Macaw Recovery Network

Península de Nicoya


A local NGO that is dedicated to the conservation of Costa Rica's two species of macaw: the great green macaw and the scarlet macaw. The group rehabilitates injured or rescued birds and eventually reintroduces them into the wild. Long-term volunteer opportunities are available as are hour-long tours, during which visitors can observe dozens of wild macaws as they glide in for a morning or afternoon snack. There is also an informative visitor center with lots of information about the organization.

Book at least 24 hours in advance, and consider arranging transport with the group. It is also possible to walk here in about 20 to 30 minutes on a trail from the Hotel Punta Islita.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Península de Nicoya attractions

1. Museo Islita

0.5 MILES

Sponsored by the Hotel Punta Islita, this imaginative, open-air museum includes mosaics, carvings and paintings that adorn everything from houses to tree…

2. Playa Corozalito

2 MILES

About 4km south of Punta Islita, Playa Corozalito is an entirely undeveloped beach backed by mangrove swamps and offering plenty of opportunities to spot…

4. The Jungle Butterfly Farm

5.02 MILES

Mike's beautiful 45-acre mountainside property, 10 minutes north of San Miguel, includes walking trails and a butterfly rancho. In addition to the…

5. Playa Bejuco

5.59 MILES

South of Punta Islita (and not to be confused with a beach of the same name south of Jacó), Playa Bejuco has reddish-brown sand, crystal-clear water and…

6. Playa Barrigona

11.87 MILES

A dreamy, hidden, white-sand beach about 30 minutes north of Sámara, where no development is visible. Just inland, though, sits a sprawling hacienda…

7. Playa Garza

16.48 MILES

From the south, the first beach you'll hit is Playa Garza, still a sleepy Tico fishing village with an arc of pale brown sand, and headlands on either…

8. Playa Guiones

17.97 MILES

Nosara's most developed beach is also a stunner, with a wide, generous arc of marbled sand (and a few pebbles and shells mixed in), excellent beach breaks…