The mixed bag of planet Earth. The leftover pieces of the puzzle. That is Costa Rica, a country that is home to around 4% of the world's biodiversity. Which means that if you travel there you will find more variety of animals and plants than anywhere else in the world.

The plurality of different ecosystems that it has makes the traveler who comes to Costa Rica feel that you are not visiting one country but several. Furthermore, with a quarter of the territory protected, this country has been an international pioneer in ecotourism activities.

Among the most requested are the visit to the Costa Rica volcanoes and routes to see wildlife. In this regard, it is almost impossible to know the tens of thousands of species that inhabit it, but Nattule tells you where to find those that best suit your preferences.

Fauna of Costa Rica: A visit through its natural spaces

We propose six natural spaces in Costa Rica to visit according to your faunal tastes.

1. Reptiles in Tortuguero

Up to 5 species of sea turtles can be found on the beaches of Costa Rica. In the Santa Rosa National Park, in the north of the country, thousands of olive ridley turtles arrive every year to lay their eggs between July and November.

However, the traveler in love with turtles prefers, as is mandated, Tortuguero.

Located on the Caribbean coast, about 80 kilometers north of the city of Limón, the Tortuguero National Park is one of the most popular ecotourism destinations in Costa Rica. Tortuguero is considered one of the wettest areas of the country and a multitude of animal species can be found among its rivers, canals and lagoons. Reptiles stand out, with different species of crocodiles, lizards, and land and sea turtles.

Lush virgin nature in Tortuguero

You can get to Tortuguero by water or by air. If you decide on the small plane, there are flights that leave San José every morning and take approximately 30 minutes to reach their destination.

The boat or boat option is more attractive because it allows you to enjoy the canals and lagoons that cross the Park. To take the boat you must first arrive by bus to Moín. Another option is to take a boat in La Geist or La Pavona. You can access these towns by public transport from Cariari.

The boat is the best way to get to the Park

The night visits that are made to observe the turtle spawning They are one of the greatest attractions of this Park. It is important to be well informed about availability, since this activity is usually restricted to a certain number of people. You will be able to witness how the turtle digs its nest, lays its eggs and covers it again before returning to the sea. This is done in complete darkness and no photographic or video cameras are allowed, so as not to disturb the animal.

Specimen of green turtle on the coast of Tortuguero

To decide when to go to Tortuguero you can take as reference the turtle nesting seasons. The most popular, the green turtle, does so between July and October. The lute, from March to June; and the hawksbill, between May and October.

2. Large mammals in Corcovado

He jaguar occupies a favorite place on the wish list of visitors who come attracted by the fauna of Costa Rica.

Illegal hunting and the destruction of its habitat have endangered this feline, the largest in America, of which it is now estimated that only about 500 specimens remain in Costa Rica. As it is also a shy animal and expert in camouflage, seeing it is not an easy task. But not impossible.

Corcovado National Park is possibly one of the best places where you can devote yourself to this mission. Located on the Osa peninsula, southwest corner of the country, National Geographic He described it as the most intense place on the planet from a biological point of view.

In addition to the jaguar, Corcovado is the habitat of other large mammals such as the Baird's tapir, the sloth or the giant anteater.

You can enter Corcovado through Puerto Jiménez, if you take a direct flight in San José, or through Drake Bay, if you take a boat in Sierpe. In the Park there are 4 ranger posts strategically located and linked by trails with which you can explore this area in its entirety. It is important that you inform yourself well about the tides, because if it is high some of these paths may be impassable.

The king of Costa Rica: the jaguar

Around the Corcovado lagoon, right in the center of the National Park, it is relatively easy to see tapirs that come to drink and cool off. To meet the jaguar, it is a better option to take a boat route along one of the rivers that cross the Park. Maybe you catch a glimpse of it while it rests on the banks.

A shy tapir in the Corcovado jungle

To visit Corcovado, it is best to do so between January and April, when it receives the least amount of rain.

