Ara Manzanillo
Ara Manzanillo
5
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Monday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
The Ara Manzanillo reintroduction station is located in a tropical rainforest more than 100 meters above sea level. Visitors can appreciate the remarkable impact of the project, which has increased the global population of the Great Green Macaws by almost 10% and the population of Costa Rica by almost 30%. They will witness these wild wonders flying over their heads and have an exceptional opportunity to photograph them.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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See what travelers are saying
- t jChicago, Illinois576 contributionsMacaw Rescue ProjectAn experience only available in Costa Rica. They have started this project to re- establish green macaws in this area. However due to deforestation and loss of their nests, they have been placed on the endangered species list. They have placed oil barrels as potential nesting sites for the macaws. When the project started they only had 1 macaw. Now they have 125. The guide gave us this information and more. We came at the feeding time so we were able to see the beautiful Macaws flying around. Such a peaceful time watching these magnificent birds.Visited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten January 16, 2024
- Karen H7 contributionsWonderful experience!This project is re-introducing a population of great green macaws into the wild. They’re endangered, and it’s heartening to see the progress Ara is making. The birds are wild, so don’t expect a zoo-like experience. But you’ll get to see lots of these beautiful birds up on their level!!Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 16, 2024
- BronteBucketHarrogate, United Kingdom1,462 contributionsMajestic birds to be protected and preservedBooked a tour at Ara Manzanillo which is the Green Macaw conservation centre. The beautiful birds are not in captivity and are free to fly wherever they wish. However, as they are fed small amounts of food at 3pm each day then they come for food (but aren’t reliant on it as their own food source). When we parked up we could hear them squawking in the trees for food! The guides then led us to some viewing platforms and the birds flew around us. It was lovely and informative.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten February 27, 2024
- Br F119 contributionsGreat experience of learning about and observing green macawsAra Manzanillo is a great place to visit if you want to learn about the endangered Great Green Macaw and see them up close! We took a bus from Puerto Viejo and walked up the hill. Others hired a taxi. The talk is very good and explains about both the birds and their habitat, as well as the project. It's also a good photo opportunity and we would have returned for another tour just for the photos, but didn't have enough time. The money you pay for entry goes towards the workers and volunteers, which is a very worthy cause as they have helped re-introduce the green macaw back to the Caribbean area. Please note that they try to keep interaction between the public and the animals minimal, so the birds are free, but are at a distance. The zoom on a phone should be sufficient for good pictures.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 15, 2024
- Cary6 contributionsMust do!Must do! The guide gives some interesting insight of their work to protect the macaw, after you walk on a hill (walk is very easy, 3 minutes) and get to watch the amazing macaws flying by very close! It was such an unique and amazing experience to see them so close in wild nature 😍Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
187 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
12
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Craig P
Sparks, NV42 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
A must see the Toucan was a bonus. We had him greeting us at the gate. The guide said that was rare to come so close to a toucan. The macaws are so Beautiful and they are doing such a great job saving these birds. A twenty dollar donation gives you the memories of a life time. They only do it once a day to not bother the birds. You will need to call and make reservations.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Craig! We are so glad you enjoyed your visit to the Ara Manzanillo field station. It sounds like you got lucky to see the toucan up so close! Thank you so much for supporting our project!
Written March 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mnzamora
Costa Rica162 contributions
Jun 2022
We were really excited to visit Ara Manzanillo because we love widlife and heard about the efforts this project is doing to preserve great green macaws that are endangered. Upon arrival you enter in a mood of peace and feel connected with the nature listening to great green macaws and other birds like toucans, great Kiskadee birds.
This is an unforgettable experience, I do still remember when we saw a big group of great green macaws flying around during feeding time (which is 3-4 pm) definely georgous. they look like a rainbow in the jungle.
We were able to get to Ara Manzanillo with a sedan, however, if you visit this place in rainy season we will highly recommend that you drive an SUV to feel more comfortable because SUVs generally have a 4-wheel drive and are easy to be climbed up a steep slope.
Definetely will recommend this to my friends and family.
This is an unforgettable experience, I do still remember when we saw a big group of great green macaws flying around during feeding time (which is 3-4 pm) definely georgous. they look like a rainbow in the jungle.
We were able to get to Ara Manzanillo with a sedan, however, if you visit this place in rainy season we will highly recommend that you drive an SUV to feel more comfortable because SUVs generally have a 4-wheel drive and are easy to be climbed up a steep slope.
Definetely will recommend this to my friends and family.
