Costa Rica Wildlife Tours, Costa Rica a wildlife treasure, Costa Rica Animals
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There are more than 500,000 animal and plant species in Costa Rica, making the nation one of the 20 most biodiverse countries in the world. For this reason, it is an incredible place to come and see unique and abundant wildlife and features 32 national parks, 51 wildlife refuges, 13 forest reserves, and eight biological reserves. The opportunity to encounter native animals is quite high! Wildlife is everywhere in Costa Rica though, not just in protected areas, so keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the vast natural wonders of this magical place.

Tapir

Tapirs eat mostly fruit, leaves, and twigs and play a very important role in dispersing seeds in the deciduous dry forests and tropical evergreen forests of Costa Rica. As adults, they can weight between 150–300 kilograms (331–661 pounds). These solitary forest giants have a unique, but functional look; they have an elongated upper lip that looks like a short elephant trunk, which helps them grab their food. Your best chances of spotting a tapir are in the Corcovado National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, or Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Peccary

Peccaries are adorable little wild pigs found in the deciduous dry forest, tropical rainforests, low-lying shrub forests, and agricultural areas in Costa Rica. They are quite resourceful and adaptable and live in herds of between three and 30 other peccaries, maintaining a hierarchical structure within their herd. Peccaries are also very vocal and can get aggressive in disputes over water.

Coati

While coatis, also known as coatimundis, are most common in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, they can be seen all over the country. They love the hot, dry forests as well as the cooler mountainous areas and everything in between. They are carnivores that feast mainly on insects, eggs, fruits, and nuts, but they are also scavengers. Coatis are very social animals that typically travel around in groups, and they also don’t seem to be afraid of humans and associate us with food, so be careful not to get too close to them.

White-faced capuchin

White-faced capuchin monkeys are common throughout the dry forests, rainforests, and cloud forests of Costa Rica. They are a highly intelligent animal and live in large social groups that can reach as many as 30. Capuchins are not picky eaters; they eat everything from insects and eggs to fruit and flowers. Costa Rica has a very healthy population, and they are commonly seen in the Manuel Antonio National Park and all along the Osa Peninsula.

Ocelot

The ocelot, called manigordo in Spanish, lives in deciduous forests, primary and secondary rainforests, and valleys in Costa Rica. This beautiful wild cat has huge feet, which is how it got its Spanish name, which translates to “fat hand.” They are very secretive and rarely seen in the wild, so if you see one, consider yourself incredibly lucky! However, you can see them at wildlife sanctuaries, such as La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. Their favorite foods are iguanas and peccaries.

Three-toed sloth

The three-toed sloth is definitely on the list of the most bizarre animals in Costa Rica, but it is also one of the cutest. The slow-moving cloud forest and rainforest resident lives high up in the treetops. They climb down to the forest floor once a week so that they can eliminate waste. Your best chance of spotting one is in Manuel Antonio, the Osa Peninsula, or Tortuguero. You can also learn more about them at the Sloth Sanctuary or Sloth Institute.

Rhinoceros beetle

The rhinoceros beetle, sometimes called the elephant beetle, is probably the most jaw-droppingly amazing bug in Costa Rica. This giant beetle weighs between 18–28 grams and can be between 55–80 millimeters (2.1–3.1 inches) long. These impressive insects live in low-lying rainforests, and visitors can often see them in the Tortuguero National Park, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Corcovado National Park, and Palo Verde National Park. While they might look like scary forest monsters, they are completely harmless.

Jesus Christ lizard

The Jesus Christ lizard, or basilisk lizard, is one impressive reptile. It feeds on winged insects, small fish, freshwater shrimp, and even other lizards, snakes, and birds, and for that reason, it needs to be exceptionally quick if it is going to catch its prey, which it is. It can literally run on water! Visitors can see this bright green and ornate reptile in the Osa Peninsula. It likes low-elevation rainforest areas.

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