The largest cat in Spain is the Iberian lynx. Do you want to see it? Sign up for this activity to observe the Iberian lynx in Andújar.

3. Cetaceans in Ballena and Drake Bay

If it excited you Free Willy Costa Rica will excite you. Thanks to the migratory flows of whales that pass along its coasts, in this country the whale watching are among the longest in the world.

Calm and light on the coast of Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula, in the southern part of the Pacific coast, is a destination for the migration of the humpback whale twice a year. The species arrives from the north between the months of July and November, and from the southern hemisphere between December and March.

In addition, pilot whales, Bryde's whales, false killer whales and even three local varieties of dolphins can sometimes be observed from the beaches of Drake Bay.

The magnificent humpback whales

Another reference place for whale watching is the Marino Ballena National Park, which extends from the mouth of the Uvita River to the tip of Peñuelas and covers more than 5,000 marine hectares.

From there, you can take a boat trip to watch whales and visit some of the most emblematic points of the Park. Like the Punta Uvita tombolo, a natural formation of rock and sand that is precisely in the shape of a whale's tail.

Access to Marino Ballena National Park is easy. You can get there directly by road, by car or bus, from San José, Quepos or San Isidro.

Closer to our geography, the Azores islands are one of the best places to see cetaceans. Find out with this whale watching activity in Portugal.

4. Birds in Palo Verde

Palo Verde is a sanctuary for bird lovers.

This National Park is located between the Tempisque and Bebedero rivers, northwest of Costa Rica, right where the Nicoya peninsula joins the rest of the country.

The confluence of fresh and salt water at the mouth of the rivers creates an environment popularly known as Las Bajuras. Many migratory birds, such as storks, jabiru, ibis and spoonbills, congregate in these wetlands during the dry season.

Group of jabirúes in the Tempisque river

Distributed throughout the area there is a wide network of viewpoints and trails that you can explore on foot or by bicycle (you can rent them right there) to reach the most attractive areas of the Park.

One of these key points is the Palo Verde lagoon, where the highest concentration of birds is recorded. At dawn or dusk you can see various types of herons and egrets, ducks and jacanas.

On the other hand, the Bird Island, located within the Tempisque River, is home to a curious combination of migratory and local birds. Among them you can find some exotic species such as toucans and macaws.

A colorful macaw watches from the tree

There are several ways to access Palo Verde. From San José, by car, you have to take the Inter-American Highway to Bagaces and there continue south for around 20 kilometers to the entrance of the Park.

If you don't feel like driving, you can take a flight in San José that will take you to Liberia and from there finish the trip by taxi or bus. The last option is to board at the port of Humo, on the Nicoya peninsula, and enter the National Park by boat across the Tempisque River.

The Tempisque River as it passes through Palo Verde

Although it is possible to visit Palo Verde all year round, you should keep in mind that during the rainy season you will have to change your car for an SUV and that some trails can be difficult to navigate. Additionally, it is usually easier to spot wildlife during the dry season, as there is less vegetation to obstruct vision.

5. Primates in Manuel Antonio

Of the four kinds of monkeys that exist in Costa Rica, 3 can be found in Manuel Antonio.

This National Park is one of the most visited in the country thanks to its easy access, the good condition of its trails and, above all, the variety of wild life what a blanket The squirrel monkey, the howler monkey and the capuchin share this habitat with other animal species such as raccoons, pelicans and sloths.

The wild beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park

The guides who will guide you through the Park know the best locations to find the monkey troops, who never travel alone. Their groups can have between 20 and 60 members depending on the species. Protect the food you carry well, as small primates may find your fruit and even your sandwich appetizing.

Walking the trails of El Perezoso or Punta Catedral through the interior of the National Park or enjoying any of its paradisiacal beaches are some of the possibilities that this place offers you. On Manuel Antonio beach you can see capuchin monkeys and raccoons coming to browse visitors' backpacks.

