Wildlife of Costa Rica

This wildlife-focused itinerary takes you on a journey through some of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse and stunning regions, where you’ll have the chance to encounter an incredible array of animals, flora and fauna. You can either self-drive or take private transfers – the choice is yours.

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Discover Costa Rica’s biodiverse regions, from rainforest to cloud forest, spotting sloths, monkeys, toucans and turtles.

1 Night – San José
3 Nights – San Gerardo de Dota
4 Nights – Dominical/Uvita
2 Nights – Sierpe
3 Nights – Drake Bay / Corcovado
1 Night – San José

Enjoy as a self drive or with a mix of internal flights and private transfers.

✈️ San José (1 night) Your journey begins in San José, Costa Rica’s bustling capital. Although the city itself isn’t known for wildlife, it serves as the gateway to the country’s wonders. So take the opportunity to recover from your flight, explore the bustling streets, wander around the Central Market with its eclectic mix of stalls, and relax before heading to your next destination.

🚗 San José to San Gerardo de Dota (3 nights): Heading south from San José, you’ll arrive in the serene San Gerardo de Dota, in the Talamanca Mountains. The area is famous for its cool climate, lush cloud forests, and incredible birdwatching opportunities. The elusive quetzal is the main attraction here, especially early in the morning when they are most active. Beyond quetzals, you can also spot toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds as you walk along the scenic trails. The region is part of the Los Quetzales National Park, a paradise for nature lovers with waterfalls, dense forests, and a variety of other wildlife including ocelots and monkeys.

🚗 San Gerardo de Dota to Dominical/Uvita (4 nights): Continuing your journey to the southern Pacific coast, the town of Dominical and nearby Uvita offer a perfect blend of beach and rainforest. Dominical is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is surrounded by rich wildlife. Walk through the jungles and spot howler monkeys, capuchins, and sloths. Uvita, home to Ballena Marine National Park, is particularly famous for its seasonal whale watching. From December to April, humpback whales migrate to these waters, and during the right time of year, you can also see dolphins and other marine life. The park’s iconic whale’s tail formation (a natural formation of rocks and sand that separate the ocean at low tide) is a stunning sight. Plus, the surrounding beaches are perfect for relaxing and spotting wildlife such as white-faced monkeys and tropical birds. Heading through the jungle trails you’ll catch glimpses of scarlet macaws, toucans, and other fascinating bird species.

🚗 Dominical/Uvita to Sierpe (2 nights): From Dominical, you’ll take a short drive to the village of Sierpe, located near the Terraba Sierpe Wetlands, one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions. Sierpe is the gateway to the vast mangrove forest, which is best explored by boat or kayak. The mangroves are teeming with wildlife, including crocodiles, monkeys, and a wide variety of birds such as kingfishers, herons, and the rare roseate spoonbill. The surrounding wetlands are also a sanctuary for exotic species, where you might spot reptiles and amphibians.

✈️ Sierpe to Drake Bay/Corcovado (3 nights): After Sierpe, you’ll take a short flight to the remote and tranquil Drake Bay, nestled on the Osa Peninsula. Known for its pristine beaches and surrounding lush rainforest, it offers the perfect base to explore Corcovado National Park, one of the world’s most biodiverse places. The dense jungles, mangroves, and wild beaches are home to rare and endangered species such as jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and the elusive puma. Monkeys and sloths are also frequent visitors, too. The park is best explored on guided tours, where you’ll immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this natural habitat with the advantage of an expert guide. You can also take a boat trip to witness the rich marine life, including possible sightings of humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.

✈️ Drake Bay/Corcovado to San José (1 night) For the last night of your trip, you’ll return to San José and have a final chance to explore the city. The choice is yours as to whether you choose to discover some of the cultural highlights such as the Teatro Nacional, Gold Museum and Jade Museum, or head to the trendy Barrio Escalante to enjoy a meal and experience the city’s blossoming foodie scene.

✈️ San José to UK Time to bid farewell to Costa Rica’s incredible natural wonders and all the fascinating sights and species you’ll have encountered along the way.