Manuel Antonio National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐒 Monkeys & Sloths in the Trees
🌍 #91 Global · 4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #15 in Central America #39 in Tropical Forest
Central Pacific, Costa Rica 991 spp. recorded

Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica’s most visited national park and one of the smallest, packing extraordinary biodiversity into just 1,983 hectares of tropical forest and pristine white-sand beaches. Home to the endangered Central American squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedii) — found almost nowhere else on Earth — along with three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchins, and green iguanas visible on virtually every visit.

8.890° N   84.375° 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 Squirrel Monkey ★
EN

Central American Squirrel Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saimiri oerstedii

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

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

90–100% · Very likely
Brown-throated Sloth ★
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

80–90% · Very likely
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana ★
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

90–100% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

70–80% · Very likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

60–70% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

60–70% · Likely
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

60–70% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

60–70% · Likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

60–70% · Likely
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

50–60% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

50–60% · Likely
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
LC

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphocelus passerinii

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Central American Squirrel Monkey ★
EN

Central American Squirrel Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saimiri oerstedii

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

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

90–100% · Very likely
Brown-throated Sloth ★
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

60–70% · Likely
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

60–70% · Likely
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

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

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

40–50% · Likely
Common tent-making Bat
LC

Common tent-making Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Uroderma bilobatum

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

20–30% · Possible
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

20–30% · Possible
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Sphiggurus mexicanus

10–20% · With luck
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

10–20% · With luck
Collared Peccary
Endemic

Collared Peccary

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

60–70% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

60–70% · Likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

60–70% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

50–60% · Likely
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
LC

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphocelus passerinii

50–60% · Likely
Magnificent Frigatebird
LC Endemic

Magnificent Frigatebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fregata magnificens

40–50% · Likely
Black-hooded Antshrike
LC

Black-hooded Antshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thamnophilus bridgesi

40–50% · Likely
Red-crowned Woodpecker
LC

Red-crowned Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes rubricapillus

40–50% · Likely
Chestnut-backed Antbird
LC

Chestnut-backed Antbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myrmeciza exsul

40–50% · Likely
Brown Pelican
LC

Brown Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus occidentalis

40–50% · Likely
Palm Tanager

Palm Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thraupis palmarum

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana ★
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

90–100% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

70–80% · Very likely
Helmeted Iguana
LC

Helmeted Iguana

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Corytophanes cristatus

60–70% · Likely
Fer-de-lance
LC

Fer-de-lance

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops asper

40–50% · Likely
Delicate Ameiva
LC

Delicate Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus leptophrys

40–50% · Likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

30–40% · Possible
Köhler’s Vine Snake

Köhler’s Vine Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Oxybelis koehleri

30–40% · Possible
Many-scaled Anole
LC

Many-scaled Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis polylepis

30–40% · Possible
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

20–30% · Possible
Neotropical Green Anole
LC

Neotropical Green Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis biporcatus

20–30% · Possible
White-throated Gecko
LC Endemic

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

20–30% · Possible
American Crocodile
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

20–30% · Possible
Central American Boa
LC

Central American Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boa imperator

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

40–50% · Likely
Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog
LC

Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boana rosenbergi

30–40% · Possible
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

30–40% · Possible
Savage's Thin-toed Frog
LC

Savage's Thin-toed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus savagei

20–30% · Possible
Milk Frog

Milk Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Trachycephalus macrotis

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

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

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

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

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

Boulenger's Snouted Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax boulengeri

10–20% · With luck
Rainforest Toad
LC

Rainforest Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Incilius aucoinae

5–10% · With luck
Tink Frog
LC

Tink Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Diasporus diastema

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐒

Squirrel Monkey Troop Season

FebMarAprMay

Endangered Central American squirrel monkeys, the park's flagship primate, sweep through the canopy in fast-moving, chattering troops as they forage for fruit and insects. Their frenetic feeding raids bring the year's best chance to watch these tiny, tangerine-backed monkeys up close.

Central American Squirrel Monkey
EN

Central American Squirrel Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Saimiri oerstedii

60–70% · Likely
🦎

Green Iguana Breeding Display

DecJanFebMar

During the drier months male green iguanas flush into vivid orange and stake out basking perches, bobbing their heads in territorial display high in the canopy and along the trails. Common basilisks join the sun-warmed lineup, adding another dragon-like reptile to the show.

Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

30–40% · Possible
Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

70–80% · Very likely
🐸

Rainy Season Frog Chorus

MayJunJulAugSepOctNov

When the wet season fills the forest with pools, Rosenberg's gladiator frogs, masked treefrogs, and harlequin treefrogs erupt into deafening nighttime breeding choruses. Males call and wrestle for mates around flooded hollows, turning the dark forest into a pulsing wall of sound.

Harlequin Treefrog
LC

Harlequin Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus ebraccatus

10–20% · With luck
Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog
LC

Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boana rosenbergi

30–40% · Possible
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

30–40% · 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
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Central American Squirrel Monkey
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Central American White-faced Capuchin
90–100
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
90–100
Brown-throated Sloth
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
80–90
90–100
80–90
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
80–90
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
Common Basilisk
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
Black Vulture
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Mantled Howler Monkey
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Central American Agouti
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
Great Kiskadee
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
Helmeted Iguana
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
Great-tailed Grackle
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
White-tailed Deer
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Turkey Vulture
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
Tropical Kingbird
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
Animal Events
🐒 Squirrel Monkey Troop Season
🐸 Rainy Season Frog Chorus
🦎 Green Iguana Breeding Display

* Manuel Antonio is closed every Tuesday for maintenance. Open Wednesday through Monday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

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
🐒 Monkeys & Sloths in the Trees

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
620
🐒 Mammals
204
🦎 Reptiles
113
🐸 Amphibians
54
991 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
35 Threatened 66 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
71%
📊
Coverage (187 species at ≥5% of 991 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
19%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 mammal, 3 reptile, 3 bird)
46% Global avg
83%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
126
🌟
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
16
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
25

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Manuel Antonio National Park?

The most likely sightings are Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (seen by 90–100% of wildlife watchers), Central American White-faced Capuchin (seen by 90–100% of wildlife watchers), Brown-throated Sloth (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Common Basilisk (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Black Vulture (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 991 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Manuel Antonio National Park 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 Central American Squirrel Monkey in Manuel Antonio National Park?

Yes — about 64% of wildlife watchers report a Central American Squirrel Monkey sighting in Manuel Antonio National Park, based on 284 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

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

Yes — about 90% of wildlife watchers report a Central American White-faced Capuchin sighting in Manuel Antonio National Park, based on 940 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Brown-throated Sloth in Manuel Antonio National Park?

Yes — about 80% of wildlife watchers report a Brown-throated Sloth sighting in Manuel Antonio National Park, based on 557 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Black Spiny-tailed Iguana in Manuel Antonio National Park?

Yes — about 91% of wildlife watchers report a Black Spiny-tailed Iguana sighting in Manuel Antonio National Park, based on 982 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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