Can I Expect to See Wildlife in Costa Rica?
Each region of Costa Rica has an impressive variety of rare wildlife. You can expect to see wildlife no matter where you go.
What’s the best way to see wildlife?
Sign up for a nature walk so you can look for wildlife with the help of an expert guide. We recommend going on a nighttime tour of the rainforest — this habitat comes alive after sunset.
You can see a breakdown of Costa Rica’s most interesting species, as well as the national parks where you can find them, on our Species Page.
To see the most wildlife in one place, plan a trek through Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. This remote, isolated tract of rainforest is completely untouched by humans, and is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
Reptiles and Insects
Species exhibits are a great way to see hard-to-spot animals like insects and reptiles up close. On hikes through reserves like Barra Honda National Park you have the chance to see exotic species in the wild – some of which don’t live anywhere else in the world.
Birds
Take a bird watching tour early in the morning to catch Costa Rica’s exotic species at their most active. Costa Rica has a wealth of ornithology experts — you’ll be amazed by their birdcalls and ability to spot tiny species high up in the tree branches.
Top bird watching spots include the canopies of Arenal National Park and Braulio Carrilio National Park, both of which have tropical forests and volcanic terrain. See one of the most rare bird habitats in the world — a high humidity forest — in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Visit the mountains and national parks of the Nicoya Peninsula for exhilarating hikes with a view of the Pacific coast.
Mammals
While you're hiking through the cloud forests and rainforests, keep an eye out for Costa Rica's monkeys, including white-faced monkeys, spider monkeys, and howler monkeys.
They’re quite rare, but Costa Rica is also home to some rare feline species, including pumas, jaguarundis, margays, and ocelots. These types of animals live in places like La Selva Biological Station and Corcovado National Park.
With the help of an observant guide, you might even get to see a sloth in its natural habitat — maybe hanging from a tree in the Aviarios del Caribe reserve.
Sea Turtles
You can find nesting sea turtles along the beaches of Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio. Visit the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge to see multiple species of sea turtles on the Caribbean coast.
Sightseers must be accompanied by a guide, and be especially careful not to disrupt the reproductive cycle of these endangered animals.
Snorkeling, Dolphin Watching, and Whale Watching
Ready for an aquatic adventure? Take boating tours near Costa Rica’s beaches to go on dolphin-watching or whale-watching tours and snorkeling trips. You can leave for aquatic tours in Manuel Antonio and Marino Ballena National Park on the Caribbean coast.
To get a better idea of where you may encounter different birds, sea animals, mammals, reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates in Costa Rica, check out our biodiversity page.
Related Questions
- I Want a Nature Vacation. Where Should I Go in Costa Rica?
- Where Are Costa rica's National Parks & Reserves?
- How Much Does it Cost to Visit a National Park or Reserve in Costa Rica?
- What Is So Special About Costa Rica's Biodiversity?
Nicoya Peninsula
Jutting into the Pacific Ocean, the Nicoya Peninsula offers first-rate, beautiful beaches. The Peninsula's jagged and mountainous landscape, in effect, isolates many of the region's small costal towns, strengthening their unique allure and authenticity. Indeed, the sleepy villages that dot Highway 21 perpetuate a compelling laidback attitude, contributing to this region's overall tranquil vibe.
Plant & Animal Biodiversity Profiles
From Costa Rica to Peru and East Africa to SE Asia Earth species of all shapes and sizes have evolved to survive in a variety of terrains. Some are found in thick forests, vast wetlands, and misty mountains, arid deserts, expansive grasslands and even beneath the soil.
Corcovado National Park
The crown jewel of Costa Rica's national park system, Corcovado National Park (Parque Nacional Corcovado), is comprised of an enormous 103,290 acres (41,800 ha) of tropical rainforest. The largest of Costa Rica's parks, it encompasses about a third of the Osa Peninsula and embraces an unbelievable amount of its biodiversity.
Costa Rica Night Tours
Although Costa Rica is well-known for its vibrant creatures of the day, more than 60 percent of the wildlife found in its tropical rainforests is nocturnal. Night tours aim at acquainting travelers with these creatures and the special adaptations they use to survive in the tropics. A flashlight in hand and a bilingual guide by your side, you’ll be led along forest trails as you search for insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and more. In places like Tortuguero, you’ll carefully comb the beach for nesting sea turtles by the light of the moon, while in Arenal your search for nocturnal species may be accompanied by glimpses of lava pouring down the sides of the volcano.
Caribbean Coast
Costa Rica's Caribbean province of Limon runs 125 miles (200 km), from the northern Nicaraguan border to the southern border with Panama. Exotic nature reserves, such as the famous Tortuguero National Park, beckon adventurous travelers, while alluring southern beaches allow visitors to relax in an easy Caribbean vibe. With a mesh of Tico and Afro-Caribbean culture, Limon Province displays a unique side of Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is home to a namesake national park full of unspoilt beaches and world-class views. Enjoy adventures as diverse as snorkeling and jungle hikes. A great destination for families, there’s something for everyone whether you have young children or college-bound teens. See a variety of Costa Rica’s animals when you peek into tide pools and hike through forests; experience the subtle thrill of birding when you cross a variety of species off of your ‘seen’ list. The best part? This is just the beginning of all of the beauty, excitement, and adventure awaiting you in Manuel Antonio.
