Wildlife

Wildlife in Costa Rica: where, when, and what to spot

Costa Rica is one of the most wildlife-rich countries on Earth, with an astonishing variety of species inhabiting its forests, coasts, rivers and oceans. With 250 species of mammals, 440 species of reptiles and amphibians, 922 species of birds, over 1,500 species of butterfly and around 13,000 species of moth, it truly feels like an open-air zoo.

You can encounter wildlife anywhere and at any time, sometimes in the most unexpected places, by the roadside, for example, or outside your lodge. However, if you’re hoping to spot a particular species, success often hinges on being in the right place at the right time and having some local knowledge.

At Into Nature, we know where and when to find them. Whether you dream of seeing sloths, toucans, howler monkeys or colourful frogs, we’re happy to create a custom itinerary that maximises your chances of having unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Check our Activity Calendar for a seasonal guide to the best places and times to spot animals.

Whales and dolphins

Whale watching is best on the southern Pacific coast, particularly around Caño Island, Marino Ballena National Park, Golfo Dulce and the Corcovado coast. The Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is the most famous species of whale. They come to Costa Rican waters every year (in two different periods) to mate and give birth. One group comes from the north (the west coast of the US) from December to March, peaking in February. The other group comes from South America in July–October, peaking in September.

Several species of dolphins live close to the Costa Rican coast and are therefore easy to spot. The best place to see them is on the southern Pacific coast. You can also see dolphins along the northern Pacific coast and the southern part of the Caribbean coast. The best time is during the dry season, from December to mid-April.

Sea turtles

Sea turtles can be seen on the coasts of both the Pacific and the Caribbean. The most impressive sight is when they come ashore to lay their eggs. Of the six species of sea turtle that visit Costa Rican beaches, three are the most well-known: the Green turtle, the Leatherback turtle and the Olive ridley turtle.

The Olive Ridley turtle can mainly be seen on the northern Pacific coast between July and December, with a peak in August, September and October. The largest ‘arribadas’, or mass arrivals, take place in Nancite and Ostional, where thousands of turtles come ashore simultaneously to lay their eggs. Smaller numbers also come to the entire southern Pacific coast from August to November.

Green turtles can be seen on the Caribbean coast, for example, at Tortuguero National Park, from July to November.

Leatherback turtles can be seen in Las Baulas National Park (on the Pacific coast) from October to February. This turtle can also be seen on the Caribbean coast between March and June, in Gandoca Manzanillo at the mouth of the Pacuare River, and Tortuguero. You may also see baby turtles being born during a night tour. These include Olive Ridleys in Ostional, Leatherbacks on both coasts, and Green turtles in Parismina.

Monkeys

Costa Rica is home to four species of monkeys: These are the Squirrel monkey, the Capuchin monkey, the Howler monkey and the Spider monkey. Corcovado is the best place to spot these four species. The best way to spot them is to look out for unusual movements in the trees.

Squirrel monkeys live on the south Pacific coast, between Manuel Antonio and Corcovado.

Capuchin monkeys live throughout the country.

Howler monkeys live in various parts of the country and are almost impossible to miss. You are most likely to encounter them in the north-west. The canals of Parismina and the La Selva nature reserve are good places to see them. Also lives in Guanacaste (Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja), Palo Verde, Arenal, and along the southern Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Spider monkeys can be found in many areas, particularly in Rincón de la Vieja, Tortuguero and Corcovado.

Caimans and crocodiles

These reptiles live in coastal rivers, mangroves and lowland areas such as San Carlos in the north of the country. The Tárcoles River is the best place to spot crocodiles. From the bridge that crosses the river (part of the Costanera Sur motorway), you can see dozens of large crocodiles beneath you. This is especially true during the dry season (January–April) and when there is no undercurrent on both sides of the river. Other good places to spot caimans and crocodiles are the mangroves of Sierpe in the south of the country, Barra del Colorado on the Caribbean coast, the area around the Río Blanco near Caño Negro, and the canals of Tortuguero.

Sloths

There are two species of sloth in Costa Rica: the Three-toed sloth and the Two-toed sloth. The Two-toed sloth is more active at night, while the Three-toed sloth can be seen moving around during the day. Both species can be spotted in many places across the country, including along the canals of Parismina and near Cahuita and Santa Elena. The southern Pacific coast is undoubtedly one of the best places to see the Two-toed sloth. Playa Matapalo, 35 km south of Manuel Antonio, has a fairly large population of this species.

Butterflies and moths

Butterflies that are active during the day can be found all year round, but are especially active in the dry months from January to April. Certain species can only be spotted in the rainforest. The best-known species, such as the Blue morpho butterfly, can be found in landscaped gardens or corresponding areas of jungle in many hotels. The beautiful Owl Butterfly is mainly seen at dusk. The Morpho butterfly, perhaps the most beautiful butterfly in the rainforest with its almost turquoise wings, is usually seen in primary rainforest, especially early in the morning. If you love butterflies, there is no need to visit a butterfly garden.

It is also worth mentioning that the largest migration of tropical butterflies takes place over Costa Rica. This is the Urania swallowtail moth. Strikingly, the moth flies during the day during its migration. This moth is black and green with a metallic sheen.

Frogs

With 220 species, Costa Rica can easily be called a frog country. Although there are so-called frog farms where you can see frogs in enclosures, nothing beats spotting them in their natural habitat. The brightly coloured frogs and poison dart species attract the most attention.

The Red-Eyed Tree frog is perhaps the most photographed frog species in the world. Images of this species, which symbolises Costa Rica, can be found everywhere. This tree frog can be spotted in many places across the country. The best time to see them is during the rainy season, from May to December, on the southern Pacific coast, the Caribbean coast, and in Sarapiquí.

