Carara National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🦜 Scarlet Macaw Rainforest
🌍 #116 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #21 in Central America #52 in Tropical Forest
Central Pacific, Costa Rica 1084 spp. recorded

Carara National Park protects the only transitional zone on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, where dry forest meets humid rainforest. With 430+ bird species and the country's largest nesting population of scarlet macaws, it delivers world-class birding just 90 minutes from San José.

9.784° N   84.571° 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

Scarlet Macaw ★
LC

Scarlet Macaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ara macao

70–80% · Very likely
American Crocodile ★
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

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

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

50–60% · Likely
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog ★
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely
Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

60–70% · Likely
Chestnut-backed Antbird
LC

Chestnut-backed Antbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myrmeciza exsul

50–60% · Likely
Black-hooded Antshrike
LC

Black-hooded Antshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thamnophilus bridgesi

50–60% · Likely
Delicate Ameiva
LC

Delicate Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus leptophrys

50–60% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-backed Wren
LC

Rufous-backed Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campylorhynchus capistratus

50–60% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

50–60% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

50–60% · Likely
Black-mandibled Toucan
LC

Black-mandibled Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos ambiguus

40–50% · Likely
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Central American White-faced Capuchin ★
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

40–50% · Likely
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

30–40% · Possible
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

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

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

30–40% · Possible
Northern Ghost Bat
LC

Northern Ghost Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diclidurus albus

30–40% · Possible
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

20–30% · Possible
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

20–30% · With luck
Greater Sac-winged Bat
LC

Greater Sac-winged Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saccopteryx bilineata

10–20% · With luck
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

Insufficient data
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

5–10% · With luck
Common tent-making Bat
LC

Common tent-making Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Uroderma bilobatum

Insufficient data
Brown-throated Sloth
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Scarlet Macaw ★
LC

Scarlet Macaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ara macao

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Chestnut-backed Antbird
LC

Chestnut-backed Antbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myrmeciza exsul

50–60% · Likely
Black-hooded Antshrike
LC

Black-hooded Antshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thamnophilus bridgesi

50–60% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-backed Wren
LC

Rufous-backed Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campylorhynchus capistratus

50–60% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

50–60% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

50–60% · Likely
Black-mandibled Toucan
LC

Black-mandibled Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos ambiguus

40–50% · Likely
Orange-billed Sparrow
LC

Orange-billed Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Arremon aurantiirostris

40–50% · Likely
Hoffmann's Woodpecker
LC

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes hoffmannii

40–50% · Likely
Lesser Greenlet
LC

Lesser Greenlet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hylophilus decurtatus

40–50% · Likely
Blue-gray Tanager

Blue-gray Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis episcopus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

American Crocodile ★
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely
Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

60–70% · Likely
Delicate Ameiva
LC

Delicate Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus leptophrys

50–60% · Likely
Copper Anole
LC

Copper Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis cupreus

30–40% · Possible
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

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

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

20–30% · Possible
Many-scaled Anole
LC

Many-scaled Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis polylepis

20–30% · Possible
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

20–30% · Possible
Fer-de-lance
LC

Fer-de-lance

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops asper

20–30% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

10–20% · With luck
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

10–20% · With luck
Neotropical Green Anole
LC

Neotropical Green Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis biporcatus

10–20% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog ★
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

30–40% · Possible
Harlequin Treefrog
LC

Harlequin Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus ebraccatus

20–30% · Possible
Yellow Treefrog
LC

Yellow Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus microcephalus

20–30% · Possible
Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

20–30% · Possible
Savage's Thin-toed Frog
LC

Savage's Thin-toed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus savagei

20–30% · Possible
Fitzinger's Robber Frog
LC

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

20–30% · Possible
Rainforest Toad
LC

Rainforest Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Incilius aucoinae

10–20% · With luck
Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

Sipurio Snouted Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax elaeochroa

10–20% · With luck
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

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
Drab Tree Frog
LC

Drab Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca sordida

5–10% · With luck

Animal Events

🦜

Scarlet Macaw Nesting Season

DecJanFebMarAprMay

Brilliant crimson-and-blue Scarlet Macaws pair off and claim cavities high in old-growth trees, their raucous squawks echoing through the canopy as mated couples ferry food to nestlings. Watch for the flashes of scarlet as devoted partners fly wingtip to wingtip between roost and nest.

Scarlet Macaw
LC

Scarlet Macaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ara macao

70–80% · Very likely
🐊

American Crocodile Nesting

FebMarAprMay

Female American Crocodiles haul out to excavate riverbank nests and guard their clutches, a rare glimpse of maternal care in one of the largest reptiles in the Americas. The Tárcoles population gathers in impressive numbers, with hefty adults basking along the muddy banks.

American Crocodile
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

20–30% · Possible
🐦

Migratory Bird Peak

NovDecJanFebMar

Flocks of northern songbirds pour into the forest to escape the cold, splashing the understory with the gold of Yellow Warblers, the fiery orange of Baltimore Orioles, and the deep red of Summer Tanagers. Their arrival swells birdlife to its most colorful and abundant.

Yellow Warbler
LC Endemic

Yellow Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga petechia

30–40% · Possible
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

30–40% · 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
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Scarlet Macaw
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
American Crocodile
10–20
20–30
10–20
10–20
10–20
30–40
<5
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
Central American White-faced Capuchin
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
50–60
50–60
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
Common Basilisk
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
30–40
50–60
60–70
Chestnut-backed Antbird
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
Black-hooded Antshrike
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
Delicate Ameiva
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
20–30
50–60
Clay-colored Thrush
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
Rufous-backed Wren
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
40–50
Turkey Vulture
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
Black Vulture
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
Great Kiskadee
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
Black-mandibled Toucan
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
50–60
40–50
Central American Agouti
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
40–50
60–70
30–40
50–60
Animal Events
🦜 Scarlet Macaw Nesting Season
🐊 American Crocodile Nesting
🐦 Migratory Bird 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
🦜 Scarlet Macaw Rainforest

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
709
🐒 Mammals
209
🦎 Reptiles
109
🐸 Amphibians
57
1084 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
35 Threatened 79 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (239 species at ≥5% of 1084 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
22%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (7 bird, 3 reptile, 1 amphibian, 1 mammal)
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
173
🌟
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
14
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
22

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Carara National Park?

The most likely sightings are Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Scarlet Macaw (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Green and Black Dart-poison Frog (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Common Basilisk (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Chestnut-backed Antbird (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 1084 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

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

April 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 Scarlet Macaw in Carara National Park?

Yes — about 79% of wildlife watchers report a Scarlet Macaw sighting in Carara National Park, based on 3,769 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see American Crocodile in Carara National Park?

Yes — about 21% of wildlife watchers report a American Crocodile sighting in Carara National Park, based on 28 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Central American White-faced Capuchin in Carara National Park?

Yes — about 56% of wildlife watchers report a Central American White-faced Capuchin sighting in Carara National Park, based on 163 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Green and Black Dart-poison Frog in Carara National Park?

Yes — about 75% of wildlife watchers report a Green and Black Dart-poison Frog sighting in Carara National Park, based on 353 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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