Mirador de Quetzales
Mirador de Quetzales
The Mirador de Quetzales is an inn, located near the highest point in the southwest of Costa Rica. About 10m. from the inn is a cloud forest, where you can spot Quetzales, a very popular bird in Costa Rica. While walking through the magnificent, mysterious forest trails, you will see waterfalls, birds and no other tourists (this place is not really touristy; you will feel like you are the only one in this impressive forest). You can sign up at the inn for a guided Quetzal-search in the morning. The best time for viewing Quetzales is from November to May, but if you are lucky and have patience, you may get the chance to see the Quetzal any time of the year. This place is really different from the other places in Costa Rica, it is cold, wet and quiet, but really worth visiting!
Prices and transportation
To go to the Mirador de Quetzales, you can take the public bus to San Isidro de General (Calle 15, Avenida 3). This bus will costs US$4 and takes 1.5 hours. (tell the bus driver that you want to go to the Mirador de Quetzales, and he will drop you off at the right spot).
The owners of the mirador de Quetzales offer lodging, dinner, breakfast and a guided tour in search for the Quetzal for US$60,-. For $US 18 you can do the Quetzal search without staying at the inn (though the Quetzal-search starts at 6.00 a.m., so it might be difficult to get there in time).