Embark on a Costa Rica Eco Tour: Revealing the Untouched Beauty

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Get ready for a Costa Rica eco tour! If you’re an adventure enthusiast and nature lover, there’s no better place to embark on an eco-tour than Costa Rica.

With its diverse ecosystems, stunning landscapes, and commitment to sustainable tourism, Costa Rica offers an unparalleled experience. You will love the untouched beauty of this remarkable country.

In this article, prepare for a virtual journey through the captivating wonders of Costa Rica. You’ll gain valuable insights to plan your own eco-tour.

So pack your bags, leave behind the noise of the city, and get ready to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Costa Rica!

CONTENTS – In this article, you will discover the rich wildlife you’ll encounter on a Costa Rica eco tour, including:

Best Places in Costa Rica for Watching Wildlife
Monkeys in Arenal National Park, Costa Rica
Birds Watching in Monteverde
Seeing Reptiles at the Caribbean Coast
Amazing Marine Life in Playa Grande
Big Cats of Las Pumas Rescue Centre
Final Thoughts on Costa Rica Eco Tour
Next Steps

Where Is The Best Place For Wildlife Watching In Costa Rica?

One of the many reasons that Costa Rica sees so many tourists throughout the year is to catch a glimpse of the incredible wildlife.

This country is one of the most biodiverse locations in the world!

More than 500,000 species live in Costa Rica, which is equal to 5% of the estimated species on Earth.

If you’re planning to travel to Costa Rica, however, you can’t really expect to see all of those species. Heck, even seventy-five-year-olds who were born in Costa Rica have probably only seen a fraction of the wildlife!

What you need to do is note down the wildlife that you want to see and then look into the best places to spot them.

To help you out with this, look to this list of the five most popular animals you can see while on Costa Rica eco tour, as well as where you can find them.

1. Monkeys in Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

There are four species of monkey in Costa Rica.

Each is just as mischievous as the last!

In our opinion, the best place to spot these monkeys is in Arenal National Park, where three of the four species are known to inhabit.

These include the:

Howler monkey – mischievous rating of 6/10
White-faced monkey – mischievous rating of 8/10
Spider monkey – mischievous rating, off the scale!

In terms of how to spot the monkeys, we suggest either the Mistico Hanging Bridges or, even better, renting a volcano.cr boat on Lake Arenal.

That way, you get to see monkeys in the trees without the fear of them messing with you!

2. Birds Watching in Monteverde, Costa Rica

While there are four species of monkey in Costa Rica, there are approximately 903 known species of bird – with 82 different families in total!

For all the birdwatchers amongst you, one of the best places to spot the most infamous birds is in Monteverde.

The birds you can see in Monteverde include the:

Three-wattled bellbird
Coppery-headed emerald
Crimson-fronted parrot

And there are many more!

Also, if you get a little tired of looking at birds, you can always go to the Monteverde Extremo Park and become a bird yourself.

The bungee jump there is supposed to be the tallest in all of Costa Rica, so that can be a good way to get the adrenaline flowing… if you dare!

3. Look for Reptiles on the Caribbean Coast

If you love your reptiles and amphibians, then travel down to the Caribbean coast and try to spot as many as you can.

This is one of the best spots for reptile watchers.

It is known to be home to the

Green iguana
Red-eyed tree frog
Tropical house gecko
Even the colorful green parrot snake – although we suggest not getting too close to this one.

The best part about spotting animals here is that you’ll be very close to San Jose, which is the biggest city in Costa Rica.

So once you’re done, travel into the city, get a feel for the culture, and maybe grab a drink or two. You’re going to need it after all that reptile watching!

4. For Marine Life, Visit Playa Grande

If you want to experience wildlife that won’t bite you on your Costa Rica eco tour, then we recommend heading to Playa Grande.

Here, you’ll have the chance to spot a number of beautiful marine animals, including whales, dolphins, and turtles.

What’s more, if you travel here during the Costa Rican nesting season, you can even see baby turtles making their way from their nests on the beach and into the ocean.

This is a sight that will certainly stay with you forever.

Of course, with this one, there’s no guarantee you will see anything.

But if you don’t, at least you’ve had a day relaxing at the beach. Not exactly the worst of outcomes, is it?!

5. The Big Cats of Las Pumas Rescue Centre

While Costa Rica is known for its monkeys, birds, and reptiles, it’s also known for the six species of felines that live there.

These include the:

Ocelot
Jaguar
Caucel
Puma
Jaguarundi
Tigrillo

These are all beautiful cats — but not so great when you come across them in the wild!

For this reason, we wouldn’t suggest you actively go looking for this animal in the wild. Instead, venture to the Guanacaste Province in the northwestern region of the country.

Here, you’ll find the Las Pumas Rescue Centre, which is a rural park that houses all the most exciting big cats you could want to see.

What’s more, the animals that live there are in good health and are enriched with large, clean grounds to roam. It does cost money to explore, but with the money going towards maintaining the park, it’s certainly well spent.

Final Thoughts on Planning a Costa Rica Eco Tour

As we mentioned before, Costa Rica is one of the most sustainable and biodiverse countries in the world, and visiting here is a great way of celebrating and supporting it!

In conclusion, embarking on a Costa Rica eco tour is an experience that will leave you with lifelong memories.

The untouched beauty of this remarkable country, combined with its commitment to sustainable tourism, creates an ideal environment for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

From exploring lush rainforests to encountering diverse wildlife, Costa Rica offers a paradise of natural wonders waiting to be discovered.

About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF

I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years.

With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality.

Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! 

Follow my social channels for more inspiration.

Next Steps

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