Braulio Carrillo National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Hummingbird & Toucan Cloud Forest
🌍 #65 Global · 4.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in Central America #21 in Tropical Forest
Central Highlands, Costa Rica 1412 spp. recorded

Spanning from Caribbean lowlands to the summit of Barva Volcano at 2,906 meters, Braulio Carrillo protects 47,580 hectares of virtually untouched primary forest — more than 90% remains pristine. Over 530 bird species inhabit its misty canopy, including the resplendent quetzal and the endangered bare-necked umbrellabird.

10.174° N   84.053° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth ★
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

40–50% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

40–50% · Likely
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog ★
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

70–80% · Very likely
Red-eyed Treefrog ★
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

60–70% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

60–70% · Likely
Black-mandibled Toucan
LC

Black-mandibled Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos ambiguus

50–60% · Likely
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
LC

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphocelus passerinii

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilia tzacatl

50–60% · Likely
Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

50–60% · Likely
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

50–60% · Likely
Leaf Litter Toad
LC

Leaf Litter Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rhaebo haematiticus

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

50–60% · Likely
Fer-de-lance
LC

Fer-de-lance

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops asper

50–60% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

50–60% · Likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth ★
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

40–50% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

White Bat
NT

White Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ectophylla alba

30–40% · Possible
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

30–40% · Possible
Brown-throated Sloth
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

30–40% · Possible
Collared Peccary
Endemic

Collared Peccary

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

20–30% · Possible
Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

20–30% · Possible
Baird's Tapir

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

20–30% · Possible
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

20–30% · Possible
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

20–30% · Possible
Central American Spider Monkey
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

20–30% · Possible
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

20–30% · Possible
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Sphiggurus mexicanus

20–30% · Possible
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

60–70% · Likely
Black-mandibled Toucan
LC

Black-mandibled Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos ambiguus

50–60% · Likely
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
LC

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphocelus passerinii

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Amazilia tzacatl

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

50–60% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

50–60% · Likely
Montezuma Oropendola
LC

Montezuma Oropendola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psarocolius montezuma

40–50% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

40–50% · Likely
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
LC

Black-cheeked Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes pucherani

40–50% · Likely
Olive-backed Euphonia
LC

Olive-backed Euphonia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Euphonia gouldi

40–50% · Likely
Golden-hooded Tanager

Golden-hooded Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Stilpnia larvata

40–50% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

50–60% · Likely
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

50–60% · Likely
Fer-de-lance
LC

Fer-de-lance

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops asper

50–60% · Likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

40–50% · Likely
Basiisk Verde

Basiisk Verde

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus plumifrons

40–50% · Likely
Humble Anole
LC

Humble Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis humilis

30–40% · Possible
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

30–40% · Possible
Common Caiman
LC

Common Caiman

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Caiman crocodilus

30–40% · Possible
Blunthead Tree Snake
LC

Blunthead Tree Snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Imantodes cenchoa

30–40% · Possible
White-throated Gecko
LC Endemic

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

20–30% · Possible
Brown Basilisk
LC

Brown Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus vittatus

20–30% · Possible
Neotropical Green Anole
LC

Neotropical Green Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis biporcatus

20–30% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog ★
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

70–80% · Very likely
Red-eyed Treefrog ★
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

60–70% · Likely
Leaf Litter Toad
LC

Leaf Litter Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rhaebo haematiticus

50–60% · Likely
Savage's Thin-toed Frog
LC

Savage's Thin-toed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus savagei

40–50% · Possible
Atlantic Broad-headed Litter Frog
LC

Atlantic Broad-headed Litter Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Craugastor megacephalus

30–40% · Possible
Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

30–40% · Possible
Red-webbed Tree Frog

Red-webbed Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Boana rufitela

30–40% · Possible
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

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

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

30–40% · Possible
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

20–30% · Possible
Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax elaeochroa

20–30% · Possible
Tink Frog
LC

Tink Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Diasporus diastema

20–30% · Possible
Harlequin Treefrog
LC

Harlequin Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus ebraccatus

20–30% · Possible

Animal Events

🦜

Great Green Macaw Nesting Season

JanFebMar

During nesting season, pairs of the endangered Great Green Macaw seek out deep cavities in old mountain almond trees to raise their chicks, filling the rainforest canopy with their raucous calls and flashes of emerald and scarlet plumage. Watching these giant parrots shuttle to and from a nest hole is one of the park's rarest wildlife spectacles.

Great Green Macaw
CR

Great Green Macaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ara ambiguus

20–30% · Possible
🐸

Poison Frog & Rainy-Season Amphibian Breeding

JulAugSepOct

When the rains arrive, the forest floor comes alive with breeding amphibians: tiny Green and Black Poison Dart Frogs guard their eggs and ferry tadpoles on their backs, while Red-eyed Leaf Frogs glide between branches to lay clutches on leaves overhanging pools. Their nightly chorus and jewel-bright colors make this the best time to spot them.

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

60–70% · Likely
Parachuting Red-eyed Leaf Frog
LC

Parachuting Red-eyed Leaf Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis saltator

20–30% · Possible
🦥

Sloth Activity Peak

MarSep

Both of Costa Rica's sloths share these forests — the nocturnal Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth and the day-active Brown-throated Sloth — and feeding activity peaks as they move slowly through the canopy to browse on tender leaves. Their sluggish climbs and occasional descents to the ground make them easier to pick out among the branches.

Brown-throated Sloth
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

30–40% · Possible
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

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
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
20–30
50–60
Mantled Howler Monkey
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Red-eyed Treefrog
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
Clay-colored Thrush
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
Black-mandibled Toucan
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Middle American Ameiva
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
Border Anole
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
Leaf Litter Toad
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
Great Kiskadee
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
Fer-de-lance
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
Blue-gray Tanager
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Green Iguana
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
Animal Events
🦜 Great Green Macaw Nesting Season
🐸 Poison Frog & Rainy-Season Amphibian Breeding
🦥 Sloth 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 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐦 Hummingbird & Toucan Cloud Forest

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
842
🐒 Mammals
238
🦎 Reptiles
183
🐸 Amphibians
149
1412 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
57 Threatened 111 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
58%
📊
Coverage (313 species at ≥5% of 1412 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
22%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (5 bird, 4 amphibian, 3 reptile)
46% Global avg
87%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
191
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
26
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
24

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Braulio Carrillo National Park?

The most likely sightings are Strawberry Poison-dart Frog (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Green and Black Dart-poison Frog (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Red-eyed Treefrog (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Clay-colored Thrush (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Black-mandibled Toucan (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 1412 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Braulio Carrillo National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth in Braulio Carrillo National Park?

Yes — about 41% of wildlife watchers report a Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth sighting in Braulio Carrillo National Park, based on 115 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mantled Howler Monkey in Braulio Carrillo National Park?

Yes — about 48% of wildlife watchers report a Mantled Howler Monkey sighting in Braulio Carrillo National Park, based on 163 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Strawberry Poison-dart Frog in Braulio Carrillo National Park?

Yes — about 73% of wildlife watchers report a Strawberry Poison-dart Frog sighting in Braulio Carrillo National Park, based on 431 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Red-eyed Treefrog in Braulio Carrillo National Park?

Yes — about 65% of wildlife watchers report a Red-eyed Treefrog sighting in Braulio Carrillo National Park, based on 319 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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