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Best Places to See Monteverde Hummingbirds
Looking for the best place to see hummingbirds in Costa Rica? There are Monteverde hummingbirds all over the Santa Elena area!
This quaint town is nestled in the stunning cloud forests of Costa Rica and is home to a variety of hummingbird species.
We loved our visit to Monteverde, especially because of all the hummingbirds!
From the tiny Scintillant Hummingbird to the gorgeous Snow-capped Hummingbird, you’re sure to be impressed by the variety of hummingbirds you’ll see in Monteverde.
And, because the town is located in a natural setting, you’ll be able to see the hummingbirds in their element as they flit about the flowers and trees.
So, whether you’re a birding enthusiast or just looking for a beautiful place to visit, be sure to add seeing the Monteverde hummingbirds to your Costa Rica itinerary!
Top Spots to Find Monteverde Hummingbirds
The various species of Monteverde hummingbirds can be found throughout the entire cloud forest area.
Whether you’re taking a tour of one of the reserves or staying at a hotel on the edge of town, it’s hard to get through a multi-day stay without seeing at least a few Monteverde hummingbirds. We even saw some on a waterfall hike!
However, there are some places in and around Santa Elena that are better for seeing a LOT of Monteverde hummingbirds.
Selvatura Hummingbird Garden
The Selvatura Hummingbird Garden is part of the Selvatura Adventure Park, which sits on over 1,200 acres of protected, primary cloud forest.
Most of the park isn’t accessible to the public, but the parts that are available are a lot of fun!
There are many fun activities to explore at Selvatura besides the Hummingbird Garden!
This hummingbird garden has over 14 different species of Monteverde hummingbirds. This includes some species that are not often observed on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.
In this hummingbird garden, there are relaxing waterfalls and beautiful natural floral arrangements that offer a lovely setting for nature photography lovers.
This Monteverde hummingbird garden is also a great picnic area!
When you visit this garden, it’s a self-guided tour. There isn’t a time limit for your visit, so you can spend as much time as you like watching the Monteverde hummingbirds.
Monteverde Hummingbird Cafe
At the entrance to Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, sits the Colibri Cafe. This coffee shop has a large hummingbird garden outside it with feeders that attract Monteverde hummingbirds by the droves.
Fun Fact: Some call Colibri Cafe the Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery.
Guests at the Colibri Cafe are in for a treat because over 20 different hummingbird species visit the feeders here.
Just don’t plan to stay for a meal because the coffee shop only serves coffee and a few pastries. They’re tasty though!
Keep an eye out for the Violet Sabrewing, which is the largest hummingbird in Costa Rica.
You also find the Long-billed Hermit, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, and the Steely-vented hummingbird, too.
Monteverde Hummingbirds FAQs
Don’t know much about the Monteverde hummingbirds, or hummingbirds in general?
Here are the answers to commonly asked questions about hummingbirds in Monteverde and in Costa Rica.
How Many Hummingbirds are in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica may be small. It’s actually just a bit smaller than the US State of West Virginia. However, it has an enormous amount of wildlife!
There are over 900 species of all sorts of birds, including Monteverde hummingbirds. It’s been estimated that there are three times more hummingbirds in Costa Rica than in the entire United States!
Garden Emerald
What Types of Hummingbirds are in Costa Rica?
There are over 340 species of hummingbirds in the world. Out of those, there are approximately 50 species of hummingbirds just in Costa Rica! To be exact, there are 54 species.
Plus, there are two types of hummingbirds that are *only* found in Costa Rica. One is the Coppery-Headed Emerald and the other is the Mangrove Hummingbird.
The following list is very species of hummingbird in Costa Rica:
1. Alfaros Hummingbird
2. Band-tailed Barbthroat
3. Black-bellied Hummingbird
4. Black-crested Coquette
5. Blue-tailed Hummingbird
6. Blue-throated Goldentail
7. Blue-chested Hummingbird
8. Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer
9. Bronzy Hermit
10. Brown Violet-ear
11. Charming Hummingbird
12. Cinnamon Hummingbird
13. Coppery-Headed Emerald *Only Found in Monteverde, Costa Rica*
14. Fiery-throated Hummingbird
15. Green-breasted Mango
16. Green-fronted Lancebill
17. Green Hermit
18. Green Violet-ear
19. Green Thorntail
20. Garden Emerald
21. Gray-tailed Mountain-gem
22. Green-crowned Brilliant
23. Indigo-capped Hummingbird
24. Long-billed Starthroat
25. Magenta-throated Woodstar
26. Magnificent (Rivoli’s) Hummingbird
27. Mangrove Hummingbird
28. Plain-capped Starthroat
29. Purple-crowned Fairy
30. Purple-throated Mountain-gem
31. Rufous-crested Coquette
32. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
33. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
34. Sapphire-throated Hummingbird
35. Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
36. Scintillant Hummingbird
37. Snowy-bellied Hummingbird
38. Snowcap
39. Steely-vented Hummingbird
40. Stripe-throated Hermit
41. Stripe-tailed Hummingbird
42. Violet-bellied Hummingbird
43. Violet-crowned Woodnymph
44. Violet-headed Hummingbird
45. Violet Sabrewing
46. Volcano Hummingbird
47. Western Long-tailed Hermit
48. White-bellied Emerald
49. White-bellied Mountain-gem
50. White-crested Coquette
51. White-necked Jacobin
52. White-tailed Emerald
53. White-tipped Sicklebill
54. White-vented Plumeleteer
What Types of Hummingbirds are in Monteverde?
