Guanacaste National Park

National Park · Costa Rica

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Photo © Geoff Gallice

Photo © Geoff Gallice — CC BY 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Pacific slopes of northwestern Costa Rica rise toward the Continental Divide, dry tropical forest gives way to cloud-laden peaks and misty ridges—a landscape that defines Guanacaste National Park's wild heart. This protected expanse, cloaking the upper reaches of the Orosí and Cacao volcanic complexes, encompasses a remarkable vertical gradient: from lowland dry forest and deciduous woodland in the foothills to montane cloud forest and elfin forest clinging to the highest ridges. The park's terrain is steep and rugged, carved by seasonal watercourses and punctuated by forest clearings where light floods the understory. This mosaic of habitats supports a richness of wildlife adapted to both wet and dry seasons—forest-dwelling mammals large and small, woodland songbirds and raptors that ride the thermals above the canopy, amphibians and reptiles sheltering in leaf litter and rocky crevices, and insects that form the foundation of the park's intricate food webs. The transition zones between habitat types are particularly productive, attracting mixed-species foraging flocks and hunters following their prey through the changing vegetation.

For serious wildlife photographers and birdwatchers, Guanacaste National Park offers a rare opportunity to document species and behaviors across an intact elevational transect—a journey from lowland dry forest specialists to high-altitude montane endemics, often achievable in a single expedition. Early mornings on the lower slopes yield intense activity as diurnal birds of prey and forest raptors begin their hunt, while the misty ridges of the cloud forest transform into a different world of calling birds and cryptic forest mammals as afternoon moisture rolls in. The park's network of trails ranges from accessible lower-elevation routes to challenging high-altitude treks that reward persistence with views across the canopy and into the mist-shrouded peaks. Dry season visits (roughly December through April) offer clearer light and easier access to higher elevations, while the greening rains of May onward trigger breeding cycles and concentrate wildlife at remaining water sources. Access is straightforward from nearby Santa Elena, making Guanacaste an essential stop for naturalists seeking to understand tropical forest ecology across its full vertical dimension.

Website sinac.go.cr

Phone Guanacaste NP (Pocosol Sector): 2661-8150

Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Black-headed Trogon

Trogon melanocephalus

White-throated Magpie-Jay

Cyanocorax formosus

Rupornis magnirostris

Turquoise-browed Motmot

Eumomota superciliosa

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Pitangus sulphuratus

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

Stripe-headed Sparrow

Peucaea ruficauda

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Cinnamon Hummingbird

Amazilia rutila

Montezuma Oropendola

Psarocolius montezuma

Lesson's Motmot

Momotus lessonii

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Speckled Mourner

Laniocera rufescens

Ocellated Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus ocellatus

Violaceous Quail-Dove

Geotrygon violacea

Northern Bentbill

Oncostoma cinereigulare

Penelope purpurascens

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma mexicanum

Orange-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula canicularis

Clay-colored Thrush

Rufous-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus capistratus

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Thryophilus pleurostictus

Pacific Screech Owl

Megascops cooperi

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

Melanerpes hoffmannii

Coragyps atratus

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Buteo plagiatus

Mycteria americana

White-fronted Amazon

Amazona albifrons

Pale-billed Woodpecker

Campephilus guatemalensis

Red-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas flavirostris

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

White-lored Gnatcatcher

Polioptila albiloris

Yellow-throated Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Western Cattle Egret

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

Thicket Tinamou

Crypturellus cinnamomeus

Cairina moschata

Sarcoramphus papa

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Blue-vented Hummingbird

Saucerottia hoffmanni

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

Northern Jacana

Orange-chinned Parakeet

Brotogeris jugularis

Melodious Blackbird

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Amazona farinosa

Tropical Mockingbird

Stripe-throated Hermit

Phaethornis striigularis

Russet-naped Wood Rail

Aramides albiventris

Collared Aracari

Pteroglossus torquatus

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Yellow-throated Euphonia

Euphonia hirundinacea

Cantorchilus modestus

Canivet's Emerald

Cynanthus canivetii

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl

Pelecanus occidentalis

Nyctidromus albicollis

Chestnut-capped Warbler

Basileuterus delattrii

Streak-backed Oriole

Icterus pustulatus

Tityra semifasciata

Lesser Greenlet

Pachysylvia decurtata

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Spotted Antbird

Hylophylax naevioides

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

Lesser Ground Cuckoo

Morococcyx erythropygus

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Double-striped Thick-knee

Hesperoburhinus bistriatus

Long-tailed Manakin

Chiroxiphia linearis

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Northern Barred Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes luteiventris

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Euphonia affinis

Mangrove Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Tachybaptus dominicus

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus flavigaster

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma imberbe

Tropical Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus coronatus

White-browed Gnatcatcher

Polioptila bilineata

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Nyctibius jamaicensis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Black-crowned Antshrike

