Skip to main content

Tico Explorers

Explore Puntarenas & the Gulf Islands

Puntarenas and the Gulf Islands offer a maritime view of Costa Rica, where coastal communities, island landscapes and boat journeys connect across the Gulf of Nicoya. Discover how people and wildlife depend on these Pacific waters. Let curiosity lead to understanding, gratitude and care for the people and landscapes that welcome you.

tico-bird-icterus-galbula

Baltimore Oriole

An orange-and-black seasonal visitor from the north.

Read More
tico-bird-tyrannus-melancholicus

Tropical Kingbird

A yellow-bellied flycatcher often seen on an open perch.

Read More
tico-bird-piranga-rubra

Summer Tanager

A seasonal tanager whose adult male is red all over.

Read More
tico-bird-momotus-lessonii

Lesson’s Motmot

A colorful forest bird with a blue crown and long tail.

Read More
tico-bird-pteroglossus-torquatus

Collared Aracari

A small toucan with a patterned yellow chest.

Read More
tico-bird-caracara-plancus

Crested Caracara

A long-legged raptor that often walks on the ground.

Read More
tico-bird-rupornis-magnirostris

Roadside Hawk

A compact hawk often seen near woodland edges.

Read More
tico-bird-coragyps-atratus

Black Vulture

A dark scavenger with white patches under the wingtips.

Read More
tico-bird-cathartes-aura

Turkey Vulture

A soaring scavenger with a red adult head.

Read More
tico-bird-herpetotheres-cachinnans

Laughing Falcon

A masked falcon named for its far-carrying call.

Read More
tico-bird-cyanocorax-formosus

White-throated Magpie-Jay

A sociable jay with a sweeping blue tail and curled crest.

Read More
tico-marine-abudefduf-troschelii

Panamic Sergeant Major

A silver reef fish with a yellow back and five dark bars.

Read More

My Tico Explorer Experience

Save nature, towns, discoveries and learning adventures for your next experience.

Your list stays in this browser on this device.