Absolutely amazing for every nature lover (ask for Elias!!) - Wow. What can I say?? Ecocentro Danaus is an incredible private preserve, more than 50 years in the making — a true labor of love for conservation and education. It’s not just a walk through nature, it’s a living classroom where every step reveals something extraordinary. We had the privilege of exploring with Elias Peña, an exceptional guide whose deep knowledge of birding, wildlife, and native plants is matched only by his kindness and enthusiasm. What sets Elias apart is his remarkable gift for photography — his awareness of light, movement, and composition is phenomenal, and he shares tips generously with photographers of all levels. His ability to anticipate behavior in the birds and wildlife made the experience even more special. The variety of birds, plants, and flowers here is breathtaking. In just one visit, we observed: • Black-cheeked Woodpecker launching from a branch in full flight • Broad-billed Motmot, perched regally with its signature racket tail • Spectacled Owl, wide-eyed and unforgettable • Collared Aracari, colorful and mischievous with its oversized bill • Green Basilisk Lizard, the famous “Jesus Christ Lizard” known for running on water • Boat-billed Heron, poised dramatically over mirrored waters • Torch Ginger, glowing like jungle fire in bloom • Green Honeycreeper (female), caught mid-flight with a flash of yellow wings And that’s just the beginning — everywhere you look, there is life and beauty waiting to be discovered. This was a five-star experience from start to finish (and Elias is worth 11 stars). If you are in La Fortuna, I cannot recommend Ecocentro Danaus highly enough. Whether you are a birder, photographer, nature lover, or simply curious, you’ll leave inspired and deeply grateful for places like this that protect and celebrate Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

Great place to visit - We enjoyed our walk through the nature reserve. Since we were self-guided we didn’t spot as much wildlife as I think we would have with a tour guide, so if you want to see a ton of wildlife, I recommend a guided tour who can spot animals more easily. We still saw two basilisks, herons, and many butterflies and birds! It was a great place to visit.

Costa Rica Paradise - Very nice place to see frogs, sloths and butterflies. Guide was remarkable, knowledgeable, and well organized. Easy to find and the pineapple at the end was delicious

The folks that run the... - The folks that run the Ecocentro Danaus are wonderful people doing a wonderful thing for their environment. You will not be disappointed when you visit!!

Beautiful location - Filled with beauty on every turn. Birds, butterflies, reptiles, sloth. It is wonderful to meander along the trails and see what you can spot along the way. Beautifully maintained. Wish we would have time to come back for a night tour. We did those in a couple of other locations in Costa RIca, and I have really come to appreciate those. Doing a night tour at this location must be spectacular.

A fantastic wildlife experience! - We saw endless wildlife in this reserve - from birds (both at the feeding station and around the gardens) to sloths, to butterflies in the butterfly house. Add in also all the beautiful plants and it made this tour worth every cent of the entry price. Highly recommended.

Unique experience - Actually, my partner and I rented a room in Ecocentre Danaus. It is possible to stay in one of their rooms, which is an amazing chance to spend a wonderful time among pure nature. It's definitely better than staying in a hotel. We were surrounded by marvelous tropical trees. We fell asleep to the birds singing and the mornings began with a clear volcano view. We didn't take a tour with a guide, but we walked through the centre on our own and we were surprised to see so many plants, animals and butterflies. Also, the nicest people work there. They're extremely pleasant. They will tell you fascinating stories about the eco-center and its inhabitants. I would definitely come back to learn about nature and to meet people❤️