A gem in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. Thousands of species of plants, mammals, and birds are found in this small country. Since Costa Rica is a small country, it's possible to see many different habitats in just a short visit.
In a country of such diversity, the area around the small town of Bijagua is even more incredible. The unique geology and geography of this mountainous region provides for countless micro-habitats that provide a niche for some unique species.
What makes Bijagua so biologically diverse?
Bijagua is one of the most geographically and biologically diverse areas in a country known for its incredible diversity. Scientific surveys of this area have found it to be one of the richest areas in Costa Rica for the number of species. Of the roughly 900 species of birds found in Costa Rica, over half of those have been seen in a small area around Bijagua. What makes this small village such an incredible birding destination?
Bijagua is a land of transitions. Because of its unique location, geography, and geology, you can experience incredibly diverse habitats within just a short distance from the center of town.
Location
One of the key attributes that makes Bijagua special is that it lies directly on the Continental Divide that divides Costa Rica from the dry northern Pacific region from the wet Caribbean region. Being between these two very different zones means that we see species here that move through or where their range ends.
Geography
Bijagua lies in a valley between Volcan Tenorio and Volcan Miravalles at about 450 meters. This mid-level elevation means that many species travel through this region at different times of year. There are seasonal migrants that move through the valley, but also many species move up and down the sides of the mountains throughout the year.
The mountains of the area also create dozens of little pockets of microhabitats throughout the region. Because of the complex topography, you can find the Caribbean wetland habitat of Tapir Valley just 1.5 km from the cloud forest of Laguna Danta.
Isolation
The town of Bijagua didn't really form until the 1970s, and that was just as the Costa Rican government started protecting some of the rainforest. Tenorio National Park and the Miravalles Protected Area were both created in 1976. The remoteness of the area combined with the preservation of land meant that this area of Costa Rica was much less developed and more wild than other areas of Costa Rica.
The untouched, primary forests of Tenorio and Miravalles provide a reservoir of diversity that we're just starting to explore.
Bijagua as a nature destination
Having access to such diversity is what makes Bijagua a great birding or herpetology destination. There are very few places in Costa Rica that provide such easy access to so many different types of habitats in a small area.