One of Central America’s most renowned birding lodges, Rancho Naturalista boasts an impressive 453 recorded bird species in its private forest reserve. The emphasis of a stay here is spending as much time as possible on the trails looking for birds, assisted by of one their specialist guides (available to hire on arrival). Some of the prize spots here include the snowcap hummingbird, the black-crested coquette and the white-crowned manakin. When not out exploring the trails, many quiet hours can be spent on the lodge’s famous bird watching balcony, where over 200 species alone have been recorded. Guest accommodation at Rancho Naturalista is in rustic but comfortable rooms in the main lodge house or in cabins set in the grounds, and all meals are included in your stay, served family-style with the other guests from a set daily menu.