2026 – Costa Rica: Wildlife Along the Pacific Coast

Amy and Jon: We returned to Costa Rica in February 2026, a place that feels both familiar and full of surprises every time we visit.

This trip began with a first for us…flying business class into San José, a comfy way to start the adventure. After a night near the airport, we picked up our rental car and made the drive to Manuel Antonio. Between accidents and weekend traffic, the journey was longer than expected, but Costa Rica has a way of rewarding patience. Near the ocean, we spotted a group of scarlet macaws. We pulled over and watched them. They were paired off, brilliantly colored, and loud. Their squawking and bickering felt like an exciting welcome back.

We stayed once again at Hotel Costa Verde, one of our all-time favorites. We’ve visited numerous times, drawn back by the wildlife, big ocean views, and a playful, quirky style. Mornings meant breakfast at the Anaconda Restaurant. Days included visits to Manuel Antonio National Park to see nature and jump into the ocean waves, afternoons at the pool overlooking the jungle and Pacific below, and evenings with the warm sun dipping into the water on the horizon.

But what truly fills our hearts there is the wildlife. We watched squirrel, howler, and capuchin monkeys jump through the trees. Sloths crossed the road using the wires above us, unbothered and slow, but intentional. On a quiet corner of the hotel property, one of our favorite wildlife-spotting spots, we heard the unmistakable call of toucans before spotting them in the trees above. We smiled watching them eat single berries with their huge bills. Evenings were spent enjoying nearby restaurants, with a simple brownie and ice cream dessert at El Wagon becoming a highlight.

From Manuel Antonio, we drove about an hour south to Uvita. A destination that was new to us, Uvita is known for humpback whales and a sandbar that forms the shape of a whale’s tail at low tide.

We checked into Casitas del Rio, a boutique jungle retreat nestled along the Morete River. The owner, Chris, welcomed us warmly and gave us a tour of the lush grounds. The property felt like a curated botanical garden, intentionally designed to welcome birds and wildlife.

Chris sets the lodge apart with his deep knowledge of local culture, food, wildlife, and history. We stayed in the Tortuga Villa, with peaceful views out to the trees. We enjoyed time in the beautiful pool and evenings listening to the river. A basilisk lizard with half a tail, named Bob (as they like to bob their heads), resided near the pool. Numerous local tanager birds zipped in the trees and plants throughout the property.

In Uvita, we visited the Whale’s Tail Brewery, explored a local craft and food market, visited the Catarata Uvita waterfall, and enjoyed lunch overlooking the iconic whale tail, complete with more toucan sightings. We went on a whale-watching tour and were lucky enough to spot the distinctive humps of whales coming up for air. We swam and snorkeled off the coast, and spotted a number of interesting fish.

After our whale tour and lunch, as we walked back to the car, scarlet macaws once again filled the trees above us. They were eating, relaxing, squawking, paired with their mates. Our final evening in Uvita ended with dinner at Mirador Don Roger at sunset, a perfect close to our time in the area.

On our last day, we drove back to San José over Cerro de la Muerte or the “Mountain of Death.” Now, the winding road is very well-kept, although quite slow so at times when traffic builds up. As we climbed higher, we could see why the pass got its name before good infrastructure, as the weather turned cold and misty, dense fog surrounding the road. What a fun difference from the warmth and bright sun on the rest of our trip. We stopped along the way for a warm bowl of soup, a cozy stop before continuing our drive.

Before we flew out, we had one final wildlife experience as hundreds of Crimson-fronted Parakeets filled the trees around us. We love Costa Rica for its wildlife, its beauty, and the way it helps us stay in the moment. This trip gave us great weather, memorable animal encounters, and good times together. Until next time!