Animals in Costa Rica: A Land of Incredible Wildlife Diversity

The coati, locally known as the pizote, inhabits forests nationwide, but are most commonly seen in the areas of Santa Rosa and Guanacaste. They’re characterized by their short limbs, elongated snouts, large eyes, and short ears. These omnivorous creatures are social and often spotted in groups of 5–20, and sometimes even up to 150 near Rincón de la Vieja volcano. If you're eager to observe Costa Rica animals in the wild, coatis are some of the easiest and most exciting to spot.

If you’d like to sleep near the coati’s natural habitat, check out the Barceló Occidental Papagayo Hotel in Guanacaste. And if you’re a surf lover, make sure you check the local waves in this area.

Biard’s tapir, also known as the Central American tapir and known locally as the danta, is the largest land mammal in Central America. Unfortunately, much of this herbivore’s natural habitat has been destroyed, and it’s now an endangered species in Costa Rica. Most commonly seen in protected reserves like Corcovado National Park, tapirs often rest near water and sometimes even sleep there. Your best bet to spotting Baird’s tapirs is at inland bodies of water. Because the tapir exclusively feeds on plants, its excrement contains seeds and plays a key ecological role by dispersing those seeds throughout the areas it inhabits.

Costa Rica boasts around 225 reptile species, from crocodiles and boas to smaller lizards and iguanas. However, turtles take center stage. Fifteen turtle species call Costa Rica home, five of which are sea turtles that nest on the country’s beaches. Unfortunately, all of Costa Rica’s sea turtles are endangered. A great place to spot turtles is in Tortuguero National Park, one of the world’s largest green sea turtle sanctuaries. 

Green turtles are the largest of all hard-shelled sea turtles, and can weigh up to 600 pounds. Even still, they aren’t the largest turtle in Costa Rica. Leatherback turtles reach over 1,300 pounds and 6.5 feet long. No matter their size, these sea turtles exhibit impressive homing behavior, returning to the same beach where they were born year after year.

If you’re worried about running into wild cats in Costa Rica, breathe easy. Spotting one—like a jaguar or a puma—is incredibly rare and usually takes a whole lot of luck. Jaguars and pumas are the two largest wild cats in Costa Rica, but they’re famously elusive. The jaguar, in fact, is the only Panthera species native to the Americas’ tropical rainforests. Sadly, it’s also one of the most endangered animals on the continent due to poaching and deforestation.

Costa Rica is also home to several smaller wild cats: the ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, and the adorable little oncilla, also known as the tiger cat. These pint-sized felines are about the size of a house cat, with brown fur and dark spots that make them look like tiny leopards. If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of any of these wild cats, your best bet is Corcovado National Park. Tiger cats, in particular, tend to hang out in the Talamanca mountain range.

These adorable mammals are often found sleeping in one of the giant trees in Costa Rica’s natural parks. Their name is derived from their slow way of moving and their favorite position: lying in a tree. The sloth holds a special place in Costa Rica, having been officially named the country’s national animal in 2021. There is even a research center dedicated exclusively to this species, as well as a sloth sanctuary.

There are seven species of sloths total, grouped into two main types: the two-toed sloth and the three-toed sloth. Both kinds can be found in Costa Rican wildlife, although the three-toed sloth is seen more frequently. 

About 85% of Costa Rica’s amphibian species are frogs, and quite a few of them are poisonous! While some of the country’s frogs are inconspicuous and camouflage into their surroundings, perched in trees or swimming in ponds, others are spectacularly colorful and breathtaking. One of the country’s most interesting frogs is the glass frog, which has transparent skin! So transparent, in fact, that you can see its internal organs. 

Another peculiarity of Costa Rica’s wildlife is the amount of poisonous frogs, and one that stands out is the strawberry poison dart frog. This tiny frog glows in stark, red color and has dark spots on it. Parks and reserves where you can observe these beauties include Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park, and La Selva Biological Station.

Generally speaking, the more colorful the frog, the more poisonous it is. So if you see one of these exotic, striking frogs, go ahead and snap a photo, but don’t touch it!

Of Costa Rica’s marine life, the humpback whale stands out. This country is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world, especially on the Pacific coast, where Marino Ballena National Park is located. It protects 1,500 hectares of the sea, and is one of the best spots to observe these majestic animals. Whales can be seen here almost year-round, as they migrate from both northern and southern waters. The most common species is the humpback whale, but Bryde’s whales, killer whales, dolphins, and even blue whales can be occasionally spotted.

Other forms of marine life thrive in Costa Rica, too. On beaches and mangroves, keep an eye out for colorful land crabs, mollusks, and ghost crabs. Not to be forgotten too is the endangered West Indian manatee, which is now the national symbol of Costa Rican marine fauna. 

Over 250 mammal species call Costa Rica home, including bats (over a hundred species), tayras, peccaries, armadillos, anteaters, butterflies, and more. Notable rarities include the Central American olingo and regional rodents like the spiny pocket mouse. There’s plenty of animals to see in this country, and lots of places to visit to see them.

·  Tortuguero National Park: Green sea turtles, frogs, basilisks

·  Corcovado National Park: Baird’s tapirs, jaguars, monkeys, marine mammals

·  Santa Rosa and Guanacaste: Coatis

·  Playa Grande and Ostional: Leatherback turtles, olive ridleys, seasonal crab swarms

·  Monteverde Cloud Forest: Quetzals, olingos, glass frogs

·  Marino Ballena National Park: Humpback whales and dolphins

Costa Rica stands as a wildlife paradise, seamlessly blending conservation with accessibility. Whether you're spotting sloths dozing in the canopy, turtles emerging under the moonlight, frogs flitting among leaves, or whales breaching offshore, each encounter deepens your connection to Costa Rica wildlife. This compact country exemplifies how diverse ecosystems can coexist sustainably—making it a top destination for eco-minded wildlife travelers.