Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐒 Reliable Monkey Sightings
🌍 #158 Global · 3.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #26 in Central America #75 in Tropical Forest
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica 749 spp. recorded

Cabo Blanco is Costa Rica's very first protected area, established in 1963 by Swedish conservationist Nils Olof Wessberg. At the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, where dry and wet tropical forests converge, the reserve shelters an extraordinary mix of wildlife — white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, white-tailed deer, agoutis, coatis, and over 240 bird species including Costa Rica's largest colony of brown boobies.

9.504° N   85.082° 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

Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin ★
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

60–70% · Likely
Magnificent Frigatebird ★
LC Endemic

Magnificent Frigatebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fregata magnificens

50–60% · Likely
Brown Pelican ★
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

50–60% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-backed Wren
LC

Rufous-backed Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campylorhynchus capistratus

50–60% · Likely
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

50–60% · Likely
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
LC

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes hoffmannii

50–60% · Likely
Orange-chinned Parakeet
LC

Orange-chinned Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Brotogeris jugularis

40–50% · Likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

40–50% · Likely
Black-headed Trogon
LC

Black-headed Trogon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trogon melanocephalus

40–50% · Likely
Rose-bellied Lizard
LC

Rose-bellied Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus variabilis

40–50% · Likely
White-Throated Magpie-Jay

White-Throated Magpie-Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Calocitta formosa

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mantled Howler Monkey ★
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin ★
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

50–60% · Likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

40–50% · Likely
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

40–50% · Likely
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

30–40% · Possible
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

20–30% · Possible
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

10–20% · With luck
Northern Ghost Bat
LC

Northern Ghost Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diclidurus albus

10–20% · With luck
Humpback Whale
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

10–20% · With luck
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Sphiggurus mexicanus

Insufficient data
Greater Bulldog Bat
LC

Greater Bulldog Bat

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Noctilio leporinus

Insufficient data
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
LC

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Stenella attenuata

Insufficient data
Ocelot
LC

Ocelot

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Leopardus pardalis

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Magnificent Frigatebird ★
LC Endemic

Magnificent Frigatebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fregata magnificens

50–60% · Likely
Brown Pelican ★
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-backed Wren
LC

Rufous-backed Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campylorhynchus capistratus

50–60% · Likely
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
LC

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes hoffmannii

50–60% · Likely
Orange-chinned Parakeet
LC

Orange-chinned Parakeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Brotogeris jugularis

40–50% · Likely
Black-headed Trogon
LC

Black-headed Trogon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trogon melanocephalus

40–50% · Likely
White-Throated Magpie-Jay

White-Throated Magpie-Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Calocitta formosa

40–50% · Likely
Social Flycatcher
LC

Social Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myiozetetes similis

40–50% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

40–50% · Likely
Spotted Sandpiper
LC

Spotted Sandpiper

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Actitis macularius

40–50% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

30–40% · Possible
Bare-throated Tiger Heron
LC

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tigrisoma mexicanum

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely
Rose-bellied Lizard
LC

Rose-bellied Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus variabilis

40–50% · Likely
Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

40–50% · Likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

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

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

30–40% · Possible
Central American Boa
LC

Central American Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boa imperator

20–30% · Possible
Mourning Gecko
LC

Mourning Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Lepidodactylus lugubris

20–30% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

20–30% · Possible
Pacific Ridley
VU

Pacific Ridley

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lepidochelys olivacea

20–30% · Possible
Copper Anole
LC

Copper Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis cupreus

20–30% · Possible
Rhombic Cat-eyed Snake
LC

Rhombic Cat-eyed Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Leptodeira rhombifera

10–20% · With luck
Central American Lyresnake
LC

Central American Lyresnake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Trimorphodon quadruplex

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

50–60% · Likely
Mexican Smilisca
LC

Mexican Smilisca

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Smilisca baudinii

10–20% · With luck
Milk Frog

Milk Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Trachycephalus macrotis

10–20% · With luck
Yellow Toad
LC

Yellow Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Incilius luetkenii

10–20% · With luck
Fitzinger's Robber Frog
LC

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

10–20% · With luck
Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

10–20% · With luck
Savage's Thin-toed Frog
LC

Savage's Thin-toed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus savagei

