Is Summer a Good Time to Go Birding in Costa Rica?

May is that special, wonderful time for bird migration. Go birding in the eastern states and provinces of North America and you could be treated to a wealth of singing warblers, vireos, and more! This annual birding bonanza is why a lot of American and Canadian birders avoid traveling during the first half of May, at least unless they visit a migration hotspot.

However, after that point, after the birds have gone through and gotten settled in their breeding grounds, some birders get back to taking birding trips. They travel during the summer months to see certain birds or because they've already seen all their regular breeding birds near home. To see something new, they don't hesitate to take birding trips in summer. It's a fine time for birding, especially in Europe, North America, and many other places but what about Costa Rica?

Most birders seem to visit Costa Rica in the winter months, is it worth birding Costa Rica from June to August? It all depends on what you want to see but if you don't mind seeing and getting photos of trogons, manakins, toucans, tanagers, and hundreds of other fantastic, tropical birds, summer is a great time to be here!

Excellent Bird Activity

In summer, the bird activity in Costa Rica is a treat. It's great all year long but, in the summer months, sometimes, birds are active all day long. The cloudy weather and nesting activity keep birds moving, active, and easy to see. Not just any old birds either but the ones birders visit Costa Rica to experience.

All the Photogenic Birds

Those would be the beautiful photogenic birds, birds like Red-capped Manakin,

White-collared Manakin,

Emerald Tanager,

Crimson-collared Tanager,

Violet Sabrewing and a few dozen other fantastic hummingbird species,

Toucans,

and even Ornate hawk-Eagle.

Perhaps best of all, summer is THE TIME to test your camera on magnificent breeding Agami Herons!

More Elbow Room

If you like birding with a bit more elbow room, you'll love birding Costa Rica in the summer. Fewer people visit Costa Rica in the summer months, at least not as many as the high season. There's just as many resident birds, you'll just have more of the forest, beautiful hotel gardens, and other birding sites to yourself.

What About the Rain?

But isn't summer the wet season in Costa Rica? Doesn't it rain all the time? Yes and no. While yes, it will rain most days, mornings are typically fresh and beautiful while afternoons get the rain. It might also rain less on the Caribbean slope and, as a bonus, birds become very active and easy to see when the rain stops. If it rains on and off, you could be busy with birds all day long.

Summer is a great time to visit Costa Rica! All the birds most birders want to see are here and we know where to find them. Interested in seeing toucans and macaws and Snowcaps and hundreds of other birders this summer? How about getting fantastic photos of breeding plumage Agami Herons (the most beautiful heron in the world)? We're here to help, contact us today!