A guided afternoon among the rainforest of Manzanillo, where a local project works to bring the great green macaw back to the skies of the Caribbean coast.
On the South Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, where the forest runs almost down to the sand, a conservation project devotes its days to the country's macaws. The Ara Project Manzanillo visit invites you to step into that work for an afternoon: to hear how the birds are protected, bred and returned to the wild, and to walk through the tropical forest that is meant to welcome them.
The project is known in particular for its efforts around the great green macaw, a large, bright green parrot with a red forehead and a flash of blue on its wings. A presentation opens the visit, then your guide leads you along a path through the surrounding rainforest, sharing the habits of the local species and the steps taken to preserve their habitat.
This macaw conservation tour starts at 3 pm, a gentle hour when the heat of the day eases and the forest begins to stir again. It is a half-day outing that fits easily into a stay in Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo, and transport from these villages can be added as an option.
Please note that this is the Ara Project on its own, distinct from the combined Jaguar and Ara excursion also offered by the agency. Here, the entire afternoon is given to the macaws and the forest around them.
In the afternoon, at 3 pm, you arrive at the Ara Project in Manzanillo, set in a well-preserved natural environment on the South Caribbean coast. A presentation introduces the project and its programs for protection, breeding, reintroduction and habitat preservation, with a particular focus on the great green macaw. Your guide then takes you on a walk through the surrounding rainforest, explaining the particular traits of the region's species and the actions carried out to safeguard them. Depending on conditions and a little luck, you may spot various birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs and reptiles in their natural setting. Transport from your lodging in Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo is not included but can be arranged as an option.
No payment now: we confirm availability within 48 hours, then send you a secure Banco de Costa Rica payment link.
The visit takes place in the afternoon and starts at 3 pm. It begins with a presentation of the project, followed by a guided walk in the surrounding rainforest.
Transport is not included in the standard package. It can be added as an option from Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo, priced per vehicle. Just let us know where you are staying when you request a quote.
The package includes the guided visit described in the program, the entrance fee to the site, the 13% tax on tourist activities and assistance from our agency team. Meals, drinks, tips, personal expenses and travel insurance are not included.
The project works with macaws, and the site is a good place to observe tropical wildlife, but sightings always depend on conditions and luck. Birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs and reptiles may be seen, without any guarantee.
No. This day tour covers the Ara Project alone. The combined Jaguar and Ara excursion is a separate outing; our team, which answers in English, can explain the difference and help you choose.
An afternoon at the Ara Project Manzanillo is a quiet way to understand the Caribbean coast beyond its beaches: the patient work of a team protecting the great green macaw, the sounds of the rainforest around you, and perhaps a sloth or a troop of monkeys along the way. Since 2014, our agency in San Francisco de Heredia has been building trips around experiences like this one. If you would like to add this visit to your stay in Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo, with or without transport, feel free to ask us for a quote; our team will be glad to help you fit it into your plans.
