Costa Rica offers the ultimate escape for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, with most tour operators featuring a mix of beach, rainforest and culture itineraries. We’ve picked out a handful of the country’s top wildlife experiences that will guarantee clients sightings of some of the country’s iconic attractions, including sloths and red-eyed tree frogs.
Birdwatching in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Birdwatchers will be in paradise in Costa Rica, that’s for sure. For clients who are keen twitchers, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve needs to be on the itinerary. It’s home to more than 400 species of birds, as well as 100 different mammals. The resplendent quetzal calls the park its home, and it’s also the place to look out for the howler monkeys as you wander the tropical trails.
Intrepid features a Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve tour as part of its Best of Costa Rica itinerary, which starts from £2,052pp.
Turtle nesting in Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is famous for sea turtle nesting, from March to October. The leatherbacks nest along the country’s Caribbean coastline from March to May, while green sea turtles are laying their eggs between July and October.
Journey Latin America offers a trip to Tortuguero as part of its Costa Rica Wildlife Discovery private tour, from £4,400pp.
See sloths in Esquinas Rainforest Nature Reserve
With their cute smiles and sleepy expressions, sloths are undeniably irresistible and a must-see creature during a Costa Rica wildlife tour. For the chance to observe them up close, head to Esquinas Rainforest Nature Reserve, where they’re often found napping in the trees.
Exodus offers a hike in the Esquinas Rainforest Nature Reserve in its Discover Costa Rica tour, which costs from £3,179pp.
Take a riverboat tour in Caño Negro Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the north of the country, the Caño Negro Wetland is described as ‘one of the most dynamic and biodiverse ecosystems’ in Costa Rica. It’s home to endangered reptiles, birds, plants, and fish. It’s a great all-rounder for clients, who can look out for howler monkeys in the trees, and even freshwater sharks during a riverboat adventure.
Newmarket Holidays features a cruise down the river of the Caño Negro Wildlife Sanctuary as part of its Wildlife, Rainforest and Caribbean Beach itinerary, from £3,855pp.
Spot the red-eyed tree frog in Arenal Volcano National Park
When you think of Costa Rica, images of the red-eyed tree frog perched on branches will no doubt spring to mind. Arenal Volcano National Park is the place to see them up close. Clients can hang out in the town of La Fortuna, from here there are plenty of adrenalin-pumping activities including getting up close to the volcano, taking a zipline tour or hitting the rapids for white-water rafting.
Jules Verne includes a trip to Arenal in its Costa Rica’s Garden of Eden tour, with prices from £3,145pp.
Look out for jaguars in Corcovado National Park
One amazing experience for clients to boast about on social media will be spotting jaguars as they roam Costa Rica’s forests. They are illusive and rare to see, but one of the best places for a big cat sighting is in Corcovado National Park on the Pacific coast. You need a guide to visit the park and take you through the walking trails, so look for a tour operator who offers this.
Not in the Guidebooks’ Ultimate Costa Rica tour includes a tour in Corcovado National Park with prices from £4,646pp.
