge: The Cano Negro Lake and the Rio Frio that feeds it are both incredibly rich with wildlife. Travelers in Avanti Car Rentals Costa Rica will have the opportunity to see dozens of aquatic birds in this area, including the massive jabiru stork. If you're planning to visit this area, Avanti recommends reserving a room at the Cano Negro Natural Lodge, which sits right on the edge of the reserve.

Cerro de la Meurte: Don't let the menacing name (Cerro de la Meurte translates into "Mountain of Death") scare you away from this beautiful bird watching area. The mountain is actually home to one of the nation's most spectacular species - the resplendent quetzal. Revered by the ancient Aztecs and Mayas, the quetzal boasts iridescent feathers, a brilliant red breast, and a regal 2-foot-long tail. Customers of Avanti Car Rentals Costa Rica are encouraged to spend the evening at the Trogon Lodge, which is located at the base of the mount. The Cerro de la Meurte is just 1 hours from San Jose.

A resort dedicated to birding

If you're serious about birding, Avanti Car Rentals Costa Rica highly recommends staying at the Aviarios del Caribe. It took this resort just a few short years to establish itself as the prime bird-watching facility in the Caribbean. In fact, if it flies along the coast, chances are you'll spot it here. Customers of Avanti Car Rentals Costa Rica will find more than 330 species of birds in the area, which is located about 3 hours from San Jose. For more information on this resort, please call 2750-0775.

Other impressive birding areas include the Wilson Botanical Gardens, which is located about an hour outside of Golfito, and the Carara National Park, which is approximately 2 hours from San Jose on the Pacific coast.