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Top Costa Rica Rainforest Attractions
- Spotting shy and elusive wildlife peeking through the branches
- Walking through the canopy on a hanging bridge, or alternatively getting an idea what the birds see as your soar through on a zipline
- Hiking through enchanting greenery among ancient trees
- Going on a night hike to see incredible nocturnal wildlife activity
Costa Rica Rainforest Tours & Travel Guide
Costa Rica Rainforest Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Costa Rica is famous worldwide for the rich biodiversity of its magnificent rainforests. With zip-lining, canopy tours, hiking, and much more, Costa Rica's rainforests offer something unique to satisfy all nature and wildlife-lovers.
Touring the rainforest, especially in Costa Rica, a whole new world opens up. The vibrant green from centuries of dense water concentration, the intensely beautiful magical sight when the sun manages to break through to the forest floor, the innumerable species of brightly colored birds, monkeys racing deftly through the branches, and countless insects buzzing - all indicating clearly that you are being welcomed into their home, not the other way around.
When you tour Costa Rica, it is an incredible learning opportunity to get to know the history and ecology of it’s many natural areas, and the wildlife within them. Take this chance to get up close and personal with endangered species, and nature’s unbelieveable adaptations to life in the Rainforest.
Rainforests of Costa Rica
For such a small country, Costa Rica is home to numerous rainforests - each exhibiting the fantastically specific microclimates that this particular environment is known for. When you visit the rainforest, it’s important to be respectful of the environment. Because so much of Costa Rica is covered in rainforest, a vast majority of accommodations and businesses operate following strict green and eco-friendly rules.
Some of the main rainforests in Costa Rica include:
1. Tortuguero National Park - Named for the turtles who head here to nest, the best time to visit Tortuguero is July through October which is turtle nesting season. If you come in the off season, however, there’s still plenty to see and do. Boat trips down river canals through the bright green forest are a popular way to get a different view of the rainforest and the many species that make their home there. (Tortuguero is often likened to Venice for its canal system). This is one of the rainiest jungles in Costa Rica, so pack accordingly!
2. Corcovado National Park - located in the Osa Peninsula, this is one of the best places to spot Scarlet Macaws, which are famous for their monogamous mating patterns. This lowland rainforest is set apart so you may also spot other traditionally elusive creatures, including Harpy Eagles and Red Backed Squirrels. Corcovado also encompasses several miles of coastal beach areas, hikes, and is popular for camping.
3. Monteverde Cloud Forest - Popular especially for it’s hanging bridges, hiking trails, and zip lines, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a common Costa Rica tour activity. It’s here you’ll be most likely to spot the elusive Quetzal, one of South America’s most famous bird species.
Monteverde is one of the best areas for night hikes, as well as for being eye level with the canopy on one of the many hanging bridges. This is perfect for cloud forests - where most of the animal activity is high in the trees, as close as possible to the sun which rarely penetrates the cloud cover, leading to some of the more unique ecological flora and fauna adaptations along the forest floor.
4. Manuel Antonio - For some of the most spectacular scenery in Costa Rica, head to Manuel Antonio. Particularly for the beaches with pristine sand and blue waters, bordered just inland with gorgeous green rainforest. With this comes the resort caveat - this won’t be the most rustic or set apart kind of experience. But if you’re looking for a place to enjoy the delicious fresh air, sounds of lapping waves and distant bird calls of Costa Rica with a cocktail in your hand, this is your paradise.
5. Rincon de la Vieja National Park - Secluded, and definitely off the beaten track, Rincon de la Vieja National Park is perfect for those looking for an adventure. Prepare for a hiking experience where you may well not run into another human being the entire time. Just you and the animals - this also makes this a great spot for photographers and videographers.
6. Arenal Volcano National Park - You may think the volcano is the main thing to see here, and in many ways it is in that it can be spotted rising out of the trees from almost every vantage point in the park. On a clear day, that is. Something not everyone realizes before visiting Arenal is that it’s often shrouded in clouds, and for the safety of tourists hikes up to the top of the volcano (which is still active) are no longer permitted. But don’t despair. Tours of Arenal National Park offer a rich array of activities, from horseback riding to waterfall rappelling.