10–20% · With luck
Boulenger's Snouted Tree Frog
LC

Boulenger's Snouted Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax boulengeri

Insufficient data
Mexican White-lipped Frog
LC

Mexican White-lipped Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus fragilis

Insufficient data
Turbo White-lipped Frog
LC

Turbo White-lipped Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus poecilochilus

Insufficient data
Sheep Frog
LC

Sheep Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Hypopachus variolosus

Insufficient data
Yellow Treefrog
LC

Yellow Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus microcephalus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐒

Howler Monkey Breeding Season

AprMayJunJul

Troops of mantled howler monkeys turn the forest canopy into a theater of deep, throaty roars that carry for kilometers as males call to defend territory and win mates. Follow the booming chorus at dawn and dusk to find them lounging and feeding in the treetops.

Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely
🐦

Seabird Nesting Congregation

DecJanFebMarApr

Magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans crowd together to nest in a raucous seabird colony, the males inflating scarlet throat pouches while pelicans plunge-dive offshore for fish. The dense congregation of squabbling adults and downy chicks makes for an unforgettable spectacle.

Magnificent Frigatebird
LC Endemic

Magnificent Frigatebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fregata magnificens

50–60% · Likely
Brown Pelican
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

50–60% · Likely
🐦

Migrant Bird Season

OctNovDecJanFebMar

When northern migrants pour south, flame-red summer tanagers and flashing orange Baltimore orioles brighten the forest edge while ospreys hover and dive over the coastal waters. Their arrival swells the birdlife with a burst of color and activity.

Osprey
LC

Osprey

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pandion haliaetus

10–20% · With luck
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

20–30% · Possible
Baltimore Oriole
LC

Baltimore Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Icterus galbula

20–30% · Possible

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
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
Mantled Howler Monkey
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
40–50
50–60
50–60
Central American White-faced Capuchin
70–80
60–70
60–70
20–30
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
50–60
Magnificent Frigatebird
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
60–70
40–50
Brown Pelican
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
60–70
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
70–80
70–80
90–100
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
Great Kiskadee
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
60–70
Variegated Squirrel
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
70–80
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
Black Vulture
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
Rufous-backed Wren
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
Giant Marine Toad
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
20–30
30–40
40–50
30–40
60–70
Orange-chinned Parakeet
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
20–30
40–50
30–40
30–40
50–60
White-nosed Coati
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
20–30
20–30
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
Black-headed Trogon
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
20–30
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
Rose-bellied Lizard
50–60
30–40
60–70
20–30
50–60
40–50
20–30
40–50
10–20
40–50
30–40
30–40
White-Throated Magpie-Jay
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
20–30
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
Animal Events
🐒 Howler Monkey Breeding Season
🐦 Seabird Nesting Congregation
🐦 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 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐒 Reliable Monkey Sightings

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
472
🐒 Mammals
168
🦎 Reptiles
85
🐸 Amphibians
24
749 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
29 Threatened 59 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
58%
📊
Coverage (201 species at ≥5% of 749 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
27%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (7 bird, 3 mammal, 1 reptile, 1 amphibian)
46% Global avg
78%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
123
🌟
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
13
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
21

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve?

The most likely sightings are Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Mantled Howler Monkey (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Central American White-faced Capuchin (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Great Kiskadee (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Variegated Squirrel (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 749 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve for wildlife?

February 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 Mantled Howler Monkey in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve?

Yes — about 65% of wildlife watchers report a Mantled Howler Monkey sighting in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, based on 113 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Central American White-faced Capuchin in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve?

Yes — about 64% of wildlife watchers report a Central American White-faced Capuchin sighting in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, based on 108 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Magnificent Frigatebird in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve?

Yes — about 53% of wildlife watchers report a Magnificent Frigatebird sighting in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, based on 415 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Brown Pelican in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve?

Yes — about 53% of wildlife watchers report a Brown Pelican sighting in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, based on 409 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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