You can find almost any of the 50 hummingbird species in Costa Rica within the Monteverde area, except the Mangrove Hummingbird. That only lives along the coasts.
In addition, the Coppery-Headed Emerald is only found in Monteverde. We were lucky enough to see several of them on our visit to the Colibri Cafe!
What is a Group of Hummingbirds Called?
A flock of hummingbirds can be referred to as a bouquet, a glittering, a hover, a shimmer, or a tune. However, Hummingbirds are not very social at all.
They live very solitary lives and only come together to mate or share a hummingbird feeder.
That’s why you see so much fighting and chasing at the hummingbird feeders. They aren’t friends or a family group. Each one is begrudgingly sharing the space to have a snack there.
When is the Best Time to See Monteverde Hummingbirds?
Most hummingbirds in Costa Rica live there all year round. So there is always a good chance to see some of them.
However, if you want to see migratory species like the Ruby-throated hummingbird then visiting during the North American winter is a better time to visit.
What is the Rarest Hummingbird in Costa Rica?
The rarest Hummingbird in Costa Rica is the dazzling and endemic Mangrove Hummingbird.
As the name suggests, they can only be found in and amongst Costa Rica’s subtropical mangrove forests.
So this is not a Monteverde Hummingbird. You’ll have to visit the lowland areas in order to see it.
What is the Largest Hummingbird in Costa Rica?
The Violet Sabrewing is the largest hummingbird in Costa Rica. It’s actually the largest hummingbird found outside South America!
The Violet Sabrewing is 15 cm (5.9 in) long; the male weighs 11.5 g (0.41 oz) and the female is a little smaller at 9.5 g (0.34 oz).
Violet Sabrewing
Where to See Hummingbirds Beside the Monteverde Hummingbird Gardens
It’s possible to see hummingbirds all over Costa Rica. However, there are spots that make special efforts to attract hummingbirds in larger numbers.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz has recorded 26 species (50% of all the species in Costa Rica) at their famed hummingbird garden.
Guests can stand just inches from the numerous feeders and become immersed in the zipping and zooming of the hummingbirds.
Some of the top species include the Magenta-throated Woodstar, Green Thorntail, Scintillant Hummingbird (the smallest in Costa Rica), and the Black-Bellied Hummingbird.
The hummingbirds are so used to people that they aren’t afraid and easily fly around you unintimidated. They’ll even land on your finger if you hold very still!
Peace Lodge
The Peace Lodge is located in the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Park area. It’s in the town of Vara Blanca de Heredia. This hotel keeps hummingbird feeders filled outside each room.
Rancho Naturalista
Rancho Naturalista is considered the premier birding lodge in Costa Rica and one of the finest in Central America.
There are numerous hummingbird feeders on the large, open upstairs balcony which overlooks an active volcano.
Just at this one hotel, over 430 species of birds have been recorded! You can either hike and bird the trails on your own or go with one of the hotel’s professional guides.
Plus, the weather is almost perfect because it’s not too hot and not too cold. It’s best known for being the easiest place to see the gorgeous Snow-capped Hummingbird.
You may also see the Cinnamon Hummingbird, the Green Breasted Mango, or the Brown-Violet ear as you explore the trails.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park also has also has hummingbirds. However, you won’t see as many as in the Monteverde and La Paz Waterfalls areas.
This is because the large park only shows the hummingbirds in their natural setting.
They do not try to attract the Hummingbirds with gardens and feeders galore. This makes them a bit harder to find. However, they are still there so keep your eyes peeled if you visit.
Final Thoughts on Monteverde Hummingbirds
If you’re thinking about visiting Costa Rica, be sure to add Monteverde to your list!
Monteverde is one of the best places to see hummingbirds in Costa Rica because of the variety of species that can be found there.
You’ll likely see several different species during your stay. Not only that, but the natural setting makes it a beautiful place to see them in their element.
While you’re in the Santa Elena area to see the Monteverde hummingbirds, be sure to take some time to explore the other amazing things that Monteverde has to offer including some great waterfall hikes and the stunning cloud forests!
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