Birding the IBAs of Nicaragua

Birdwatching enthusiasts have been focusing on Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for decades. We’ve identified what we think are the most engaging & productive IBAs in Nicaragua and also want to highlight this extremely important worldwide conservation effort of our feathered friends. We visit the misty cloud forests of the northern highlands with Three-Waddled Bellbirds, the steamy lowland rainforests of the Rio San Juan, and the dry forests of Montebelli.

Besides the 700+ country species list, two things make birding in Nicaragua standout – the unusual mixing of Pacific & Caribbean species as well as the mixing of lowland and highland species; and the unusual and unique morphological features of many species in Nicaragua. Ornithologists are unsure why this occurs exactly but it makes for great birding.

Activities: Birding, Wildlife, Hiking

Trip Level: Moderate

Lodging: Hotels, Ecolodges

12-Day Trip Departs: Year round

Land Cost: From ~$2,095

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Managua, transfer to northern highlands and Selva Negra Mountain Resort.

Day 2: Cloud forest species of Selva Negra and Arenal Nature Reserve.

Day 3: Dry forest and mixed species of Apante Nature Reserve, transfer to La Sombra Ecolodge.

Day 4: Montane rainforests of Peñas Blancas area of Bosawas Biosphere Reserve.

Day 5: Cloud forest of Datanlí-El Diablo Nature Reserve

Day 6: El Jaguar Private Reserve

Day 7: Flight to San Carlos and the Rio San Juan

Day 8: Indio Maiz Biosphere Reserve

Day 9: Rio San Juan – various areas

Day 10: Flight back to Managua and transfer to Montebelli Private Reserve.

Day 11: Birding the outstanding dry forest habitat at Montebelli.

Day 12: Depart

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