Question 1

Where can I see scarlet macaws in Costa Rica?

Accepted Answer

Two Pacific strongholds: Carara National Park and the Tárcoles area on the central Pacific, and the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado in the south, which holds the largest population. They range from sea level to about 1,000 meters along the Pacific slope.

Question 2

When is the best time to see scarlet macaws?

Accepted Answer

They are resident year-round, so any month works. The dry season, December through April, is prime and coincides with breeding. Late-afternoon flights to roost, such as over the Tárcoles mangroves, are among the most dependable shows for photographers.

Question 3

Are scarlet macaws found on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast?

Accepted Answer

No. In Costa Rica the scarlet macaw is a Pacific-slope bird. The large macaw of the Caribbean lowlands is the great green macaw, a different species. Some birds elsewhere in the country come from reintroduction projects rather than native populations.

Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica

When & where to see it

Primary regions

Verified scarlet macaw guides

Karla Jiménez

Andrés Rojas

Luis Fonseca

From the field

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