Esquipulas Bird Watching Tour: 304 Species Near Manuel Antonio

Hunt for 304 bird species in the highlands above Manuel Antonio

A private bird watching tour from Quepos to Esquipulas, a countryside town in the foothills of San Marcos de Tarrazú, with a naturalist guide leading a morning search through primary and secondary forest, house gardens and pastures. The altitude, 400 meters above sea level, and mix of habitats make Esquipulas home to tanagers, trogons, hummingbirds, flycatchers, manakins, toucans and roughly 300 other species recorded in the area. Hotel pickup is included, and the tour runs three hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private birdwatching tour in Esquipulas

• Drive to Esquipulas birdwatching site
• Observe birds in primary and secondary forest
• Spot various species including Trogons and Toucans

The experience

If you have a free morning in Manuel Antonio but no rental car, this tour solves the logistics: the guide picks you up from your hotel and drives about 20 minutes inland to Esquipulas, a small town nestled where the foothills begin. The elevation and patchwork of forest, gardens and pastures create the conditions that draw birds here: more species than most birders see in a week. A naturalist guide leads the walk, pointing out calls and movement in the canopy and undergrowth, and the tour runs long enough to catch the morning activity without eating the rest of your day.

Breakfast and snacks are included, along with bottled water and all fees. The vehicle is air-conditioned, so the drive back down is a chance to rest and process what you've seen. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the tour suits all fitness levels. The pace is set by the birds and the terrain, not by a fixed schedule.

What’s included

• Naturalist guide in English or Spanish.
• breakfast and snacks.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup.
• all fees and taxes.
• professional birding equipment.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 to 95 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Costa Rica Jade Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Manuel Antonio without a car and want to reach the best birding zone in the region. The private format and included pickup mean you skip the logistics and start watching birds as soon as the guide arrives.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

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.

How many bird species can I expect to see on this tour?

Esquipulas has roughly 304 bird species recorded in the area, including tanagers, trogons, hummingbirds, flycatchers, manakins and toucans. What you spot depends on the season and the morning's luck, but the naturalist guide knows where to listen and look.

What is Esquipulas and why is it better for birding than Manuel Antonio itself?

Esquipulas is a countryside town in the foothills of San Marcos de Tarrazú, about 20 minutes from most Manuel Antonio hotels. At 400 meters above sea level, it sits in a zone where the mix of primary forest, secondary growth, gardens and pastures attracts a wider variety of birds than the lower elevations and beaches of the national park.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup from your Manuel Antonio hotel is included. The drive to Esquipulas takes about 20 minutes, and the tour lasts three hours total.

What's included in the price?

The naturalist guide, breakfast, snacks, bottled water, the air-conditioned vehicle, all park fees and taxes are included. Professional binoculars and spotting equipment are provided.