La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Costa Rica

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

So I have been inactive for a while here--my apologies!--but I came back specifically to share an incredible hummingbird experience I just had the good fortune to have. I've been living in San José, Costa Rica for 5 months now for my work, and this past week I ventured out to La Paz Waterfall Gardens near the Poás Volcano. It's situated in a cloud forest, and (although not cheap) is a really incredible place; especially for hummers. They claim to have seen 26 different varieties of hummingbirds in their specially designed garden, and you're pretty much guaranteed to see a dozen or so varieties within minutes. As for the actual number of birds!...well, <insert your favorite exclamation here>!!!

It is INCREDIBLE. There is a veritable swarm of hundreds (and possibly thousands for all you can tell) of hummingbirds of all sizes and colors zooming about right next to you, even brushing up against you. The gardens are planted to attract them in part, but the main attraction are the 8-9 feeders they have hung every day for 15 years now. So several generations of hummers have learned to depend on these feeders for their survival. While this has its own ecological issues that I'll leave aside for now, there's no denying that the reward for us humans is a truly unique experience. You can come within inches of these magnificent creatures, easily have one perch on your finger at a feeder, or feed them with special hand feeders. They have come to expect human contact and interaction, so the up-close-and-personal aspect is so good I have to believe it's unparalleled anywhere in the world.

We spent hours here in utter fascination. My kids (7 and 4) could not get enough of watching the birds zip around and feeding them by hand. As an eastern-U.S.-born guy, I love my ruby-throats...but these birds were colored like a neon light show. Purples and bright greens and blue throats and white banding!...just incredible. I'll post some pics below, and if you're interested in a truly unique hummingbird experience, I'd highly encourage you to consider putting Costa Rica and La Paz Gardens on your bucket list. We will never forget it! http://www.waterfallgardens.com/hummingbirds.php

Three Green-Crowned Brilliants literally "at hand"

My 4-year-old meets a male Violet Sabrewing (the big bullies down here!)

Never thought I could take a pic like this with my iPhone! (Green-Crowned Brilliant again, male)

My wife lifts a female GCB away from her drink for just a moment...very easy to get them to perch this way.

Like hundreds of others, this little Bronze-tailed Plumeteer (I think) is perching nearby to wait its turn.

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Comments (9)

Donna R
8 years ago
Thanks for posting this! It is on my bucket list. I am curious about how safe you and your family felt while traveling through the country and staying there?
mbuckmaster
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Donna! We have felt extremely safe. We took normal precautions, like walking in groups and not venturing out very late at night, but really I felt much safer here in Costa Rica than I do in most U.S. cities. Ticos are super friendly (especially when you have two super cute kids along), and the roads and bus systems are so good now that it's fun and easy to travel this small but incredibly biodiverse country. There's also an increased police presence in the metro areas, which I'm sure helps to deter any petty crime.

Costa Rica has been rated the happiest country in the world, and after living here for 5 months I understand why. Pura vida is a way of life. And with this many hummingbirds outside your door, who could be sad? =)
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Donna R
8 years ago
Thanks for the answer! Yep..that many H-birds outside my door would put a permanent grin on anyone's face!
mehitabel zone 6
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Wonderful. Loved the picture of your little girl with the feeder. Also the fat, puffed up little Plumeteer. Thanks for sharing your pictures, your enthusiasm and your joy :)
ctnchpr
8 years ago
Hi mbuckmaster, good to have you back!!! I think of you occasionally, as I read old posts and see your name.

My daughter and SIL spent their honeymoon in Costa Rica, and also visited the cloud forest to see the hummers. My daughter, like her dad, is a hummernut. The SIL, not so much, he fell asleep on a bench.
mbuckmaster
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the welcome back, ctn! Hope you can make it down here one day too...maybe with your daughter and future grand children. =)
gyr_falcon
8 years ago
Lucky you! I was fortunate to spend a scant eight days in Costa Rica--it is an unforgettably fabulous country. Wonderful people. To be able to stay for months there must be something really special. We missed going to La Paz, but visited the hummers at Monteverde instead. Thanks for sharing; cannot help but to smile at those fun photos.
garyfla_gw
8 years ago
Hi

Have been going to Costa Rica for many years and always wanted to move there but wife hates the "jungle"lol. Usually go for Scuba in the Pacific at Manuel Antonio as well as the orchids While sitting at a bar on the beach I counted 80 Hummers within the confines and the bar tender apologised for there being so few lol Another memory was getting a 10 second view of a Quetzal at Monte Verde as well as a Toco Toucan both in full color.

I'm planning a trip to Colombia as I wanted to see the high altitude forests plus I have a friend who lives there as a guide A bit apprehensive and wife has already refused mainly because of the drugs which I find amusing as we live in florida !! Oh well thanks for the pics!!! gary
littleblackbat
8 years ago
Thanks for sharing, I hope I can go there eventually ♡♡♡!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Costa Rica

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Donna R

mbuckmaster
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La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Costa Rica

Comments (9)

Donna R

mbuckmasterOriginal Author

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Donna R

mehitabel zone 6

ctnchpr

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mbuckmaster
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