The wonders of Costa Rica’s wildlife

If you love nature, you’ll adore the wildlife of Costa Rica. This is a nation that puts environmental concerns at the top of its list of priorities, and it is the clear front-runner in the field of sustainable tourism and habitat conservation. Costa Rica goes to extraordinary and exemplary lengths to safeguard the future of its wildlife. An inspiring 25% of its territory is protected by law – contained within almost 200 national parks, reserves and refuges – making Costa Rica the top-ranked country globally for percentage of landmass protected.

Costa Rica is a petite country, and though it only covers 0.01% of the global landmass, it is host to 5% of our total planetary biodiversity, including 250 species of mammals, 850 different kinds of birds, 250,000 distinct insects, and more than 400 species of reptiles and amphibians.

This diminutive tropical gem is a rainforest nature documentary made real, bursting with tiny hummingbirds in jewel colors, raucous primates racing through the canopy, beautiful flowering plants, and a mind-bending array of insects.

Beyond wildlife-watching, Costa Rica is packed with appeal, so when you have seen enough dazzling displays of natural splendor, why not make time for a volcano hike, some beach relaxation, adventure sports or a soak in the hot springs? After all, there are few destinations where you can experience the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, cloud forests and rainforests, mangroves and volcanoes all just a short hop apart.

We’ve put together this bite-size guide to some of Costa Rica’s best-known wildlife, so you can get an idea of just how incredible the biodiversity really is.

Our guide to the wildlife of Costa Rica

Birds

So many birds, so little time! A huge variety of birds permanently call Costa Rica home, and due to its location on the land bridge between tropical and temperate zones, it also hosts hundreds of species of migratory birds. Look out for exotic and colorful kinds such as the famous resplendent quetzal, the rainbow toucan, and the scarlet macaw.

More than 50 species of hummingbird can be spotted in Costa Rica, four of which are endemic and all of which are mesmerizing with their sparkling plumage and rapid wingbeats. These tiny jewel-like birds can be seen amongst tropical fruit trees and cloud forest habitats. Along the coast, the wide wingspan of the frigatebird can be marveled at, along with pelicans and sandpipers in the coastal lagoons and wetlands.

Mammals

Amongst the most notable of Costa Rica’s mammals are the four species of monkey which can frequently be seen and heard screeching through the canopy of the forests around Costa Rica – the Central American squirrel monkey, Panamanian white-faced capuchin, mantled howler monkey, and Geoffroy’s spider monkey.

Rarely sighted but often leaving traces of their existence are six species of big cats including pumas and jaguars, all endangered and all avoiding human contact where possible. More likely sightings include sloths, tapirs, anteaters and armadillos, plus a varied roster of rodent species. Several small bear species live in the forests of Costa Rica, including the nocturnal tree-dwelling kinkajou. More than half the number of mammals in Costa Rica are bats, and more than 100 species are present.

Reptiles and amphibians

Turtles, frogs, snakes and lizards are commonly spotted in Costa Rica, and it would be a rare trip which didn’t come across numerous colorful frogs and iguanas at the very least. Salamanders might also saunter across your path and numerous types of toads may be seen hopping by. High numbers of snakes exist in Costa Rica, but these creatures are much less easily sighted, partly due to their camouflage and partly because they are mostly nocturnal and easily scared away.

Crocodiles and caimans are another genre of reptile which can often be seen if you are in or around waterways. Their fascinating prehistoric appearance may tempt you for a closer look, but beware – these animals are truly dangerous, so keep your distance. Turtles are the star of the show in the Tortuguero National Park, so in season the nesting and hatching is a sight to behold. The park provides nesting grounds for four species of sea turtle – green, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead, so across the board, the breeding season runs from around June to October.

Insects

Among the estimated 250,000 species of insects in Costa Rica, butterflies are the most celebrated and very visible. Some experts say that 20% of the world’s total butterfly population is located in this one small country, and at times, when you are surrounded by the colorful flutter of delicate wings, it certainly seems that way.

They might not be the prime reason most people visit Costa Rica, but spiders are extremely numerous everywhere. There are thought to be around 20,000 different species, and the vast majority are harmless. Bugs and beetles are incredibly numerous and important members of the ecosystem, but the most dominant insect of all is the ant. It is claimed that in a single hectare of rainforest you will find an average of nine million ants.

Plant life

With more than 2,000 species of trees found in the various climatic zones in Costa Rica, a stroll in the forest becomes an immersive botany lesson. Species to look out for include the distinctive dome-shaped Guanacaste tree (the national tree of Costa Rica), the ceiba tree (often used when planting for reforestation due to its rapid growth rate); plus cedar, almond and palm trees, which are present throughout the country.

Notable flowering plants that are native to Costa Rica include lobster-claws – you’ll see them growing wild all over the land, and with luck you’ll even spot a hummingbird feeding on the nectar of the plant’s colorful flowers. Orchids are another group of wild flowers found all over Costa Rica, with more than 1,000 separate species present. Some of the most interesting vegetation is found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where tree trunks are cloaked in lustrous mosses, air-feeding bromeliads and vivid orchids.

Marine life

Since Costa Rica offers both a Caribbean and Pacific coastline, exploring the underwater worlds around it is always rewarding. The visibility for diving and snorkeling is often excellent, and if you’re staying above the surface, you’ll have plenty of wildlife-watching boating excursions to enjoy. Along the Caribbean coast, in places such as the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park, snorkel and dive to see reefs alive with colorful corals, shoals of iridescent tropical fish, sea turtles and dolphins.

On the Pacific coast, the Osa Peninsula is prime for scuba diving with regular big-fish sightings of manta rays and various types of sharks (including whale sharks). Pods of dolphins are common to see, while deep-water coral gardens house smaller tropical inhabitants such as pufferfish, parrotfish, sea turtles, octopus and barracuda. Mighty humpback whales visit both coasts at various points throughout the year, so it’s possible to spot these giants of the ocean almost year-round in Costa Rica.

Make it happen

This little introduction to Costa Rica’s wildlife is simply a taster of what you can experience in this remarkable, conservation-focused destination. Our handpicked local experts have incredible knowledge of the wildlife experiences on offer to visitors, and can shape your bespoke itinerary accordingly. Get in touch with them to let them know what your dream Costa Rica trip would involve and they will get to work making it happen.