Few wildlife experiences are as beautiful and memorable as watching migratory birds arrive in Costa Rica. Each year, millions of birds leave their breeding grounds in North America and travel south, and for many species, Costa Rica sits right along the route—or serves as a winter home until it’s time to head back north.
So if you’re a bird lover just as we are, this article is for you. You’ll learn when migratory birds make their way to Costa Rica, discover some of the species you may encounter, and find some of the best places to look for them throughout the country.
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When Do Migratory Birds Arrive in Costa Rica?
Before planning your trip around one specific bird, you’ll want to understand when birds tend to move through the country. Birds arrive and leave at fairly predictable times, but not all species follow the same schedule, so what you’ll actually see depends on where you go and what time of year you visit:
| Period | What happens |
| Late August–October | Many songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors arrive or pass through |
| November–February | Numerous species remain in Costa Rica for the northern winter |
| March–May | Many birds begin moving north again |
| June–July | Fewer long-distance migrants, with resident birds dominating sightings |
Keep in mind that these dates are a general guide rather than an exact calendar. Migration timing varies by species, weather conditions, elevation, and the region you’re visiting. Some birds remain in Costa Rica for months, while others stop only briefly before continuing toward South America.
One of the season’s most remarkable migration events takes place each October, when Costa Rica’s Caribbean lowlands become an important corridor for millions of southbound raptors. During this time, large groups of hawks and other birds of prey soar overhead as they continue their journey south.
10 Migratory Birds You May See in Costa Rica
You won’t check off every bird on this list in a single trip—and that’s part of the adventure. Think of these as examples of migratory species you may encounter in Costa Rica rather than a complete checklist.
Below, you’ll learn when each species typically appears, the habitats it prefers, and where you may have the best chance of spotting it. As with any wildlife experience, sightings are never guaranteed:
1. Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Orioles arrive in Costa Rica during the northern fall and often remain through the winter before returning north in spring. If you’re birding during this time, keep an eye on forest edges, gardens, flowering trees, fruit trees, and open woodland, where these colorful migrants often forage for insects, nectar, and fruit.
Adult males are easy to recognize by their bright orange-and-black plumage, while females and younger birds appear much more muted, with yellow-orange and grayish coloring. Their bold colors make the Baltimore Orioles one of the easier songbirds you’ll recognize during the migration season.
2. Summer Tanager
During the northern winter, Summer Tanagers become common seasonal visitors across parts of Costa Rica. Look for them along forest edges, in gardens, and in open woodland, where they often forage among the trees.
Adult males stand out with their bright red plumage, while females are usually yellowish or olive in color. You may encounter them feeding on insects and fruit as they move through the trees.
3. Tennessee Warbler
Look for this small migratory bird in forest canopies, secondary growth, gardens, and flowering trees during the northern winter. Tennessee Warblers often travel in mixed feeding flocks alongside resident birds and other migratory warblers, so you may spot several species in the same area.
Because of their small size and subtle coloring, Tennessee Warblers can be tricky to identify if you’re new to birding. Our recommendation is to bring a good pair of binoculars or join an experienced birding guide, who can help you tell them apart from similar warbler species.
Need help choosing binoculars? Check out our guide to the best binoculars for bird watching in Costa Rica before your trip.
4. Yellow Warbler
You’ll find Yellow Warblers in wetlands, mangroves, coastal vegetation, forest edges, and other habitats across Costa Rica. Depending on where and when you visit, you may come across migratory birds as well as resident and regionally distinct forms, so not every Yellow Warbler you see is a seasonal visitor.
Their bright yellow plumage makes them easier to spot as they move quickly through shrubs and low branches searching for insects.
5. Swainson’s Thrush
Unlike many birds that stay high in the canopy, Swainson’s Thrushes spend much of their time closer to the ground. They travel through and winter in shaded forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation, where they search through leaf litter and low plants for insects and berries.
Their subtle brown coloring and spotted chest help them blend into the forest floor, so spotting one often takes a little patience.
6. Spotted Sandpiper
Heading to a river, lake, estuary, beach, or wetland? Keep an eye out for the Spotted Sandpiper. This migratory bird is often seen walking along the water’s edge, where its constant tail and rear-body bobbing is one of the easiest ways to recognize it.
