Animals of Costa Rica

Animals of Costa Rica

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Often, when talking about our family trip to Costa Rica, I get asked if we saw many animals. Ummmm yes, we saw a ton of animals! I expected to see monkeys but that was just one of the many animals of Costa Rica that we were privileged enough to see. However, we definitely saw monkeys…SO MANY MONKEYS…many capuchins, as well as spider monkeys & howler monkeys.

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So, I decided to share the ones we were able to get a good picture of (a visual treat for you). Most of these animals were out in the open. The ones in cages were being rehabilitated. At the end, I’ll tell you exactly where to go to see these beautiful (and sometimes scary) creatures!

If you are planning a trip, be sure to check out The Best Places To Stay In Costa Rica.

Animals of Costa Rica
Hard to tell, but that big blob in the middle is a sloth
Animals of Costa Rica
Eyelash Pitviper – much more dangerous than they look!
Animals of Costa Rica
A close up!
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Animals of Costa Rica
Green Basilisk
Animals of Costa Rica
Spectacled Owl
Animals of Costa Rica
Capuchin Monkey
Animals of Costa Rica
Teeny tiny crabs on the beach
Animals of Costa Rica
Snapping Turtle
Animals of Costa Rica
Central American Ameiva

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Animals of Costa Rica
Spider Monkey
Animals of Costa Rica
Leaf Cutter Ants – seriously fascinating to watch!
Animals of Costa Rica
Green Iguana
Animals of Costa Rica
White-necked Jacobin (female)

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Animals of Costa Rica
We were told these two snakes were mating.
Animals of Costa Rica
Boat-billed Heron
Animals of Costa Rica
Gray Sac-winged Bats
Animals of Costa Rica
Yellow & Blue Macaw – not native to Costa Rica. These were at a rescue center.
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Animals of Costa Rica
Spiny-tailed Iguana
Animals of Costa Rica
White-necked Jacobin (male)
Animals of Costa Rica
White-tailed Deer

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Animals of Costa Rica
Chestnut-mandibles Toucan
Animals of Costa Rica
Greater White-lined Bat
Animals of Costa Rica
Rufous Motmot

There you have it…all the animals of Costa Rica that we managed to get pictures of. There were MANY others that we didn’t get a picture of including a gorgeous big Blue Morpho butterfly, a couple of sloths, and many beautiful birds.

If you are heading to Costa Rica, I HIGHLY recommend you get the book “The Wildlife of Costa Rica: A Field Guide,” especially if you have kids with you. It lists all of the animals and insects you might encounter in Costa Rica. We went through it each night and marked animals we saw that day. Now we have an awesome & unusual souvenir.

Now, where do you go to find all of these awesome animals?

  1. Arenal Volcano National Park: We just walked through without a guide. We probably missed a bunch of animals because we were flying solo.
  2. Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center: This place is awesome and my son LOVED it! They rescue and rehabilitate animals and release them back into the wild. You can tour their facility with a knowledgeable guide. They take time to tell you all about the animals. You can prepare food for them & you even get to feed them! READ MORE

Did you know? I took all of these pictures with an iPhone (now considered an old iPhone). Check out my 14 Tips To Take Better Pictures With Your iPhone!

Curious to know if it's worth getting a travel agent? Check out Travel Agent Tells All!

Until next time…

Until next time…

About The Author

My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.

I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
Learn more about me & My Travel Obsession here.

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