The Most Common Animals You’ll See in Cahuita National Park

If you love nature, wildlife, and ecotourism, Cahuita National Park is one of the best places in Costa Rica to explore it all. Located on the southern Caribbean coast, this park offers an unforgettable mix of jungle trails, beach scenery, and a chance to see animals in their natural habitat. At Rico Tico Tours, we guide visitors through the park every day, helping them spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and tropical birds along the way.

Our Guided Cahuita National Park Tour and Epic Cahuita Combo Tour are perfect for travelers who want an authentic, family friendly adventure that’s safe, educational, and full of surprises.

If you want to learn more about Costa Rica’s animals, check out our Wildlife Guide — it’s full of fun facts about many of the species you’ll see during your visit.

Where the Jungle Meets the Beach

Cahuita National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most unique parks because it offers two worlds in one: a tropical jungle filled with wildlife and a calm, white-sand beach perfect for relaxing after your hike.

The main trail is flat and well-shaded, which makes it great for hiking, trekking, or just a slow sightseeing walk. It’s perfect for children, families, or anyone who wants to experience nature without rushing.

From the moment you start walking, you’ll likely to hear the sounds of howler monkeys in the distance and see Blue Morpho butterflies, crabs, and iguanas along the path. Every step brings a new discovery.

Sloths

Everyone dreams of seeing a sloth in Costa Rica, and in Cahuita, that dream pretty much always comes true. Both two-toed and three-toed sloths live here, resting in the trees or slowly moving through the branches.

Our local guides know their favorite hangout spots, so sightings are almost guaranteed. Three-toed sloths are easier to spot during the day, while two-toed ones sometimes appear in the early morning or near sunset.

If you’d like to learn more about how sloths move, eat, and live with algae growing on their fur, visit our Wildlife Blog for fun facts and photos.

Monkeys

No visit to Cahuita is complete without meeting its playful residents — the monkeys. The howler monkeys are often the first to greet you with their loud morning calls that echo across the park. Then come the energetic white-faced capuchins, curious and full of personality.

Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you might spot a spider monkey swinging through the taller trees. They’re more elusive, but when they appear, it’s a highlight for everyone.

Monkeys are a photographer’s favorite, and our guides are always happy to help you capture the perfect shot while keeping a safe, respectful distance.

Raccoons and Coatis

Down by the beaches and rivers leading into the ocean, you’ll often see raccoons and coatis. Raccoons love searching for crabs near the mangroves, while coatis travel in small groups, using their long noses to dig for fruit and insects.

They’re charming, curious, and very common in Cahuita. Watching a group of coatis crossing the path together always brings smiles, especially from kids.

We talk more about these intelligent animals and their social habits in our Costa Rica Wildlife page if you want to read ahead before your tour.

Reptiles, Frogs, and Small Creatures

The park is also home to many reptiles and amphibians. You’ll see green iguanas, black spiny-tailed iguanas, and Jesus Lizards basking in the sun along the trail. After a light rain, small poison dart frogs and bright red land crabs appear near the roots and leaves.

Occasionally, you might even spot a boa constrictor resting quietly in a tree. They’re calm and completely harmless to visitors, and our guides know exactly how to point them out safely.

These moments make Cahuita an incredible place for wildlife photography and ecotourism lovers.

Birds of Cahuita

For birdwatching fans, Cahuita National Park is paradise. Over 100 bird species can be found here, including toucans, pelicans, herons, kingfishers, and oropendolas.

The early morning hours are the best time to see them. You’ll hear their songs echo through the trees as the sunlight hits the Caribbean coast. Whether you bring a professional camera or just your phone, you’ll capture some of the best wildlife shots in Costa Rica.

We’ve listed the most common species you’ll find on the Caribbean coast in our Wildlife Blog too.

Life Beneath the Water

When the sea is calm, Cahuita’s coral reef offers another side of adventure. As part of our Epic Cahuita Combo Tour, you can snorkel in the park’s protected marine area, home to over 35 species of coral and 120 species of fish.

It’s common to see parrotfish, butterflyfish, stingrays, and sometimes even nurse sharks. We only go snorkeling when visibility is above 70 percent, to make sure it’s safe for both guests and the reef.

This is ecotourism done right:respectful, responsible, and full of natural beauty.

Tips for Seeing Animals in Cahuita

Start your visit early when the park is quiet and the animals are most active. Bring water, reef-safe sunscreen, and a camera, and wear comfortable shoes. The trails are very well maintained, so flip flops or sturdy sandals are totally fine. The entire trail is perfect for families, children, and adventure seekers alike.

Our guided tours make it easy to spot animals that most visitors would walk right past (especially those eyelash vipers!) We take our time, move slowly, and share stories about how each species lives and survives in the tropical jungle.

After your hike, we recommend stopping for lunch at Maxi’s in Manzanillo, a local favorite known for authentic Caribbean food. You can also explore the nearby Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, another hidden gem filled with monkeys, birds, and turtles.

Plan Your Visit

Cahuita National Park is only 15 minutes from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, making it easy to add to your itinerary. The entrance is donation-based, and the walk is simple enough for all ages.

If you love nature, wildlife, and authentic ecotourism, this park is a must-see. Join Rico Tico Tours for a small-group experience that’s educational, relaxing, and full of adventure.

We’ll help you see Costa Rica the way us locals do, through the rhythm of the jungle and the calm of the Caribbean Sea.