Your Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure

The basilisk lizard might be the reason you found this page, but it’s just the beginning. Costa Rica is one of the world’s great wildlife destinations, where rainforest, volcanoes, wetlands and waterways create extraordinary opportunities to encounter wildlife in the wild.

From Arenal and La Fortuna to the remote wetlands of Caño Negro, you can combine spectacular scenery with wildlife experiences, knowledgeable local guides and carefully chosen accommodation.

Whether you prefer the ease of a small-group journey or want us to create a tailor-made adventure around your own interests, we can help you discover the Costa Rica that lies beyond the usual highlights — and perhaps even give you the chance to see that remarkable lizard running across the water. 🦎🌿

Choose how you’d like to explore:

🌿 Arenal & La Fortuna

Set beneath the dramatic cone of Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica’s most rewarding destinations for combining adventure, rainforest and wildlife.

The surrounding landscape is a mix of lush forest, rivers, waterfalls and volcanic scenery. Wildlife encounters can happen almost anywhere, from trails and gardens to the waterways around the area. Keep an eye out for sloths, monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds, frogs, iguanas and an incredible variety of smaller tropical species.

For a wildlife-focused journey, La Fortuna also makes an excellent base for exploring further afield, including the wetlands of Caño Negro.

🦎 Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

For wildlife enthusiasts, Caño Negro is a very special place to add to a Costa Rica itinerary.

This remote wetland area in northern Costa Rica is a maze of rivers, lagoons and waterways surrounded by tropical forest. Exploring by boat gives you the chance to see wildlife from a completely different perspective — and it’s an excellent environment for looking for basilisk lizards, particularly around the water’s edge.

Depending on conditions and luck, you may also encounter caimans, monkeys, iguanas, turtles and an impressive variety of resident and migratory birds.

Caño Negro works particularly well as an extension to an Arenal and La Fortuna stay, creating a wonderful combination of volcanic landscapes, rainforest and wetlands.

🔭 Wildlife Experiences & Specialist Guiding

Costa Rica’s wildlife isn’t always easy to spot — and that’s part of the adventure.

A rustle in the leaves could be a sloth high in the canopy, a brightly coloured frog hiding beneath a leaf, or a basilisk preparing to make a very quick escape across the water. Having a knowledgeable local naturalist or specialist guide can make all the difference.

Local guides know the habitats, understand animal behaviour and, importantly, know where to look. Whether you’re interested in wildlife photography, birdwatching, reptiles, amphibians or simply discovering the incredible biodiversity of the rainforest, experiences can be selected around your interests.

From early-morning wildlife walks to boat trips through the wetlands and specialist nature excursions, your Costa Rica adventure can be designed to give you the best possible opportunities to discover the wildlife that fascinates you most.

Because sometimes the most memorable moment of a journey is the one you didn’t know was waiting around the next bend. 🐸🌿🦎