City: Costa Rica
Top Things to do in Costa Rica
Top Hotels in Costa Rica
- 1. Shana By The Beach Manuel Antonio
- 2. Tulemar Resort
- 3. Nayara Gardens
- 4. Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs
- 5. The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
- 6. Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel
- 7. The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort
- 8. The Springs Resort and Spa
- 9. Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
- 10. Hotel Lomas del Volcan
The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Coordinates: 10°N 84°W / 10°N 84°W / 10; -84
Restaurants in Costa Rica
1. Proyecto Asis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,698 reviews
Previous Reservation is required. Proyecto Asis is a Wildlife Shelter and Environmental Education Center located very close to La Fortuna. Wild animals which have been found wounded, forsaken or are rescued from the black market by the local forest rangers are brought here. Those that cannot be released are used within our educational programs. In order to finance our shelter, we offer daily tours and volunteer activities. Schedules: Monday to Saturday at 8:30 am or at 1:00 pm. Sundays Closed. Easy access facilities and trails for all ages.
Reviewed By connierussell - Thunder Bay, Canada
My husband and I spent the full day at Proyecto Asis. We had a guided tour of the Sloth Rescue Centre in the morning (which ended up being a very good idea since it was a hot day and rescued sloths' enclosure requires standing in the sun so better to do that early), walked down to the local 'soda' for lunch, then had a guided tour of the main rescue centre in the morning, finishing with a short volunteer stint where we helped prepare and deliver food to some of the wildlife. Both guides were very good, explaining the reasons various animals were at the centre, which ones would be able to released, and rehabilitation/release process. We very much appreciated the philosophy of the place and were impressed with the good work they were doing. (One has to be careful in Costa Rica not to be sucked in by shady places who pretend to be doing wildlife rescue but are in fact exploiting animals for profit.) Spending time at Proyecto Asis was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended!
2. Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By time4me64 - Seattle, United States
Our guide was Mirjana, who was an excellent guide and highly knowledgeable about the biodiversity in this area. We loved this nature hike and enjoyed seeing the wildlife, which consisted of birds, a tarantula, bats, and the amazing flora indigenous to Costa Rica. This hike was much different from the nature preserve we took in the rain forest where we saw sloths and monkeys, so, for us, we were grateful to go on this hike and experience the rich diversity of Costa Rica. It is a tranquil experience, not an adrenaline rush, and was a good speed for our group ranging from 30 to 65 years-old. We took the morning hike, as we thought it might be too hot in the afternoon. At the end of our hike we enjoyed freshly cut pineapple. So happy we did this tour!
3. Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary is a 50-acre jungle reserve and wildlife sanctuary located in Nosara, Costa Rica. We provide care and rehabilitation to orphaned and displaced wildlife, specializing in golden mantled howlers. Our goal is to ultimately return them back to the wild through our step down release center. We also provide permanent, enriching sanctuary and ongoing care for wildlife that, due to psychological or physical injury, it is not possible to release back into the wild. Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary is currently closed to the public due to the risk that COVID-19 poses to the animals in our care, however we need your help and support now more than ever. Visit our website to donate, symbolically adopt a monkey or learn more about our volunteering program!
Reviewed By sabsnyc - Hamburg, Germany
Vicky the founder of this marvelous place has not lost her spark to talk a out it for more than 15 years. She is so excited about every single details that belongs in that sanctuary from a tree leaf to a newborn monkey. She teaches you a little about plants and trees and also about the animals in her daily life and hoe she tries to get them back up to their feet. I thought it was very inspiring and the money and time spent are definitely worth it . Please donate for a good cause ????
4. La Ceiba
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 155 reviews
In this magical place the nature has survived to the destructive madness of human. Here some men are putting all their efforts to save animals when others wanted to annihilate them. La Ceiba RN, 50hec. of Primary forest (Gandoca-Manzanillo National Refuge) where the Jaguar R. C. reintroduces the animals that come through the Jaguar RC.
