Wildlife diversity in Costa Rica reaches over 500,000 species. You can see sloths and monkeys and jaguars together with crocodiles and bright tropical birds in their natural homes. Visit Tort Guero to see sea turtles’ nests and check out Manuel Antonio’s monkey groups and Drake Bay’s whale population.
Costa Rica offers unforgettable natural world encounters at each flip. These are among the many exceptional fauna Costa Rica provides for its visitors:
1. Sloths
Wildlife enthusiasts must see sloths while exploring Costa Rica. The two different sloth species in Costa Rica exist during day and night activities. To see a two-toed sloth, you need to book a night hike while listening to movements on the tree tops.
2. Sea Turtles
Turtles chose Costa Rica as their ideal destination for nesting activities. During the arribada events, leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles visit Costa Rica annually.
Ostional Beach, together with Tortuguero National Park and Playa Grande, provides excellent potential locations to see this phenomenon during nesting time, although successful encounters cannot be promised.
3. Whales
Costa Rica maintains the longest period in the world where you can spot whales. Humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales, and Pseudo-Orca whales frequent its coasts. Humpbacks represent the most observed whale population, which travels between December to April and July to November.
Sightings of marine life reach their peak on the Southern Pacific Coast and Osa Peninsula.
4. Scarlet Macaws
The vivid red feathers of the scarlet macaw make this bird easily identifiable throughout the rainforest. The pair of animals stay together for life while they feed mainly on plant products.
Both Carara National Park on the Central Pacific coast and Osa Peninsula provide top locations to view those species.
5. Monkeys
The four forms of monkeys that stay in Costa Rica consist of white-confronted capuchin, mantled howler squirrel monkeys, and spider monkeys. You can locate these animals because they exist only in groups.
The species spread from coast to coast yet remains scarce throughout the Central Valley region and highlands.
All four monkey species can be found on the Osa Peninsula, where Manuel Antonio National Park stands as their prime locale, so secure your food at all times yet refrain from feeding them.
6. Tree Frogs
Costa Rica should adopt the tree frog as its national symbol. The most renowned tree frog species belongs to the red-eyed tree frog group. The frog uses its orange feet and shining red eyes to warn predators it is toxic.
These tree-dwellers spend the majority of their lives high up in the trees with minimal ground presence. These unique frogs exist for four to five short years.
7. Butterflies
Costa Rica offers habitat to the giant Blue Morpho butterfly and possesses more butterfly types than its African counterpart. Costa Rica’s 615 distinct species per 10,000 square kilometers create a stark contrast to the United States’ minimal 104 flora and wildlife types.
8. Wildcats
Wildcats in Costa Rica prefer to stay hidden and appear only rarely in the country. Six species, including Oncilla and Margay, inhabit the country alongside Puma and Jaguar and Jaguarundi and Ocelot.
Wildcats choose Corcovado National Park as their preferred habitat but sometimes stay within wildlife rescue facilities. It is a special occasion to observe such animals in their natural habitat!
