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Years Of Experience
Where the Jungle Meets the Lens
Premium birdwatching & wildlife photography tours in the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
Expert-Led Birding Tours
Over 400 bird species, guided by a local expert with 20 years in the field.
Premium Wildlife Photography
Capture rare and endemic species in their habitat, with perfect light, angle, and timing.
Two Decades in the Heart of the Osa
Melvin Cruz has spent over 20 years exploring the trails, rivers, and canopies of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. What started with a phone and a borrowed telescope has grown into Royalty Birds — a premium guiding and photography experience built on passion, patience, and an unmatched knowledge of the local wildlife. Every tour is private, personal, and designed around your goals.
400+ Bird Species
Recorded across our tour routes.
20 Years in the Field
Two decades guiding birders in Osa.
2.5% of World's Biodiversity
Concentrated in a single peninsula.
3 Signature Tours
Corcovado, Osa Peninsula, and the Highlands.
Proud Of Our Work
Royalty Birds
Fiery-billed Araçari
Royalty Birds
Orange-billed Sparrow
Royalty Birds
White-crested Coquette
Royalty Birds
Golden-hooded Tanager
Every Shot Tells a Story
Every expedition leaves a mark. Here’s what some of our guests have shared about their experience with Royalty Birds.
I have birded with Melvin on 2 long trips. Firstly to South Costa Rica and my second trip was a “Costa Rica Mop Up” hitting spots not often covered on fixed trips. Melvin is a great birder, well organised and a real pleasure to be with. And he does a lot of pre-trip reconnaissance to make it easier to hit the targets when you are together. Lattice-tailed Trogon was my hight point. I’ve missed this species many times as it falls between 2 scheduled trips, but thanks to Melvin’s recce – he had it staked out for us. A fantastic birder to be with. Thanks
Visitors
My wife and I shared two wonderful and productive birding trips with Melvin Cruz. We chose Melvin because I read trip reports of other people who had taken multiple trips with him, which attests to their positive experience. Melvin Cruz is a superb bird guide. He has excellent hearing, knows bird songs and calls, has excellent local knowledge for specific species, and is adept at spotting shy and reclusive species.
Visitors
The Osa Peninsula by the Numbers
One of the most biodiverse regions on Earth — and Melvin Cruz has spent 20 years exploring every corner of it.
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Bird Species
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Tours Conducted
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Rare Species Tracked
«The Osa Peninsula holds 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity
in just 0.001% of its surface. Every step reveals something
extraordinary.»