Reviewed By Quinn302 - Brooklyn, United States
Our children will never forget Costa Rica, in large part because of our stay at La Ceiba! We stayed there for two nights over Christmas 2019. It was such a beautiful way to experience Costa Rica. Upon arrival, we were all thrilled to ride a little lift over the stream and literally into the rainforest. We were met by our guide, Ashli, who proved to be incredible! We were traveling with our two children (ages 8 and 10). Our son is blind, and has a dream of one day working to preserve and rehabilitate wildlife. Ashli immediately formed a bond with him, and patiently answered all of his many questions! The walk up to the houses was beautiful, as we were surrounded by huge trees all around. We even saw a monkey near the main lodge! Ashli explained that they were trying to release that monkey back into the wild, but it continued returning to the lodge. We watched silently as their talented staff carefully put the monkey on their shoulder and started the long walk back out to re-release it. Once in our tree house, our children were in heaven! They spent an hour just swinging in the hammock and taking it all in. I should note that my husband and I were a little unprepared for how "natural" it literally all is...this is an open-air treehouse, so you have to be comfortable knowing that wildlife can and will come quite close! When we were staying there, a family of bats were living in the upstairs eve. Our son didn't mind, but our daughter was freaked out by this. She slept in our bed with us (zipped under the mosquito netting!). On another occasion, we were hanging out on the porch when a parrot came right up to the ledge! Ashli had trained us to scare the birds away, so that they don't get used to humans. On our first night, we made sure to walk up to the lookout tour. From there we could see howler monkeys! You can hear them all around you as well. Please note that it is quite humid in this area in December, so if you choose to wash your clothes, they will likely not air dry! We made that mistake on the first day of our visit, after washing some sandy clothes from the beach. We then had to drive with wet stinky clothes in our car for a few days! While hot water is provided at La Ceiba, you do have to be careful not to use too much too quickly, or you may run out for the day. We appreciated the home cooked meals by the staff at La Ceiba, and enjoyed hearing about their adventures while eating together. You should note that there is not an open bar or cafe of any sort once you're at La Ceiba; you should break drinks and snack food in with you. On Christmas Eve, we were lucky enough to take a nighttime guided walk with Ashli. It's hard to explain how incredible that was!!! It was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my lifetime. Not only did we see incredible wildlife and learn so many amazing facts (Ashli is so passionate about her work, and had so much knowledge to share), but we were also able to stand in the middle of the rainforest in the complete dark with all lights out, and just listen to the sounds all around us. I'll never forget that. You should absolutely make sure to take this nighttime tour!
5. Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 281 reviews
Reviewed By SandeeGeislinger - Calgary, Canada
We had a great experience on our last day in Costa Rica at Hacienda el Viejo. Our nature guide Richard, Rum experience host Roberto and Cultural experience hosts, Tono and Victoria were attentive, knowledgeable, passionate and friendly. We booked our tour with them day prior and drove ourselves there from Playa Ocotal, about an hours drive. The road is a pretty typical Costa Rica road and actually in a pretty good shape in comparison to many others we’ve been on in the country. They are called a “Costa Rican” massage for a reason!! We saw so many birds, crocs, bats, birds, capuchins and howlers, and even an anteater and white tailed deer and thoroughly enjoyed tasting and infusing rums, forming, baking and eating tortillas, cheese, coffee and molasses sweets, not to mention learning about the hacienda and a bit of the history and importance of the location, the trees on the property and the road passing by. Oh and the lunch?? Delicious!! All in all a great day and we would recommend it!!
6. Bogarin Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 578 reviews
Our private trail offer a lot of wildlife just 5 minutes away from downtown La Fortuna, this tour is for nature lovers, we oofer a selfguided tour or a guided tour with pur experts guides. To make a reservation with us please contact us directly!
Reviewed By nkrul - Rehoboth Beach, United States
We had gone hiking on other trails in the area without a guide, and hadn’t seen any wildlife yet. So we went with a guided tour by William at Bogarin trail and it was one of the best tours I’ve ever done!! William has an amazing eye to spot the wildlife. We caught a mom and her baby sloth on video and poison frogs and many other animals. A must do tour when you are in Arenal!
