San Luis Ecological Farm Birding Tour: King Vultures & Bellbirds

Active bird feeders and open skies where King Vultures and Ornate Hawk-Eagles hunt overhead.

This five-hour birding tour at San Luis Ecological Farm in Monteverde combines forest trails and active bird feeders with expert guidance from Diego, a guide with over 12 years of birding experience across Central America. You start with a traditional Costa Rican breakfast, then walk into a rare convergence zone where Caribbean and Pacific bird species meet, spotting raptors like King Vultures and Ornate Hawk-Eagles, and during certain seasons hearing the distinctive call of the Bellbird. A spotting scope, field guides and laser pointer help you identify species as they appear.

The experience

The farm sits in a convergence zone where two bird regions overlap, which is why the diversity here outpaces most other spots in Costa Rica. Active feeders draw colorful species close enough to study without binoculars, while the open canopy above gives real sightlines to raptors hunting. King Vultures and Ornate Hawk-Eagles are the standouts, birds most travelers never see, and during certain seasons the Bellbird's call carries through the forest, a sound Diego will help you recognize and locate.

Diego leads the walk and does the heavy lifting of spotting. His 12 years of birding experience across Central America means he knows the calls, the behavior, the seasons when certain species show up, and where to position you for the best view. He carries the spotting scope and uses a laser pointer to direct your eye to birds in the canopy, which saves the frustration of searching blind. The field guides and bird list let you record what you've seen and learn the names and ranges as you go.

The morning starts before the main activity with a traditional Costa Rican breakfast (homemade food and fresh coffee or juice) eaten on the farm itself. This sets the pace: you eat, then walk the forest trails for the bulk of the five hours. The farm entrance fee is $20 cash, paid separately at arrival. Transportation to the farm is not included, so you'll need to arrange your own way there or book a separate transfer from your hotel in Monteverde.

What’s included

• Field guides and a bird list to identify and record species.
• spotting scope and laser pointer so Diego can show you distant birds in the canopy.
• a birding guide with over 12 years of experience in Central America.
• and a traditional homemade Costa Rican breakfast with fresh coffee or natural fruit juice.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6 · max 4 per booking

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Get Your Birds Tours

Is this one for you?The tour is led in English or Spanish. Confirm the language when you book. Transportation to San Luis is not included, so if you don't have a car or are staying elsewhere in Monteverde, arrange a transfer or taxi in advance. The farm entrance fee of $20 cash is paid on arrival.

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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 on this tour?

King Vultures and Ornate Hawk-Eagles are the signature raptors at San Luis, soaring above the forest canopy where the open skies give you real chances to spot them. The active bird feeders attract colorful species at close range, and during certain seasons the Bellbird's distinctive call echoes through the canopy. A sound Diego will help you locate and identify.

How does Diego help me find and identify birds I wouldn't spot on my own?

Diego uses a spotting scope to magnify distant birds and a laser pointer to direct your eye to species in the canopy, so you're not searching blind. He carries field guides and a bird list, and his 12 years of birding experience means he knows the calls, behavior and seasonal patterns that tell you where to look and what to expect.

What's included in the five hours, and what do I need to arrange separately?

The tour includes the guided walk, spotting scope, field guides, laser pointer, bird list, and a traditional Costa Rican breakfast with coffee or juice. The $20 farm entrance fee is paid in cash at arrival, and you'll need to arrange your own transportation to San Luis from your hotel or elsewhere in Monteverde.

Is this tour physically demanding, or can I do it if I'm not a serious hiker?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible, so the pace and terrain work for a wide range of abilities. The forest trails are walked at a birding pace (slower than hiking, with frequent stops to observe) rather than as a fitness challenge.