WILDLIFE SEASON IN COSTA RICA
Learn and Enjoy Our Forests in their Fullest Expression
Running from May to Mid-December, Wildlife Season in Costa Rica is the time of year when the country's wildlife is out in full force.
Each region has something special to o er.
TROPICAL DRY FOREST THE HIGHLANDS
CARIBBEAN WONDERS
PACIFIC COAST RAINFOREST
THIS IS WILDLIFE SEASON
The months of May to November is a magical time in Costa Rica. At the Cayuga Collection, we call this Wildlife Season.
That incredible time of year when the rainforest is at it's most abundant and green. Rivers are flowing and full of life.
And it's your best time for witnessing one-of-a-kind, wildlife experiences.
“Learn and enjoy the rainforest in its maximum expression. Wildlife season is
the best time of year”
—
Mao, Cayuga Naturalist Guide
Heralded as one of the most biologically intense places on the planet, Costa Rica hosts 5% of the world’s biodiversity, with nearly 30% of the country dedicated to national parks and wildlife reserves.
Here are Costa Rica's most popular Bucket-List Experiences during Wildlife Season.
WILDLIFE SEASON'S MOST POPULAR BUCKET-LIST EXPERIENCES
Monkeys. You’ll find four different species of monkeys are in Costa Rica: White-face Capuchin monkeys, Howler monkeys, Squirrel monkeys and Spider monkeys. The Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park is the only place where you can find all four species.
Scarlet Macaws. These endangered wild birds still fly free in Costa Rica, and the largest populations can especially be sighted in one of three national parks: Carara, Corcovado or Palo Verde.
Toucans. You’ll find 6 different species of toucans in Costa Rica’s rain forests: The Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Emerald Toucanet, Keel billed and Black Mandibled Toucan, Fiery Aracari, and the Collared Aracari.
Humpback Whales. During Wildlife Season, you can witness the longest humpback whale viewing season in the world during their migration.
Three-Toed & Two-Toed Sloths. Sloths are plentiful throughout Costa Rica but may be difficult to spot to the untrained eye. As a general rule, the further south you go along the Pacific coast, the more likely you are to see wildlife as the concentrations are higher.
Bottlenose & Spotted Dolphins. Usually ranging from six to twelve feet long and living for as much as fifty years, dolphins are considered to be very intelligent. You’ll be able to spot them in the wild and not in captivity.
Turtles. Costa Rica boasts a number of sea turtle species with their mass nesting period occurring during Wildlife Season. For example, the Oliver Ridley Sea Turtles nest in only a few places in the world, two of which are in Costa Rica: Ostional Wildlife Refuge and Playa Naranjo.
TURTLE MIGRATION
Arribadas. Every year, at the same place and time, thousands of Costa Rica's turtles come ashore to nest and lay their eggs on the beach. is mass nesting event is known as an arribada, meaning "arrival by sea".
Leatherback Turtles
Nesting on the Caribbean Coast, although hard to see
March to July
Oliver Ridley Turtles
Intense nesting on the Paci c Coast
July to November
Green Sea Turtles
Nesting on the North Caribbean Coast. You may start to see baby Green Sea Turtles hatching and struggling to get back to the ocean in Late August
July to October
DID YOU KNOW?
Leatherback Turtles
Nesting on the Paci c Coast September to March Hawksbill Turtles
Nest in Cahuita Nationa Park September & October
BEST PLACES TO SPOT
HUMPBACK WHALE MIGRATION & DOLPHIN ACTIVITY
Costa Rica's tropical climate makes it a great spot for whales and dolphins, as its warm seas are ideal for the large animals to breed are raise their young.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whale migration in full swing from the southern hemisphere to raise their calves
July to November Dolphins
Bottlenose and Spotted Dolphins and their young are seen all year round, but are more active during this time
July to November
Whale & Dolphin Festival
Costa Rica’s Whales & Dolphin Festival, held on the coast of Bahia Ballena (Marine Whale National Park) in Uvita, takes place during the rst two weekends in September. At this time of year, you’ll see not only humpback whales, but several species of dolphins, pilot whales, and sharks.
Did you know Costa Rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world?
Whales from both northern and southern hemispheres travel here for the warm, clean waters to breed and raise their young. DID YOU KNOW?
Whale Watching Tour
In September and October you have the highest chance of seeing whales during a whale watching tour in Marino Ballena, Uvita, Costa Rica.
SPOT
RESIDENT WILDLIFE
Monkeys, Sloths, and Jaguars to name a few — Costa Rica is home to an incredible amount of wildlife. With over 500,000 species, that roughly represents 4% of the world's wildlife species.
