Costa Rica is renowned for its wildlife, and this goes beyond just the synonymous sloth. It is an incredibly diverse country, offering the chance to spot an extensive list of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, butterflies and invertebrates. From high in the trees to under the water’s surface, there is an abundance to see.
Birdwatchers + turtle trackers: Tortuguero National Park
Sitting on Costa Rica’s north-east Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is a haven for birdwatchers. Board a boat and you can cruise along the river deep into the mangroves. After a while, it is engines off and you float along, carefully listening to the wildlife around you. This is when a guide is vital. Familiar with the surroundings and with an expert eye, they will point out everything from scarlet macaws and black-mandibled toucans high in the trees to bare-throated tiger herons and brown pelicans near the river’s surface.