Wildlife
Wildlife in Manuel Antonio: What You'll See and Where
Sloths, monkeys, birds, and more — a practical guide to the wildlife of Manuel Antonio and the best tours to see it.
June 5, 2026
Manuel Antonio is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. On a typical guided visit you can spot three- and two-toed sloths, white-faced and squirrel monkeys, iguanas, and dozens of bird species — often within the first hour.
Sloths and monkeys
Sloths are the star sighting, and a trained guide with a scope will find them far faster than you would alone. White-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys are common along the trails. A guided national park walk gives you the best odds of seeing all of them.
Birds, reptiles, and the coast
Toucans, trogons, tanagers, and pelicans are regulars, along with green iguanas, basilisk lizards, and the occasional snake. The park's beaches also make it easy to combine wildlife watching with a swim.
Nocturnal wildlife
A different cast comes out after dark — kinkajous, frogs, snakes, and insects. A Manuel Antonio night walk is the way to experience the rainforest's nocturnal side safely with a guide.
Mangrove species
The nearby Damas Island mangroves add crocodiles, caimans, herons, and mangrove-dwelling monkeys. An Isla Damas mangrove boat tour is calm, shaded, and great for families.
Why a guide helps you see more
Wildlife is easy to miss on your own. Guides know the habitats, calls, and daily patterns, and they carry a spotting scope so everyone gets a clear view — which is why guided tours consistently see more animals than self-guided visits.
