Cahuita National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🦥 Poison Dart Frogs & Sloths
⏱ 1 day 🥾 Easy trails
🌍 #103 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #20 in Central America #48 in Tropical Forest
Southern Caribbean, Costa Rica 975 spp. recorded

Cahuita protects Costa Rica's most important coral reef — 600 hectares of living reef with over 35 coral species and 123 fish species — alongside a stunning coastal trail through tropical rainforest. The park is a Caribbean wildlife hotspot where white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, sloths, and raccoons are encountered at remarkably close range along the beach trail. One of the few parks with voluntary donation entry.

9.815° N   82.704° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Central American White-faced Capuchin ★
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

70–80% · Very likely
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth ★
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

60–70% · Likely
Basiisk Verde ★

Basiisk Verde

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus plumifrons

60–70% · Likely
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog ★
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

70–80% · Very likely
Western Slaty-Antshrike
LC Endemic

Western Slaty-Antshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thamnophilus atrinucha

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

50–60% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

50–60% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Lesser Greenlet
LC

Lesser Greenlet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hylophilus decurtatus

50–60% · Likely
Olive-backed Euphonia
LC

Olive-backed Euphonia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Euphonia gouldi

50–60% · Likely
Chestnut-backed Antbird
LC

Chestnut-backed Antbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myrmeciza exsul

40–50% · Likely
Four-lined Ameiva
LC

Four-lined Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus quadrilineatus

40–50% · Likely
Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

40–50% · Likely
White-throated Gecko
LC Endemic

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

40–50% · Likely
Montezuma Oropendola
LC

Montezuma Oropendola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psarocolius montezuma

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Central American White-faced Capuchin ★
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

70–80% · Very likely
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth ★
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

70–80% · Very likely
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

50–60% · Likely
Brown-throated Sloth
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

40–50% · Likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

40–50% · Likely
Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

30–40% · Possible
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

30–40% · Possible
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

20–30% · Possible
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

10–20% · With luck
Central American Spider Monkey
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

0–10% · With luck
Common Opossum
LC

Common Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis marsupialis

Insufficient data
Tayra
LC

Tayra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eira barbara

Insufficient data
Northern Silky Anteater
LC

Northern Silky Anteater

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cyclopes dorsalis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Western Slaty-Antshrike
LC Endemic

Western Slaty-Antshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thamnophilus atrinucha

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

50–60% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Lesser Greenlet
LC

Lesser Greenlet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hylophilus decurtatus

50–60% · Likely
Olive-backed Euphonia
LC

Olive-backed Euphonia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Euphonia gouldi

50–60% · Likely
Chestnut-backed Antbird
LC

Chestnut-backed Antbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myrmeciza exsul

40–50% · Likely
Montezuma Oropendola
LC

Montezuma Oropendola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psarocolius montezuma

40–50% · Likely
Bay Wren
LC

Bay Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cantorchilus nigricapillus

40–50% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

40–50% · Likely
Keel-billed Toucan
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

40–50% · Likely
Short-billed Pigeon
LC

Short-billed Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas nigrirostris

30–40% · Possible
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
LC

Black-cheeked Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes pucherani

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Basiisk Verde ★

Basiisk Verde

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus plumifrons

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Four-lined Ameiva
LC

Four-lined Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus quadrilineatus

40–50% · Likely
Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

40–50% · Likely
White-throated Gecko
LC Endemic

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

40–50% · Likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

40–50% · Likely
Brown Basilisk
LC

Brown Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus vittatus

40–50% · Likely
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

30–40% · Possible
Köhler’s Vine Snake

Köhler’s Vine Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Oxybelis koehleri

30–40% · Possible
Black Terrapin

Black Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Rhinoclemmys funerea

30–40% · Possible
Crested Anole

Crested Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis cristatellus

20–30% · Possible
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

10–20% · Possible
Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper
LC

Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Porthidium nasutum

10–20% · Possible
Mourning Gecko
LC

Mourning Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Lepidodactylus lugubris

10–20% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog ★
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

30–40% · Possible
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

30–40% · Possible
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

20–30% · Possible
Sylvia's Tree Frog
LC

Sylvia's Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Cruziohyla sylviae

10–20% · Possible
Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax elaeochroa

10–20% · Possible
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

10–20% · Possible
Harlequin Treefrog
LC

Harlequin Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus ebraccatus

10–20% · With luck
Savage's Thin-toed Frog
LC

Savage's Thin-toed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus savagei

10–20% · With luck
Hypsiboas rufitelus

Hypsiboas rufitelus

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Boana rufitela

10–20% · With luck
Tink Frog
LC

Tink Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Diasporus diastema

Insufficient data
Vaillant's Frog
LC

Vaillant's Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Lithobates vaillanti

0–10% · With luck
Boulenger's Snouted Tree Frog
LC

Boulenger's Snouted Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax boulengeri

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐸

Poison Dart Frog Season

MayJunJulAugSepOct

Strawberry 'blue jeans' and green-and-black poison dart frogs call across the wet leaf litter.

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

30–40% · Possible
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

20–30% · Possible
🐦

Migrant Bird Season

OctNovDecJanFebMar

Chestnut-sided warblers, summer tanagers and northern waterthrushes join the resident forest flocks.

Chestnut-sided Warbler
LC

Chestnut-sided Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga pensylvanica

20–30% · Possible
Northern Waterthrush
LC

Northern Waterthrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parkesia noveboracensis

10–20% · Possible
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

10–20% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Central American White-faced Capuchin
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
30–40
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Basiisk Verde
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
70–80
70–80
50–60
40–50
60–70
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
20–30
Common Raccoon
70–80
70–80
80–90
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
Western Slaty-Antshrike
30–40
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Great Kiskadee
50–60
50–60
80–90
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
Mantled Howler Monkey
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
Black Vulture
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
30–40
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
Lesser Greenlet
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
30–40
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
Olive-backed Euphonia
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
Chestnut-backed Antbird
30–40
30–40
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
Four-lined Ameiva
50–60
30–40
60–70
50–60
20–30
40–50
30–40
60–70
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
Middle American Ameiva
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
White-throated Gecko
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
10–20
40–50
60–70
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
Montezuma Oropendola
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Animal Events
🐸 Poison Dart Frog Season
🐦 Migrant Bird Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🦥 Poison Dart Frogs & Sloths

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
576
🐒 Mammals
198
🦎 Reptiles
135
🐸 Amphibians
66
975 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
38 Threatened 54 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
59%
📊
Coverage (213 species at ≥5% of 975 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
22%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 bird, 4 mammal, 2 reptile)
47% Global avg
81%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
143
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
15
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
22
⚖️

Cahuita or ?

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