Where To See Sloths In Costa Rica

A young two-toed sloth sticking out its tongue

Seeing sloths in Costa Rica should be on everyone's bucket list. But where do you go to spot them?

Costa Rica is world-famous for its biodiversity. However, few animals embody the country’s laid-back spirit like the sloth. 

These iconic mammals, perfectly adapted for rainforest canopies, move through the forest at glacial paces. 

Being slow, you’d think it would be easy to spot a sloth in Costa Rica. However, thanks to their camouflage, they’re surprisingly difficult to see. 
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This article will talk about the two different species of sloths in Costa Rica, where best to see them and, perhaps most importantly, how to ethically see them.

Sloths In Costa Rica

There are two species of sloths found throughout Costa Rica:

Hoffmann’s Two-Toed Sloth

A young two-toed sloth hanging on a branch

Weighing up to 8kg, the two-toed sloth is the largest sloth species in Costa Rica. They are easily recognisable by their long, shaggy fur. 
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They are more active by night, choosing to curl up within the branches of a forest canopy during the day.

Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth ​

A three-toed sloth hangs from a branch

Smaller, but just as recognisable as the two-toed sloth, is the three-toed sloth. 
Instead of long and shaggy fur, the three-toed sloth has thick, coarse fur. The perfect breeding ground for beetles, moths, algae and fungus. 

What makes them so recognisable is their characteristic “smile”. 

They’re more active during the day, and are often sighted on guided walks through National Parks. 

In many regions across Costa Rica, both species of sloth live harmoniously with one another. They coexist in forests in which they share similar resources: plenty of trees that provide them with food, structure and camouflage. 

​Costa Rica has become a prime destination to see sloths as much of the country - over 30% - has been dedicated to reforestation and conservation.

Respecting Sloths in the Wild

Before we dive into the best places to see sloths, it’s important to emphasise that how you see them matters.

Sloths are incredibly sensitive creatures. They have a slow metabolism and fragile physiology that makes them vulnerable to stress, disease, and human interference. 
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For this reason, ethical viewing practices are crucial.

Why Ethical Wildlife Viewing Matters

Sloths can become stressed or sick when handled by humans. Their fur also hosts algae and beneficial microorganisms that can be disturbed by touch.

Human contact can also transmit diseases directly to sloths and other wildlife. Even well-meaning visitors risk harming sloths if they get too close or try to interact physically.
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An important thing to know before travelling to Costa Rica is that the country has a strict no selfie policy when it comes to both wild and captive animals. This stems from poachers taking wildlife directly from their native habitats to be used as tourist photo props.

Ethical Sloth Viewing Guidelines

Stay at least 3 meters away. Use binoculars or zoom lenses to observe without disturbing the animals.

Never attempt to touch, feed, or lure sloths - or any wildlife in Costa Rica. It alters their behavior and can have detrimental effects on their health. 

Hire certified guides. Not only are you supporting the local economy, trained naturalists and ICT accredited guides know where to find sloths. What’s more, guides are often regulated and follow strict rules that minimise impact on the animals and their habitat. At Cecropia Travel, all our guides and partners are ICT certified.

If you haven't spotted a sloth in the wild, consider a trip to an ethical rescue center. Support rescue centers that focus on rehabilitation and education. These facilities often have strict protocols and contribute to conservation.

Costa Rica passed a “Sloth Law” in 2021. Now, alongside the white-tailed deer, the country now recognises sloths as a national symbol. This strengthens protection around their habitats and treatment.​

Top Natural Spots to See Sloths in Costa Rica

Sloths can be found in all 7 provinces in Costa Rica.

However, sloths need very specific conditions to survive, such as high humidity. 

As such, it is nearly impossible to see sloths in the dry tropical forests of Guanacaste. You can, however, see them in places such as Rincon de la Vieja National Park, which borders Costa Rica's Alajuela Province.

Below, we’ve outlined some of our favourite places to see sloths in Costa Rica.

1. Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most visited National Parks. And it’s easy to see why.

Lush rainforest, well-maintained trails, and a healthy population of both sloth species make it one of the easiest places for visitors to see them.

You don’t even need to venture into the National Park to see them. Oftentimes, sloths, as well as monkeys and macaws, can be seen in downtown Manuel Antonio, or from surrounding hotels.

Early morning walks or dusk adventures increase your chances of spotting sloths.

2. Osa Peninsula

A three-toed sloth in the safety of the high canopy in the Osa Peninsula

Remote and wild, and a personal favourite of ours, Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is often described as Costa Rica’s most biodiverse region. 

Its vast rainforests host abundant sloth populations and offer truly wild encounters.

Being so remote, you’ll find fewer crowds than elsewhere in Costa Rica. This means the area is a real biodiversity hotspot - especially with sloths. 

Many ecolodges in the region project acres of forest, meaning you don’t have to wander too far to spot wildlife. You may even spot sloths as you sip your morning coffee. 
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However, if you do go off exploring, we recommend taking a guide with you. This is wild Costa Rica, and spotting wildlife here isn’t as easy as some of Costa Rica’s smaller National Parks. Have a look at out wildlife itinerary, where we've curated a trip full of some of the best destinations to see sloths in the wild. 

3. Tortuguero National Park

Known as the “Amazon of Costa Rica,” Tortuguero is a labyrinth of canals and wetlands on the Caribbean coast where sloths are frequently seen along waterways.

This is a truly unique way of spotting some of Costa Rica’s most iconic species. 