Thamnophilus atrinucha

Long-billed Hermit

Phaethornis longirostris

Checker-throated Stipplethroat

Epinecrophylla fulviventris

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Red-capped Manakin

Ceratopipra mentalis

Hylocichla mustelina

Black-cowled Oriole

Icterus prosthemelas

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

Variable Seedeater

Sporophila corvina

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus passerinii

Crypturellus soui

Slaty-breasted Tinamou

Crypturellus boucardi

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

Ring-necked Duck

Aythya collaris

Plain Chachalaca

Grey-headed Chachalaca

Ortalis cinereiceps

Chamaepetes unicolor

Spot-bellied Bobwhite

Colinus leucopogon

Black-eared Wood Quail

Odontophorus melanotis

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

White-tailed Nightjar

Hydropsalis cayennensis

Chuck-will's-widow

Antrostomus carolinensis

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius griseus

White-chinned Swift

Cypseloides cryptus

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura pelagica

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

Panyptila cayennensis

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

White-tipped Sicklebill

Eutoxeres aquila

Phaethornis guy

Brown Violetear

Colibri delphinae

Purple-crowned Fairy

Heliothryx barroti

Green-breasted Mango

Anthracothorax prevostii

Plain-capped Starthroat

Heliomaster constantii

Purple-throated Mountaingem

Lampornis calolaemus

Violet-headed Hummingbird

Violet Sabrewing

Campylopterus hemileucurus

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer

Chalybura urochrysia

Crowned Woodnymph

Thalurania colombica

Microchera albocoronata

Coppery-headed Emerald

Microchera cupreiceps

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird

Eupherusa eximia

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Blue-throated Sapphire

Chlorestes eliciae

Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo

Neomorphus geoffroyi

Patagioenas speciosa

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Patagioenas subvinacea

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas nigrirostris

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Olive-backed Quail-Dove

Leptotrygon veraguensis

Grey-headed Dove

Leptotila plumbeiceps

Grey-chested Dove

Leptotila cassinii

Purplish-backed Quail-Dove

Zentrygon lawrencii

Chiriqui Quail-Dove

Zentrygon chiriquensis

Zenaida macroura

Amaurolimnas concolor

Aramus guarauna

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Charadrius vociferus

Upland Sandpiper

Bartramia longicauda

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

Eurypyga helias

Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Fasciated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Butorides virescens

Great Blue Heron

Pandion haliaetus

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

Microspizias superciliosus

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Ictinia plumbea

Morphnarchus princeps

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Parabuteo unicinctus

Pseudastur albicollis

White-tailed Hawk

Geranoaetus albicaudatus

Semiplumbeous Hawk

Leucopternis semiplumbeus

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

American Barn Owl

Central American Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium griseiceps

Middle American Screech Owl

Megascops guatemalae

Lophostrix cristata

Black-and-white Owl

Strix nigrolineata

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Northern Black-throated Trogon

Trogon tenellus

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Hylomanes momotula

Baryphthengus martii

Keel-billed Motmot

Electron carinatum

Broad-billed Motmot

Electron platyrhynchum

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

White-fronted Nunbird

Monasa morphoeus

Yellow-eared Toucanet

Selenidera spectabilis

Northern Emerald Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

Black-cheeked Woodpecker

Melanerpes pucherani

Smoky-brown Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus fumigatus

Rufous-winged Woodpecker

Piculus simplex

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Colaptes rubiginosus

Cinnamon Woodpecker

Celeus loricatus

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Falco rufigularis

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Brown-hooded Parrot

Pyrilia haematotis

White-crowned Parrot

Red-lored Amazon

Amazona autumnalis

Olive-throated Parakeet

Eupsittula nana

Finsch's Parakeet

Psittacara finschi

Tawny-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus mexicanus

Scaly-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus guatemalensis

Grey-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus albigularis

Ruddy Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla homochroa

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Spotted Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus erythropygius

Brown-billed Scythebill

Campylorhamphus pusillus

Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner

Automolus cervinigularis

Western Woodhaunter

Automolus virgatus

Spotted Barbtail

Premnoplex brunnescens

Russet Antshrike

Thamnistes anabatinus

Dot-winged Antwren

Microrhopias quixensis

White-flanked Antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Myrmotherula schisticolor

Dysithamnus mentalis

Streak-crowned Antvireo

Dysithamnus striaticeps

Fasciated Antshrike

Cymbilaimus lineatus

Great Antshrike

Ocellated Antbird

Phaenostictus mcleannani

Bicolored Antbird

Gymnopithys bicolor

Cercomacroides tyrannina

Chestnut-backed Antbird

Poliocrania exsul

Dull-mantled Antbird

Sipia laemosticta

Bare-crowned Antbird

Gymnocichla nudiceps

Zeledon's Antbird

Hafferia zeledoni

Black-faced Antthrush

Formicarius analis

Thicket Antpitta

Myrmothera dives

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Elaenia chiriquensis

Mountain Elaenia

Elaenia frantzii

Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet

Ornithion semiflavum

Mistletoe Tyrannulet

Zimmerius parvus

Olive-streaked Flycatcher

Mionectes olivaceus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant

Lophotriccus pileatus

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus sylvia

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum nigriceps

Eye-ringed Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus brevirostris

Yellow-winged Flatbill

Tolmomyias flavotectus

Stub-tailed Spadebill

Platyrinchus cancrominus

White-throated Spadebill

Platyrinchus mystaceus

Golden-crowned Spadebill

Platyrinchus coronatus

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Western Wood Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Northern Tropical Pewee

