You’ve likely seen Costa Rican Tourism ads featuring an adorable talking and singing sloth. Or maybe you’ve seen Costa Rica wildlife photos from the incredible Osa Peninsula, Manuel Antonio National Park, or Tortuguero National Park.
The thing is, these ads show just a glimpse of the wildlife hiding in plain sight throughout Costa Rica’s national parks and primary rainforests. Having been to Costa Rica 3 times, I’m amazed each time by not only the number of animals I see but also the variety of the animals!
I hope these Costa Rica wildlife photos stir your wanderlust to visit this beautiful country and have you booking your trip to Costa Rica right now!
23 Costa Rica Wildlife Photos to Make You Want to Visit Right Now
In Manuel Antonio National Park, sloths are commonly seen snuggled into the limbs of the trees, sleeping away the day’s heat. But, when that particular limb isn’t all they’d hoped for, they just inch their way from branch to branch in search of a more comfortable spot.
In the jungles, on the beaches, and even upside down on hotel room ceilings, a countless variety of lizards sit ever watchful and always ready to run. I’m always amazed at how fast they are!!
After a humid downpour, be careful where you step! This poisonous dart frog is just slightly bigger than your thumbnail and likes to hide in fallen leaves along the moist ground.
I know it’s the teacher in me, but isn’t this the best monkey school photo you’ve ever seen?! All kidding aside, these white-faced capuchin monkeys aren’t as cute as they look. They’ll steal your snacks even while munching on the bloody remains of what used to be a lizard.
This guy swiped my sandwich right out of my hands which I only dared to take out when I thought the coast was clear!
In a place like Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, butterflies of all shapes, sizes, and colors flit silently by in search of the perfect perch. This owl butterfly hopes the “eyes” on its wings will make a would-be predator think twice.
Staying off the trails and climbing high for safety, this lesser anteater listens carefully before descending and making its way through the rainforest.
As I waited at the ranger station for my guide into Corcovado National Park, I wandered towards the path. I shouldn’t have been surprised to have had a wildlife sighting given this park and part of Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse on the planet. But there I was, totally enamored watching this anteater move along the tree trunk.
The tiger heron waits just near an almost dried-up stream for the rains to come, hoping its favorite treats like frogs, crabs, and fish will arrive along with the wet weather.
Doesn’t she almost blend in with the leaves and underbrush on the ground!?!
Squirrel monkeys are tiny and nimble! They jump quickly through the forest canopy before you’ve had a chance to capture enough photos.
The day I spotted this squirrel monkey troop, they were so active! It seemed like there might have been some type of drama happening since they were jumping and swinging from the tree branches so fast and chattering loudly to one another. I was lucky to get the photo above while this guy paused for a split second.
You can hear them well before you spot them. Though not nearly as noisy as the scarlet macaws, toucans chatter away the day (and night!) hidden among the dense green brush.
They’re one of the most beautiful birds when you see them up close and have such sweet and inquisitive faces.
Baird’s Tapir is the largest land mammal in Central America. With parts resembling pigs, horses, rhinos, and hippos, this animal forges its own path through the Costa Rican rainforest before settling in a dark spot within a tangle of shrubs, vines, and branches.
Many of Costa Rica’s beaches are wild and undeveloped. The large tide pools formed from high tide are just too much temptation for an overheated tapir.
I was so excited to catch this Tapir out in the open after having just missed seeing a mother and its baby conceal themselves in the brush.
This male ventured out of the brush and across the sand to wade in and cool off. I was even lucky to get some video of this Tapir swimming in this small pool on the beachfront. It was quite the sight and was such fun to watch him cool off for a while.
Just stay completely frozen, blend in with the tree, and no one will see me.
As you walk in Corcovado National Park, you have to be mindful not to grab the trees for balance. There could be any number of things camouflaging themselves on the trunk…day or night!
Spider monkeys move in troops through the trees of the primary and secondary rainforests on the Osa Peninsula and throughout many areas of Costa Rica.
Perhaps contemplating her next move, but more likely, debating over which branch she should shake to send the message she’d like my camera and me to move along. As I stood below, trying to get a few last photos, she made sure a shower of sand, leaves, and twigs rained down on top of me.
