Costa Rica occupies less than 0.5% of the earth’s landmass, but it is considered one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. It is home to around 4% of the world’s species. Part of this is due to its geography: Costa Rica lies between two continental masses and two oceans, so species from different regions of the Western hemisphere gather in its marine and land ecosystems. The country’s efforts to conserve and protect its natural environments are also a contributing factor. Since the 1970s Costa Rica has fought to establish protected areas and support its existing National Parks. When sustained, initiatives like these can support all who live in Costa Rica—animals, plants, and people who have lived off the land for centuries—by protecting essential natural resources for future generations.
TAWNY-CHESTED FLYCATCHER
This small yellow bird has a limited habitat range, inhabiting lowland forests from eastern Nicaragua to north-central Costa Rica. You can find these little creatures at the forest edge. Listen for a sputtering call followed by a clear whistle.
RED-BACKED SQUIRREL MONKEY
Native to parts of Panama and Costa Rica, these monkeys are most active shortly after sunrise and just before sunset. Primarily rainforest dwellers, they are threatened by habitat loss due to logging and agricultural activities. While other squirrel monkeys live in groups of up to 300, these ones live in much smaller troops of 20-75. Look for the grey-crowned subspecies, found only in Costa Rica, in and around Manuel Antonio National Park on the Central Pacific Coast.
BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies are everywhere in Costa Rica! With over 1,200 different types fluttering around, more species of butterfly live here than in Canada and Europe combined. So, you’ll likely spot at least one a day. You can find butterfly observatories and gardens from coast to coast, where visitors can see common as well as more unique species. While there are six species only found in Costa Rica, many of the most stunning ones have a slightly larger range. From the Owl butterfly to the Malachite (one of the more frequently spotted) it’s hard not to point and ‘ooh’ when one flitters by.
BLENNIES
A few species of blennies are endemic to Costa Rica. These small fish are visually striking—and clever. As bottom dwellers, they burrow into the sand and wait for food to come to them. They can also be found peeking out of crevices in coral reefs, so keep an eye out while scuba diving in the reefs along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Blennies’ distinctive faces include markings that look like eyebrows and they often leave their mouths open, creating a curious and memorable expression.
SEA TURTLES
OK, you got us. You can find sea turtles all over the world. But Costa Rica is undoubtedly the best place to witness a variety of nesting sea turtles. Leatherback, green, olive ridley, loggerhead, and hawksbill turtles all nest on Costa Rican beaches. Tortuguero and Cahuita on the Caribbean Coast are two wonderful places to witness sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs by the moonlight. The best spot has got to be Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Nicoya Peninsula in the northwestern Guanacaste province. The olive ridley turtle’s arribada (Spanish for “arrived”)—a group synchronized nesting—at Ostional is sensational to behold. Several times per year, as many as hundreds of thousands of turtles (yes, you read that number correctly!) come ashore together over the course of a few days to lay their eggs. Manage to be there at the right time, and you surely will have an experience that you’ll never forget.
If you’re looking for deep experiences with nature, you will love a trip to Costa Rica. From tropical coasts to lush rainforests, it’s exciting to notice animals of all shapes and sizes up in the trees or scurrying across the beach right in front of your eyes. You can’t help but stop in your tracks and be captivated.
Ready to experience Costa Rica yourself? Check out our unique tours, including our Afro-Caribbean Costa Rica itinerary which features 2-3 national parks. There’s no shortage of opportunities for encounters with fascinating wildlife in our favorite country. Let us know in the comments the top 5 you’d love to see in person!
