Los Cusingos

Alexander Skutch bought this farm in the General valley in 1941 and lived on it until his death in 2004 at ninety-nine, writing the life histories of Central American birds in a body of work that shaped tropical ornithology, and keeping the forest on the property intact while the surrounding valley was cleared. Los Cusingos, named for the fiery-billed aracari, is now a reserve of around eighty hectares held by the Tropical Science Center: his house is preserved with his study and library, trails run through the forest to the Peñas Blancas river, and the bird list runs past three hundred species. Guided walks are the way to see it and birding is the point.

What you'll find

• Skutch's house - the preserved dwelling with his study and library.
• The forest trails - the routes through the reserve to the river.
• The bird list - the three hundred species recorded on the property.
• Fiery-billed aracari - the bird the reserve is named for.

When to go

December to April in the dry season for the trails; birding is good year round with early morning by far the best time. Guided walks should be booked ahead. The valley is hot at midday.

Before you go

Visits are guided and booked rather than open access. The reserve is small and the forest is an island in cleared farmland. Bird sightings need patience and binoculars. Facilities are minimal.

Nearby

San Isidro de El General lies northwest; Chirripo is north.