Costa Rica Biodiversity & Wildlife Guide

Costa Rica’s coasts are alive with some of the planet’s most iconic marine species. Uniquely, the country hosts two humpback whale migrations each year: northern populations arrive December to March, while southern populations visit July to October. Spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins are year-round residents, often traveling in lively pods that follow schools of fish.

Four sea turtle species define Costa Rica’s shoreline—leatherbacks, green turtles, hawksbills, and olive ridleys. Massive arribadas (synchronized nesting events) bring thousands of olive ridleys ashore at Ostional, while other species nest more quietly on scattered beaches. Offshore, the Caribbean’s coral reefs and the Pacific’s rocky outcrops support manta rays, reef fish, and seasonal whale sharks. 

Farther into the Pacific lies Isla del Coco (Cocos Island), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s premier marine reserves. Known for schools of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks, it represents Costa Rica’s commitment to protecting biodiversity far beyond its shoreline. Though only accessible to advanced divers on multi-day expeditions, the island underscores the global significance of Costa Rica’s marine ecosystems.

With nearly 900 bird species, Costa Rica offers one of the world’s densest bird lists in a country this size. Elevation plays a key role in shaping what you see: lowland rainforests echo with scarlet macaws, great green macaws, trogons, and manakins; foothill forests add flocks of tanagers and toucanets; cloud forests host hummingbirds and montane endemics like the resplendent quetzal; and above tree line, páramo habitats shelter hardy specialists.  Wetlands such as Palo Verde and Caño Negro concentrate herons, ibises, ducks, and shorebirds.

Seasonality adds another layer. Resident species track fruiting and flowering cycles, while migration brings North American warblers and shorebirds in winter. Costa Rica also lies on one of the world’s great raptor flyways—Kekoldi in the southern Caribbean sees kettles of thousands of hawks, vultures, and falcons each fall.

Birdwatching is a national draw, but it also serves as an entry point to ecological awareness. Birds are critical pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect controllers. Observing them offers not only beauty but also insight into the health of Costa Rica’s ecosystems.

 Costa Rica’s mammals include some of the country’s most recognizable wildlife. Two sloth species (the brown-throated three-toed sloth and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth) are common in lowland and mid-elevation forests. Four monkeys—howler, capuchin, spider, and squirrel—form the backbone of the country’s primate diversity, each with distinct behaviors and habitats.

Beyond these headline species, mammals range from the small and secretive to the rare and powerful. Coatis and agoutis forage by day, while kinkajous, olingos, and most cats are nocturnal. Jaguars and pumas roam the larger protected areas, though sightings are rare.  The endangered Baird’s tapir—Central America’s largest land mammal—still survives in strongholds like Corcovado and Tortuguero. 

 Bats, however, represent the greatest share of mammal diversity in Costa Rica—over 110 species, nearly half the country’s mammal total. They fulfill vital ecological roles: nectar-feeding bats pollinate night-blooming plants, fruit bats disperse seeds across wide areas, and insectivorous bats consume enormous numbers of mosquitoes and crop pests. Their diversity makes them a cornerstone of tropical forest function, even if they are less frequently seen by visitors.

Costa Rica’s reptile diversity extends far beyond sea turtles, with more than 220 reptile species recorded across the country, making reptiles one of the most diverse groups after amphibians. Visitors most often encounter iguanas basking on branches, basilisks dashing across water, and lizards darting along forest trails. These species illustrate the adaptability of reptiles to tropical environments, from sunny riverbanks to shaded rainforest understories.

Snakes are equally diverse, ranging from harmless vine snakes and boas to highly venomous species such as the fer-de-lance and the striking yellow eyelash viper. While their presence often stirs fear, most snake species are non-venomous and rarely seen. Even the venomous species play a vital ecological role, regulating populations of rodents, birds, and frogs.

Costa Rica is also home to powerful aquatic reptiles. American crocodiles can be observed in rivers like the Tárcoles, while spectacled caimans inhabit canals and wetlands such as Tortuguero. These apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems by controlling fish and bird populations.

Together, reptiles highlight the country’s ecological range—from canopy anoles and arboreal vipers to mangrove caimans and grassland boas. Though sometimes overlooked or misunderstood, they embody the adaptability of life across Costa Rica’s varied habitats.

 Amphibians are among Costa Rica’s most colorful and fascinating animals, and frogs are especially iconic.. The red-eyed tree frog has become a symbol of the tropics, while poison dart frogs (like the strawberry poison frog, or blue jeans frog) warn predators with their brilliant colors. Glass frogs, with translucent skin revealing beating hearts and organs, showcase the diversity of adaptations in this group.

Costa Rica hosts more than 200 amphibian species, including frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. Many are active at night, especially during the rainy season, when forests come alive with chorus calls. Salamanders are particularly diverse in the highlands, while caecilians—limbless, burrowing amphibians—remain seldom seen but highlight evolutionary ingenuity.

Amphibians also play critical ecological roles. They help control insect populations, serve as prey for larger animals, and in some cases, transfer nutrients between land and water. Their diversity reflects the richness of Costa Rica’s ecosystems, from rainforest floors to mountain streams.

 Some amphibians also display remarkable life cycles. Many frogs lay eggs in water, but others use creative strategies: rain frogs deposit eggs in moist soil, glass frogs suspend them on leaves overhanging streams, and poison dart frogs carry tadpoles on their backs to tiny water-filled bromeliads. These strategies highlight the evolutionary creativity of amphibians in adapting to diverse tropical environments.  

