Greetings from Costa Rica, a country renowned for its remarkable biodiversity! With its verdant rainforests, stunning beaches, and varied ecosystems, Costa Rica is home to an awe-inspiring variety of creatures. From colorful birds and tiny amphibians to magnificent big cats and incredible reptiles, there is a plethora of thrilling wildlife to witness in this Central American paradise.
In this blog post, we have curated a list of the top 50 most exciting animals to spot when traveling to Costa Rica. Whether you are a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or a first-time visitor, this guide will help you plan your itinerary and ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the country’s incredible wildlife. So, prepare your camera and binoculars and get ready to embark on an unforgettable wildlife adventure in Costa Rica!
The following list is our choice for the top 50 animals to spot on your trip to Costa Rica. Although the locations we mention are not the only places you can see these beauties, they are the known hotspots and places people travel to seek out these creatures.
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- Scarlet Macaw – The vibrant red, blue, and yellow plumage of the Scarlet Macaw is a breathtaking sight. They can be spotted in the lower Nicoya Peninsula, the Central Pacific, and the Osa Peninsula.
- Resplendent Quetzal – The resplendent quetzal is a stunning bird that is highly revered in Mesoamerican cultures. They can be seen in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the San Gerardo de Dota area.
- Three-toed Sloth – The slow-moving and adorable three-toed sloth can be found in the Tortuguero National Park, Corcovado National Park, and Manuel Antonio National Park, as well as most inland, moist climate locations.
- Humpback Whale – Humpback whales migrate to the waters of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast between December and April, and again between July and November.
- Jaguar – The largest wildcat in the Americas, the Jaguar can be spotted in the Corcovado National Park and the Carara National Park.
- Green Sea Turtle – Green sea turtles nest on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park from July through October.
- Red-eyed Tree Frog – The vibrant red eyes of the red-eyed tree frog make it one of Costa Rica’s most iconic animals. They can be found throughout the country.
The Red Eye Tree Frog has brilliant colors when awake, but closes up into a small pod-like shape, hiding all color when asleep
- Howler Monkey – The howler monkey is a common sight in the forests of Costa Rica, and their distinctive calls can be heard from miles away.
- Baird’s Tapir – This large, herbivorous mammal can be best found in Corcovado National Park and the La Selva Biological Station. Although you may not often see these creatures, their large footprints are easily recognizable.
- Harpy Eagle – The largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, the Harpy Eagle can be spotted in the Carara National Park and the Osa Peninsula. In 2017 it was thought that there were no remaining Harpy Eagles in Costa Rica until they were spotted again in the Southern Zone.
- White-faced Capuchin – The intelligent and mischievous white-faced capuchin is a common sight in Costa Rica’s dry forests as well as rainforests.
- Keel-billed Toucan – With its colorful bill and striking plumage, the Keel-billed Toucan is a must-see for birdwatchers. They can be found throughout the country with the exception of northwest Guanacaste.
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- Ocelot – The elusive Ocelot can be spotted in many locations but the Corcovado National Park and the Tortuguero National Park are hot spots.
- Poison Dart Frog – Costa Rica is home to many species of poison dart frog, which can be found throughout the country.
- Golden Orb Spider – The largest spider in the world by mass, the Golden Orb Spider can be seen in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
- Great Green Macaw – This endangered bird can be spotted in the Caribbean side, as well as Carara National Park and the Osa Peninsula.
- Blue Morpho Butterfly – The stunning iridescent blue wings of the Blue Morpho Butterfly can be seen in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the La Selva Biological Station.
- Kinkajou – This cute, furry, and nocturnal mammal can be seen in the Corcovado National Park and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
- White-lipped Peccary – The White-lipped Peccary is a social and gregarious species that can be found in the Corcovado National Park.
- Spectacled Caiman – This small crocodilian can be seen in the Tortuguero National Park and the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge.
- Tapir – The Central American Tapir can be found in the Corcovado National Park and the La Selva Biological Station.
- American Crocodile – The American Crocodile can be seen in the Tarcoles River and the Palo Verde National Park.
- Squirrel Monkey – This tiny monkey is a common sight in Costa Rica’s rainforests and can be seen in the Corcovado National Park.
- Black and White Owl – This striking owl can be spotted in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the San Gerardo de Dota area.
- Emerald Toucanet – The Emerald Toucanet is a small, brightly colored bird that can be seen in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
- White-tailed Deer – The White-tailed Deer is a common sight in Costa Rica’s forests and can be seen in the Corcovado National Park and the Palo Verde National Park.
- Collared Aracari – This small, colorful toucan can be spotted in the Corcovado National Park and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Jaguarundi – This small wildcat can be found in almost all of the national parks, including Corcovado National Park and the La Selva Biological Station.
- Giant Anteater – The Giant Anteater can be seen from Corcovado National Park up to Palo Verde National Park and further north.
- Spider Monkey – The Spider Monkey is a common sight in Costa Rica’s forests and can be seen in the Corcovado National Park and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
- White-throated Magpie-Jay – This colorful bird can be spotted throughout the country. These bandits often steal food off of one’s plate while dining in restaurants.
- American Kestrel – The American Kestrel is a small but striking bird of prey that can be seen in the Palo Verde National Park.
- Southern Tamandua – The Southern Tamandua is a small anteater found in the Corcovado National Park and the La Selva Biological Station.
- Ctenosaur – This large, herbivorous lizard found in the hotter climates of Costa Rica.
- Golden-naped Woodpecker – This colorful woodpecker can be spotted in the wooded forests of Costa Rica.
- Black Guan – This large bird can be found in the Carara National Park and the Osa Peninsula.
- Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth – This species of sloth can be seen in the Manuel Antonio National Park and the Corcovado National Park.
- Red-tailed Hawk – The Red-tailed Hawk is a common sight in Costa Rica’s forests and can be seen in the Palo Verde National Park.
- Gray Fox – The Gray Fox can be spotted in the Corcovado National Park and the Palo Verde National Park.
- Rufous-tailed Hummingbird – This small but colorful hummingbird can be seen in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the La Selva Biological Station.
- Green Iguana – The Green Iguana is a large lizard that can be found in the Tortuguero National Park and the Palo Verde National Park.
- Black-headed Trogon – This striking bird can be spotted in the Corcovado National Park and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Yellow-headed Caracara – The Yellow-headed Caracara is a medium-sized hawk that can be seen in the Palo Verde National Park.
- Spectacled Bear – This elusive bear can be found in the Corcovado National Park and the La Selva Biological Station.
- Long-tailed Manakin – This small bird can be spotted in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the La Selva Biological Station.
- Blue-crowned Motmot – This colorful bird can be seen in the Carara National Park and the Osa Peninsula.
- Rufous-necked Wood-Rail – This bird can be spotted in the Tortuguero National Park and the Palo Verde National Park.
- Central American Agouti – This small mammal can be found in the Corcovado National Park and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Red-capped Manakin – This small, brightly colored bird can be seen in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the La Selva Biological Station.
- Black-crowned Antpitta – This elusive bird can be spotted in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the La Selva Biological Station.
Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for wildlife enthusiasts and offers a unique opportunity to see a diverse array of animals in their natural habitats. From colorful birds and exotic mammals to fascinating reptiles and amphibians, Costa Rica is home to an incredible variety of creatures. By visiting the national parks, reserves, and wildlife refuges mentioned above, you can experience some of the most exciting and memorable wildlife encounters in the country.
