Monteverde Birding Season is here

Monteverde is home to nearly 450 species of birds, and we are very fortunate at Hotel Belmar to share the area with some of the most amazing birds in all of Costa Rica. We put forward our very best effort to ensure that the environment surrounding the hotel is carefully preserved for these species; after all, they were here first!

May and June at Hotel Belmar is officially birding season, a bird-lover’s paradise, when the greatest number of species arrive in Monteverde to make a home in the dense rainforest during the rainy season. Some of Monteverde’s coolest species of bird include the golden-browed chlorophonia, the black-breasted wood quail, the magenta-throated woodstar, and the coppery-headed emerald.

Picture taken by our nature guide Jason López.

During birding season, you can also hope to spot the three-wattled bellbird, known for its beard-like tendrils and bell-like call, and the amazing quetzal, a famed symbol of Monteverde, both of which arrive to frequent the forest from April to July.

We love birding season at Hotel Belmar, and each year we put together a number of events, from lectures to birdwatching workshops, to maximize our guests experience with these incredible species, and to raise awareness as to the importance of protecting these special animals. In 2018, we held a few amazing workshops, including Basic Bird-Watching, Recognizing Birds of Prey, Endemic Species of Costa Rica and Monteverde, and First Aid in Wildlife, where we learned to recognize and treat sick and injured birds.

In addition to these informative lectures given by some of our bird and wildlife specialists, we also took part in Global Big Day, a 24-hour birding binge organized by Cornell University and Audubon. Last year, Costa Rica registered 69% of the entire country’s bird species in just one day!

This year, we’re excited to be hosting a number of similar events, and encourage guests to keep an eye on our social media pages for more news. Below is the full list of Birding Season Activities.

• Scavenger Hunt at Restaurante Celajes

Every day during Tico Time (Happy Hour at Restaurante Celajes), we will have bird checklists available, where you can mark the ones you see, and validate them with our naturalist guides . If you spot five birds, you will get a complimentary bird-themed cocktail; if you spot ten species, we will cover your entire tab!

• Photography Exhibition

During May and June, local photographers will exhibit their best photos. These will be on display at Restaurant Celajes, where you can vote for your favorite.

• Birds and Brews

Join us for an afternoon of bird-watching on our terrace, while one of our experts guides you through his telescope on some of the rare species that surround us. All while enjoying 2×1 on our house-made craft brews.

• Expert Talks

Join us for a diversity of lectures offered by experts from the AOCR (Ornithological Association of Costa Rica) in different subject areas. Suitable for all ages!

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