Do you love wildlife? So do we! Costa Rica is known for its abundant wildlife. Many animals live in close proximity to humans, which enables travelers to see them up close. In this blog post, we’ll profile some of the cool animals we’ve seen in our travel. You can watch the Youtube videos of these animals to see them in action.
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Exploring Costa Rica's Wildlife: Coatimundis, Sloths, and Spotted Eagle Rays
Different parts of Costa Rica will give you opportunities to see all kinds of different animals. There are 3 distinct areas we’ll be visiting for this blog post.
Guanacaste
There is an impressive variety of wildlife in this northern province. Near the coastal areas you’ll often see and hear howler monkeys moving around for food. Birds like the orange-fronted parakeet and white throated magpie jay are very common. Magpie Jay’s are very intelligent and are curious about humans.
Down at the coastal waters you’ll be able to see lots of marine life. Even from walking the shores you can often see spotted eagle rays gliding in the shallow surf. If you go snorkeling you’ll see plenty of different reef fish of different colors and sizes. Some deeper water fish even take refuge in the tide pools, like the long needlefish.
If you’re looking to capture some great underwater footage while snorkeling, I suggest a GoPro from Amazon. It’s a great idea to protect your camera with a dive case, and floatable handle in case your lose grip!
The Central Valley
This is the part of Costa Rica that is between the two coasts. You won’t find many beaches, but there is an incredible array of wildlife to see. There’s massive hills and valleys which are habitats to all these animals. The areas are mostly cooler than the coastal regions.
You’ll often see Coatimundi’s, which we’ll detail below. Birds like the turquoise-browed motmot can be seen flying around. You can also find sloths hanging out throughout the central valley, although they can be hard to spot.
Puntarenas
This part of Costa Rica is still on the Pacific side, but more to the south. You’ll find popular towns like Uvita, Dominical and Jacó here. One of my favorite animals to spot in this area is the scarlet macaw. You can often see packs of these bright red, large birds flying around the coastal forests. You’ll also be able to see toucans, often perched in trees just hanging out.
Puntarenas is home to many butterfly domes as well. You can visit these attractions and see all the different butterflies for a small fee. You’ll also be able to see some of the different ones while out exploring.
Now we’ll discuss some of the animals I’ve filmed during my tour of Costa Rica:
La Fortuna: Meet the Coatimundis
If you’re fascinated by unique animals, you should visit La Fortuna. It’s located in the northern part of the country and home to coatimundis, which are fascinating mammals native to Central and South America. These social animals travel in groups and can be found in the forests and near water sources. They have long snouts and striped tails, which make them easily recognizable.
One of the best places to see these creatures is at the Arenal Volcano National Park. The park has several hiking trails that will take you through the lush rainforest where you can observe coatimundis and other animals in their natural habitats.
Be sure to use bug spray while you’re visiting these jungle areas of Costa Rica. Mosquitos and ‘no-see-ums’ can be very irritating while you’re in the dense brush. I use this spray on DEET-free bug repellant when I’m filming around here.
If you're heading out for an adventure, you're going to need some cold watch and snacks. Pick up a backpack cooler, which has ample room for what you'll need while you enjoy the beach. There is an added benefit of freeing up your hands to carry the fun stuff!
Rio Celeste: Sloth Sanctuary
Another unique animal you can see in Costa Rica is the sloth. These slow-moving creatures can be found in various parts of the country. However, one of the best places to see them up close is at the Sloth Sanctuary in Rio Celeste. This sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating sloths that have been injured or orphaned.
Visitors to the sanctuary can take a guided tour of the facilities and learn about the various species of sloths that call Costa Rica home. During the “sloth encounter” experience, you can feed them and take photos, which is a memorable experience.
Guanacaste: Snorkeling with Spotted Eagle Rays
If you’re looking for an adventure underwater, then you should head to Guanacaste. This region on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica has some of the best snorkeling spots in the country. The clear waters and diverse marine life will make your snorkeling experience unforgettable.
One of the highlights of snorkeling in Guanacaste is the opportunity to see spotted eagle rays. These graceful creatures are a sight to behold as they glide through the water. You might also spot eels, colorful fish, and other marine life during your snorkeling excursion.
If you’d like to try snorkeling, I suggest visiting Playa Ocotal. This beach is just outside of the popular tourist town of Playas del Coco. I use a snorkel set like this one on Amazon for exploring the shores.
Riu Hotel: See Monkeys Up Close
To see monkeys in Costa Rica, you don’t need to be on a trail! Many monkeys can be seen hanging out at the beach. At Playa Matapalo, you will find a few trees filled with white-faced capuchin monkeys. These small, curious creatures can be seen hanging out and even approaching humans. Most of the time, they’re resting on the branches in the shade.
These monkeys are very active during the day, which is perfect to get some pictures of them. You may also spot howler monkeys in the trees, although these ones aren’t nearly as curious. They usually remain high in the trees, but you’ll hear them making their calls from a good distance.
Costa Rica is a paradise for wildlife lovers. Whether you want to see coatimundis in La Fortuna, sloths in Rio Celeste, or snorkel with spotted eagle rays in Guanacaste, there’s something for everyone. So, pack your bags and book your flight because Costa Rica is sure to impress with its wildlife.
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