Birds · Often seen
Scarlet macaw
Lapa roja
Reviewed by Pura Vida Compass Editorial TeamLast reviewed How we research
Scarlet macaws fly in pairs and small flocks, announcing themselves long before you see them. The Osa Peninsula holds the largest population; Carara National Park near Jacó and the Costa Ballena coastline are also reliable areas, often around beach almond trees in the late afternoon.
Where to look
- Coastal lowland forest
- Beach almond trees
- Mangrove edges
When
Year-round; most conspicuous in the early morning and hour before sunset.
Watching it ethically
- Never buy macaws or support facilities breeding them for sale.
- Keep away from nest trees.
These are Pura Vida Compass planning estimates, not live quotes, and not guarantees about weather, availability or wildlife sightings.
Pura Vida Compass Editorial Team compiled this page from official park and operator information plus our own editorial scoring, and last reviewed it in August 2026. Costs and travel times are planning estimates, not live quotes.
Something out of date? Send us a correction — or read our editorial policy.