What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Absolutely amazing for every nature lover (ask for Elias!!)

  Patrick G,,Aug 31, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Wow. What can I say?? Ecocentro Danaus is an incredible private preserve, more than 50 years in the making — a true labor of love for conservation and education. It’s not just a walk through nature, it’s a living classroom where every step reveals something extraordinary. We had the privilege of exploring with Elias Peña, an exceptional guide whose deep knowledge of birding, wildlife, and native plants is matched only by his kindness and enthusiasm. What sets Elias apart is his remarkable gift for photography — his awareness of light, movement, and composition is phenomenal, and he shares tips generously with photographers of all levels. His ability to anticipate behavior in the birds and wildlife made the experience even more special. The variety of birds, plants, and flowers here is breathtaking. In just one visit, we observed: • Black-cheeked Woodpecker launching from a branch in full flight • Broad-billed Motmot, perched regally with its signature racket tail • Spectacled Owl, wide-eyed and unforgettable • Collared Aracari, colorful and mischievous with its oversized bill • Green Basilisk Lizard, the famous “Jesus Christ Lizard” known for running on water • Boat-billed Heron, poised dramatically over mirrored waters • Torch Ginger, glowing like jungle fire in bloom • Green Honeycreeper (female), caught mid-flight with a flash of yellow wings And that’s just the beginning — everywhere you look, there is life and beauty waiting to be discovered. This was a five-star experience from start to finish (and Elias is worth 11 stars). If you are in La Fortuna, I cannot recommend Ecocentro Danaus highly enough. Whether you are a birder, photographer, nature lover, or simply curious, you’ll leave inspired and deeply grateful for places like this that protect and celebrate Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Great place to visit

  Holly A,,Mar 27, 2024

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  We enjoyed our walk through the nature reserve. Since we were self-guided we didn’t spot as much wildlife as I think we would have with a tour guide, so if you want to see a ton of wildlife, I recommend a guided tour who can spot animals more easily. We still saw two basilisks, herons, and many butterflies and birds! It was a great place to visit.

• Costa Rica Paradise

  Rodney M,,Mar 17, 2024

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Very nice place to see frogs, sloths and butterflies. Guide was remarkable, knowledgeable, and well organized. Easy to find and the pineapple at the end was delicious

• The folks that run the...

  Willie M,,Jul 12, 2023

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  The folks that run the Ecocentro Danaus are wonderful people doing a wonderful thing for their environment. You will not be disappointed when you visit!!

  

• Beautiful location

  yyesiamtrish2,,Mar 11, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Filled with beauty on every turn. Birds, butterflies, reptiles, sloth. It is wonderful to meander along the trails and see what you can spot along the way. Beautifully maintained. Wish we would have time to come back for a night tour. We did those in a couple of other locations in Costa RIca, and I have really come to appreciate those. Doing a night tour at this location must be spectacular.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Guide at the top. Beautiful moment of discovery

  catherinerC6522JZ,,Feb 7, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We visited this garden alone with my husband and met a couple of birds in his nest with the babies. lots of birds in this park. On the way out we met the guide - adorable - who gave us her time leaving her work and showing us the sloth perched in a tree and the mini red frogs well hidden under foliage.... Beautiful moments of relaxation and soothing discoveries. What to do

• I recommend 1000%

  nanieide86,,Nov 9, 2022

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Exceptional!!!! I highly recommend this visit with an excellent guide passionate and very pedagogue! We speak little English but he speaks slowly with gestures too! We've got it all figured out! We left with unforgettable memories full of heads and exceptional photos, many made by the guide who took them with our phone! He's very good at it! Go there!!!

  

• Great park with wild animals

  Getaway49222891862,,Mar 30, 2022

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  A small but fine park.:) The animals are not fenced here and can move freely, which we liked. We were able to discover some animals.🙂 Among others two sloths and a hummingbird nest. The guards/guides are very friendly and give hints where to discover what is very helpful in the thicket of the jungle.

• Perfect

  marcelharte,,Feb 14, 2022

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Very nice park, which is maintained with a lot of love. In the park you will find many different animals. We have spotted many different birds, 2 large rodents, a caiman, 3 sloths, various butterflies and frogs. Some animals we spotted ourselves and others were designated by a guide who was with another group. In the park you really find the relaxation and you are away from mass tourism. The park is not big but we enjoyed ourselves there for more than 3 hours. Finally, the staff are super helpful. When we walked to the reception we were still asked how we experienced it. We said that we loved it, but that we still regretted that we hadn't spotted frogs. The employees walked us and after a short search we had found them. Also during our visit we occasionally met a guide and he proudly told what they had seen. I would 100% recommend this activity.

• A fantastic wildlife experience!

  Ali J,,Feb 3, 2022

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We saw endless wildlife in this reserve - from birds (both at the feeding station and around the gardens) to sloths, to butterflies in the butterfly house. Add in also all the beautiful plants and it made this tour worth every cent of the entry price. Highly recommended.

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