This being said, there are areas of Costa Rica that have higher concentrations of sloths, including the Caribbean region, the central Pacific region, and the Osa Peninsula. If you travel to one of these areas, you’ll have a greater chance of seeing a sloth in the wild.
Two of the six sloth species live in Costa Rica: Two-toed sloths (two toes on the front feet and three toes on the back feet) hanging upside down from branches during their daily nap shared with us by @ludo_fortunella! The Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth is nocturnal and much more difficult to find.
Here are a few of the country’s most popular sloth-watching destinations:
Manuel Antonio National Park: Wild animals are never a guarantee, but you’re virtually assured to see sloths (and monkeys) at Manuel Antonio , Costa Rica’s most popular national park. Corcovado National Park: All visitors to Costa Rica’s most biologically intense national park are required to enter with a guide. Tortuguero National Park: This hard-to-reach national park means it’s also a great place to see animals in their natural habitat. Cahuita National Park: Bordering the Caribbean Sea, Cahuita National Park has beach access and trails through the forest where sloths and monkeys are common to see.
Black eye patches and “smiling” mouths distinguish Costa Rica’s docile three-toed sloths, while the larger two-toed variety have white-ringed faces, brown snouts and shaggy coats. Sloths are especially unique in that they spend nearly their entire lives hanging upside down in a tree ; they sleep, eat, mate and even give birth upside down!
Here are some popular reserves and rescue centers where you can see a sloth in Costa Rica: Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica (near Cahuita , Limón ): Founded in 1992, this is Costa Rica’s original sloth sanctuary.
You could be thinking “Where to see monkeys and sloths in Costa Rica?”
One source proposed the southern half of Gandoca Manzanillo has great trails for wildlife watching and is dotted with tiny deserted beaches.
The birdwatching is excellent (mot-mots, toucans, macaws) and we nearly always see monkeys when we walk here, though sloths are rare. Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge is one of our favorite spots on earth and one of the best places in Costa Rica to see wildlife.
Where do sloths live in Honduras?
Brown-throated sloths are found from Honduras south through northern Argentina. These three-toed sloths inhabit primary and secondary forest between sea level and 7,900 feet, although they sometimes live in large parks. The range of Hoffman’s sloths stretches from Honduras down to Bolivia .
Both species of sloths and all four species of monkeys native to Costa Rica are common in Corcovado and best seen on a day hike or multi-night trek accompanied by a naturalist guide.
What is the habitat of a sloth?
The sloth habitat comprises tropical rainforests, subtropical lowlands and semi-deciduous forests throughout much of Central America, including Costa Rica, and into South America. Sloths are solitary and spend the majority of their lives either sleeping or moving slowly throughout the canopy.
How many types of sloths are there in the world?
There are six sloth species in the world, and two types of sloths: two-toed sloths and three-toed sloths. Two of the six sloth species live in Costa Rica: Two-toed sloths (two toes on the front feet and three toes on the back feet) hanging upside down from branches during their daily nap shared with us by @ludo_fortunella!
You may be asking “Where can you see sloths in South Africa?”
One answer is that carara National Park: This national park, adored by bird-watchers and an easy half-hour drive from Jaco, also delivers sloth sightings along its trails, one of which is wheelchair -accessible.
Can you touch the sloths at the buttercup sanctuary?
The Buttercup Tour, plus go “behind the scenes” to the NICU/Nursery. You will hear their special rescue stories and learn why Costa Rica wildlife rescue centers are so very important. Appreciate the sloths, but no touching ! Conservation regulations limit handling only to Sanctuary staff, no exceptions.