Capuchin monkey, one of the three species in the Park

The entrance to the National Park is located just 7 kilometers from the attractive city of Quepos, in the province of Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast. If you are staying in San José, you can drive or take a bus that will take you along the Pacifica highway and then the Costanera, for 170 kilometers. Or, what is the same, over a 3-hour trip.

It is advisable to start your visit as early as possible to avoid crowds of tourists.

6. Underwater life on Isla del Caño and Gandoca-Manzanillo

If on land, Costa Rica is a hive of life and virgin nature, under the sea, where its extension is 10 times greater, it could not be less. The ocean floor of this country has 10 protected areas and overflowing marine fauna. On both sides of the region you can find incredible places to immerse yourself in

On the one hand, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica It is among the 5 best places to dive on the entire planet. In it, located 15 kilometers west of the Osa peninsula, is the Caño Island. Life in this Biological Reserve is scarce on the surface, but spectacular underwater.

Cliffs and sea foam on Caño Island

The island is surrounded by one of the best preserved coral reefs in all Costa Rica. Many species of tropical fish, mollusks, crustaceans and sharks meet there. The taskmaster of the corals is the whitetip reef shark, easily recognizable by the marking of its dorsal and caudal fins.

This is the territory of the whitetip shark

To get there you must reserve a boat ticket from Sierpe, Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay. The trip will take you about 45 minutes and is almost as enjoyable as the destination. During it you will be able to witness whales and groups of dolphins near the bay.

On the opposite coast, on the shores of the Caribbean, is the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, another place worth mentioning for divers. In its 5 square kilometer reef you can observe 2 species of coral that you will not find in any other reef in Costa Rica. In addition, up to 600 different species of mollusks coexist there.

In the surroundings you will also see different types of fish, dolphins, sea turtles and even manatees, a symbol of marine fauna of Costa Rica.

Seabeds full of life in Costa Rica

This Refuge is located right on the border with Panama, about 70 kilometers south of the city of Limón.

If you also want to see the interior, in the months considered dry (between December and April) is when it is best to visit.

But you don't have to go that far to find unique species beneath the surface of the sea. You can also do it with this diving trip on the Costa Tropical from Spain.

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A Swiss cow may be as important as a humpback whale, but there is more joy in a splash than in a meadow. Keep this in mind when traveling. If you have decided to be happy you have to stop in San José. Costa Rica is not a country, it is an emotion.

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Planet Earth's drawer of miscellaneous items. The leftover pieces of the puzzle. This is Costa Rica, a country that harbors about 4% of the global biodiversity. This means that if you visit here, you will find the most variety of animals and plants than anywhere else in the world.

With a fourth of its territory listed as a protected area, Costa Rica has been the international pioneer on ecotourism. The wide range of ecosystems make visitors feel like they have visited more than one country.

Discovering the thousands of different species is almost impossible, but Nattule tells you where to find those that suit you best.

We suggest 6 natural areas of Costa Rica to visit according to your faunal liking.

1. Reptiles in Tortuguero

Up to 5 different species of sea turtles can be found on the Costa Rican beaches. At the National Park of Santa Rosa, in the north of Costa Rica, thousands of olive ridley turtles arrive there to spawn between July and November.

However, travelers who really love turtles choose Tortuguero as a destination.

Located on the Caribbean coast, about 80 kilometers from the city of Limón, Tortuguero National Park is one of the most famous in all of Costa Rica. Tortuguero is one of the most humid areas of the country and among its rivers, channels and lagoons, we can find a multitude of animal species. Highlighting among reptiles different species of crocodiles, lizards and terrestrial and sea turtles.

Lush nature in Tortuguero

You can reach Tortuguero either by boat or by plane. If you choose to go by plan, there are flights departing from San José every morning, and it takes about 30 minutes to get to the destination.

Arriving by boat is more appealing since it allows you to enjoy the channels and the lagoons that cross the Park. To catch a motorboat, you should arrive first by bus to Moín. You can also take a rowboat from La Geist or La Pavona. You can arrive there from Cariari.