Wildlife of the Costa Rica Rainforest
From big cats to the smallest birds and bugs, Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s most diverse animal species.
1. Big Cats - One usually thinks of rainforests and thinks brightly colored birds and flowers, along with a monkey or two. It’s easy to forget the jungle cats who also make their home in these sprawling landscapes. Two big cats in particular are indigenous to Costa Rica: Jaguar and Puma. While your chances of spotting these jungle dwellers on your Costa Rica rainforest tour are slim, your guide will provide context to why these environments suit them and their hunting habits.
2. Tapir - One of the natures funniest looking creatures, tapir are a medium sized mammal recognizable by their short snout and pig like body shape. Tapir are notoriously shy, and have been brought back from the brink of extinction due to extensive conservation efforts. Head to Corcovado National Park for the best chance to glimpse one of these truly unique members of the animal kingdom.
3. Monkeys - Four species of monkey live in the rainforests of Costa Rica. They are the Squirrel Monkey, Spider Monkey, White Faced Capuchin Monkey, and Howler Monkey. To see all four at once you’ll need to visit any one of the following Costa Rica National Parks: Piedras Blancas, Osa Peninsula, and Corcovado. These monkey species are not nocturnal, so you’ll be able to spot them swinging joyfully through the trees as you embark on your Costa Rica rainforest tour.
Birds of the Costa Rica Rainforest
Birding is one of the most popular tour activities in Costa Rica, and for good reason. The brightly colored avians are everywhere to be seen and the forests are home to hundreds of rare and beautiful species. Among those you might encounter are:
1. Toucan - This unique yet highly recognizable bird is literally everywhere in Costa Rica. They are an essential partners to the many species of tree in the rainforest, consuming seeds which they then disperse. This is helpful for the growing patterns, in that there is less competition for sunlight than if the seeds had just dropped straight down.
2. Parrots - A synonymous symbol for the tropics, there are 16 different species of parrot in Costa Rica’s rainforests, three of which are close to the endangered species list. They are typically found in the lower lands, namely around the Osa Peninsula rainforests.
3. Quetzal - This most beautiful, alluring, and elusive of birds, the Quetzal is truly a famous rainforest dweller. It’s name meaning “sacred” or “precious” in indigenous south american languages including ancient Aztec, this species is particularly known for the ridged crest of feathers atop its head - which add to its regal appearance.
4. Hummingbirds - The world contains over 600 known species of hummingbird, 50 plus of which live in Costa Rica. You will undoubtedly see multiple hummingbirds during your Costa Rica Rainforest Tour. Flitting to and fro, their tiny wings moving at tremendous speeds, they consume more flower nectar than their body weight each day. Visit the Hummingbird Garden in Monteverde National Park for a chance to watch multiple hummingbirds in action.
Top Costa Rica Rainforest Tour Activities
The rainforest in Costa Rica provides the opportunity for incredible experiences, from learning about the unique ecology, to long hikes to the clouds, to spotting elusive creatures. Here are just a few of the amazing experiences you can have on a tour of Costa Rica.
1. Canopy Tours - Costa Rica offers some of the widest variety in canopy tour opportunities - a fantastic way to get to know the rainforest from a completely new vantage point. If you’re afraid of heights, or have a problem with swinging bridges, this activity may pose some challenges.
The longest rainforest canopy bridge in Costa Rica is 984 feet across and is located in Monteverde, a part of the Sky Walk network of bridges. Hanging bridge networks can be found throughout Costa Rica’s rainforests, and are perhaps one of the most quintessential Costa Rica tour experiences.
Nearly 90% of organisms in the rainforest live in the canopy - a result of the lack of sunlight that penetrates to the forest floor - and if it does, it happens far too irregularly for the animals living here to depend on it. For this reason, exploring the canopy completely adds to your experience of the rainforest, allowing you to see so much more activity.