Written June 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anastasia
10 contributions
Apr 2022
This was one of the 3 animal sanctuaries / rescue centers in the area that we visited. And since the Great Green Macaws are endangered, this visit was the most special and memorable one for me. When you see the birds flying around during feeding time (which is 3-4 pm every day and coincides with the time of the visit), it looks like a rainbow in the jungle, truly amazing. And knowing that there are only around 1ooo Great Greens left worldwide makes you appreciate the moment and of course the hard work of the staff. The guide gave a lot of interesting information about the behaviour of the birds. There is also more information about the reintroduction project displayed on the boards near the entrance, so consider either arriving a bit earlier or staying after the tour to read it.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kholex
Cheltenham, UK392 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Such a lovely way to spend an hour or so. Our afternoon tour was cancelled due to heavy rain, so they asked us to come back then next morning - ended up just being us on the tour which was fab! The guide will talk for 5/10 minutes about the work they do and the birds then take you up to the viewing point. Then you have the rest of the time slot to watch the birds. They are stunning! You can get some great photos even just on your phone as the birds fly fairly close. One of my favourite things we’ve done on this trip.
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoanMartha
Prague, Czech Republic4 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
This project is just AWESOME! A friendly guide takes you up to the viewing platforms as you experience these stunning parrots fly right by you. Young birds are introduced back into the wild.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see this if you are on the Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica
Don’t miss the opportunity to see this if you are on the Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica
Written October 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronandclaire
London113 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
A beautiful and inspirational experience.
We would highly recommend visiting.
As previous reviewers have mentioned these birds are endangered, they are living in the wild but are supported by the provision of nesting boxes and supplementary food (10% of their daily requirement ) provided by the centre at 3pm each day.
The tour coincides with this and so you are guaranteed a unique opportunity to witness 30-40 of these stunning birds flying all around you in the jungle. Truly awe inspiring.
Your entry price ( $20pp) goes to support the centre which has successfully reintroduced the green macaws to the area and numbers are now increasing due to the successful breeding support programme. When there are only 1,000 of these birds left worldwide a venture like this deserves support and offers visitors a once in a lifetime experience.
If you are in the area make sure you book a ticket!
We would highly recommend visiting.
As previous reviewers have mentioned these birds are endangered, they are living in the wild but are supported by the provision of nesting boxes and supplementary food (10% of their daily requirement ) provided by the centre at 3pm each day.
The tour coincides with this and so you are guaranteed a unique opportunity to witness 30-40 of these stunning birds flying all around you in the jungle. Truly awe inspiring.
Your entry price ( $20pp) goes to support the centre which has successfully reintroduced the green macaws to the area and numbers are now increasing due to the successful breeding support programme. When there are only 1,000 of these birds left worldwide a venture like this deserves support and offers visitors a once in a lifetime experience.
If you are in the area make sure you book a ticket!
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beach L
Ontario, Canada152 contributions
Mar 2020
We were happy to support the Ara Project by making a visit recently. Our guide was very informative and it was clear that he had a passion for what he does. Sitting atop of the observatory hill watching the Great Green Macaws feed was very special and peaceful.
Written March 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting us! We are glad that you were able to enjoy the peace of sitting atop the hill at our sanctuary. Thank you for supporting the Great Green Macaws and Ara Manzanillo!
Written April 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KarenM1_10
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan1,042 contributions
Jan 2023
We came here on a tour from our cruise ship. Off the beaten path. When we arrived, there were several large boards that provided information related to the macaws. A young man who was doing an internship provided us with additional information and answered all our questions. We were also there at feeding time. The macaws are very beautiful but also very noisy. We enjoyed our visit here. If you come here, make sure you spray with insect repellent.
Written May 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben M
Bristol, UK38 contributions
Feb 2022
We had an amazing time at the ARA Manzanillo release site for their great green macaws. It was great to find out more about the history of the reintroduction project and how the focus is now on enabling these incredible birds to breed in the wild. We were able to watch them for almost the full hour, feeding on platforms all around us and flying literally right over our heads. We would 100% recommend doing this if you're in the area!
Written February 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rochelle F
Randolph, NJ1,162 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
We made reservations (a must) to visit this sanctuary for the endangered green macaw. They do a briefing and then you can visit the viewing area. You can only do this from 3-4:o’clock. They put seeds out for the macaws at this time (represents about 10%) of their food for the day so the birds come to the viewing point
They are beautiful. Besides being green, their tails re blue and red. When they spread their wings a gorgeous hue of blue and other coolers,yellow orange is visible. What a sight to see.
This was a wonderful place to learn more about this bird and to see they. The sanctuary is committed to breeding and to the macaws being in their habitat. Well worth a visit.
They are beautiful. Besides being green, their tails re blue and red. When they spread their wings a gorgeous hue of blue and other coolers,yellow orange is visible. What a sight to see.
This was a wonderful place to learn more about this bird and to see they. The sanctuary is committed to breeding and to the macaws being in their habitat. Well worth a visit.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
can a 2 wheel drive SUV make it up this hill? Or do we have to walk up?
Written November 20, 2024
Do you have to book for this tour or just drop in? Is this ok to do with a small child?
Written February 8, 2024
If you don't have a car how can you get there? Does anyone have directions ie where to get off the bus?
Written July 30, 2016
A taxi is the best way. He can take you up the hill all the way. And get the drivers cell so you can call him or tell him to pick you up and an hour or so. It's not a long tour.
Written July 31, 2016
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