See a Sloth

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1 Week

Difficulty

Easy

Min Age

Sloth Spotting in Costa Rica: A Most Iconic Sight

Ready to see a Sloth? Everyone who visits Costa Rica wants to see one. But where and when? Take a tour and enjoy a day surrounded by nature while getting to know a very charismatic creature. There are sloth sanctuaries in various parts of Costa Rica, such as Arenal, Manuel Antonio, and Puerto Viejo. Plenty of national parks and nature reserves are also homes to sloths. Manuel Antonio National Park is particularly famous as a sloth hot spot. Learn about Costa Rica’s most talked-about animal, the sloth, and discover everything there is about them.

Highlights

Two species of sloth. Costa Rica has two species of sloth, the two-toed, known for the black spots in its eyes, and the three-toed, which has an adorable pink snout.
An iconic experience. Sloths can be found curled in a ball while sleeping or hanging from branches. If you’re lucky, you can catch them in action! Try to find as many as you can. Count those toes!
Proximity to nature. Both species live within tropical forests bursting with flora and fauna. There’s a lot to see and learn about!

The Costa Rican Sloth: A Truly Amazing Creature!

Sloths are kind of amazing. They’re the animal that most kids want to see when they come down here to Costa Rica! Check the following fact sheet with interesting information about Costa Rican sloths and discover why they’re so popular so when you see them, you’ll love them even more.

What Is a Sloth?

Sloths are tree-dwelling mammals with a roundish body, a long snout, and two or three long toes on each foot. Sloths are the slowest mammals in the world, and they live in the rainforests of Central and South America. Sloths are arboreal animals, meaning they live in trees and spend nearly all their time upside down.

There are six species’ of sloths in the world, with two living in Costa Rica; the two-toed sloth (Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth) and the three-toed sloth (brown-throated sloth).

Activities

ATV Riding

Campfire

Hiking

Fishing

Exploring

Photography

Navigating

Rafting

Why are Sloths so Slow?

Sloth are slow because of their low metabolic rate, which means they eat less often. The sloth also has a prolonged digestive system, meaning that it can take up to a month for food to be broken down and used by the body.

Where to See Sloths in Costa Rica

Sloths are found in the rainforests of Central and South America, including Costa Rica. They spend most of their day hanging upside down from tree branches so when you’re in national parks, if you look up, your guide can often point them out. Sloths move so slowly that algae often grows on their fur, giving them a greenish appearance that can make them harder to spot.

While sloths are most active at night, the best time to see them during the day is at around dawn or early morning when they’re often more active (well, as “active” as a sloth gets, anyway).

Sloth Sanctuaries in Costa Rica

There are sloth sanctuaries in various parts of Costa Rica, including Arenal, Manuel Antonio, and Puerto Viejo. These places often take in injured and abandoned baby sloths from the wild that would die on their own. Only trained staff handle them, but you can see them up close and take great photos. And while sloths can be seen outside of these sanctuaries, in rainforests and cloud forests all over the country, visiting them is a great way to show support for the work they do with rescuing and rehabilitating these beautiful animals. And you get to learn a lot about them, too.

National Parks and Reserves

The other best way to see a sloth is simply to go where sloths live and take a hike. Manuel Antonio National Park is particularly famous as a sloth hot spot, and a guide will always do their best to find you one. Another great place is right outside the La Fortuna/Arenal area, called Sloth Territory. This is a reserve owned by a local family. Several acres are dedicated to the rainforest near the river La Havana. Following your guide along these natural spaces teaches you the different characteristics of the rainforest and the complex relationship between the vegetation and its wildlife.

Gallery

FAQS

Are there wild sloths in Costa Rica?

Yes. You can see them in the wild as well as in sanctuaries.

What kind of sloths are in Costa Rica?

Yes, you can see the Brown-throated sloth, a species of 3-toed sloth, and the Hoffman’s two-toed sloth.

What do I need to bring for this hike?

We recommend binoculars, a camera, rain gear, bug repellent, and sunscreen.

Are there any age limits?

All ages are welcome.

Is it rare to see a sloth in Costa Rica?

It’s pretty common to see them from some distance. Of course, you get a closer look if you visit a sanctuary, but they’re not hard to find in the wild.

Where else in Costa Rica can I spot sloths?

The best places to find sloths in their element include Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, Dominical, Osa Peninsula, and Uvita. They live in Monteverde, but they’re harder to spot there because of the weather. You may see them on the beach or in the rainforest. As you’re driving or walking, you may see them in the treetops or even crossing the road. Drive carefully, please.

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Destinations

Arenal Volcano

Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or exploring the wild, Arenal Volcano offers the ultimate adventure in the heart of Costa Rica.

Manuel Antonio

Experience the beauty of Manuel Antonio, where lush rainforest meets pristine beaches for the perfect tropical escape in Costa Rica.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Explore hanging bridges, zip through the canopy, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Monteverde Cloud Forest.

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