7. International Animal Rescue Costa Rica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 158 reviews
International Animal Rescue (IAR) Costa Rica, previously known as Refuge for Wildlife, was established 20 years ago to help protect the wildlife of Costa Rica. If you are curious about the local wildlife, an Educational Visit is the perfect way to find out more. Educational Visits are normally scheduled from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and are limited to 8-10 people. As we are a working rescue center, visits are only possible if you make a reservation in advance (no tickets are issued at the gate). You must be in the country for at least 3 days before visiting us and not have any illness that could put our wildlife at risk (cold & flu). Due to mature subject matter, the minimum age to join us is 7 years of age and children must be accompanied by an adult. A $50 donation per person is required and must be paid at the time of booking to confirm your reservation. 100% of the proceeds go towards the care of the wildlife at our center.
Reviewed By nancybB1499BT - Ucluelet, Canada
While vacationing in Playa Guiones, our family decided to visit this local sanctuary. It was an education on the impact of development on the howler monkey population and what the sanctuary is doing to protect the species. It is a rescue organization as well as a hospital, rehabilitation and sanctuary for a host of indigineous animals. It was a heart wrenching as well as heartwarming experience. Highly recommend.
8. Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 900 reviews
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organization where we Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release Costa Rica's exotic wildlife back into the jungle! 100% of your donation goes to care for the animals. You will see a variety of species and hopefully walk away with an understand on the importance of conservation.
Reviewed By buckeyes08 - San Jose, Costa Rica
We enjoyed this tour. We were prepared or thinking this was going to be a long hike/walk however, this is just a short circle around their sanctuary. Our guide was great, shared the great work their team is doing, shared some sad stories and most importantly educated us on what to watch for and what to do should you see an injured animal or sloth. We got really lucky and seen the two sloths being active. Highly recommend.
9. Sensoria Land of Senses
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 306 reviews
Sensoria is one of the best gateaway to a Rainforest in Rincon de la Vieja in Guanacaste. Sensoria is located, as the last farm that neighbors Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The tour last from 3.5 to 4 hours, walking thru a prestine rainforest, and you can swimming in blue waterfalls and in three thermal pools. You can climb to our Observatory Tree Platform, where, if you conditions allow see the Volcano, the majestic rainforest and lake of Nicaragua. Your senses would be integrated to most beautiful places of Costa Rica's nature. Sensoria is sorounded by Rincon de la Vieja National Park, which was declare World Heritage. because has 3.9% of the wild life of the planet. In Sensoria we would show you with our Ipads, what animals croos Sensoria and the National park, we have eight trap cameras inside the forest. Sensoria has an investigation program with the help o the National Universiy of Costa Rica with its Program "Jaguar". In sensoria yous senses would enjoy the beauty of our jungles. We would provide you: welcome drink, a brief introduction to Costa Ricas's rainforest, walking sticks, water (bring bottle), fruits on the blue waterfalls, peronal guide, that would take care of you and your family, acces to the observatory platform and lunch. Only few groups are allowed per day. Only with prior reservation is admited. Call our reservation phone of ask your concierge to take you to ths fantastic place. Sensoria 'Land of Senses".
Reviewed By idgara56 - Port Dover, Canada
Booked at our resort through Jacamar tours. Pick up at resort early morning for an interesting drive to the attraction (what they call the Costa Rican massage on some bumpy roads for about half the trip). Our Jacamar driver Daniel and Sensoria guide John were both very informative and knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and were very good at spotting wildlife that we would have missed. Blue waterfalls, wet pools and a thermal pool flowing down from Rincon de la Vieja so bring a swim suit. Would suggest being in reasonable shape for the 3 hour hike and a very good bug spray. Nice lunch at the end of the hike.
10. Birding Spots Manuel Antonio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Birding and Nature Tours, Central Pacific - Manuel Antonio
Reviewed By LundPetersen
We had a terrific early morning birding tour with Oscar Herrera near his village Villa Nueva and in the new birding spot Esquipulas. We saw around 50 different species and Oscar was an excellent guide in spotting and naming the birds. The Esquipulas spot was also terrific (with a lovely breakfast) and an enormous variety of birds very well displayed.
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