Quetzal watching
The best chance of seeing quetzals is early in the morning with a local guide, especially in the breeding season from about February to April.
Cerro de la Muerte · San José / Cartago · Costa Rica
Los Quetzales National Park
Highland oak forest on the Cerro de la Muerte, home of the resplendent quetzal.
- Created in 2005
- About 5,000 ha
- Cloud forest above 2,000 m
- Resplendent quetzal
About the park
Los Quetzales National Park protects the cool oak and cloud forests on the high ridge of the Cerro de la Muerte, along the Pan-American highway south of San José. It is a place to look for the resplendent quetzal, the famous bird of the cloud forest, which lives in the avocado trees and wild fruit of the area.
The park is quiet and has few facilities, so it is usually visited as part of a stay at a mountain lodge on the Cerro de la Muerte or on the way between San José and the south, with a local guide who knows where the birds feed.
- Resplendent quetzals in the cloud forest
- Oak forest and mountain scenery
- Quiet, uncrowded trails
- On the road between San José and the south
Wildlife
Resplendent quetzalHummingbirdsSilky flycatchersVolcano juncoOak forest epiphytes
What to see
Oak forest trails
Cool, mossy forest with epiphytes, ferns and many other birds.
Plan your visit
- Opening hours
- Daytime. Access and facilities are limited. We confirm them when you book.
- Entrance
- Paid per person per day according to the SINAC fee schedule, which changes from time to time. We confirm the current price in your quote.
- Best time
- February to April for the quetzals, early in the morning. The weather is cold and often misty at any time of the year.
- What to bring
- Warm clothes, a rain jacket, binoculars and a camera with a long lens.
Book your entrance yourself
Entrance tickets to the national parks are sold online through the official SINAC reservation system. Booking your own ticket there is the quickest and cheapest way.
If you book a tour, a stay or an itinerary with us, we can also arrange the reservation for you.
Dates, areas and conditions are approximate and based on published information from SINAC; hours, fees and rules can change. We confirm the current conditions when you book.
Getting there
By road
On the Pan-American highway, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours from San José, near the village of San Gerardo de Dota.
Transfer
Ask us for a private transfer or a stay in the area. We arrange it on request.
Tours
Frequently asked questions
Will I see a quetzal?
There is a good chance in the breeding season with a local guide, but wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
Is it cold?
Yes, it is cool and often misty at any time of the year.
Do you offer this as a tour?
We arrange a visit on request. Tell us your dates.