Cahuita National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🦥 Poison Dart Frogs & Sloths
🌍 #115 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #20 in Central America #51 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%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
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
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

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

30–40% · Possible
Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

30–40% · Possible
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

20–30% · Possible
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

10–20% · With luck
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

5–10% · With luck
Central American Spider Monkey
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

5–10% · 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

20–30% · Possible
Crested Anole

Crested Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis cristatellus

20–30% · Possible
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

10–20% · With luck
Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper
LC

Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Porthidium nasutum

10–20% · With luck
Mourning Gecko
LC

Mourning Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Lepidodactylus lugubris

10–20% · With luck

⭐ 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

20–30% · Possible
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

20–30% · 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% · With luck
Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax elaeochroa

10–20% · With luck
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

10–20% · With luck
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
Red-webbed Tree Frog

Red-webbed Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Boana rufitela

5–10% · With luck
Tink Frog
LC

Tink Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Diasporus diastema

Insufficient data
Vaillant's Frog
LC

Vaillant's Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Lithobates vaillanti

5–10% · 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

20–30% · 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% · With luck
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

10–20% · With luck

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
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Central American White-faced Capuchin
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Basiisk Verde
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
20–30
10–20
30–40
10–20
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
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
Mantled Howler Monkey
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
30–40
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
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
50–60
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
30–40
50–60
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
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
576
🐒 Mammals
198
🦎 Reptiles
135
🐸 Amphibians
66
975 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
38 Threatened 54 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
58%
📊
Coverage (203 species at ≥5% of 975 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
21%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 bird, 4 mammal, 2 reptile)
46% Global avg
81%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 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)
15 Global avg
15
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
21

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Cahuita National Park?

The most likely sightings are Central American White-faced Capuchin (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Common Raccoon (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Basiisk Verde (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Western Slaty-Antshrike (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 975 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

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

March 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 Central American White-faced Capuchin in Cahuita National Park?

Yes — about 73% of wildlife watchers report a Central American White-faced Capuchin sighting in Cahuita National Park, based on 275 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

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

Yes — about 62% of wildlife watchers report a Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth sighting in Cahuita National Park, based on 183 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Basiisk Verde in Cahuita National Park?

Yes — about 60% of wildlife watchers report a Basiisk Verde sighting in Cahuita National Park, based on 166 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

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

Yes — about 23% of wildlife watchers report a Strawberry Poison-dart Frog sighting in Cahuita National Park, based on 16 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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