Trip Planner:   Central America  /  Costa Rica  /  Province of Guanacaste  /  Punta Islita  /  The Ara Project

The Ara Project, Punta Islita

4.6
#14 of 69 in Parks in Province of Guanacaste
Wildlife Area Nature / Park Must See
Learn about Costa Rica's two endangered macaw species as you tour The Ara Project, where knowledgeable guides educate you and give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the exotic birds. Located in the midst of remote jungle covered hills, the bird sanctuary breeds scarlet and green macaws before releasing them into the wild. Immerse yourself in the sight and sound of vibrantly colored birds freely flying around and socializing among the tree tops. You must make reservations in advance to secure your visit. See The Ara Project and all Punta Islita has to offer by arranging your trip with our Punta Islita trip planner.
Improve this listing »
Create an itinerary including The Ara Project
map
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
The Ara Project Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5.0
180 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • By lorif_12
    We visited the Ara Project last week while staying at Hotel Punta Islita. It was very informative however I had wished we'd been able to see more of the property and workings. Definitely worth the vis...  more »
  • By susyalev
    That’s a good possibility to see those wonderful birds, get to know more about them and how works the rescue center - that was really interesting. Nice people, doing very important work!  more »
  • By CEC131
    This is a wonderful project, it is so nice to see these birds out in the wild. You much go and support them, especially if you have children.  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Danny Burk
    Great opportunity to learn about mccaws, a highly endangered species and all the efforts Costa Rica is making to protect them and repopulate the country with them. Exciting to watch them being fed and to learn about their habitat and life cycle. Very knowledgeable volunteer guide.
  • By K D
    To expensive for what you get. But you can see many birds. For the Kids it was to boring.
  • By Rusty Webb
    Was very cool to get a education on how the Maccaws are getting brought back into better numbers in the wild. They are doing a great job
  • By Jennifer Ramsey
    I was thrilled when I discovered the Ara Project release site was right down the road from Villa Noor, our house in Costa Rica. It is $20 per adult for a tour. The tour is really just standing on the viewing platform and watching the Great Green macaws flying all around you. The birds are critically endangered and Ara is working to save them, so we didn't mind paying at all. Two volunteers answered questions for us, but the birds stole the show. It defies words to describe what it is like to see those amazing birds in the wild, free to soar all around us. You must see them for yourself.
  • By John Hedrick
    Excellent adventure. Awesome to see macaws I flight
View more on Google »
Places to stay near The Ara Project

Plan your trip to Punta Islita

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Side trips from Punta Islita

©
Jungle Butterfly Farm
Nandayure
4.9
Duration: 3​h
Wild By Nature Adventures
Playa San Miguel
5
Duration: 3​h
©
Playa Corozalito
Bejuco
4
Duration: 4​h
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to The Ara Project by other users

55 days in Central America BY A USER FROM ISRAEL February, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, wildlife, slow & easy, hidden gems PREFERENCES: February, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 60 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, kids, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, kids, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 13 days in Nosara BY A USER FROM CANADA February, kids, popular sights PREFERENCES: February, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 13 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES April, outdoors, beaches, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: April, outdoors, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 45 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM CANADA March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 29 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM FINLAND March, outdoors, beaches, wildlife, slow & easy, hidden gems PREFERENCES: March, outdoors, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 60 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES February, culture, outdoors, historic sites, wildlife, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: February, culture, outdoors, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced 22 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM POLAND January, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: January, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 10 days in Playa Samara BY A USER FROM CANADA March, popular sights PREFERENCES: March ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 31 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 22 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM CANADA August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 47 days in Costa Rica BY A USER FROM ARGENTINA February, culture, outdoors, beaches, popular sights PREFERENCES: February, culture, outdoors, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium
View more plans