On Sunday, February 7, 2021, Isabel and I visited Soda y Mirador Cinchona and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Both are located on Ruta 126 which is one of the main roads north from Alajuela and Heredia. Past these locations to the north, the road eventually splits with the left fork going toward La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. The right fork goes toward Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (not Puerto Viejo de Limón which is on the Caribbean Coast).
A "soda" is a small restaurant and this one has less than eight tables. It is famous for several reasons. First, it was completely destroyed in an earthquake in 2009. This was a major earthquake that caused considerable destruction in Costa Rica. The second reason is for the "mirador" (view) of an incredible waterfall. Finally, it is a major birding spot for hummingbirds and other species. It is, in fact, an eBird hotspot.
The soda opens at 6:00 AM. If you sit on the back deck, you can enjoy the view of the waterfall while watching several hummingbird feeders as well as several fruit platforms. The food is typical Costa Rican; very good and very inexpensive. The birds are not particularly skittish, so you can enjoy great, unobstructed views. We had 26 species that day.
Birds from Soda Chinchona -
Black Guan
Crimson-collared Tanager
Red-headed Barbet
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
Northern Emerald-Toucanet
From left to right: Clay-colored Thrush; Silver-throated Tanager, Red-headed Barbet; Scarlet-rumped Tanager
From left to right: Baltimore Oriole; Buff-throated Saltator; Clay-colored Thrush
Courtesy of Isabel, this video shows two of the fruit platforms and the waterfall from the back deck of the soda.
South from the soda about ten minutes on a very windy road sits La Paz Waterfall Gardens. La Paz is replete with a high-end and expensive hotel and a number of restaurants. The park has also rescued a number of species. While it is uncomfortable for many of us to see wild birds and other animals in cages, the story is that these animals could not survive again in the wild. The best part of La Paz is the trails that wander through the jungle-like landscape following the river and eventually leading to the five breathtaking waterfalls. Another highlight of La Paz is its hummingbird garden which, sadly, during the pandemic has been closed. If you are in the area, it is worth a call to check the status, but even without the hummers the trails and waterfalls are beautiful.
Photos and videos from the trails and some of the five waterfalls at La Paz -
So pretty! The birds are so colorful and wow- the waterfalls!