The poison dart species, such as the Strawberry frog (or blue jeans) and the Green and Black poison frog, are also considered to be among the most beautiful frogs in Costa Rica. One species of frog is only found on the Osa Peninsula (Corcovado), this is the Phyllobates vittatus, which is also the most poisonous species in Costa Rica.

Another of Costa Rica’s most special frogs is perhaps the glass frog. As the name suggests, its partly transparent skin allows you to see its intestines through its belly wall. They live in trees near rivers and are active at night.

You can spot frogs not only in the rainy season. They can always be found near rivers and pools in the rainforest. These are the best places to see different species together, both at night and during the day. You can spot frogs all year round, but the chances of success are greatest during the rainy season. When looking for frogs, it is also important to know what to look for and listen to. For example, the Strawberry frog lives in this ecosystem among the wet leaves and humus on the rainforest floor.

Birds

Costa Rica is home to 922 species of birds. The bird species that rank highest for birding are parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and quetzals. However, the following species should certainly not be missing from the list: the motmot, tanagers, Montezuma oropéndola, King vulture and Spectacled owl. Depending on which species you want to see, you can choose to visit certain areas.

You can see birds all over the country. La Selva and its surroundings, Palo Verde and the Carara South Pacific coast are all places where you can spot a variety of species. In the high mountains and cloud forests of Monteverde and Cerro de la Muerte (San Gerardo de Dota), you can find various trogons and hummingbirds, including the Quetzal, widely considered to be the most beautiful bird in Costa Rica. This bird lives in Monteverde, Cerro de la Muerte, Chirripó and Las Tablas. From March to April, this bird lives in lowland areas to breed, making it easier to spot.

The Palo Verde and Caño Negro nature reserves are the best places to see migratory birds, especially waterfowl, in January and March. In Caño Negro, you can see beautiful Jabiru, ibis, spoonbill and heron species.

Of the six species of toucan, three are the best known: the Swainson’s toucan is the most commonly seen species and can easily be spotted on the Pacific coast; the sulfur-breasted toucan can be spotted in the Caribbean (including Tortuguero); and the colourful Fiery-billed aracari. Toucans are most commonly seen in the southern Pacific coastal area.

Hummingbirds (52 species) can be found in all regions where Into Nature travels, from the coast and lowlands to the high mountains. Hummingbirds reproduce at different times of the year.

Photographing them takes a lot of patience. A good place to wait is near flowers that produce nectar, such as heliconia plants.

Macaws (20 species): some species are small and green, and breed during the wet season. The most popular macaw is the red ara, or Scarlet macaw. These birds can mainly be seen on the Osa Peninsula, around Uvita, and in and near Carara National Park. The Green macaw can be seen in the north-west of the country, in Sarapiquí, San Carlos and Boca Tapada.

Large waders and other water birds, such as the Pink spoonbill, White ibis, Stork, Black-bellied duck and the large but rare Jabiru, live along slow-flowing rivers, in mangroves and coastal areas. Caño Negro nature reserve is an excellent place to spot these birds, especially from December to May. Costa Rica’s heron species include the cattle egret, the tiger heron and the boat-billed heron.

Snakes

Costa Rica is home to 150 species of snake, 22 of which are poisonous. You are most likely to encounter snakes on the Caribbean coast and the southern Pacific coast. The poisonous Eyelash Pit Viper, Fer de Lance, and Boa imperator are particularly notable.

Felines

Costa Rica is home to six species of cat: the jaguarundi, the puma, the jaguar, the oncilla, the margay and the ocelot. Except for the jaguarundi and the Puma, all species are nocturnal. Spotting these animals in Costa Rica is difficult. It depends entirely on being in the right place at the right time. The Corcovado National Park is the best place to encounter a feline. Sometimes you can see paw prints, even those of jaguars, on the paths and/or on the beach. Felines are territorial and often use the same routes, urinate in the same places and visit the same water sources. Other nature parks where cats live in the wild are La Amistad, Tortuguero and Nancite, all of which are located next to Corcovado.

Other special mammals to spot include the tapir, anteater, boar, nose bear and agouti.

Insects

Of particular interest are the leaf-cutter ants, rhino beetles, luminous beetles, metallic beetles, bird spiders and cicadas that synchronise their singing. The Megaloprepus caerulatus dragonfly is one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to spot as it is only found in deep primary rainforest.

Here are some useful tips for wildlife watching in Costa Rica:

• Whether or not you spot any animals depends on several factors, including the species’ population, the season (including mating season), food sources, the moon’s position, the area, the animals’ behaviour and, of course, your behaviour
• Many daytime animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. The best time to spot animals is just before sunrise or at dusk, when day animals are still active and nocturnal animals appear. Most nocturnal animals are active between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., while day animals are active between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., and again between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. There is even more activity at night with a full moon
• The best advice is to be as inconspicuous as possible. Avoid wearing brightly coloured clothing and/or strong perfume. Make sure that the animals can’t hear you; almost all animals are afraid of humans and will hide when they see you
• Useful information material for spotting animals includes laminated A4 sheets with pictures of animals. These are available to buy in most souvenir shops (for example, in National Parks) and at the reception desks of some major hotels
• Binoculars and magnifying glasses are always useful
• Having a good guide will greatly increase your chances of seeing wild animals. Without a guide, you wouldn’t be able to spot a frog that sounds like a bird, animals with camouflage colours that you would never see yourself, or spider holes that have been in one place for years

Into Nature Team