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Birdwatching at Xinalani: The Art of Slowing Down
by: Xinalani Staff
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October 11, 2025, 12:15 pm
In the world of birdwatching, some people take it to an extraordinary level. They call it Big Year—a year-long challenge where passionate birders travel across the United States, sometimes even the world, to “collect” bird sightings in a personal record. They use apps that recognize bird songs, carry telescopes and logbooks, and chase rare species with a sense of adventure and, yes, even competition. Every time they identify a new bird, they call it a Lifer: a lifelong first.
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It’s fascinating. It’s obsessive. And yet, at Xinalani, we offer a very different kind of birdwatching: one that invites you to slow down, listen, and simply be.
Beautiful Eco Chic Rooms and Beach Casitas
A Jungle Symphony by the Sea
Each morning in Xinalani begins with sound. Not alarms, not traffic—but the gentle rhythm of waves mixing with the calls of parrots, macaws, and owls echoing through the jungle. Step outside your room and you’ll realize you’re already in the middle of a birdwatching experience.
Our guided birdwatching tour takes you through the lush jungle and along the nearby river for about two hours. With a pair of binoculars (we provide one per person) and our telescope for distant views, you’ll observe the vibrant life that thrives between mountain, river, and sea.
Forty-Two Species and Counting
On our most recent birdwatching tour (during October!) guests and guides spotted a record of 42 different species. From the bright Roseate Spoonbill and playful Blue-footed Booby, to the soaring Magnificent Frigatebird and the colorful Military Macaw, each encounter felt like a small revelation.
Even the tiniest Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl drew quiet awe from the group: a reminder that beauty isn’t always grand; sometimes it’s measured in stillness and patience.
The Leisure of Looking
Unlike the thrill-seeking travelers of The Big Year, at Xinalani we practice the leisure of looking. You don’t need to chase a record! just sit in your folding chair, breathe the jungle air, and listen. Here, birdwatching becomes a meditation, an invitation to observe without agenda.
Every sighting is special, every moment unique. Maybe you’ll find your own Lifer—or maybe you’ll simply rediscover the joy of paying attention.
At Xinalani, nature doesn’t need to be conquered or counted—it only needs to be noticed.
About the Author
Xinalani Staff
