We’re not exaggerating when we say La Paz Waterfall Gardens offers aviary experiences unlike anything you’ll find in all of Costa Rica.  Our well-established hummingbird garden is home to 26 of the 57 documented Trochilidae species that have been officially recorded in Costa Rica.

“Hummingbirds are always a treat no matter what your level of birding. This hummingbird garden is the most magnificent viewing area I have ever seen! Twenty six species of these feisty little hummers can easily be watched continuously. Thrills abound every second, as my senses almost cannot keep up with the constant movement. There, we birders can observe hummingbirds up close and study behaviors or even get peaks at color flashes not always seen at a distance. I highly recommend this hummingbird garden as a “must see” for any bird watcher visiting Costa Rica.” – Laurie Marsell, Birdwatching Tour Operator, Florida

Here’s a crash course in Hummingbird trivia:

• Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world
• For their size, hummingbirds have the largest heart & brain of all animals
• Hummingbirds have no sense of smell
• Hummingbird wings beat around 60 times per second
• Hummingbird hearts beat from 500 to 1,200 times per minute
• Hummingbirds are only found in North, Central and South America
• Hummingbirds visit 2,000 to 5,000 flowers a day
• Hummingbirds can consume twice their weight daily
• Their color is produced by refraction of light, not by pigment
• Their average speed is 45 miles per hour
• Their tongues are twice the length of their bills
• In addition to nectar, hummingbirds eat insects for protein
• Hummingbirds cannot walk, only perch
• Hummingbirds fly only 20% of the time

Finally, for those of you looking to check a certain species off of your Birdwatching Life List, here’s a list of those you’ll find buzzing around our feeders (and possibly landing on your hands)!

Pura Vida!