Fauna of Tortuguero
More than 350 identified bird species, plus mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and freshwater fish — and four turtle species that nest on the beach (only the green turtle has organized tours).
Three monkey species call this rainforest home:
You may also see two-toed and three-toed sloths moving slowly through the trees, plus the rarer pacas, anteaters, and (very rarely) tapirs and jaguars.
American crocodiles and caimans are part of the canals — usually seen sunning on banks or floating with just the eyes above the surface. The basilisk ("Jesus Christ lizard") sprints across the water surface; you'll see them dart from branch to bank during boat tours.
Iguanas, anoles, and snakes round out the reptile list.
Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's most important birdwatching destinations. Toucans and scarlet macaws get the photos, but the list is long: anhingas, egrets, kingfishers, green and great blue herons, jacanas, hawks and kites, ospreys, trogons, motmots — and on a good morning, the keel-billed toucan.
The early-morning canal tour is the highest-yield bird window of the day.
Four sea turtle species nest on Tortuguero's beach: green (the namesake; July–October), leatherback (March–June), loggerhead, and hawksbill. Only the green turtle has organized tours — see our Green Turtles page.
Most wildlife isn't standing in the open. It's high in the canopy, behind a curtain of leaves, or moving fast through the brush. Our naturalist guides know where to look — that's the difference between a quiet boat ride and an unforgettable morning.
Browse our experiences for the full set of guided tours.
Seen around the lodge
Caught by guests and our naturalists in and around Mawamba — not staged, not catalogued, just what wandered by that week. Click any photo to enlarge.
