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What is the best area in Costa Rica for Parriots


marc_felber1

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<p>Hi Marc.<br>

I don't have my guide with me right now, but here is some suggestions as to what I found in Costa Rica:</p>

 

 

<p >Crimson-fronted Parakeet Costa Rica (San Jose)-in the parks down town</p>

<p >Olive Throated Parakeet Costa Rica (Fortuna)</p>

<p >Scarlet Macaw Costa Rica (Carara) also a natural park near Jaco.</p>

<p >Orange Chinned Parakeet Cost Rica (Carara)</p>

<p >Red Lore Parrot Costa Rica (Santa Elena)</p>

<div>00WD8E-235811684.jpg.939dae7878a07467fc5ed6b657d9887d.jpg</div>

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<p>I was in CR over thanksgiving. I wouldn't leave it to chance, I suggest you hire a guide, and they will tell you where and when. Guides are everywhere in CR, and using one is a fantastic way to support ecotourism and send the message to the government that preserving their wild lands can earn money for the country (most of CR is now cattle ranches, just like the rest of the planet). I used this guy, and he was extremely knowledgeable. </p>

<p>http://www.tarabatours.com/aboutme.htm</p>

<p>I have no connection to him other than we found him on the web and really did well with him finding the wildlife I wanted to photograph. We used 2 others during our stay and they were also excellent, knowledgeable, and easy to work with.</p>

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<p>Scarlet Macaw Costa Rica (Carara) < definitely, plus areas surrounding the park where they can be seen commuting in & out of the park in the morning and late afternoon. Punta Leona (resort) has a few nest boxes up, so you may ask them for info regarding season.<br>

Green Macaw Costa Rica (north by Negros river/wtland area) < we tried to get up there on our last trip but were stopped by torrential rains & flooding<br>

Rancho Innocentes < large flocks of yellow-naped parrots, come close to the house... along with Aracaris and other birds.<br>

Palo Verde National Park has wetlands, plus there are a lot of smaller parrot species around. When we were there it was tough to find a place to stay nearby. I happened upon the flocks of small parrots when I walked up the driveway of an eco lodge that had been shutdown. -g-</p>

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<p>We saw Scarlet Macaws in Corcovado NP (Estation Sirena)--good view via binoculars but awful view photographically, and at one of the crocodile tours on the Tarcoles River, but they were flying by--not good photographically.</p>

<p>I used to recommend a nature guide; but he had changed drastically since we had used him 12 years ago when we were there last month. I definitely cannot recommend him now. He is still good as a nature spotter but he had a very bad attitude throughout our 10 day trip this time.</p>

<p>Better than the Scarlet Macaw was the photos I got of the Resplendent Quetzal Bird in San Gerardo de Dota, but I spotted him before our guide did. 200mm on a 1.6X camera was as long of a lens as I needed to get his entire tail, he was so close.</p>

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<p>I heard that Carara is the better place to see the Scarlet Macaws when you have a guide who knows where to find them. If any one wants to know where the Quetzal nest. Stay at the Savegre Hotel de Montana and ask for Marino as you guide. He knows where the nests are and will also show the Owl and Tucan nest as well where you get real close photos, even with a Point and shot camera. Another question is what is better from your experience to see Scarlet Macaws Corovado NP or Carara to see the bird sitting on a tree rather than flying. I heard there are some lodges close to Carara, but have not had the time to look them up yet. Is Nov or Dec go time to go or Jan or Feb?</p>
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<p>Marc, I pulled the following quote up from the first website listed when I googled Carara National Park. It's enough to want me to stay away from Carara, personally.</p>

<p>"Carara is one of Costa Rica's most popular National Parks, in large part due to its proximity to San José. This is also where many cruise ship's passengers are bused for a day trip when the liners dock just up the coast at Puerto Caldera, and a common destination for field trips by school children."</p>

<p>I did stay at Savegre hotel. We saw and photographed the Quetzal, but I wish I had known about your guide in advance. We did not see owls or Toucans there, probably because I did not hire a local guide.</p>

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<p>Larry, my guide name was marino, just ask for him if you go again. He suggested Carara over Antiono for some reason. I can not see the curise ships making to Carara before the people who lodge in Carara since most boat dock not past 7:00 PM, starying at Carara you would have a head start. The park will offer a guide for hire. There is another park in the south, but is very far. But I heard Carara has 200 pair and ones that you can catch standing on a branch. The Toucans where at a nest on private land, someone the guide knew and allowed me to stay on thier property to take photos. Which do you think is better Savegre or the cloud forest Montevative? If think that is the other one. The hotel offers the guide for a half day, you just have to ask. Is was well worth it. I mostly hire guides when I bird outside the us unless you are in the faulkland Islands. The Quetzal nests where way up the hire where the guide drove us up, if would have taken me 2 hrs to walk up the road that only took 20 minutes in the guides jeep. </p>
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<p>Hi Marc, Cerro lodge = we haven't been/stayed there, can't remember if we had a chance for a drive by.<br>

One other potential tip in the Carara area = there is rumor that macaws come down to the ocean shore in late afternoon by a small town in the area to feed on the palms. We tried to see them there on time but didn't have luck on that day. Thought I would mention since it is a non-typical spot. The locals can tell you if the birds have frequented those trees recently.<br>

I have seen macaws perching on bare limbs from Villa Lapas... at a distance of 1/8 mile or so. :)<br>

Rancho Innocentes < they have both a scarlet & green macaw as pets that fly around in the trees around the house... for the easy photo. ;) -g-</p>

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<p>I just got back from CR, specifically Jaco Beach which is a great place to see Scarlet Macaws. I would take a 500mm lens as they are tough to get close to. Carara is a great place for just about everything. The rainy season is about to start so make sure you take something to protect your camera. Hope that helps.</p>
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