Carara National Park Birdwatching Tour: Scarlet Macaws & Trogons

Spot scarlet macaws and trogons with a licensed birding guide and Swarovski scope.

A guided birdwatching tour of Carara National Park departing from Quepos, led by a licensed Costa Rican guide in English or Spanish, with strategic stops to identify trogons, motmots, flycatchers, hummingbirds, scarlet macaws and white-faced capuchins. The park's transitional forest converges dry and wet species, making it one of Central America's richest birding sites. Park entry, a top-line Swarovski spotting scope, typical Costa Rican lunch, fruit snacks, bottled water and all photos taken through the scope are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Birdwatching in Carara National Park

• Start early morning tour
• Visit strategic birdwatching stops
• Spot and identify bird species
• Observe scarlet macaws and capuchins
• Learn bird facts from guides

The experience

What separates this tour is the equipment and the crew: you get access to a Swarovski Crystal scope, the kind serious birders rent separately, and a licensed guide trained to spot and identify species most visitors miss. The early start at 4:30 am from Quepos or Manuel Antonio puts you in the park during peak activity, when trogons call and macaws move through the canopy. The guide stops at spots they know hold particular species, giving you the markings and calls to recognize them yourself as the day unfolds.

Carara's transitional forest is where dry-forest and rainforest species overlap, so a single morning can yield trogons, motmots, flycatchers, hummingbirds, scarlet macaws (the largest population on the central Pacific coast), white-faced capuchins and howler monkeys. The park is not a zoo (animals move freely and sightings depend on the day), but the guide's knowledge of where to listen and look stacks the odds in your favor. Eight hours gives you time to move through different zones and let the forest reveal itself without rushing.

Lunch is a typical Costa Rican casado: rice, beans, salad, and your choice of pork, chicken, fish or vegetarian. Fruit snacks and iced tea keep you fueled between stops. All photos and videos you capture through the scope belong to you, and the guide handles the technical side so you focus on the birds. Minimum age is 12. The tour suits beginners and experienced birders alike, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal, knee or hip injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Park entry and all park fees.
• a licensed Costa Rican tour guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• access to a Swarovski Crystal spotting scope.
• typical Costa Rican lunch (casado with your choice of protein or vegetarian).
• fruit snacks and iced tea.
• bottled water.
• all photos and videos captured through the scope.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Costa Rica Wakoo Tours – Jason Solano, Naturalist & Birding Guide

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour led by a licensed guide, so you're not birding alone. You follow the guide's expertise and pace. Choose it if you want professional-level spotting equipment and someone who knows where the birds congregate, rather than wandering the park on your own or with a general naturalist guide.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What birds am I most likely to see in Carara National Park?

Scarlet macaws, trogons, motmots, flycatchers, hummingbirds, white-faced capuchins and howler monkeys are common in the park's transitional forest. The guide knows where each species tends to be and what calls to listen for, but sightings depend on the day and time of year. The park is not a zoo, and animals move freely.

Do I need to bring my own binoculars?

Yes, you'll need to bring your own binoculars. The tour includes access to a top-line Swarovski Crystal spotting scope for detailed viewing and photography, but binoculars are your responsibility.

What time does the tour start and where do I get picked up?

Pickup starts at 4:30 am from your hotel in Quepos or Manuel Antonio. The early start puts you in the park during peak bird activity. Confirm your exact pickup location and time after booking.

What should I wear and bring for an eight-hour birding tour?

Avoid bright-colored shirts or pants: birds spot movement more easily in bold colors. Bring insect repellent, your own binoculars, and a camera if you want to photograph birds outside the scope. The guide will capture images through the scope for you at no extra cost. Bottled water, fruit snacks and iced tea are provided.

Is transportation from my hotel included in the price?

Hotel pickup from Quepos or Manuel Antonio is included. Transportation to the park is arranged as part of the tour. If you need additional transportation options, those are available for an extra fee.