Amazing Bijagua
Costa Rica's Most Biodiverse Region
Costa Rica's Most Biodiverse Region
Bijagua is one of the most geographically and biologically diverse areas in a country known for its incredible diversity. Scientific surveys of this area have found it to be one of the richest areas in Costa Rica for the number of species.
Of the roughly 900 species of birds found in Costa Rica, over half of those have been seen in a small area around Bijagua. What makes this small village such an incredible birding destination?
Bijagua is a land of transitions. Because of its unique location, geography, and geology, you can experience incredibly diverse habitats within just a short distance from the center of town.
One of the key attributes that makes Bijagua special is that it lies directly on the Continental Divide that divides Costa Rica from the dry northern Pacific region from the wet Caribbean region. Being between these two very different zones means that we see species here that move through or where their range ends.
Bijagua lies in a valley between Volcan Tenorio and Volcan Miravalles at about 450 meters. This mid-level elevation means that many species travel through this region at different times of year. There are seasonal migrants that move through the valley, but also many species move up and down the sides of the mountains throughout the year.
The mountains of the area also create dozens of little pockets of microhabitats throughout the region. Because of the complex topography, you can find the Caribbean wetland habitat of Tapir Valley just 1.5 km from the cloud forest of Laguna Danta.
The town of Bijagua didn't really form until the 1970s, and that was just as the Costa Rican government started protecting some of the rainforest. Tenorio National Park and the Miravalles Protected Area were both created in 1976. The remoteness of the area combined with the preservation of land meant that this area of Costa Rica was much less developed and more wild than other areas of Costa Rica.
The untouched, primary forests of Tenorio and Miravalles provide a reservoir of diversity that we're just starting to explore.
Having access to such diversity is what makes Bijagua a great birding or herpetology destination. There are very few places in Costa Rica that provide such easy access to so many different types of habitats in a small area.
Tapir Valley's unique wetland ecosystem
Laguna Danta's misty highland forests
Tenorio and Miravalles mountain habitats
Untouched forests in protected areas
Our expert guides can provide you with an excursion that will help you explore some of the unique species we find here. From rare birds to fascinating wildlife, discover why Bijagua is truly amazing.