Curi-Cancha Reserve: The Best Spot for Birdwatching in Costa Rica

Walking quietly in a dense forest with chirps and melodies of various birds surrounding you is a meditative experience. The mind becomes clear as your senses adapt to pinpoint colorful composers beneath the canopy. Finding a species is always a heart-pounding moment, especially one you haven't seen before. You realize just how magnificent Mother Earth is to design creatures with unbelievable feathers, purposeful beaks, and wonderful songs.

Brad and I didn't expect to become avid birdwatchers during our backpacking trip throughout Central America. We were hooked after seeing a pair of Collared Aracaris while exploring the Maya ruins of Tikal in Guatemala. Our visit to the Curi-Cancha Reserve in Monteverde, Costa Rica, catapulted our hobby to new heights. Below I cover logistics, recommendations, and our sighted species to help you prepare for an unforgettable excursion!

Curi-Cancha Reserve

In 2011, the Curi-Cancha Reserve opened a section of its protected 205 acres (83 hectares) to the public. Visitors can walk between areas of virgin forest, secondary growth, and open pasture to find different birds. Over 200 species have been identified! Approximately 7 km (4.3 mi) of well-maintained trails are available to traverse each with unique flowers, trees, shrubs, and plants. In addition to birds, be on the lookout for coatis, monkeys, sloths, ocelots, and armadillos.

Helpful Tips

The Curi-Cancha Reserve sits at an altitude ranging between 1,450 m (4,757 ft) and 1,615 m (5,413 ft). The elevation often results in chilly temperatures despite sunny skies. Wear enough layers and bring a rain jacket since the cloud forests of Monteverde can be unpredictable. Brad and I were comfortable with our hiking shoes, pants, and sweatshirts.

Although we didn't have any issues with pesky bugs, consider packing insect repellent just in case. Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Bring plenty of food and beverages for your hike. Brad and I enjoyed a picnic lunch as butterflies swirled around us at the rest area. Please take out what you take in and leave no trace, including biodegradable food which can harm wildlife.

Transportation Options

The Curi-Cancha Reserve is located in Monteverde, a section of the Puntarenas Province. Most travelers stay in the town of Santa Elena to explore the area, especially the parks of Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Unlike the aforementioned parks, the Curi-Cancha Reserve is walkable (45 minutes) from Santa Elena.

The local bus is the most popular method of transportation, but taxis are also available. Tickets cost $1 USD per person each way. Hop on the white Monteverde bus leaving from the center of town via the schedule below. Remember to tell the driver you would like to be dropped off at the Curi-Cancha Reserve. The ride takes about 20 minutes and you'll have to walk uphill roughly 300 m (0.2 mi) to reach the main entrance. Brad and I took the 7:30 AM bus on the way there and walked back to town afterwards.

What to Expect Upon Arrival

The Curi-Cancha Reserve is open every day, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Brad and I arrived around 8:00 AM and stayed for six hours. An early start is ideal because we noticed the birds were less active in the afternoon. If you desire to find a certain species, such as the famous Resplendent Quetzal, ask an employee for advice on the best place to start.

Bring a copy of your passport, driver's license, or other valid picture ID. A paper trail map is provided, but helpful placards are also scattered along the nine trails making it very easy to navigate. Bathrooms are located at the main entrance and central rest area. There are plenty of benches to rest your feet and appreciate the grounds. Binoculars are available to rent for $10 USD.

Self-Guided or Guided Tour

Crowds aren't a problem at the Curi-Cancha Reserve since it's less popular than the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Brad and I often prefer to wander at our own slow pace so a guided tour didn't appeal to us. Self-guided visits don't require a reservation. Tickets cost $25 USD per person via cash or credit card. While we are far from professionals, we identified over 20 species at the Curi-Cancha Reserve!

Birds are masters of hide-and-seek so it can be difficult to spot them in the forest. Prepare beforehand by downloading the Merlin Bird ID app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology which recognizes over 1,382 bird species by sound. Install the Costa Rica bird pack to help keep track of your encounters. The app is easy to use and takes birdwatching to another level.

If you would like to have a pair of trained eyes by your side, join a guided birdwatching tour (maximum six people) for $125 USD per person. Group tours last approximately five hours and begin at 6:30 AM. Don't forget to make a reservation well in advance. Night tours and natural history tours are also available.

Guides are a worthwhile resource because they know migratory patterns, common species, food sources, and behavioral patterns. Every guide carries a spotting scope to help participants view birds up close. As Brad and I passed a group, a friendly guide pointed out a Squirrel Cuckoo resting in a tree. We wouldn't have found it without his expert assistance. You're guaranteed to learn or see something new with a guide!

Bird Species

Did you know Costa Rica has over 900 bird species? Simply mind-blowing! The Curi-Cancha Reserve provides a bird checklist on its website to help visitors get a sense of potential encounters. Each trail has a particular topography and habitat ideal for specific birds. For example, the dense Puma Trail was where we spotted a Crested Guan, Keel-billed Toucan, and Black Guan. We saw Charming Hummingbirds, Slate-throated Redstarts, and a Squirrel Cuckoo along the open Alondra Trail.

The floral Rest Area with nearby banana trees had Lesser Violetears, White-eared Ground Sparrows, and a Yellow-faced Grassquit. Our favorite bird of the day was a gorgeous Lesson's Motmot perched next to the lush Guacharo Trail. Wildlife is unpredictable, which makes birdwatching such a rewarding challenge. A successful day in the woods takes a bit of patience and luck. Keep your eyes peeled and your head on a swivel!

Go in with zero expectations and appreciate the birds you find. The Curi-Cancha Reserve usually has sightings of the Resplendent Quetzal nearby its large aguacatillo tree close to the main entrance. Even though we didn't see any there, we fortunately found some at the Trogón Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.

Photography

Brad and I had a blast capturing birds with our Canon EOS R5 camera. We pushed our 24-105 mm lens to the limit by shooting in manual focus with high magnification to ensure the distant birds were as sharp as possible. Since our lens is short, we couldn't effectively use the built-in autofocus or animal tracking systems. A high shutter speed came in handy for the hummingbirds and sparrows.

Although having a telephoto lens is ideal, it isn't an absolute requirement at the Curi-Cancha Reserve. A telephoto lens would definitely make shooting easier. Consider bringing a tripod, especially if you want to record videos. We observed several species within 1.5 m (5 ft)! Overall, we were extremely happy with our photography results.

Final Thoughts

The Curi-Cancha Reserve is a peaceful paradise designed for both amateur and professional birdwatchers. Fellow visitors were respectful of the environment, considerate of others, and soft spoken. Brad and I were able to complete most of the beautiful trails and would've returned if we had another day available in Santa Elena. The spectacular encounters fueled our passion for birding in a way we didn't realize was possible!