Wildlife & Nature

The loud, deep-throated howl you'll hear at dawn and dusk is this monkey, common in the trees around Marbella.

An intelligent, highly active monkey often seen foraging in small troops.

A long-limbed monkey known for swinging swiftly through the canopy.

Costa Rica's most widespread deer species, often spotted at forest edges.

A wild, pig-like mammal that travels in small herds.

A raccoon relative with a long snout and ringed tail, regularly seen roaming our property foraging on the ground in groups.

A familiar nocturnal mammal common near beaches and forest edges.

A nocturnal, armor-plated mammal often heard rustling in the underbrush.

A common tree squirrel found throughout Guanacaste.

A nocturnal marsupial frequently seen at night around properties.

A small, sleek wild cat, more active during the day than most other wild cats.

A medium-sized spotted wild cat, elusive and mostly nocturnal.

The region's largest wild cat, wide-ranging and rarely seen.

A small, adaptable fox that regularly roams our property, most often spotted around dawn, dusk, or after dark.

Increasingly common across Guanacaste's open and forested terrain.

A tree-climbing anteater with a distinctive black-and-tan coat.

A large, agile weasel relative with a long tail, regularly seen moving quickly through the trees and across open ground on our property during the day.

A large, vividly colored parrot increasingly seen along the Guanacaste coast.

A striking, long-tailed, crested bird common in open dry forest.

Costa Rica's national bird, known for its pendulum-swinging tail.

A bold, ground-foraging bird of prey often seen along roadsides.

A small, common hawk frequently spotted perched on fence posts and wires.

A common scavenging bird seen soaring in groups.

A large soaring bird identifiable by its bald red head.

A loud, yellow-bellied flycatcher common in gardens and open areas.

A small, soft-colored dove common around towns and open ground.

A medium-sized dove commonly seen and heard in Guanacaste.

An all-black bird with a distinctive ridged bill, often seen in small flocks.

A snake-eating raptor named for its distinctive, laugh-like call.

A small owl active during the day, often mobbed by songbirds.

A green parrot with a distinctive yellow patch, found in Guanacaste's dry forest.

These house geckos are found in all the tropical regions of the world, extending into the subtropical parts of Africa and Europe.

A large, tree-dwelling lizard common throughout the region.

Guanacaste's most commonly seen lizard, often spotted basking on rocks and walls.

Found in rivers, estuaries, and mangrove areas along the coast.

A large, non-venomous snake found throughout Costa Rica's dry forest.

A venomous pit viper found in the region; guests should give snakes a wide berth.

A venomous pit viper identifiable by the segmented rattle on its tail, occasionally seen on our property; give it plenty of space and keep an eye on where you step, especially in tall grass or brush.

A large, common toad found near gardens and standing water.

Nicknamed the "Jesus Christ lizard" for its ability to run short distances across the surface of water.

A fast-moving, ground-dwelling lizard commonly seen darting through leaf litter.

A small, common gecko frequently seen on walls and ceilings after dark.

One of Costa Rica's most iconic amphibians, found near ponds and areas with standing water.

Nests on Guanacaste beaches, with large synchronized nesting events called arribadas nearby.

The world's largest sea turtle species, an occasional nester on Guanacaste beaches.

A sea turtle regularly seen foraging in coastal waters off Guanacaste.

A smaller sea turtle species identifiable by its pointed, beak-like mouth.

Visits Pacific waters off Guanacaste seasonally as part of its migration.

Commonly spotted from boats and occasionally from shore along the coast.

Often seen traveling in large pods in Pacific waters offshore.

A large, graceful ray occasionally seen leaping from the water offshore.

A prized sportfish known for the tall, comb-like fin on its back, popular with anglers along this coast.

The world's largest fish species, an occasional seasonal visitor to Pacific Costa Rican waters.

A large, iridescent-blue butterfly found along forest trails.

A black-and-yellow striped butterfly commonly seen fluttering slowly through gardens.

Famous for carrying cut leaf fragments many times their body size back to their colony.

A large beetle named for the horn-like projection on the males.

A large wasp known for hunting tarantulas, despite rarely bothering people.

A large, twig-mimicking insect that can be surprisingly hard to spot.

A distinctive insect named for its elongated, peanut-shaped head.

Builds large, strong, golden-tinted webs often seen strung between trees.

A large, docile tarantula species identifiable by its reddish leg joints.

Commonly seen flickering through the trees and open areas after dark.

A strikingly colorful land crab with a black shell and purple claws, commonly seen scuttling across coastal forest floors and sandy areas near the beach.

Costa Rica's national tree, known for its massive, umbrella-shaped canopy.

A dry forest tree valued for its dense wood and large seed pods.

A spiny-trunked tree common in Guanacaste's dry forest.

Bursts into brilliant yellow bloom for a few days each dry season.

Known for its striking pink flowering display.

A massive, sacred tree in Mesoamerican culture, recognizable by its huge buttressed trunk.

Produces large round gourds traditionally used to make bowls and maracas.

A flowering tree with fragrant, waxy blossoms common in gardens across the region.

Nicknamed the "tourist tree" for its red, peeling bark.

A fast-growing tree commonly used as a living fence post throughout Guanacaste.

A small tree producing a tart yellow fruit popular in local drinks and snacks.

Produces a small, tangy fruit widely eaten fresh throughout Costa Rica.

Widely grown and naturalized throughout Guanacaste.

Produces a tangy, sweet pod used in local cooking and drinks.

Produces large, hard-shelled gourds used for traditional crafts.

A dry forest tree once prized for its red dye-producing heartwood.

A broad, shade-producing tree with a distinctive umbrella canopy.

Known for its brilliant red-orange flowering canopy.

Produces clusters of bright red-orange flowers favored by hummingbirds.

Begins life on a host tree and gradually envelops it, a distinctive dry forest sight.

A native tree whose resin has traditionally been used as incense.

A small fruit tree common in yards and along forest edges.

A salt-tolerant coastal shrub or tree common right along the beach.

A coastal tree with toxic sap and fruit; a good one for guests to know to avoid.

The iconic palm lining Guanacaste's beaches.

A common dry forest tree whose leaves and bark are used in traditional folk remedies.

An epiphytic plant often seen growing on tree branches throughout the forest.

Costa Rica's national flower, a purple orchid found growing on trees.

A vividly colored, thorny flowering vine common in local landscaping.

A large, showy flowering shrub commonly planted around homes and gardens.

One of the few cactus species adapted to Guanacaste's dry season.

Grows along estuaries and river mouths, identifiable by its arching prop roots.

A mangrove species found in the same coastal wetlands as red mangrove.

A large, salt-tolerant shade tree common along beaches.

A trailing coastal vine with purple-pink flowers found right on the sand.

An epiphytic plant that hangs from tree branches, despite the name not a true moss.

Produces the cashew nut along with an edible, tangy fruit.

A fast-growing fruit tree common in yards and gardens throughout the region.

A distinctive, intricate flowering vine found along forest edges.

A slow-growing, extremely dense-wooded tree with striking blue flowers.