Monkeys
White-face Capuchin monkeys, Howler monkeys, Squirrel monkeys and Spider monkeys are more visible as they eat abundant green leaves during Wildlife Season
May to Mid-December
Sloths
Spot two-toed or three-toed sloths with their young
All year round
Insects
ousands of insects come to life with the humidity. Hercules Beetles, colourful caterpillars and praying mantis are easier to spot
May to Mid-December
DID YOU KNOW?
Costa Rica has 14,000 species of butterflies and all need host trees or plants to lay their eggs during Wildlife Season. 2,000 of these butterly species are daytime butterflies, while 12,000 are noctural butterflies or moths.
PLACES TO SPOT SLOTHS
Toucans
Spot Toucans feeding in their favourite trees when the fruit is plentiful
May to December
BIRD MIGRATION
900+ bird species are found in the country, making Costa Rica one of the best countries for bird-watching. Being a migratory destination, 200+ bird species of North America travel to Central and South America to spend the Winter.
Antbirds & Trogons
Spot Antbirds and Trogons and their flocks
August to December
Quetzal
Resplendent Quetzal activity in Monteverde and Savegre
August
Migratory Birds
Falcons, hawks, swifts, swallows, wrens and warblers joining endangered great green macaws
September to October
Birdwatchers have spotted an incredible 850 bird species – that's 10 percent of the world's total avian population! DID YOU KNOW?
BEST PLACES TO SPOT TOUCANS
Resident Birds
See increased activity of Costa Rica's resident and endemic bird species, and masses of migratory birds head to Costa Rica
October to November
BUCKET LIST WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES
At The Cayuga Collection Of
Sustainable Luxury Hotels
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS IN MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Grab a pair of binoculars and head into the rainforest to explore the tropical ecosystem with our expert Naturalist Guides. There is no shortage of wildlife sightings here!
In Manuel Antonio National Park, you’ll be able to spot 4 species of monkeys, twotoed and three-toed sloths, toucans and macaws in their natural habitat.
Just as abundant are raccoons, coatis, pacas, anteaters, and occasionally ocelots. There are many reptiles including crocodiles, iguanas, boa constrictors and lizards that inhabit this region.
Did you know:
Manuel Antonio National Park was named one of the most beautiful parks in the world.
KURA BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Uvita, Costa Rica
SNORKEL CAÑO ISLAND & CORCOVADO NATURE HIKE
Take a scenic 1.5hr boat trip out to Caño Island, the paradisiacal setting
for some of Costa Rica’s very best snorkeling. The island well-known for its beaches and coral reefs which are home to 19 coral species.
Here you’ll explore the island’s pristine coral reefs, where its rich sea life includes species from white-tipped sharks to manta rays and many colorful reef fish –many of which are in danger of extinction.
Then, speed over to Corcovado National Park’s San Pedrillo ranger station by boat, taking in inspiring views of the Osa coastline.
At the park you’ll hike two different trails, both offering the fantastic opportunity to encounter numerous mammals such as howler, spider and white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons and tapirs, as well as a great variety of birds, plants, and endangered trees that have been standing for centuries.
Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama
BEST WHALE WATCHING IN PANAMA
Isla Palenque floats in an oceanic wilderness, the Gulf of Chiriqui, where humpback whales migrate from August to October to calve in Panama’s warm, Pacific waters.
This is truly some of the best whale watching in Panama.
Once they’ve been spotted for the first time (usually in August), you’ll likely spot them in the Gulf of Chiriqui until the
babies are strong enough to travel North again for the winter (usually in October).
Catch a glimpse of a colossal, rising momma humpback and her little one while she blows out a 3ft cloud of ocean spray.
You can even spot whales frolicking just offshore from the island’s beautiful beaches, and dolphins often tag along to watch the show.
HOTEL AGUAS CLARAS
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
EXPLORE & SNORKEL CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK
Cahuita is the best-known National Park on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast.
That’s because Cahuita National Park is home to the largest system of coral reefs in Costa Rica. It includes 35 unique species of coral, 120 types of colorful tropical fish, and the occasional encounter with reef sharks or stingrays —not to worry, both creatures are harmless!
You’ll take to the sea on a scenic boat ride, then gear up and go snorkeling to explore the coral reefs. Remember, September and October are the summer months in
the Caribbean —on a clear, sunny day with no wind, you can see tropical fish, turtles, coral and even sand sharks.
Once onshore, enjoy a guided hike through Cahuita’s coastal rainforest trails. It’s common to see monkeys, sloths, parrots and many species of birds, poison dart frogs, iguanas and more.