2. Zipline - Another adventurous way to experience the rainforest canopy, Costa Rica is famous for ziplines. This activity involves soaring through the trees, attached by ropes from around your waist to a long line strung between platforms. It’s a thrilling experience - imagine that you’re getting just a tiny idea what the fast moving monkeys and other tree dwelling creatures see as they race through the branches.
3. Night Hike - The activity in the rainforest doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. In fact some of the more bizarre, elusive, and fascinating creatures come out at night. Seeing the rainforest through a flashlight is an entirely different experience than walking the trails and bridges during the day. For one thing, you feel far less in control as your vision is obstructed and you realize that the wildlife you’re observing can see far superiorly in the dark. It’s unsettling but a fantastic reminder of the adaptability and power of nature.
On a night hike, you’ll likely encounter sloths, the ridiculously adorable Kinkajou, Olingos - which look like a combination of many different animals, as well as racoons, and the odd active monkey. For those interested in creepy crawlies, snakes, poisonous tree frogs, insects as only the rainforest can provide, and giant tarantulas are also common on a Costa Rica night hike tour.
Night hikes in Costa Rica are particular popular and easy to find around Arenal Volcano and in Monteverde National Park.
Photography Tips for the Costa Rica Rainforest
The rainforest is fascinating and begs to be photographed. Whether you’re an amateur or professional, you will certainly find many different subjects along your tour through the rainforest. The weather and water can sometimes create issues, so be sure you exercise proper camera care as you explore the many wonderful parts of the rainforest.
1. Bring a lens cloth - And have it readily accessible before you begin shooting. Jungle environments are often 100% humid, and this can cause extreme fogging on your lens. While this can create interesting effects, it’s most likely not the effect you’re looking for.
2. Use a strap that’s made of soft, durable, water-resistant material. This is a bit a personal preference. However, as you’ll be hiking through dense rainforest, in very warm, humid weather, getting sweatier and not drying off, the generic strap to your DSLR may get irritating and itchy quickly. You can fashion your own strap fairly easily, using a softer cloth material which will be much more comfortable throughout the long days of rainforest hiking.
3. Get to know the animals. Familiarizing yourself with various species patterns and habits will reveal certain facets of their personalities you may want to capture on film, as well as where the best spots to find them are, and what time of day or night. Also try to determine in advance any animals you’re looking forward to photographing and ask your tour guide if they have any special tips.
4. Bring a macro lens. If you’re not as comfortable with different lenses, using the automatic macro setting on your DSLR will suffice, but using the official lens will transform your photographs even more. Particularly for shooting the unbelievable plant and insect life, being able to add creative focal points and composition with a macro lens is a wonderful way to elevate your photos.
5. Be respectful and patient. It can be frustrating for a wild animal to not sit in the perfect spot long enough for you to get the best shot possible. But patience is a virtue when it comes to wildlife photography. Try and book a tour that will return to various spots at different times of day, as this will increase your chances of capturing a truly wonderful image of that elusive species.
6. Don’t eliminate people from all your photos. While the wildlife is certainly the focal point of a journey through the rainforest, a human presence can create a powerful and interesting dynamic. Your entire comment and composition will change, and also you’ll be able to look back and remember the people on your Costa Rica rainforest tour (hopefully with fondness!).
Costa Rica Rainforest Reviews & Ratings
Costa Rica is a must!
I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash you...
A fun adventurous trip to meet new people and experience new culture.
Wanted to go on a fun adventurous trip to meet new people and experience new culture. This group hit it out of the park. The 9-Day Costa Rican Trip was wonderful. We...
I had such an amazing time
Hey! I just went to the Costa Rica trip with Yoza as our leader. I had such an amazing time meeting great people and going on new adventures. Yoza set everything up ...
I did two trips, Iceland and costa rica and both were amazing
I did two trips, Iceland and costa rica and both were amazing. Jon our leader in Iceland and Jurgen/Emily our leaders for Costa Rica were awesome beyond words. They ...
I loved every minute of it.
I am just back from the Costa Rica extended holiday and I loved every minute of it! we went ziplining, hiking, white water rafting with a dog!! we also had surf less...
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