Tamarindo
Once a quiet surf beach and fishing hamlet, Tamarindo is now a beach town with the infrastructure Western travelers have come to expect. Located on the Central West Coast of Guanacaste, Tamarindo still boasts unspoilt beaches and incredible biodiversity — despite the town’s recent and ongoing development. Come for fun in the sun and stay for the laid back vibe that is so characteristic of the region.
Tortuguero
The Caribbean Coast is home to the beautiful town of Tortuguero and it's National Park. This sun drenched zone with its sparsely spaced coastal villages offers a completely laid back and relaxed atmosphere. The culture is vastly different on this coast compared to the rest of the country with its prominent Afro-Caribbean influence notable as well in the delicious cuisine found here.
Arenal Volcano National Park
The Arenal Volcano National Park packs all of Costa Rica's allure into one place: incredible hiking, magnificent views, abounding wildlife and the country's most active volcano. Hiking and horseback riding tours allow you to get up close and personal with this incredible area, which encompasses close to 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) and extends into eight different life zones. Overlooking everything is the imposing Arenal Volcano which sits right inside this wonderful park.
Aviarios del Caribe Reserve
Following Highway 26 south of Puerto Limon, the river valley breathes life into the tropical vegetation, which is a burgeoning haven of unique flora and fauna. Here, 31 km south of town, is the small wildlife refuge of Aviarios del Caribe in the Estrella River delta.
Barra Honda National Park
The cavernous monstrosity of limestone at Barra Honda offers some exiting challenges for the adventurous types. At its deepest, Barra Honda plunges 787 feet (240 m) into the earth. One attraction in particular is the glistening stalagmites and stalactites that fill the Hall of Pearls.
Braulio Carrillo National Park
Getting its name from Costa Rica's third president, Dr. Braulio Carrillo, the national park, full of tropical rainforest, spans northeast of the Central Valley. Flowing down from the Central Volcanic Corridor, Braulio Carrillo National Park (Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo) falls between the Poas Volcano to the west and the Irazu Volcano to the east. The protected zone encompasses 108,970 acres (44,100 ha) of rolling hills crammed with dark-green vegetation that teems with wildlife.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Located in Costa Rica's southeastern Talmanca region is the large Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge, a collection of rainforest and wetland habitat complete with a coral reef. At 23,348 total acres (9,450 ha), this vast refuge begins south of Punta Uva-3 miles south of Puerto Viejo-until it runs into the Sixaola River at the Panamanian boarder. Besides Cahuita, this park is the only other place in the country with a coral reef.
La Selva Biological Station
La Selva Biological Station (Estacion Biologica La Selva) was originally created for scientific purposes in 1954. Since then it has been converted into a leading research center for Costa Rican ecology and has been opened to the public. Providing some of the most immaculate primary tropical rainforest available, the well-kept trail system extends over 31 miles (50 km) and provides visitors the opportunity of exploring La Selva with a knowledgeable guide.
Costa Rica Turtle Nesting Tours
Every year from April to November thousands of sea turtles come ashore the beaches of Costa Rica to lay their eggs. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are visited by over six species of sea turtles, whose golf ball-sized eggs will incubate beneath the sand for 50-70 days before emerging as hatchlings and beginning their mad scramble towards the sea. Nighttime nesting tours privilege travelers with observing either end of this ancient procession – the laying or hatching – and are sure to provide any tour taker with an unforgettable and unrepeatable experience.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena) is the less visited sister reserve of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Just 4 miles (7 km) from the town center of Santa Elena are the less crowded, lush green forests full of flora and fauna. This reserve boasts one of the best places to hear and see howler monkeys in all of Costa Rica!
Costa Rica Species Exhibits
Costa Rica is home to nearly 5 percent of the world’s total biodiversity. Specimen exhibits aim to preserve and display some of that bounty, and are must-sees for anyone interested in the natural history of the country. The exhibits are as educational and diverse as the creatures on display, with snakes, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, insects and more exhibited in glass-cased terrariums or open-air domes. These exhibits offer visitors the chance to see species that are rarely seen in the wild, and thus will complete any trip to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Snorkelling
The waters surrounding Costa Rica are home to nearly 7,000 marine species, some 3.5 percent of the total aquatic life on Earth. Snorkelling through these warm, clear waters is a fabulous way to enjoy this aquatic biodiversity. A variety of tropical fish – including puffers, barracudas, parrotfish, snappers and butterfly fish – can be found swimming among brightly-colored coral reefs, while on the seafloor below, starfish, sea cucumbers and sand dollars can be seen creeping slowly along. A knowledgeable local guide will equip participants with quality snorkels, masks and fins, and provide access to astounding regional seascapes.