Pro-Packing Tip:
Don't forget to bring your swimwear, dry-fast clothing, and reef safe mineral sunscreen.
Monteverde, Costa Rica
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST HIKE
Extending down the Caribbean and Pacific slopes of Costa Rica’s Continental Divide, the cloud forests of Monteverde house 50% of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna species.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve protects 26,000 acres of rare cloud forest and houses multiple different biological zones, making it a true paradise for nature lovers.
Shrouded in a constant cloud-like mist, our Cloud Forest reserves shelter some 400 bird species, 3,000 uniquely-adapted plant and orchid species, pumas, mon-
keys, endangered jaguars, endemic amphibians, and tens of thousands of insect varieties.
Keep your binoculars close to spot hundreds of exotic bird species including the iconic quetzal, the bare-necked umbrellabird, and the three-wattled bellbird.
Pro-Packing Tip:
Don’t forget to bring a rain jacket, closed toe hiking shoes and long pants for hiking elevated mountain regions and the cloud forest reserves.
OUR BEST ADVICE FOR YOUR WILDLIFE ADVENTURE
Always ask the question: Is my behaviour affecting the normal life of this species?
As guests in the forest, we always want to be respectful of our surroundings and the unique access we have to the wildlife here.
Preparing for Your Adventure
Schedule your Tours and Activities in the morning. It's generally sunny and dry in the morning, with light, warm rains in the late afternoon and night.
• Pack accordingly for the forest. Bring mosquito repellent, a waterproof jacket, waterproof gear, and lightweight dry-fast clothes so that you're ready for all conditions.
• Extra accessories make a difference! Wear long pants and a longsleeve shirt, closed-toe sandals, hiking or trail-running shoes, sunglasses, hat and a water bottle for a comfortable wildlife excursion.
Don't forget reef safe mineral sunscreen. Even if it's cloudy and you're shaded by the forest, the sun is still strong.
Taking Great Photos
• When photographing all wildlife, do keep your distance. Wildlife can be unpredictable, and no photo is worth getting bitten, scratched, or stung.
When photographing birds, approach them slowly and quietly. While most birds are used to people and are tolerant of us, quick movements or loud noises can easily spook them.
• Hire a local guide to get that sloth photo. An experienced Naturalist Guide will maximize your chances of spotting a sloth, and can even provide you with a telescopic lens to help you, with some patience, get the perfect shot.
• When on the hunt for an impressive snake photograph, hire an experienced Naturalist Guide. Some snake species can be dangerous and you'll want the best guides to help you capture the perfect shot safely.
For night photography, bring a light source that won’t harm wildlife but will aid in your photography.
• If you have a zoom (telephoto) lens, use it. Wildlife is often spotted at a distance and a zoom lens makes a world of difference.
• Come prepared for day photography. In Costa Rica, the daytime can be bright and sunny. You may want to bring camera accessories that help minimize the effect of direct sunlight on your photography.
"Do your homework on the wildlife of Costa Rica, once you know where it is, what it feeds on, what time of day it's likely to be found, you'll be ready to set your camera to the best settings."
- Jim Palmer, Cayuga Aficionado
WILDLIFE SPECIAL OFFERS
Stay a little longer and experience all the Wildlife Season has to offer.
Kura Hotel
Uvita, Costa Rica
Stay 5 nights, and pay only 4
Stay 9 nights and pay only 7
May 1st – November 18th, 2023
Hotel Aguas Claras
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Stay 5 nights, and pay only 4
Stay 9 nights and pay only 7
May 1st – November 18th, 2023
Arenas Del Mar Resort
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Stay 5 nights, and pay only 4
May 1st – November 18th, 2023
*Complimentary Room Upgrade when you combine your stay at Arenas Del Mar with a stay at Senda Monteverde Hotel (Based on Availabilty)
VISIT WEBSITE
Isla Palenque Resort
Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama
Stay 5 nights, and pay only 4
Stay 9 nights and pay only 7
May 1st – November 18th, 2023
VISIT WEBSITE
Senda Monteverde Hotel
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Stay 4 nights, andpay only 3
May 1st – November 18th, 2023
*Complimentary Room Upgrade when you combine your stay at Senda Monteverde Hotel with a stay at Arenas Del Mar (Based on Availabilty)
CAYUGA COLLECTION
Of Sustainable Luxury Hotels
No matter your mood or occasion, our collection of Sustainable Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama offer a little something special for everyone.
WHERE WE’RE LOCATED
www.cayugacollection.com