Tenorio Volcano National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Costa Rica's Top Toucan Forest
⏱ 1 day 🥾 Moderate trails
🌍 #47 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #7 in Central America #15 in Tropical Forest
Northern Highlands, Costa Rica 1135 spp. recorded

Tenorio Volcano National Park protects 12,867 hectares of pristine cloud forest and rainforest on the slopes of Volcán Tenorio, home to the legendary Río Celeste — a river that turns an impossible shade of turquoise blue where volcanic minerals meet the water. The park harbors one of Costa Rica's most important populations of Baird's tapir, alongside jaguars, pumas, three species of monkeys, and over 300 bird species including the rare bare-necked umbrellabird and tody motmot.

10.679° N   85.015° 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

Baird's Tapir ★
EN

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

40–50% · Likely
Red-eyed Treefrog ★
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

70–80% · Very likely
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog ★
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

40–50% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

70–80% · Very likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

70–80% · Very likely
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilia tzacatl

70–80% · Very likely
Black-mandibled Toucan
LC

Black-mandibled Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos ambiguus

60–70% · Likely
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
LC

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphocelus passerinii

60–70% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-throated Euphonia
LC

Yellow-throated Euphonia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Euphonia hirundinacea

50–60% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

50–60% · Likely
Keel-billed Toucan
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

50–60% · Likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

50–60% · Likely
Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Baird's Tapir ★
EN

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

40–50% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

50–60% · Likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

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

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

50–60% · Likely
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

20–30% · Possible
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

10–20% · Possible
Deppe's Squirrel
LC

Deppe's Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus deppei

10–20% · Possible
Gabb's Cottontail
LC

Gabb's Cottontail

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Sylvilagus gabbi

10–20% · Possible
Central American Dwarf Squirrel
LC

Central American Dwarf Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Microsciurus alfari

10–20% · Possible
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

10–20% · With luck
Armored Rat
LC

Armored Rat

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Hoplomys gymnurus

Insufficient data
Kinkajou
LC

Kinkajou

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Potos flavus

Insufficient data
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

70–80% · Very likely
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilia tzacatl

70–80% · Very likely
Black-mandibled Toucan
LC

Black-mandibled Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos ambiguus

60–70% · Likely
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
LC

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphocelus passerinii

60–70% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-throated Euphonia
LC

Yellow-throated Euphonia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Euphonia hirundinacea

50–60% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

50–60% · Likely
Keel-billed Toucan
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

50–60% · Likely
Carmiol's Tanager

Carmiol's Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorothraupis carmioli

50–60% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

50–60% · Likely
Common Tody-Flycatcher
LC

Common Tody-Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Todirostrum cinereum

50–60% · Likely
Montezuma Oropendola
LC

Montezuma Oropendola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psarocolius montezuma

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

70–80% · Very likely
Cope's Vine Snake
LC

Cope's Vine Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Oxybelis brevirostris

50–60% · Likely
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

40–50% · Likely
Fer-de-lance
LC

Fer-de-lance

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops asper

40–50% · Likely
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

40–50% · Likely
Humble Anole
LC

Humble Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis humilis

40–50% · Likely
Spotted Least Gecko
LC

Spotted Least Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sphaerodactylus millepunctatus

30–40% · Possible
Basiisk Verde

Basiisk Verde

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus plumifrons

30–40% · Possible
Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper
LC

Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Porthidium nasutum

30–40% · Possible
Yellow-spotted Night Lizard
LC

Yellow-spotted Night Lizard

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lepidophyma flavimaculatum

20–30% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

20–30% · Possible
Stream Anole
LC

Stream Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis oxylophus

20–30% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Red-eyed Treefrog ★
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

70–80% · Very likely
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog ★
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

50–60% · Likely
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

40–50% · Likely
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

30–40% · Possible
Pygmy Rain Frog
LC

Pygmy Rain Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Pristimantis ridens

30–40% · Possible
Harlequin Treefrog
LC

Harlequin Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus ebraccatus

30–40% · Possible
Fitzinger's Robber Frog
LC

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

30–40% · Possible
Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax elaeochroa

30–40% · Possible
Hypsiboas rufitelus

Hypsiboas rufitelus

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Boana rufitela

30–40% · Possible
Vaillant's Frog
LC

Vaillant's Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Lithobates vaillanti

30–40% · Possible
Atlantic Broad-headed Litter Frog
LC

Atlantic Broad-headed Litter Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Craugastor megacephalus

30–40% · Possible
Eastern Masked Tree Frog
LC

Eastern Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca manisorum

20–30% · Possible
Wet Forest Toad
LC

Wet Forest Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Incilius melanochlorus

20–30% · Possible

Animal Events

🐒

Howler Monkey Dawn Chorus

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Before first light, troops of Mantled Howler Monkeys unleash guttural territorial roars that swell into a rolling chorus across the canopy — a low, throaty rumble that carries for over a kilometer through the rainforest. It is one of the loudest sounds any land animal makes, and it happens year-round.

Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

30–40% · Possible
🐗

Baird's Tapir Activity Peak

JunSepNov

Central America's largest land mammal, the elusive Baird's Tapir, grows most active through the wetter months, when it forages along muddy forest trails and lingers near streams and water sources. Patient hikers have their best chance of glimpsing this shy, prehistoric-looking browser slipping through the undergrowth.

Baird's Tapir
EN

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

40–50% · Likely
🐸

Rainy-Season Frog Chorus

MayJunJulAugSepOct

When the wet season floods the forest floor and swells the streams, treefrogs and dart frogs erupt into breeding congregations after dark. Emerald Red-eyed Treefrogs cling to leaves above rain pools, tiny crimson Strawberry Poison-dart Frogs call from the leaf litter, and Warszewitsch's Frogs gather along the running streams to breed.

Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

70–80% · Very likely
Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

50–60% · Likely
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

40–50% · Likely

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
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Baird's Tapir
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
20–30
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
Red-eyed Treefrog
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog
20–30
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
40–50
40–50
50–60
20–30
Mantled Howler Monkey
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
40–50
0–10
40–50
30–40
0–10
40–50
30–40
40–50
Middle American Ameiva
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
40–50
50–60
70–80
Clay-colored Thrush
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Black-mandibled Toucan
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Great Kiskadee
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
White-nosed Coati
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
20–30
60–70
70–80
10–20
40–50
40–50
40–50
Yellow-throated Euphonia
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
Blue-gray Tanager
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
Keel-billed Toucan
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
40–50
30–40
Central American White-faced Capuchin
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
70–80
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
Warszewitsch's Frog
50–60
60–70
30–40
10–20
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
80–90
60–70
40–50
40–50
Animal Events
🐒 Howler Monkey Dawn Chorus
🐸 Rainy-Season Frog Chorus
🐗 Baird's Tapir Activity Peak

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 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐦 Costa Rica's Top Toucan Forest

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
734
🐒 Mammals
183
🦎 Reptiles
132
🐸 Amphibians
86
1135 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
30 Threatened 82 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
63%
📊
Coverage (345 species at ≥5% of 1135 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
30%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 mammal, 1 reptile, 1 amphibian)
47% Global avg
69%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
186
🌟
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
17
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
40
⚖️

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