From Scarlet Macaws to sea turtles, you'll discover a rich variety of birds and animals in Costa Rica and Panama. The most bio-diverse region on earth also has the highest density of wildlife so these countries are a must for bird and animal lovers.

Viewing Birds and Wildlife

To get you started, this short list illustrates the overwhelming variety of birds and animals you can find in this region.

• White-faced Capuchins, Squirrel Monkeys, Howler Monkeys and three-toed sloths are frequently seen in both countries.
• Parque Natural Metropolitano, Monumento Nacional Isla Barro Colorado and the Darién, Panama - a good place to see the tiny primate, Geoffroy's Tamarin.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica - home to jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundis and margays. Note that big cats are difficult to spot so you may only see their prints.
• Corcovado National Park, on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica - Scarlet Macaws, Quetzals, the Red-Eyed Tree Frog and the Tapir, the largest terrestrial mammal in Central and South America.
• Parque Nacional Soberania, Panama - this park is a crossroads for bird migrations. The best place to observe Panama's 122 migratory species is from the park's Canopy Tower.
• Cana in Parque Nacional Darién, Panama - said to be the best bird watching spot for quetzals, macaws, amazons, parrots, toucans, raptors and tanager.
• Parque Nacional Vocán Barù and Parque Internacional La Amistad, Panama - best places to see the Emerald-Green Quetzal in the breeding season, March to June.
• National Marine Parks on both coasts - Humpback Whales, Reef Sharks, Bottlenose Dolphins, Killer Whales or Sperm Whales, Whale Sharks, Black- and White-Tip Sharks and occasionally Tiger Sharks.
• Ostional National Wildlife Refuge and Tortuguelo National Park, Costa Rica and Isla de Cañas, Panama - good spots for observing sea turtles and the nesting and hatching process at various times of the year.
• Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica - take a boat ride on the canals to see river turtles, Spectacled Caiman, Southern River Otters, crustaceans, over 50 species of freshwater fish and perhaps even the West Indian Manatee!

Endangered Species

While many species thrive here with numbers varying in different areas, there are many that are endangered including these well known creatures:

• Jaguar
• Tapir
• Manatee
• Leatherback Sea Turtle
• Scarlet Macaw
• Resplendent Quetzal
• Red-backed Squirrel Monkey

Serious conservation efforts are helping the cause. An example is the sea turtle program, ongoing in Costa Rica since 1955, which has seen numbers rise.

See our Spotlight on Costa Rica and Panama for species statistics and additional wildlife encounters.