The Costa Rican Bird Route (CRBR) is a project being implemented by the Rainforest Biodiversity Group, Inc (RBG) with funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This project is being implemented to promote the conservation of bird habitat and the biological diversity within the San Juan – La Selva Biological Corridor and improve bird tourism in this region. Bird tourism will bring economic opportunities for local landowners and communities via visiting eco-tourists and bird watchers who provide an economic incentive for habitat conservation.
Well known for its National Park System which protects nearly 25 % of the country, Costa Rica holds nearly 5% of the world’s biodiversity. It is known worldwide as an excellent place for observing birds as well as its fine treatment of tourists. However, the country also has one of the highest deforestation rates in the region. The natural and cultural aspects in addition to a biological need make Costa Rica a logical location for the development of Central America’s first birding trail: the Costa Rican Bird Route.
The Costa Rican Bird Route consists of 13 bird watching locations. A criterion was established to ensure the selected locations provide the best bird watching and eco-tourism opportunities in the Sarapiqui – San Carlos region of Costa Rica. This region supports the last remaining habitat of the endangered Great Green Macaw, the second largest parrot in the world. The Costa Rican Bird Route offers the most superb viewing opportunities on the planet of this rare species.
Seven of the 13 Costa Rican Bird Route sites are newly created reserves owned by local landowners. These new reserves have been officially enrolled in the Costa Rican Private Reserve Network and protect a total of 3,697.5 acres (1497 hectares) of habitat for neo-tropical migratory birds. These sites are considered remote sites, while the remaining 6 sites are already established as biological reserves and will be considered portal sites, providing access to the remote sites. To maintain environmentally sound tourism and conservation practices within the route, all Bird Route locations will adhere to a set of sustainable tourism practices. A monitoring system will be established to ensure sites adhere to their contractual practices.
A variety of tours are being offered for the Costa Rican Bird Route. These tours will allow the visitor to experience the culture and spirit of this region of Costa Rica through an array of activities that connect the visitor with the communities and their conservation efforts. Tours can also be customized to fit your traveling wants and needs.
For those travelers who wish to plan their own trip to the Bird Route, the Costa Rican Bird Route Map and Guide is a must have. For more information on tours visit the Costa Rican Bird Route website or contact the Bird Route Coordinator, Raquel Gomez at Raquel@costaricanbirdroute.com for questions.
* Look for the Costa Rican Bird Route in the 2009 edition of the Lonely Planet! *
