Costa Rica wildlife
Wildlife in Costa Rica: where to see sloths, monkeys, whales and more
From sloths and monkeys to whales and sea turtles, Costa Rica is one of the easiest places in the world to see wild animals. This is our map to all of it: the animals, the best places and when to go.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
3×
more wildlife spotted with a guide and a scope
7 am
Manuel Antonio opening, the best time to go
4
monkey species live in Costa Rica
1
park where a guide is required (Corcovado)
By animal
Wildlife by animal
The animals most people come for, and the best places to find each one.
The number one
Sloths
Everybody’s favorite. Spot wild sloths in Manuel Antonio, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, or visit an ethical sanctuary for a guaranteed look.
In the trees
Monkeys
Four species live here, and the Osa Peninsula is the only place with all four.
In the sky
Birds
Scarlet macaws, toucans, hummingbirds and the quetzal, plus hundreds more to hunt for.
In the air
Butterflies
The electric blue morpho is the showstopper. Butterfly gardens are the easiest place to see them.
On the beach
Sea turtles
A guided night tour on the beach is unforgettable. Tortuguero and Ostional are our favorites.
At sea
Whales and dolphins
Humpbacks are the stars, and Uvita and Drake Bay are the top spots.
Tiny and fast
Hummingbirds
Costa Rica has dozens of species, and they’re easiest to find in cloud forests like Monteverde.
After dark
Frogs and night creatures
Most frogs, bugs and sleeping birds only show up at night, so go on a headlamp walk.
On the river
Crocodiles
Huge crocodiles lounge on the sandbanks of the Tárcoles River.
Stay safe
Snakes and dangerous animals
Encounters are rare, but it helps to know what to avoid.
Birdwatching
Costa Rica’s most wanted bird, the quetzal
The resplendent quetzal is the one bird people plan whole trips around. Males are an iridescent green with a tail that can run close to a meter long, and they are surprisingly easy to miss until you know where to look. Go in the first hours after sunrise, usually between January and May, and ask a local guide to check the wild avocado trees, their favorite food.
Los Quetzales National Park is the cloud forest to hike through for your best chance.
San Gerardo de Dota has the lodges that put you right in quetzal country.
Birds of Costa Rica covers the other species worth chasing.
Toucans are easier: you will likely see one without trying.
Parrots and macaws fill the sky on the Pacific side.
Hummingbirds swarm the feeders at every cloud forest lodge.
When to go
What to see, and when
Jul–Oct
Green sea turtles nest at Tortuguero and Ostional
Oct–Mar
Leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande
2 seasons
Humpback whales visit Jul–Oct and Dec–Mar
All year
Sloths, monkeys and birds. Go early.
The wildlife checklist
How many can you spot?
We turned our favorite animals into a scavenger hunt. Take the list on a guided walk and see how many you can check off.
On the ground
☐ Coatimundis ☐ Anteaters ☐ Tapirs ☐ Jaguars ☐ Kinkajous ☐ Peccaries
In the trees
☐ Squirrel monkeys ☐ Spider monkeys ☐ Capuchins ☐ Howlers ☐ Sloths ☐ Bats
In the air
☐ Blue morpho ☐ Glasswing ☐ Scarlet macaw ☐ Toucan ☐ Hummingbird ☐ Quetzal
Frogs
☐ Poison dart frogs ☐ Red-eyed tree frog ☐ Glass frog
In the water
☐ Green turtle ☐ Leatherback ☐ Dolphins ☐ Whales
Reptiles and bugs
☐ Caimans ☐ Basilisk lizards ☐ Iguanas ☐ Leafcutter ants ☐ Tarantula ☐ A snake (from far away)
Best places
Best places to see wildlife
You can see animals pretty much anywhere here, but these places give you the best odds.
Central Pacific
Manuel Antonio National Park
The most popular park in the country. The paths are paved, there’s tons of wildlife and the beaches are gorgeous. You’ll definitely see monkeys, and a guide will point out sloths and more.
Osa Peninsula
Corcovado National Park
The wildest park in the country, and the only one where a guide is required. Wild cats, sloths, monkeys and snakes all live here.
Caribbean
Tortuguero National Park
Canoe through the canals and watch for caimans, birds and monkeys. It’s also one of our favorite places to see turtles nest.
Cloud forest
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Misty forest, treetop bridges and some of the best birding in the country, plus our favorite night tours.
More wildlife spots
Worth adding to your trip
Caribbean
Cahuita National Park
A relaxed coastal trail that’s great for sloths, monkeys and birds.
South Pacific
Marino Ballena National Park
In Uvita, where the beach looks like a whale tail. Come for the humpbacks.
Nicoya Peninsula
Curú Wildlife Refuge
Refuges feel a lot like national parks, and at some you can hire a guide or take a tour.
Up close
Animal sanctuaries
Short on time or traveling with little kids? Most sanctuaries double as rescue and rehabilitation centers.
Keep going
All national parks
Planning a park-hopping trip? See them all in one place.
Tours
Wildlife tours and night tours
Hire a guide whenever you can. They know where the animals hang out, and their scopes help you see far more.
01
After dark
Night tours
One of our absolute favorites is the headlamp tour in the Monteverde cloud forest.
02
On the water
Boat and canoe tours
Tortuguero’s canals and the Tárcoles River are the classics.
03
Up high
Hanging bridges
A low-stress way to see birds and monkeys at treetop level.
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Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
A few things that make wildlife days go a lot better.
When to go
Sloths, monkeys and birds are around all year. Turtles and whales have their own seasons, so check the “What to see, and when” section above.
Time of day
Go early. Animals are most active in the morning, and the best tours book out first. Plan them for the morning, when it’s usually sunny.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and keep your distance. I once pulled a dead tarantula out of our washing machine, so we’re not kidding about looking first.
Respect
Keep your voice down, and never touch or feed wildlife. Skip anywhere that lets you hold a sloth or monkey.
FAQ
Costa Rica wildlife FAQ: your questions
What animals can you see in Costa Rica?
Monkeys, sloths, toucans, scarlet macaws, sea turtles, whales, crocodiles, frogs, butterflies and, if you’re very lucky, wild cats. Where you go decides what you see.
What is the national animal of Costa Rica?
The white-tailed deer is Costa Rica’s national animal. The national bird is the clay-colored thrush, known locally as the yigüirro.
Are there lemurs in Costa Rica?
No. Lemurs only live in Madagascar. People who ask usually mean monkeys, like the white-faced capuchin or the squirrel monkey.
What is the best place to see wildlife in Costa Rica?
Corcovado is the wildest, but Manuel Antonio, Cahuita, Tortuguero and Monteverde are easier to reach and still excellent.
Do you need a guide to see wildlife in Costa Rica?
You don’t need one in most places, but a guide with a scope will help you see about three times more. Corcovado is the one park where a guide is required.
What is the best time of year to see wildlife in Costa Rica?
Animals are around all year, and early morning is the best time of day. Turtles nest July to October (leatherbacks October to March), and whales visit July to October and December to March.
Are there dangerous animals in Costa Rica?
There are snakes, spiders and big cats, but encounters are rare. Stay on trails, look before you grab branches and keep your distance.
Every wildlife guide
All our wildlife guides
Keep exploring
Keep exploring Costa Rica
Things to do
Our favorite activities across the country, from volcanoes to night tours.
Planning more of the region? See our full Costa Rica destinations guide.