Unlike hiking, which often produces a lot of noise, taking a boat tour, or kayak, allows you to silently drift along the vast network of waterways. Here, you can get to places otherwise inaccessible, without disturbing wildlife. 
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Early mornings are often best, with many tours starting at 05:30/6:00, when cooler temperatures coax a bit more movement.

4. Puerto Viejo

A two-toed sloth in an almond tree in Cahuita National Park

The lush Caribbean lowlands - including Cahuita National Park and the surrounding areas of Gandoca and Manzanillo - offer abundant tropical rainforest where sloths thrive.

Almond trees - a firm favorite of two-toed sloths - hug the coastline. Visitors here could be unknowingly lounging on a beach, with a sloth mere metres above. 

If you’re hiking through Cahuita, which we recommend you do, consider taking a guide. The trails are easy and well-maintained, but guides know exactly the right spots to find all manner of wildlife.

Our Caribbean itinerary is a perfect blend of wildlife and culture. 

5. Monteverde

The thick, shaggy fur of a two-toed sloth keeps it warm in Monteverde's wet and chilly forests

Montane cloud forests, such as Monteverde National Park, offer a different kind of habitat: cooler, misty, and rich with biodiversity. 

Here, two-toed sloths can be spotted. However, they're typically higher in the canopy and more challenging to find without a guide.

More active during nocturnal hours, guided night tours can improve your chances of seeing two-toed sloths in Monteverde. 

A particular highlight is either walking across the suspended hanging bridges, or taking to the skies and ziplining through the canopies. Both offer opportunities to spot sloths at a different vantage point.

6. La Fortuna 

The rainforest around Arenal Volcano offer the perfect habitat for sloths

La Fortuna, in the shadow of the mighty Arenal Volcano, is another Costa Rican destination where you don’t need to go into a National Park to see sloths.

In many of the ecolodges and hotels in the region, sloths are almost part of the woodwork. It can be as common to see a sloth as it is to see a member of staff. 

However, one of the best places to see sloths in La Fortuna is the Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. 

Here, suspended bridges traverse the rainforest canopy, offering guests a unique vantage point to see a whole manner of species. 

In downtown La Fortuna, some companies use slogans such as “sloth sighting 100% guaranteed”. This is likely unethical and staged - nature is never guaranteed. We encourage you to do your research prior visiting any organisation like that, or contact our team to learn more. 

Rescue Centers and Sanctuaries

A rescued two-toed sloth having an ultrasound check-up

Sometimes, simply seeing a sloth doesn’t cut it.

Some people want to know more about them. See them up close. Learn about their behaviours.

Across Costa Rica, wildlife rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries offer intimate encounters. 

However, choose carefully.

Visit a rescue center or sanctuary that run not just educational programs, but also showcase their support for ongoing conservation efforts, or track records of successful releases of animals back into the wild. This is ethical travelling in Costa Rica.

Unfortunately, it’s common for a sloth to become orphaned. Bad weather, electrocutions, dog attacks, and habitat loss are leading causes of sloth declines in Costa Rica. 

Ethical rescue centres use this information to educate their guests. The money they generate goes back into research, rescue and release. 

In Puerto Viejo, Sloth Sanctuary Costa Rica, is a great rehabilitation center that not only offers education tours, but also wildlife releases.

Tips for Successful Sloth Spotting ​

Good guides, scopes, and binoculars increase your likelihood of spotting sloths in the wild

Seeing sloths isn’t always easy -  they’re slow, well-camouflaged, and often high in the canopy.
 
The best way to spot sloths in the wild is to be accompanied by an ICT certified guide. At Cecropia Travel, we partner only with ICT certified guides.

Local guides not only know the area, but they know habitual sloth trees and behaviours. Their sharp eyes, as well as spotting scopes and binoculars, make all the difference.

If you do go out without a guide, be patient and quiet. Sloths are masters of disguise, so standing still and slowly scanning the trees increases your likelihood of spotting one.

The time of day is also important. As we touched upon at the beginning of the article, two-toed sloths are more active at night whilst three-toed sloths can be more active during morning hours. 
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If you can, purchase a pair of decent binoculars prior to travelling. A good pair of binoculars can make all the difference. Without them, you could just be looking at a ball of fur high up in the canopy.

Cecropia Travel and Sloths ​

Jack with a rescued three-toed sloth

Cecropia Travel was born out of passion for Costa Rican wildlife.

And our name embodies this.
 
Cecropia trees are some of the most sought after food sources for both two and three-toed sloths. Both species of sloth love young cecropia leaves, as well as the fruit from the Cecropia Tree. 

During my early years in Costa Rica, I worked directly in the rehabilitation of sloths. 
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Each day, I would head out into the wilderness and harvest fresh cecropia leaves. Once I returned, the leaves were hosed down to remove pesky biting ants that made themselves home within the truck of the Cecropia Tree. 
So, when you’re out on a tour, look out for Cecropia trees. You may just find a sloth munching on some leaves. 

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica offers some of the best opportunities on Earth to see sloths in natural habitats. 

Sodden rainforests and misty cloud forests to isolated river channels and beach-side almond trees.

Whether you’re trekking through National Parks, boating through Tortuguero, or taking a guided tour of a wildlife sanctuary, ensure you practice ethical wildlife viewing to ensure these iconic mammals thrive for generations of travellers to come.
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With patience, respect, and a bit of luck, a sloth sighting can become one of the most memorable highlights of your Costa Rica adventure.