Wildlife Tours in Costa Rica
made for you
Tortuguero
Watch sea turtles nest on the Caribbean coast
Positive impact
Learn about wildlife and conservation
Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula
Spot jaguars and pumas
The Central Cloud Forests
Take guided hikes to waterfalls
One of the world’s most remarkable wildlife destinations, where extraordinary biodiversity thrives
Explore Corcovado and Osa Peninsula, where jaguars prowl through primary rainforest and scarlet macaws paint the canopy in brilliant colours. Or, journey north to the Guanacaste Coast, where dry tropical forests meet golden beaches, a unique habitat for elusive pumas, iguanas and countless bird species. Discover nature trails in Manuel Antonio, which combines pristine national park wilderness with stunning Pacific coastline, or tackle a white water transfer to a sustainable luxury lodge in Pacuare Reserve. The steep gorges of this remote reserve thunder with churning rapids and cascading waterfalls, and the air is loud with the calls of howler monkeys and toucans.
No Costa Rica wildlife tour is complete without at least a few nights in the evergreen Cloud Forests, where mist-shrouded peaks harbour the strikingly coloured quetzal, hummingbirds and hawks, or time spent exploring the remote waterways of Tortuguero, accessible only by plane or boat. Here, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawkbills and loggerheads nest on volcanic beaches and three-toed sloths move languidly through the tree canopy.
Our expert team handpicks luxury tented camps and lodges in Costa Rica, many of which are working towards upholding our Positive Impact Principles, contributing to conservation of natural habitats. Every moment of your trip will reveal new wonders and whichever region you explore, our tailored wildlife experiences all showcase the incredible wildlife in Costa Rica.
Highlights
See swinging monkeys, sloths and toucans in Manuel Antonio National Park
Experience river rafting en route to the remote Pacuare Lodge
Hike to waterfalls through the Cloud Forest habitats of lichen, moss and orchids
Embark on a nighttime jungle walk in Tortuguero
On the Guanacaste Coast track elusive pumas with expert guides
At Jacada, we aim to only ever observe wild animals in their natural habitats. And happily, Costa Rica has an incredible biodiversity far beyond its small size – within a few hours you could be watching sea turtles nest on Caribbean or Pacific coast beaches, before spotting quetzals in the misty mountains of the Cloud Forests.
James Sirotkin
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Costa Rica
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
One of Costa Rica’s most remote and biologically rich regions, which offers a truly immersive nature experience. Home to Corcovado National Park, remote Osa boasts untouched primary rainforest, mangroves and diverse coastal ecosystems teeming with wildlife.
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Manuel Antonio
The smallest national park in Costa Rica presents a rare harmony where verdant rainforest extends directly to pristine white-sand beaches and marine reserves.
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Pacuare Reserve
The Pacuare river's churning rapids and waterfalls carve through thick virgin rainforest and mountain peaks, while quieter stretches reveal banana trees and coconut palms echoing with howler monkey calls.
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The Central Cloud Forests
Costa Rica's central highlands cradle extraordinary cloud forests where elevated tropical evergreen ecosystems exist in perpetual mist and humidity, with moss-draped trees, delicate orchids and hidden waterfalls.
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The Guanacaste Coast
Guanacaste’s sun-drenched Northern Pacific coastline, known as Costa Rica’s “Gold Coast”, offers golden beaches and nature reserves for remarkable wildlife experiences.
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Tortuguero
Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero weaves rivers, lagoons, and canals through rainforest and swamp to beaches. This Caribbean coast sanctuary serves as a crucial nesting ground for four sea turtle species.
Discover moreWhen to visit
The most popular time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season from mid November to April, when most areas are dry, warm and sunny. Occasional blustery winds blow during January and February bringing the temperature down. During the wet season, from May to mid November, expect afternoon rains and sunny mornings – this season is also known as “green season” and is a special time to be in nature in Costa Rica.
Spot endangered sea turtles
July–September
Caribbean Coast
May–November
Green (rainy) season
May–November
Birdwatching
Year round
Costa Rica Travel Guides
Plan your trip to Costa Rica
Whatever you want from your wildlife tour in Costa Rica, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
