Who We Are

Flor de Mayo is situated just outside the town of Alajuela and approximately ten minutes from the Airport in the Central Valley. It was bought by Richard and Margot when they retired to Costa Rica. Flor de Mayo is the beautiful estate and summer home of reknowned British botonist, Sir Charles Lankaster. The 'finca' is a paradise for wildlife and filled with orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, gingers and other exotic tropical vegetation

A breeding facility and several aviaries are located here.

Amigos de las Aves also consists of 8 acres of agricultural land, situated across the road from Flor de Mayo. This houses all the main breeding aviaries and flights, the farm for the project, housing for staff and our educational/visitor centre.

We would like to increase the facilities at Amigos de las Aves to include more flights, flights as our stock continues to grow - if you think you might be able to assist with funding please do contact us. (see the five year plan)

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The Tour

We are not open to the public, but we are very happy to show you our facilities and gardens, with a prior appointment

The tour will take you approximately two hours and will include the nursery at at Flor de Mayo, the juvenile flight, the breeding centre and the famous gardens. Just telephone and arrange a time and day.

See the wonderful gardens sculpted by the famous botanist, Sir Charles Lankester. So many exotic plants, some from far off travels but most indigenous to Costa Rica.

Cocoa Trees	Heliconias
Macadamia Nut Trees	Giant Bamboo
Ginger (nine species)	Incense Trees
Orchids	Tropical Conifer
Bromeliads	And many fruit trees from Asia

Visit the Bamboo Cathedral - some wonderful Green Stripped Bamboo a natural fresh water swimming pool, so beautiful and atmospheric that one of our volunteers actually got married there.

So many fruits to discover - oranges, water apples, grapefruits, rose apples, mangos, tangerine, guavas, guayabanas, anonas, jak fruit, mangosteen all in the orchards and surrounding gardens.

See the Flor de Mayo nursery facilities and the babies, study the growing process of birds and see them developing inside the egg, visit the juvenile flights where the young macaws adjust for a couple of months before they are placed in their main flights.

Walk through the patio and visit some of our refuge birds which are mostly confiscated and damaged birds, feed the free flying birds, the parakeets, the amazons, the aracari's; play with the babies, listen to some of the birds talking and just sit and enjoy the tranquility of beautiful surroundings.

Chat to Richard and Margot about their amazing experiences, their knowledge of aviculture, their interesting history and some of the birds stories.

Then…… venture across the road and visit the breeding centre.

The Breeding Centre

Home of the stunning scarlet macaws and the grand great greens, see the extensive aviaries and flights, the birds for selected release and the parent-reared youngsters. A glimpse at the nursery is a must.

And of course, the finca itself, where we grow our own produce including avocados, sugar cane, maize, sunflower, peanuts, sweet potatoes, beans, yucca, guava, cumquats, and plenty of citrus fruits.

Please be aware that the breeding birds may be sitting on eggs or have babies in the nest and so you will only be able to view from selected areas , as we do not disturb them during this critical time.

We have a visitor's and education centre, where you can learn all about our work in conservation and about our release sites. It may even be possible to get "up close and personal" with one of our birds. (subject to availability)

You can also have the chance to purchase some of our shop goodies, tshirts, posters, prints, calendars etc. and some wonderful local crafts. (please be aware that our tshirts are specifically tailored to your requirements).

To visit Richard and Margot, Flor de Mayo, and Amigos de las Aves please call on (506) 441 2658 to arrange an appointment.

(The Breeding Centre visits are strictly by appointment only.)

As we are a non profit organization, we ask that you make a donation of $20 per person at the end of your trip. Thank you.

Amigos de las Aves and the official Release Programs of Amigos de las Aves in Costa Rica, www.amigosdelasavescostarica.org and www.hatchedtoflyfree.org are not affiliated or associated with any other company, organisation or association, by name or in any other country.