A motorboat is the best way to reach the Park

Night tours to watch the turtle spawning are one of the best highlights of this Park. It's important to get information in advance about the availability, since admission is restricted to a limited number of visitors. Here you can watch the turtle digging its nest, spawn its eggs there and cover the nest before going back into the sea. This activity is held in complete darkness and no videos or photos are allowed, in order not to disturb the animals.

A green turtle on the Tortuguero coast

If you're deciding when to visit Tortuguero, you can use the turtle's spawning season as a good reference on when to do so. The most popular one is the green turtle, that spawns between July and October. The leatherback turtle, between March and June, and the hawksbill, between May and October.

2. Big Mammals in Corcovado

Jaguars are on the must-see list of all visitors arriving in Costa Rica who are drawn here by its fauna.

Poaching and the destruction of its natural habitat have endangered the existence of this feline. Jaguars are the biggest feline in all of America, and there are currently only 500 specimens in Costa Rica. This animal is shy and a camouflage expert, so seeing one of them is not easy, but also is not impossible.

Corcovado National Park is probably the best destination to achieve this mission. Located in the Osa Peninsula, on the southwest corner of Costa Rica, National Geographic has listed this area as the most intense one, from a biological point of view.

The jungle and sea meet in Corcovado

In addition to jaguars, Corcovado is the dwelling place of other big mammals such as the Baird tapir, sloths and the giant anteater.

You can enter Corcovado from Puerto Jiménez if you fly from San José on a direct flight, or through Bahía Drake if you take a boat from Sierpe. The Park has 4 forest ranger stations strategically located and connected by paths that you can go through. It is important to be aware in advance of the tides, because if it is high tide season, some of these paths are flooded.

Costa Rica's king: The jaguar

In the surroundings of the Corcovado Lagoon, right in the center of the National Park, it is relatively easy to watch tapirs approaching the water to drink and cool down. In order to find jaguars, the best choice is to take a boat tour on some of the rivers that cross the Park. You may also see them resting on the shore.

A shy tapir in the Corcovado jungle

The best season to visit Corcovado is between January and April, when it rains less than other months.

3. Cetacean in Ballena and Drake Bay

If you were touched by Free Willy, you will be sure to be touched by Costa Rica. Thanks to the migration of whales passing by their shores, whale watching season in this country is among the longest in the whole world.

Calm and light in Bahía Drake shore on the Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula, in the southern part of the Pacific Coast, is the migration destination of humpback whales, which happens twice a year. They arrive from the north between July and November, and from the south between December and March.

Also, from the beaches of Drake Bay Sometimes you may see pilot whales, Bryde whales, false killer whales and up to 3 different local species of dolphins.

Amazing humpback whales

Another reference site for cetacean watching is the Ballena National Marine Park that goes from the mouth of the River Uvita to Punta de Peñuelas, covering more than 5,000 marine hectares.

From there you can take a boat to watch the whales and visit some of the most emblematic sites of the Park, like the isthmus of Punta Uvita, a rock and sand formation that has the shape of a whale tail.

Infinite beaches in Ballena National Marine Park

Access to the Ballena National Marine Park is easy. By car or by bus from San José, Quepos or San Isidro.

4. Birds in Palo Verde

Palo Verde is a sanctuary for bird lovers.

This National Park is located between Tempisque and Bebedero Rivers, northwest of Costa Rica, where the Nicoya Peninsula meets the rest of the country.

The confluence of fresh water with sea water provokes a phenomenon known as The Lowlands. On these wetlands, a multitude of migratory birds gather during dry season. Birds like storkes, jabirus, ibis and spoonbills.

A group of jabirus in Tempisque River

The whole area has plenty of lookouts and paths that you can go through by foot or by bike (you can rent them right there) to reach the most attractive areas of the Park.

