Where To See Sloths in Costa Rica (11 Best Places!)

Wondering where to see sloths in Costa Rica? You’re not alone! Sloths (aka perezosos) are practically an unofficial mascot of Costa Rica and many visitors have “see a sloth” on their trip bucket list. But where are the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica? Luckily, these slow-moving animals can be found across the country. Here are our picks of the 11 best places to see sloths in Costa Rica.

What Types Of Sloths Are Found in Costa Rica?

There are two different species of sloths in Costa Rica, the two-toed and the three-toed. Sloths are known for their incredibly slow movements as well as spending the majority of their lives hanging in the trees. However, sloths are also incredible swimmers! These herbivores sleep for up to 20 hours a day, and only descend to the ground once a week to relieve themselves (ie. poop).

Sloths have some interesting adaptations! One is their symbiotic relationship with algae that clings to their hair and helps them camouflage. Another sloth factoid: because their bodies are adapted to hang all day they can’t walk. So, when they are on the ground, they crawl. 

These are some of the similarities between the two Costa Rica sloth species. Though, there are a few differences.

• Three-Toed Sloths. There are four species of three-toed sloths, the three-toed sloth in Costa Rica is the species known as brown-throated three-toed sloths. Three-toed sloths are smaller than two-toed sloths weighing an average of 10 pounds. Beyond the size difference, brown-throated sloths have black markings around their eyes, creating a bandit-like appearance. While all sloths have three toes per foot, three-toed sloths have three claws on each. Another interesting attribute of the three-toed sloth is that they have more vertebrae than other mammals. This makes them able to turn their heads nearly 300 degrees to scan for predators. Males can be distinguished from females because they have a black strip on their backs along with a bright orange patch.
• Hoffmann’s Two-Toed Sloths. There are two species of two-toed sloths, the two-toed sloth in Costa Rica is known as Hoffmann’s. Named after Karl Hoffmann, a German naturalist, two-toed sloths are nocturnal. Unlike the three-toed sloth that doesn’t have a preference, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths are active at night. They are also larger, weighing an average of 15 pounds and are approximately 25 inches in length. Two-toed sloths have bigger eyes and a lighter coloring. With claws ranging from 3 to 4 inches, they have two claws instead of three on each foot.

Read More: 16 Best National Parks in Costa Rica (& Free Checklist!)

Is There Anywhere in Costa Rica to Pet Sloths? 

No. As with all wild animals, you should never pet a sloth.

While sloths appear calm and relaxed to the untrained eye, research shows that sloths get very stressed when handled. Their heart rate increases and they become more alert. This change can have various harmful effects on sloths. If they are pregnant, they can miscarry. Plus, humans can pass on foreign microbes to sloths when they interact and this can cause them to get sick.

One of their defenses is to try and appear larger by moving and waving their limbs. Sadly, some tourists see this as a cute wave to be picked up. It is not!

Due to the popularity of selfies with sloths, there is an increase in poaching. This could change their endangered status from least concerned to vulnerable.

If you want a selfie with a sloth in Costa Rica, do it from a distance and without a flash. Sloths are very sensitive to light.

The Best Places To See Sloths in Costa Rica

Visitors will find numerous places to see sloths in Costa Rica! Both the three-toed and two-toed sloth can be found in the same places. However, in places at higher elevations, like Monteverde and Vara Blanca, only the two-toed sloth can be found. Plus, thanks to them not being an endangered species, their numbers are abundant.

Along with the national parks, there are a few rescue centers and sanctuaries in Costa Rica where you can see sloths. Please note that you are NOT allowed to pet, hold, or touch a sloth in Costa Rica!

The best places to see sloths in Costa Rica are in the wild! I also recommend hiring a guide to help you spot them. They have a keen eye, binoculars, and are trained to see sloths in the wild.

Manuel Antonio National Park

One of the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica is in Manuel Antonio National Park. Filled with incredible rainforests, beautiful beaches, and abundant wildlife, it’s no surprise Manuel Antonio is the most popular park in the country!

The park is also home to a large number of sloths, both the two-toed and three-toed sloth.

While you can explore the park on your own, the best way to see sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park is with a guide. They know where to look. Plus, guides carry binoculars and telescopic lenses to see sloths better from afar.

When we visited the national park and hired a guide, we were able to see not only several different sloths but also a mama sloth and her baby. It was truly incredible!

The best place in Manuel Antonio to see sloths is along the Sendero el Perezoso Trail. Also known as the Sloth Trail, this short trail runs parallel to the main trail. Taking you through denser rainforest this boardwalk trail is a great place to spot a variety of wildlife, including sloths!

Corcovado National Park

On the Osa Peninsula, in the southwestern area of Costa Rica is another park that’s ideal for seeing sloths. The Corcovado National Park is one of the most biologically diverse parks in Costa Rica!

The park is home to a wealth of wildlife, including all four species of monkeys. Also, Corcovado National Park is home to two-toed sloths and three-toed sloths.