I zoomed in to get a photo of this caiman in the mangroves just outside of Tortuguero National Park. She does such a great job of hiding that I almost missed her! Don’t the eyes remind you of those you might see on a dinosaur?
Caimans are smaller than crocodiles and feed on fish, turtles, and small mammals. They have great stealth and can stay for a long period without moving before snapping up their prey.
Anyone care for a swim? The bridge over the Rio Tarcoles is the hot spot to photograph crocodiles, but even I was surprised to see such a gathering!
Whenever I am in Costa Rica and heading over this bridge, I always stop to see the croc activity. If you’re driving from the airport in San Jose to the Manuel Antonio area, you’ll cross it. Be sure to stop for a look!
Costa Rica is a bird-lovers paradise with over 900 species nesting, singing, and flying their way around the region. When planning a day at Manuel Antonio National Park, consider hiring a guide to help you spot beauties like this mangrove cuckoo.
Bird lovers will also want to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It’s where I had some of the best bird sightings in all of Costa Rica!
Female coatis stay together in large groups with a single male. While walking along a trail in Corcovado National Park, this group wandered all around unphased by our presence. You won’t be able to stop looking at their gravity-defying tails.
I was so surprised by how close they came as my sister and I stood still snapping photos.
This silhouetted photo shows the full-body size of a spider monkey gliding effortlessly through the canopy. Head south in Costa Rica as this is one of the best areas where you can see this fourth species of monkey.
It’s impossible to miss the colorful wings of a butterfly even as monkeys swing overhead and tropical birds squawk and screech. They flit around and go about their business totally unbothered.
I spotted this butterfly on a night walk in the cloud forest. Believe it or not, this butterfly has clear wings with an orange trim. Against the night sky, they look black.
Get out of the rainforest and onto the calm, clear water of the Golfo Dulce to “play” with the dolphins. You’ll instantly recognize pure dolphin joy that comes from living free as they swim curiously alongside your boat.
After a day of snorkeling in the Golfo Dulce, we cruised around and attracted the company of several dolphins who swam and jumped all around our boat. It was one of the most amazing wildlife experiences I’ve ever had.
The woodpecker is far from the noisiest bird in the rainforest. When she’s not burrowing holes into the trees, the woodpecker sings to (or laughs at?) anyone who’ll listen.
I couldn’t help but admire the pocket of peace this woodpecker found in the cackling rainforest. To this day, when I look at this photo, I am convinced she was practicing some zen meditation technique from a Costa Rican yoga retreat!
Near the end of a week of volunteering with baby turtles near Tortuguero National Park, we were lucky enough to see some hatch! I’m still in awe at the strength and determination these little turtles show in their race to the water.
It’s an absolute marvel to see, as well as grasp, their instinct telling them exactly where to go from the moment they’re free of their eggs.
While spending time in the Monteverde area, I ventured out (with a guide) on a night walk into the cloud forest. While at first it’s a bit daunting to be out after dark with so many creatures all around, it’s also equally as thrilling! Plus, you get to see animals you might not see during the day.
Early in our walk, we spotted this pit viper. Yes, it is venomous so we didn’t linger too long so as not to make an enemy!
If you thought spotting a pit viper was scary, then I’m not sure how you’ll feel about this photo!
A bit later on our night walk, we spotted this tarantula just coming out of its hole in the ground. The guide’s light made it look iridescent to my camera.
Let’s finish with some adorable monkeys!
After a morning of chatter, feasting, and other busyness, the rainforest falls silent. Just after midday, there’s an eerie calm as the animals settle in for their much-deserved naps.
These capuchin monkeys settled in for the cutest nap together in Manuel Antonio National Park so I quickly took a photo and hurried off not wanting to disturb them.
Final Thoughts: Costa Rica Wildlife Photos
If you’re dreaming of a destination with guaranteed wildlife spottings, look no further than beautiful and diverse Costa Rica! No matter where you decide to visit, you’re all but guaranteed to glimpse some of the country’s most interesting animals!
Which animal would you like to capture in a Costa Rica Wildlife photo?
Like this post? Please share it on social media using the share buttons below.
