Available photography
All images are our own, shot on our own departures. No stock, no AI. Editorial use is permitted with the credit "© VIVO Expeditions" plus a link to the birding guide. Email us and we send the raw files.
Species-by-month table
You may republish this table when you cite the source and link to the full guide.
January
Dry / peakKeel-billed Toucan, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, warblers (Chestnut-sided, Tennessee), Broad-winged Hawk
Highest species counts of the year. Book pickups at 5:15 am — activity peaks before 8 am.
February
Dry / peakGreat Green Macaw (Boca Tapada nesting), Sunbittern, Bare-necked Umbrellabird (lucky days)
Macaw nesting starts — the single best month for a Boca Tapada day trip.
March
Dry / peakGreat Green Macaw, King Vulture, Black-crested Coquette, Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Clear mornings, strong thermals: best month for raptors and flight photography.
April
ShoulderNorthbound migrants staging, Yellow-throated Toucan, Golden-hooded Tanager
Migrants leave mid-month. Late April brings the first rains and much greener light.
May
GreenWhite-collared Manakin leks, Montezuma Oropendola colonies, hummingbird display
Breeding behaviour starts. Best month for behaviour photography, fewest visitors.
June
GreenRed-eyed tree frogs (night), Boat-billed Heron, Russet-naped Wood-Rail with chicks
Mornings are usually dry; rain arrives after 2 pm. Pair a morning walk with a night tour.
July
GreenNesting toucans, Collared Aracari, Green Ibis on the Peñas Blancas river
"Veranillo" — a short dry window mid-July. Excellent value, reliable mornings.
August
GreenSungrebe, Agami Heron (Caño Negro), Bat Falcon, mixed foothill flocks
Wetlands are full — Caño Negro boat trips peak for herons and rails.
September
GreenSwallow-tailed Kite passage, resident tanagers, Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Wettest weeks on the Arenal side, but the quietest trails of the year.
October
ShoulderFirst southbound warblers, raptor kettles (Turkey Vulture, Broad-winged, Swainson's Hawk)
Mid-October raptor migration can move tens of thousands of birds in one morning.
November
Dry / peakMigrant warblers settled in, Emerald Tanager, Crested Guan, Great Curassow
Dry season opens. Arenal Observatory feeders and forest edge are at their best.
December
Dry / peakFull migrant + resident overlap: 90–120 species possible in a two-day itinerary
Busiest month — guided departures fill 4–8 weeks ahead.
| Month | Season | Target species | Field note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry / peak | Keel-billed Toucan, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, warblers (Chestnut-sided, Tennessee), Broad-winged Hawk | Highest species counts of the year. Book pickups at 5:15 am — activity peaks before 8 am. |
| February | Dry / peak | Great Green Macaw (Boca Tapada nesting), Sunbittern, Bare-necked Umbrellabird (lucky days) | Macaw nesting starts — the single best month for a Boca Tapada day trip. |
| March | Dry / peak | Great Green Macaw, King Vulture, Black-crested Coquette, Rufous-tailed Jacamar | Clear mornings, strong thermals: best month for raptors and flight photography. |
| April | Shoulder | Northbound migrants staging, Yellow-throated Toucan, Golden-hooded Tanager | Migrants leave mid-month. Late April brings the first rains and much greener light. |
| May | Green | White-collared Manakin leks, Montezuma Oropendola colonies, hummingbird display | Breeding behaviour starts. Best month for behaviour photography, fewest visitors. |
| June | Green | Red-eyed tree frogs (night), Boat-billed Heron, Russet-naped Wood-Rail with chicks | Mornings are usually dry; rain arrives after 2 pm. Pair a morning walk with a night tour. |
| July | Green | Nesting toucans, Collared Aracari, Green Ibis on the Peñas Blancas river | "Veranillo" — a short dry window mid-July. Excellent value, reliable mornings. |
| August | Green | Sungrebe, Agami Heron (Caño Negro), Bat Falcon, mixed foothill flocks | Wetlands are full — Caño Negro boat trips peak for herons and rails. |
| September | Green | Swallow-tailed Kite passage, resident tanagers, Black-cheeked Woodpecker | Wettest weeks on the Arenal side, but the quietest trails of the year. |
| October | Shoulder | First southbound warblers, raptor kettles (Turkey Vulture, Broad-winged, Swainson's Hawk) | Mid-October raptor migration can move tens of thousands of birds in one morning. |
| November | Dry / peak | Migrant warblers settled in, Emerald Tanager, Crested Guan, Great Curassow | Dry season opens. Arenal Observatory feeders and forest edge are at their best. |
| December | Dry / peak | Full migrant + resident overlap: 90–120 species possible in a two-day itinerary | Busiest month — guided departures fill 4–8 weeks ahead. |
Fact sheet
- Operator
- VIVO Expeditions — La Fortuna, Costa Rica (PYME certified)
- Guide / author
- Elías Peña — certified naturalist guide, La Fortuna resident since 2015
- Species recorded
- 420+ within 90 minutes of La Fortuna
- Group size
- 2–8 participants on photography expeditions
- Contact
- info@vivoexpeditions.com · +506 6005 9862
- Zones
- Arenal / La Fortuna, Boca Tapada, Caño Negro