One of these key locations is the Palo Verde Lagoon, where most of the birds gather. During sunset or at dawn, you may watch different types of herons and egrets, ducks and jacanas.

The Birds Island, located in the Tempisque River, has a curious mix of migratory and local birds. There you can find toucans and macaws.

A colored macaw watching from a tree

There are few different options to arrive at Palo Verde. From San José, by car, you take the Interamericana Road to Bagaces, and from there you go south about 20 kilometers until the Park entrance.

If you do not want to drive, then you can catch a flight from San José to Liberia, and from there take a cab or a bus to the Park. Another option is to take a boat in the port of Smoke, on the Nicoya Peninsula, and enter the Park from the Tempisque River.

The Tempisque River in Palo Verde

Although you can visit Palo Verde all year round, you must bear in mind that during the rainy season, you will need to use a 4×4, since some of the paths get very difficult to drive through. Also notice that during dry season watching animals is easier, since there is less vegetation blocking your view.

5. Primates in Manuel Antonio

Out of the 4 existing types of monkeys of Costa Rica, 3 of them can be found in Manuel Antonio.

This National Park is one of the most visited ones because of its easy access, the good condition of its paths and the wide variety of wildlife that it harbors. Squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys share this area with raccoons, pelicans and sloths.

The wild beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park

Guides will indicate you the best spots to find the monkey troops, since they never go alone. Its groups use to have between 20 and 60 members depending on the species. Take good care of your food, because primates will love to steal your fruit and even your sandwiches.

Going through the paths of El Perezoso and Punta Catedral, or enjoying any of the sublime beaches are just some of the many options available in the Park. In Manuel Antonio beach, you may see the capuchin monkeys and the raccoons taking a look in the visitors' backpacks.

Capuchin monkey, one of the three species found in the Park

The Park entrance is just 7 kilometers away from the privileged city of Quepos, in the Puntarenas province, on the pacific coast. If you are staying in San José, you can drive or take a bus through the Pacifica and Costanera Roads for about 170 kilometers. A 3 hour journey.

It's good to get there early enough to avoid the tourist crowds.

6. Submarine Life in Isla del Caño and Gandoca-Manzanillo

The grounds of Costa Rica are a swarm of life and nature, and underwater is nothing less than this. The oceanic depths of this country have 10 protected areas and a boundless marine fauna. There are amazing spots to dive in all over that region.

The pacific coast of Costa Rica is listed among the 5 best places to go diving in all of the Earth. Fifteen kilometers west of Osa Peninsula, we find the Cano Island. Life on that Biological Reserve is scanty above, but amazing underwater.

Cliffs of Caño Island

The island is surrounded by one of the best preserved coral reefs in all of Costa Rica. There gather numerous tropical species of fishes, mollusks, crustacean and sharks. The reefs foreman is the whitetip reef shark, easy to distinguish because the white mark of its dorsal fin.

This territory belongs to the whitetip reef shark

To get there, you must book a trip on a boat from Sierpe, Puerto Jimenez or Bahía Drake. The trip takes about 45 minutes and is as enjoyable as its destination. Along the trip you may be able to see whales and groups of dolphins on the bay.

On the opposite coast, by the Caribbean shore we find the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, another good spot for divers. In its 5 square kilometer reef, you will see 2 coral species that are not found anywhere else in Costa Rica. In that place, there are 600 different species of mollusk dwelling together.

In the surrounding area you will see different types of fishes, dolphins, marine turtles and even manatees, the symbol of Costa Rican marine fauna.

Seabed full of life in Costa Rica

This Refuge is located on the limit of the Panama border, 70 kilometers south of the city of Limón.

If you also want to discover the inland, dry season (which is December to April) is the most convenient time to visit.

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A Swiss cow can be just as important as a humpback whale, but there is more joy in splashing water than in a pasture field. Bear that in mind while traveling. If you have chosen to be happy, then you have to make in San José one of your stops. Costa Rica is not just a country, it's an emotion.  

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