 Insects are the hidden giants of Costa Rica’s biodiversity, from dazzling butterflies to farming ants and glowing fireflies. With tens of thousands of species, they occupy nearly every niche in the country’s ecosystems. Butterflies are especially celebrated—Costa Rica hosts more than 1,200 butterfly species, about 10% of the world’s total. The dazzling blue morpho, owl butterflies, and long-tailed swallowtails are among the most recognizable.

Equally fascinating are the social insects. Leafcutter ants cultivate underground fungus gardens, making them some of the most sophisticated farmers in the natural world. Army ants sweep through the forest floor in coordinated raids, flushing out insects and small vertebrates for birds and other animals to catch. Costa Rica is also famous for its loud cicadas, whose choruses rise and fall with the changing of the seasons, often marking the transition into the dry season. Other masters of adaptation include stick insects and leaf-mimicking katydids, whose camouflage makes them nearly invisible in the forest understory.

Insects also play vital roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Beetles and termites break down leaf litter and wood, returning nutrients to the soil. Fireflies add seasonal magic to humid nights, while diverse dragonflies patrol rivers and wetlands. Together, insects form the foundation of Costa Rica’s biodiversity, sustaining both natural ecosystems and human agriculture.

 Costa Rica’s forests are defined by extraordinary plant diversity. Over 12,000 plant species have been recorded, including towering trees, climbing lianas, and delicate orchids. Lowland rainforests are dominated by giant buttress-rooted trees that stabilize shallow soils, while heliconia and aroids brighten the understory with bold leaves and flowers.

As elevation rises, plant communities change. Foothill forests are draped in vines and epiphytes, while cloud forests cloak themselves in mosses, ferns, and orchids, often with heliconia adding bursts of color. At the highest elevations, paramo ecosystems feature cushion plants, dwarf shrubs, and bunch grasses adapted to intense sun, cold nights, and strong winds.

Seasonality also shapes vegetation. In the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste, trees shed their leaves during the long dry season, exploding back into life with the first rains. Along the coasts, mangroves form unique salt-tolerant communities that protect shorelines and serve as nurseries for fish and crustaceans.

Together, these plant communities sustain Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity. Orchids and bromeliads provide habitat for insects and frogs, giant trees anchor nutrient cycles, and flowering patterns help drive the seasonal rhythms of birds, bats, and pollinators.

Costa Rica’s biodiversity is not only shaped by forests and coasts but also by its rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which provide essential habitat for a wide range of species. These ecosystems regulate water flow, store carbon, and support both wildlife and human communities.

Rivers originate in mountain cloud forests and flow through valleys to the coasts. Along the way, they sustain fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Riverbanks host iguanas, herons, and kingfishers, while otters and spectacled caimans hunt in the water. Insects like dragonflies patrol river corridors, and seasonal flooding replenishes surrounding soils.

 Wetlands are especially rich in wildlife. The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge in the north attracts large flocks of storks, ibises, and cormorants, while Palo Verde National Park hosts thousands of migratory waterbirds during the dry season. Tortuguero’s network of canals combines rainforest and wetland habitats, offering prime viewing for crocodilians, river turtles, and aquatic birds. The elusive West Indian manatee also survives in small numbers along the Caribbean wetlands, particularly in Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado. Though rarely seen, its presence highlights the importance of protecting seagrass beds and quiet lagoons. 

Freshwater systems are also vital to humans. Wetlands filter water, buffer floods, and sustain fisheries, while rivers power hydroelectric dams that supply most of Costa Rica’s electricity. Protecting these ecosystems is critical, not only for wildlife like the endangered jabiru stork or elusive manatee, but also for the communities that depend on clean water and stable climate regulation.

 Experiencing Costa Rica’s wildlife is unforgettable, but how we observe and photograph animals directly shapes their survival. Many species are sensitive to light, noise, and proximity, and a careless moment can disrupt critical behaviors like nesting, feeding, or resting. By practicing mindful observation, travelers not only protect animals but also gain more authentic and rewarding encounters.

Ethical viewing ensures that natural rhythms continue undisturbed — sloths remain camouflaged in their canopy refuges, monkeys forage and move freely without begging for food, and turtles complete their nesting cycles under the cover of night. Photography can be a powerful tool for conservation storytelling, but only when done responsibly: images taken without flash, at respectful distances, and in natural contexts allow wildlife to remain wild.

Every traveler is part of Costa Rica’s conservation story. Choosing to respect distance, follow local regulations, and support trained guides strengthens community-based conservation efforts. When visitors model respectful behavior, they help protect ecosystems for future generations while also deepening their own connection to the living tapestry of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a global leader in conservation, protecting more than 25% of its land and marine territory in national parks, reserves, and wildlife refuges. These protected areas safeguard nesting beaches, wetlands, forests, and coral reefs, making the country one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Conservation success here is built on partnerships. National parks provide core protection, while community initiatives — from turtle patrols to reforestation projects — extend conservation to local landscapes. Scientific research, eco-lodges, and citizen science programs add layers of protection and education.

Travelers play an important role too. Every park entrance fee, guided tour, or volunteer hour helps fund conservation and sustain communities that protect wildlife. Responsible tourism strengthens these efforts, ensuring that conservation brings tangible benefits to both ecosystems and people.

Costa Rica’s model shows that biodiversity can thrive when protection, community engagement, and sustainable tourism work hand in hand. Every visitor becomes part of this ongoing story of resilience and stewardship.