Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary

This 142-hectare bird sanctuary, in Quizarrá de Pérez Zeledón, on the lower slopes of Chirripó, near the small community of Santa Elena, 15 km southeast of San Isidro, is owned by Dr. Alexander Skutch (co-author with Gary Stiles of Birds of Costa Rica) and run by the Tropical Science Center. The reserve is surrounded by primary forest, home to more than 300 bird species. Visits are allowed by appointment only. Admission is limited to researchers, students, naturalists, and bird-watchers.

You get there via General Viejo (five km east of San Isidro from the San Gerardo de Rivas road, then south for Peñas Blanca) or from the Hwy. 2 via Peñas Blancas (then north for General Viejo). Turn east for Quizarra-Santa Elena. After three km go straight at the crossroads for Santa Elena. At the cemetery, go downhill for Los Cusingos.

For information, contact the Tropical Science Center (P.O. Box 8-3870-1000, San José, tel. 506/253-3276, fax 506/253-4963, cusingos@cct.or.cr, www.cct.or.cr).