Contopus bogotensis

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

Yellowish Flycatcher

Empidonax flavescens

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Grey-capped Flycatcher

Myiozetetes granadensis

White-ringed Flycatcher

Conopias albovittatus

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Rhytipterna holerythra

Nutting's Flycatcher

Myiarchus nuttingi

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Bare-necked Umbrellabird

Cephalopterus glabricollis

Lipaugus unirufus

Three-wattled Bellbird

Procnias tricarunculatus

Cotinga amabilis

Carpodectes nitidus

White-ruffed Manakin

Corapipo altera

White-collared Manakin

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Northern Schiffornis

Schiffornis veraepacis

Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Rose-throated Becard

Pachyramphus aglaiae

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius

Myiobius sulphureipygius

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Green Shrike-Vireo

Vireolanius pulchellus

Ochre-crowned Greenlet

Tunchiornis ochraceiceps

Vireo olivaceus

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo philadelphicus

Blue-headed Vireo

Vireo solitarius

Cyanocorax morio

Riparia riparia

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Band-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus zonatus

Black-throated Wren

Pheugopedius atrogularis

Spot-breasted Wren

Pheugopedius maculipectus

Rufous-and-white Wren

Thryophilus rufalbus

Cantorchilus zeledoni

Cantorchilus nigricapillus

Stripe-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus thoracicus

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

Grey-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucophrys

Northern Nightingale-Wren

Microcerculus philomela

Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus

Tawny-faced Gnatwren

Microbates cinereiventris

Black-faced Solitaire

Myadestes melanops

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus mexicanus

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus fuscater

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus frantzii

Grey-cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

Mountain Thrush

Turdus plebejus

White-throated Thrush

Turdus assimilis

Pale-vented Thrush

Turdus obsoletus

Passer domesticus

Golden-browed Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia callophrys

Yellow-crowned Euphonia

Euphonia luteicapilla

Olive-backed Euphonia

Euphonia gouldi

Tawny-capped Euphonia

Euphonia anneae

Common Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus flavopectus

Black-striped Sparrow

Arremonops conirostris

Orange-billed Sparrow

Arremon aurantiirostris

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch

Arremon brunneinucha

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Yellow-breasted Chat

Yellow-billed Cacique

Amblycercus holosericeus

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Psarocolius wagleri

Scarlet-rumped Cacique

Cacicus uropygialis

Icterus spurius

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Molothrus bonariensis

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

Seiurus aurocapilla

Worm-eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

Blue-winged Warbler

Vermivora cyanoptera

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis poliocephala

MacGillivray's Warbler

Geothlypis tolmiei

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis semiflava

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Setophaga citrina

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

American Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

Setophaga coronata

Black-throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Buff-rumped Warbler

Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Black-eared Warbler

Basileuterus melanotis

Cardellina canadensis

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

Slate-throated Whitestart

Myioborus miniatus

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Carmiol's Tanager

Chlorothraupis carmioli

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-faced Grosbeak

Caryothraustes poliogaster

Spiza americana

Blue-black Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Passerina caerulea

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Shining Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes lucidus

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Saltator grandis

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Black-headed Saltator

Saltator atriceps

Slate-colored Grosbeak

Saltator grossus

Coereba flaveola

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

White-shouldered Tanager

Loriotus luctuosus

Tawny-crested Tanager

Tachyphonus delatrii

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

White-throated Shrike-Tanager

Lanio leucothorax

Crimson-collared Tanager

Ramphocelus sanguinolentus

Morelet's Seedeater

Sporophila morelleti

Thick-billed Seed Finch

Sporophila funerea

Thraupis palmarum

Golden-hooded Tanager

Stilpnia larvata

Bay-headed Tanager

Rufous-winged Tanager

Tangara lavinia

Emerald Tanager

Tangara florida

Silver-throated Tanager

Tangara icterocephala

Magenta-throated Woodstar

Philodice bryantae

Mangrove Cuckoo

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

White-vented Euphonia

Euphonia minuta

Central American Spider Monkey

Ateles geoffroyi

Alouatta palliata

White-nosed Coati

Northern Tamandua

Tamandua mexicana

Central American Tapir

Tapirus bairdii

Variegated Squirrel

Sciurus variegatoides

Central American Agouti

Dasyprocta punctata

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Northern Raccoon

Sumichrast's Vesper Rat

Nyctomys sumichrasti

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

Watson's Climbing Rat

Tylomys watsoni

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

Choloepus hoffmanni

Wrinkle-faced Bat

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