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    Wildlife·Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Birdwatching Tour

    Specialist birdwatching through wetlands and regenerating rainforest — Spectacled Owls, trogons and 100+ species possible in one morning.

    • 2–3 hours
    • Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    From $175.00USD · per person · Taxes included

    Private tour

    Do you need transport?

    Total · $350.00 USD Taxes included

    Book Now

    24 h+: book online · 6–<24 h: request without payment · <6 h: WhatsApp.

    More than 8 travelers or a special request? Ask us
    Guests birdwatching at the Ecocentro Danaus lagoonPhoto: VIVO ExpeditionsCollared Aracari perched on a branchPhoto: VIVO ExpeditionsSlaty-tailed Trogon perched in the rainforestPhoto: VIVO Expeditions

    1 of 3Guests birdwatching at the Ecocentro Danaus lagoonPhoto: VIVO Expeditions

    Photo credits: Photo: VIVO Expeditions

    Gallery

    Guests birdwatching at the Ecocentro Danaus lagoon
    Photo: VIVO Expeditions
    Collared Aracari perched on a branch
    Photo: VIVO Expeditions
    Slaty-tailed Trogon perched in the rainforest
    Photo: VIVO Expeditions

    Tour at a glance

    Specialist birdwatching through wetlands and regenerating rainforest — Spectacled Owls, trogons and 100+ species possible in one morning. 2–3 hours · Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna · From $175.00 USD.

    Includes: Naturalist guide · Spotting scope · Bird checklist · Entrance fees · Snack · Stay and explore the reserve after the tour · Reserved transport: return coordinated the day before, or self-return

    Book now · Free cancellation up to 48 h before your tour

    About+

    Specialist birdwatching tour at Ecocentro Danaus, one of the most productive lowland birding hotspots in the Arenal region and a proven eBird site with 200+ documented species. This is a dedicated birding program — different in pace, timing and equipment from the general nature walk. Your guide is a local birding specialist familiar with the reserve's daily patterns: which fruiting trees the tanagers are working, where the Great Curassow crosses the road at dawn, which lagoon edge holds the Purple Gallinules and Northern Jacanas, and which understory patch is currently active with antshrikes and antwrens. In 2–3 hours you can realistically log 60–100 species (150+ on a strong dawn session), covering wetland, forest edge and secondary-forest microhabitats — all inside 5 hectares. Regularly recorded targets: Keel-billed and Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, Rufous, Broad-billed and Blue-crowned Motmots, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Spectacled Owl (roosting), Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Palm and Passerini's Tanagers, Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers, Green Ibis, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Amazon Kingfisher and both trogon species when fruit is available. Spotting scope and a printed checklist are included. The only departure is at 7:00 AM, for both private and small-group tours. Included: park entrance, spotting scope and bilingual specialist guide. Transport is not included — we quote it separately by hotel and zone. Available as a small shared group or fully private (recommended for serious listers and photographers).

    Itinerary+
    1. 7:00 AM · Tour start (only departure)

      Best light for canopy species and mixed flocks.

    2. 7:15 AM · Guided birding walk

      Motmots, trogons and tanagers with Swarovski optics.

    3. ~9:30 AM · Tour ends

    Included+
    • Naturalist guide
    • Spotting scope
    • Bird checklist
    • Entrance fees
    • Snack
    • Stay and explore the reserve after the tour
    • Reserved transport: return coordinated the day before, or self-return

    Not included

    • Hotel transportation (quoted by zone), gratuities, meals not listed.
    What to bring+
    • Binoculars
    • Camera
    • Neutral clothes
    • Water
    • Insect repellent
    • Muted, earth-toned clothing (green, brown, gray) to avoid scaring birds
    • long pants
    • closed-toe walking shoes
    • light rain jacket
    • hat
    Pickup & times+

    Start time: Private: 7:00 AM · Shared: 7:00 AM

    Pickup can be coordinated

    Ecocentro Danaus

    Share your hotel or Airbnb name during checkout and we confirm pickup time and any transport cost in writing.

    Frequently asked questions+

    How long does this tour last?

    It lasts 2–3 hours. Only departure: 7:00 AM, private and small group.

    Is transport or pickup included?

    Transport is never included in the tour price. We quote it separately by hotel and zone so you only pay for the route you actually need.

    Do I need my own binoculars?

    Bring them if you have them. The guide carries a scope and helps everyone get on the bird, but personal binoculars make the walk far better.

    Which time of day is better for birds?

    The only departure is at 7:00 AM, for both private and small-group tours.

    What happens if it rains?

    Rain is part of the rainforest and the tour normally runs; we bring rain gear. If conditions become unsafe, we reschedule or refund according to our policy.

    Birding calendar by area
    Ecocentro Danaus – Day Guided Rainforest TourEcocentro Danaus – Night TourPapa's Place – Night TourAll toursMulti-day packages

    Verified reviews

    What travellers said about this experience

    5.0 · 3 verified reviews shownRead all verified reviews
    R

    Relax06993626429

    🌎 International · February 2026 · TripAdvisor

    Amazing experience from beginning to end. I contacted Elias before our first trip to Costa Rica to book nature tours for La Fortuna. He took our whole wish list — 2 night walks (Ecocentro Danaus and Papa's Place), canyoning, white water rafting with Arenal Rafting, sloth walk at Bogarin, chocolate and coffee tour at North Fields, zip lining at Sky Adventures and the 1968 trail to Arenal volcano. Luis was our nature guide (Gabriel for the sloth walk), both brilliant. Elias went over and above by messaging us each night with reminders and asking how our day had been. Would recommend wholeheartedly.

    View original review
    R

    Robert

    March 2026 · TripAdvisor

    I had an incredible experience on a bird photography tour with Elias at Ecocentro Danaus. We spotted around 40 different bird species, and Elias identified each one effortlessly, sharing details about behavior and habitat. He was knowledgeable, professional, always communicative and patient, making sure I got the most out of the experience. He also offered excellent photography tips on composition and ideal camera settings for the forest conditions.

    View original review
    J

    Julie Tearle

    February 2026 · Google

    We had such an amazing experience with Elias Nature Tours from beginning to end. Elias took our whole wish list and booked everything: 2 night walks (Ecocentro Danaus and Papa's place), canyoning, white water rafting with Arenal Rafting, a sloth walk at Bogarin, chocolate and coffee tour at North Fields, zip lining at Sky Adventures and the 1968 trail to Arenal Volcano. He sent a full itinerary with codes and details. We saw a sloth mum and baby come down to ground at Bogarin — awesome! Luis was our guide for all nature tours and Gabriel for the sloth walk. Both were brilliant and so knowledgeable. Elias went over and above, messaging each night with reminders. Would recommend wholeheartedly.

    View original review

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    Ecocentro Danaus – Birdwatching Tour

    📱 Mobile number only (for WhatsApp)

    Do you need transport?

    Ecocentro Danaus – Birdwatching Tour

    From $175.00 per person · taxes included

    VIVO Expeditions

    your Costa Rican partner

    In alliance with YH Photography

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    • La Fortuna de San Carlos, Alajuela
      Costa Rica
    • +506 6005-9862
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