Costa Rica is home to over 500,000 species of animals, making it one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Travelers flock here from all over the world to spot sloths hanging in the trees, monkeys swinging through the canopy, and colorful tree frogs hiding under leaves.
However, interacting with wildlife in Costa Rica comes with a strict set of rules. To protect both yourself and the animals, you need to know the local laws and safety guidelines.
Here is our guide to Costa Rica’s wildlife and the mistakes to avoid during your trip.
The wildlife you will see
No matter where you travel with Beach Shuttles CR, you’re likely to spot:
- Sloths: both two-toed and three-toed sloths lounge high in the trees of Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna.
- Monkeys: watch for howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, and squirrel monkeys.
- Exotic birds: Scarlet Macaws along the Pacific coast and Toucans in the rainforest.
- Marine life: humpback whales, sea turtles, and dolphins in the coastal waters.
What NOT to do around wildlife in Costa Rica
1. Do NOT feed the animals
Feeding wild animals is strictly illegal in Costa Rica. Giving food (like bananas or bread) to monkeys, iguanas, or coatis disrupts their natural diet, makes them dependent on humans, and causes them to become aggressive. Keep your food packed away securely in national parks.
2. Do NOT take “wildlife selfies”
Costa Rica launched a campaign called #StopAnimalSelfies. It’s illegal to hold, touch, or pose closely with wild animals for photos, since forcing an animal into a photo causes it real stress. Use a zoom lens and keep a respectful distance.
3. Do NOT touch or approach animals
As a rule of thumb, if an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, you’re too close. Avoid touching frogs, insects, or marine life. Even a slow-moving sloth can deliver a nasty scratch if it feels threatened.
4. Do NOT swim in estuaries or river mouths
Costa Rica has a healthy population of American crocodiles. They generally avoid busy beaches, but they’re common in river mouths, mangroves, and estuaries. Pay attention to warning signs and avoid swimming in murky river water.
5. Do NOT drive blindly on rural roads
Animals frequently cross the roads in Costa Rica. Slow-moving sloths, iguanas, and families of coatis often try to cross busy streets, and wildlife vehicle collisions are common on rural highways.
Leave the driving to the experts
One of the easiest ways to protect Costa Rica’s wildlife, and stay safe yourself, is to skip the rental car. Unfamiliar, dark, or winding roads make it hard to spot animals crossing in time.
At Beach Shuttles CR, our local drivers know these roads and which stretches are high-risk wildlife corridors, so you and the local ecosystem both arrive safely. And since you’re not white-knuckling the steering wheel, you can actually look out the window and spot wildlife along the way.
Protect the environment and travel stress-free. Book your wildlife-friendly shuttle with Beach Shuttles CR today!
