Palo Verde National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Jabiru Storks Over Flooded Marshes
🌍 #44 Global · 4.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #3 in Central America #13 in Tropical Forest
Guanacaste, Costa Rica 889 spp. recorded

Palo Verde protects Central America's most important Pacific wetland — 18,000+ hectares of seasonal marshes, tropical dry forest, and mangroves where the Tempisque River floods a vast floodplain each rainy season. During the dry months (Dec–Apr), shrinking pools concentrate up to 250,000 waterbirds into a wildlife spectacle visible from lookout points and boat tours.

10.374° N   85.350° 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

Jabiru ★
LC

Jabiru

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Jabiru mycteria

30–40% · Possible
Roseate Spoonbill ★
LC

Roseate Spoonbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platalea ajaja

40–50% · Likely
Wood Stork ★
LC

Wood Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mycteria americana

60–70% · Likely
American Crocodile ★
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely
Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

80–90% · Very likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

70–80% · Very likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

70–80% · Very likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

70–80% · Very likely
Bare-throated Tiger Heron
LC

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tigrisoma mexicanum

60–70% · Likely
Green Heron

Green Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Butorides virescens

60–70% · Likely
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
LC

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dendrocygna autumnalis

60–70% · Likely
Groove-billed Ani
LC

Groove-billed Ani

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crotophaga sulcirostris

60–70% · Likely
Northern Jacana
LC

Northern Jacana

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Jacana spinosa

60–70% · Likely
Inca Dove
LC

Inca Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columbina inca

60–70% · Likely
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

70–80% · Very likely
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

70–80% · Very likely
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

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

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

50–60% · Likely
Proboscis Bat
LC

Proboscis Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhynchonycteris naso

50–60% · Likely
Collared Peccary
Endemic

Collared Peccary

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

30–40% · Possible
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

30–40% · Possible
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

20–30% · Possible
Northern Tamandua
LC Endemic

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

10–20% · With luck
Ocelot
LC

Ocelot

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Leopardus pardalis

10–20% · With luck
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

10–20% · With luck
Central American Spider Monkey
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

10–20% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Jabiru ★
LC

Jabiru

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Jabiru mycteria

30–40% · Possible
Roseate Spoonbill ★
LC

Roseate Spoonbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platalea ajaja

40–50% · Likely
Wood Stork ★
LC

Wood Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mycteria americana

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

80–90% · Very likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

70–80% · Very likely
Bare-throated Tiger Heron
LC

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tigrisoma mexicanum

60–70% · Likely
Green Heron

Green Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Butorides virescens

60–70% · Likely
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
LC

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dendrocygna autumnalis

60–70% · Likely
Groove-billed Ani
LC

Groove-billed Ani

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crotophaga sulcirostris

60–70% · Likely
Northern Jacana
LC

Northern Jacana

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Jacana spinosa

60–70% · Likely
Inca Dove
LC

Inca Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columbina inca

60–70% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

60–70% · Likely
Tropical Kingbird
LC

Tropical Kingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tyrannus melancholicus

60–70% · Likely
Little Blue Heron
LC

Little Blue Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta caerulea

60–70% · Likely
Cattle Egret
LC

Cattle Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bubulcus ibis

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

American Crocodile ★
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

80–90% · Very likely
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

60–70% · Likely
White-throated Gecko
LC Endemic

White-throated Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonatodes albogularis

40–50% · Likely
Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

30–40% · Possible
Central American Lyresnake
LC

Central American Lyresnake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Trimorphodon quadruplex

30–40% · Possible
Rhombic Cat-eyed Snake
LC

Rhombic Cat-eyed Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Leptodeira rhombifera

30–40% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

30–40% · Possible
Central American Boa
LC

Central American Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boa imperator

20–30% · Possible
Copper Anole
LC

Copper Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis cupreus

20–30% · Possible
Cope's Snail Sucker
LC

Cope's Snail Sucker

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Sibon anthracops

20–30% · Possible
Köhler’s Vine Snake

Köhler’s Vine Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Oxybelis koehleri

20–30% · With luck
Mexican Parrot Snake
LC

Mexican Parrot Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leptophis mexicanus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Stauffer's Tree Frog
LC

Stauffer's Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scinax staufferi

40–50% · Likely
Mexican Smilisca
LC

Mexican Smilisca

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Smilisca baudinii

40–50% · Likely
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

40–50% · Likely
Yellow Treefrog
LC

Yellow Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Dendropsophus microcephalus