Don’t be surprised if you don’t see the bold spots that give this bird its name. During the months when many travelers visit Costa Rica, its spotted breeding plumage is often much less visible, so its distinctive walking behavior is usually the best clue that you’ve found one.
7. Broad-Winged Hawk
If you’re visiting Costa Rica during the fall migration, keep an eye on the sky for Broad-winged Hawks. Huge numbers of these raptors pass through the country each year, particularly along the Caribbean migration corridor, as they continue their journey toward South America.
During favorable weather conditions, you may see large groups—known as kettles—circling on rising air currents before continuing south. The size of this migration spectacle changes from year to year depending on the weather and timing, but more than three million birds of prey from at least 17 species pass through the country’s Caribbean coastal plains during the migration season (source).
8. Swainson’s Hawk
Swainson’s Hawks cover one of the longest migration routes of any bird you’ll find in Costa Rica. Every year, they travel from North America toward South America, with Costa Rica serving primarily as a stop along the way rather than a long-term winter destination.
If you’re visiting during peak migration, look up—you may spot them soaring in large mixed flocks alongside Broad-winged Hawks and other raptors as they continue their journey south. Like other migration events, these sightings depend on the timing of your visit and favorable weather conditions.
9. Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is one migratory raptor you may encounter along the coast. Look for it near coastlines, wetlands, river mouths, islands, and other open landscapes, where it hunts other birds in flight.
Some Peregrine Falcons simply pass through Costa Rica during migration, while others remain for part of the northern winter. Because they cover large territories and may only spend a short time in one area, sightings are never guaranteed—but spotting the world’s fastest bird in the wild is always an exciting experience.
10. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
During the northern winter, you may spot the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a tiny migratory species that travels from North America to Costa Rica each year. It can often be found around gardens, forest edges, secondary forests, and other areas with abundant flowers.
Adult males are best known for their brilliant ruby-red throat, while females have a much more subtle appearance. Although Costa Rica is home to many resident hummingbird species, sightings of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird are less predictable—making each encounter feel even more special.
Where to See Migratory Birds in Costa Rica
An estimated five million birds migrate through Costa Rica every year, making the country one of the most important migration routes and wintering grounds in the Americas.
So, where should you go? The best region to visit depends on whether you’re hoping to see forest birds, raptors, shorebirds, or waterbirds. Visiting more than one type of habitat during your trip usually leads to a more varied bird list, since different species prefer different environments.
Here are some of the best places to look for migratory birds across Costa Rica:
La Fortuna and the Arenal Region
Few places in Costa Rica combine as much habitat diversity as the Arenal region. Rainforest, forest edges, open areas, waterways, and multiple forest layers all come together within a relatively compact area, allowing migratory visitors to share the landscape with resident species such as toucans, hummingbirds, parrots, manakins, and woodpeckers.
One of the best ways to experience this diversity is at Mistico Park, where you can explore rainforest trails and hanging bridges alongside an experienced birding guide. The elevated bridges provide views into different forest layers, while your guide can help identify migratory birds by their appearance, calls, and behavior.
The Caribbean Migration Corridor
Costa Rica’s Caribbean lowlands form one of the most important migration routes for birds of prey in the Americas, with excellent bird-watching opportunities around Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, Talamanca, and the southern Caribbean lowlands.
If you can, plan your visit for October. That’s when hawks, falcons, and vultures move south in the greatest numbers, with more than three million migratory raptors estimated to pass through the country during the season. The region also welcomes migrant warblers, orioles, tanagers, and many other forest birds, so there’s plenty to look for beyond the skies.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is one of Costa Rica’s top destinations for wetland bird watching. Its lagoons, wetlands, rivers, and seasonally flooded areas attract both resident and migratory waterbirds, including:
- Herons
- Egrets
- Ducks
- Shorebirds
- Raptors
- Many other species
One of the best ways to explore these habitats is by boat, giving you access to areas that are difficult to reach on foot. According to Costa Rica’s official tourism information, Caño Negro’s smaller lagoons also attract migratory birds, which makes this refuge a great stop during migration season.
Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park protects wetlands, dry forest, seasonal pools, and river habitats. It’s an important area for both migratory and resident waterbirds, especially when changing water levels concentrate birds in smaller areas.
The park has recorded more than 280 migratory and non-migratory bird species. That’s why we recommend looking for waterbirds from designated trails, viewpoints, or guided boat tours.
The Central Valley and Highland Forests
You don’t have to travel deep into the rainforest to enjoy excellent bird watching. Parks, coffee-growing areas, forest edges, gardens, and mountain forests all attract migratory songbirds, including:
- Orioles
- Tanagers
- Warblers
- Vireos
- Thrushes
- Flycatchers
Flowering and fruiting trees can attract birds even near towns, hotels, and other accommodations, so keep your binoculars close—you never know what might stop by for a visit.
The Pacific Coast, Mangroves, and Estuaries
If shorebirds are at the top of your bird-watching list, head to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Shorelines, river mouths, salt flats, mangroves, and estuaries attract migratory shorebirds and waterbirds like:
- Sandpipers
- Plovers
- Gulls
- Terns
- Herons
- Falcons
Before you go, remember that tides can have a big impact on where and when birds feed. Our suggestion: check local tide times before your visit or join a guide familiar with coastal birding to help you find the best viewing spots.
The Osa Peninsula and South Pacific
The Osa Peninsula and South Pacific is one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions. Here, you’ll find Rainforests, rivers, beaches, wetlands, and coastal habitats that support both forest migrants and shorebirds, giving you the chance to explore several birding environments in a single region.
Corcovado National Park, Golfo Dulce, and nearby reserves are all excellent places to look for migratory birds throughout the season. Since travel in this part of Costa Rica can take longer, we recommend allowing plenty of time to explore rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Islands and Offshore Wildlife Refuges
Costa Rica’s islands and protected coastal areas offer another way to experience migratory bird watching. Places such as Isla Guayabo provide habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and migratory raptors throughout the migration season.
According to Visit Costa Rica, seasonal visitors to Isla Guayabo include Peregrine Falcons and gulls. Since access rules and tour availability vary by location, we recommend visiting with an authorized tour operator.
How to Plan a Migratory Bird-Watching Trip
Planning a bird-watching trip during migration season doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right preparation, you’ll be ready to make the most of your time in Costa Rica, even though no two migration seasons are exactly the same.
Keep these tips in mind before your trip:
- Visit between September and early spring: This is typically the best time to experience the greatest variety of migratory birds.
- Choose your destination based on the birds you’d like to see: Forest birds, raptors, shorebirds, and waterbirds all prefer different habitats.
- Remember that most birds return to the same places each year: Choosing the right region at the right time can improve your chances of seeing the species you’re hoping for.
- Start bird watching early in the morning: Birds are often most active shortly after sunrise.
- Combine different habitats during your trip: Visiting forests, wetlands, and coastal areas usually leads to a more varied bird list.
- Pack binoculars and rain protection: You’ll enjoy a better bird-watching experience and be ready for changing weather conditions.
- Reserve specialist guides in advance: Experienced local guides can help identify birds by their appearance, calls, and behavior.
- Check seasonal bird reports before your trip: Recent sightings can give you a better idea of what species are moving through the region.
- Stay flexible: Migration timing can shift slightly from year to year depending on weather conditions and other natural factors.
Want to learn more about the best seasons for bird watching around Arenal? Explore our guide: Best Time for Bird Watching in Arenal.
See Migratory Birds at Mistico Park
Bird migration in Costa Rica is something you won’t want to miss. If you’re staying in La Fortuna or anywhere in the Arenal region, Mistico Park’s birding guided tour offers a great opportunity to look for migratory birds in the rainforest.
You’ll walk our hanging bridges at treetop level, putting you eye-to-eye with birds most visitors never get close to, while our guides help you spot and identify species by sight, sound, and behavior. Sightings change with the season, the weather, and the birds themselveswhich is exactly what keeps every visit different.
Ready to experience bird migration for yourself? Contact Mistico Park today to book your birding guided tour.