Visitors to Corcovado can only enter with a guide. However, visiting the park with a guide means it will be easier to see sloths in the wild.

Read More: The 6 Wild Cats in Costa Rica (+ Where You Might See Them)

La Fortuna

Best known as the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna is a great place to see sloths close to Guanacaste. This charming small town is 3 hours northwest of San Jose.

Right in La Fortuna, is a special place where visitors can see sloths. Located on a restored secondary rainforest property, the Bogarin Trail is home to roughly 25 sloths. Visitors can enjoy an easy 1.5-mile hike around the property and spot a variety of wildlife. Both Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and brown-throated three-toed sloths can be seen here.

Visiting the Bogarin Trail can be done on your own or with a guide.

Bijagua (Tenorio Volcano Area)

If you’ll be based in Guanacaste, definitely make it a point to head to Bijagua if you’d like to see sloths in the wild. Located between the base of two volcanoes, this area is famous for spotting wildlife. Not only sloths but also monkeys, toucans, and even macaws. It’s also near to the famous Rio Celeste, so you can easily turn it into a full-day trip.

There are several private properties that offer wildlife tours, which are your best bet for seeing sloths. You can drive to Bijagua Ranas on your own and pay a per-person fee (around $15 plus tip) or, if you didn’t rent a car, join a tour that will include lunch and a visit to Rio Celeste as well.

Puerto Viejo

For those looking to see sloths in Costa Rica on the Caribbean coast, there are a few great options. Beyond seeing them in national parks and wildlife refuges, many people see sloths from their lodges in Puerto Viejo, hanging out in nearby trees.

On our last trip to Puerto Viejo, we were lucky enough to see one who had crawled down the tree to relieve itself (something they do just once a week!) on the trail that runs between La Salsa Brava bar to Playa Chiquita.

Cahuita National Park

Another great place on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast to see sloths in Costa Rica is in Cahuita National Park.

Best known for the 18th century shipwreck in its waters, the national park protects both land and sea. Plus, along with a myriad of flora and fauna, Cahuita is home to brown-throated and Hoffmann’s sloths.

Due to the myriad of flora and fauna, we do definitely recommend hiring a guide here. We’ve done it both with and without a guide and truthfully saw so much more during the visit with the guide.

Also, be sure to bring your swimsuit – the beach within the park is incredible for swimming!

Tortuguero National Park

Famous for the sea turtles that nest on its beaches, Tortuguero National Park is a great place to spot wildlife, including sloths, in Costa Rica. Located along the northern Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is filled with winding canals and dense rainforests.

Hop aboard one of their ecological boat tours for an interesting perspective on spotting wildlife. From the boat, canoe or kayak you can see monkeys playing in the trees or sloths hanging out in them. Plus, you might see a sloth swimming here. (A rare site but one that feels truly magical if you get to witness it!)

Sarapiqui

Further inland from the Caribbean coast is another place to see sloths in the wild. Sarapiqui is an interesting town with a fusion of nature and culture. There are plenty of places to see sloths here, including along the Sarapiqui River as well as the Tirimbina Biological Reserve.

Jaguar Rescue Center

For those looking to see sloths, there are a few rescue centers in Costa Rica where you can go. However, be sure they are reputable!

Near Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean coast, is Jaguar Rescue Center. As part of the La Ceiba wildlife refuge, this facility temporarily cares for injured, sick, and orphaned animals. Their goal is to rehabilitate wildlife and release them back into the wild.

Jaguar Rescue Center is home to a variety of animals like cats, birds, monkeys, and reptiles. Plus, Jaguar Rescue Center has sloths too!

They offer both public and private tours.

Toucan Rescue Ranch

Another wildlife rescue center is the Toucan Rescue Ranch. This is a great spot to enjoy a hands-free experience with sloths in Costa Rica.

The facility is located in Heredia, an hour north of San Jose. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wildlife. Along with saving wildlife they are also committed to conservation efforts, research and education. They work directly with the Costa Rican government, so you know they are a reputable organization.

The wildlife rescue center is home to an assortment of animals, many of which are sloths. Along with rehabbing wildlife to be released back into the wild, some sadly are not fit and in turn, remain at the facility.

The Toucan Rescue Ranch even has a specific sloth tour.

Diamante Eco Adventure Park

Just outside of Playas del Coco, is a different kind of park where you can see two-toed sloths in Costa Rica. The Diamante Eco Adventure Park is a popular adventure park located an hour west of Liberia.

While not as thrilling as seeing sloths in the wild, the park is home to three two-toed sloths in a large habitat. This is a guaranteed way to see sloths in Costa Rica, especially if you won’t have a chance to visit any of the national parks.

At the park, visitors can also zipline through the forest canopy as well as tour a butterfly house and wildlife center. At their Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary are various Costa Rican mammals, birds, and reptiles. They house wildlife that are sadly not able to be returned to the wild.