30–40% · Possible
Milk Frog

Milk Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Trachycephalus macrotis

30–40% · Possible
Sheep Frog
LC

Sheep Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Hypopachus variolosus

20–30% · Possible
Yellow Toad
LC

Yellow Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Incilius luetkenii

20–30% · Possible
Guayaquil Dwarf Frog
LC

Guayaquil Dwarf Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Engystomops pustulosus

20–30% · Possible
Mexican Burrowing Toad
LC

Mexican Burrowing Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinophrynus dorsalis

20–30% · Possible
Forrer's Grass Frog
LC Endemic

Forrer's Grass Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Lithobates forreri

10–20% · With luck
Mexican White-lipped Frog
LC

Mexican White-lipped Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Leptodactylus fragilis

10–20% · With luck
Black Jungle-Frog
LC

Black Jungle-Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Leptodactylus melanonotus

10–20% · With luck

Animal Events

🦩

Jabiru Nesting Season

JanFebMar

The Jabiru, Central America's tallest stork, returns to the lower Tempisque basin to nest as shrinking wetlands concentrate its fish and reptile prey. Standing over head-high with a massive black bill and bare red throat, these giants build their bulky stick nests in the treetops.

Jabiru
LC

Jabiru

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Jabiru mycteria

30–40% · Possible
🐊

Crocodile Basking Season

FebMarApr

As the Tempisque River drops and its banks bake in the dry-season sun, American Crocodiles haul out to bask in dense numbers, forming Costa Rica's largest concentration of the species. Rows of these armored reptiles lie motionless along the mud, jaws agape to shed heat.

American Crocodile
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

70–80% · Very likely
🦩

Waterbird Mega-Congregation

DecJanFebMar

As the marshes shrink and their floodwaters draw down, tens of thousands of waterbirds crowd onto the last remaining pools in one of Central America's great aquatic bird gatherings. Wood Storks, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and rose-pink Roseate Spoonbills pack the mudflats shoulder to shoulder.

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
LC

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dendrocygna autumnalis

60–70% · Likely
Wood Stork
LC

Wood Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mycteria americana

60–70% · Likely
Roseate Spoonbill
LC

Roseate Spoonbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platalea ajaja

40–50% · Likely

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
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
Jabiru
20–30
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
20–30
30–40
Roseate Spoonbill
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
20–30
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
Wood Stork
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
American Crocodile
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
60–70
30–40
50–60
70–80
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
90–100
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
90–100
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
Great Egret
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Central American White-faced Capuchin
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
White-nosed Coati
60–70
50–60
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
70–80
50–60
40–50
60–70
Great Kiskadee
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
Bare-throated Tiger Heron
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
Green Heron
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
50–60
50–60
Groove-billed Ani
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
Northern Jacana
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Inca Dove
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
Mantled Howler Monkey
70–80
50–60
60–70
80–90
40–50
60–70
50–60
80–90
50–60
50–60
10–20
50–60
Animal Events
🦩 Waterbird Mega-Congregation
🦩 Jabiru Nesting Season
🐊 Crocodile Basking 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 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐦 Jabiru Storks Over Flooded Marshes

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
536
🐒 Mammals
210
🦎 Reptiles
103
🐸 Amphibians
40
889 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
31 Threatened 78 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
72%
📊
Coverage (196 species at ≥5% of 889 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
22%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 reptile, 2 mammal)
46% Global avg
67%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
127
🌟
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
40

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Palo Verde National Park?

The most likely sightings are Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Great Egret (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Central American White-faced Capuchin (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), White-nosed Coati (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Great Kiskadee (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 889 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

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

September 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 Jabiru in Palo Verde National Park?

Yes — about 36% of wildlife watchers report a Jabiru sighting in Palo Verde National Park, based on 438 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Roseate Spoonbill in Palo Verde National Park?

Yes — about 49% of wildlife watchers report a Roseate Spoonbill sighting in Palo Verde National Park, based on 587 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Wood Stork in Palo Verde National Park?

Yes — about 67% of wildlife watchers report a Wood Stork sighting in Palo Verde National Park, based on 804 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see American Crocodile in Palo Verde National Park?

Yes — about 73% of wildlife watchers report a American Crocodile sighting in Palo Verde National Park, based on 146 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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