Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk, Arenal/La Fortuna

4.5 (25 reviews)
Spot sloths by night, their most active time, on a wildlife-rich 1-mile (1.5 km) trail just outside La Fortuna

Overview

See sloths in their natural habitat on this family-friendly excursion! During this two-hour tour in a private nature reserve just outside La Fortuna, you'll not only have the opportunity to view these slow-moving creatures hanging out in the trees, but you'll also learn all about the sloth's lifestyle, the history of the species, and the importance of sloth protection. Your expert guide will point out two- and three-toed sloths and bring your attention to other noteworthy flora and fauna as you walk along a 1-mile (1.5-km) trail. If you're lucky, you might even spot a mother sloth with her baby.

Highlights

  • Observe two-toed and three-toed sloths in their natural habitat
  • Benefit from the experience of an expert guide trained to spot sloths
  • See tropical flora and fauna along a walk through a private reserve

Know before you go

Duration
3 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
Water provided

What you'll do

La Fortuna and its surroundings are a natural habitat for the sloth, one of Costa Rica's most beloved animals. The region's climate, ecological protection, availability of food, and essential absence of predators make it an oasis for the species. This unique creature captivates its audience with tenderness and peculiarly slow behavior. 

Join a morning, afternoon, or evening excursion to spot them in the wild with an expert guide. Observation equipment is included. Note that two-toed sloths are most active after dark.

You'll transfer from your accommodations to a private nature reserve located just outside of town. Your guide will offer some background about the sloth and its lifestyle — and give you a flashlight if you're on a night tour — before you begin the 1-mile (1.5-km) walk. The hike lasts around two hours. 

As you make your way along the path, your guide will stop at red flags that mark where other guides and property staff have recently spotted sloths. Be sure to look up: two- and three-toed sloths love to laze about in the trees! The Guarumo tree is a source of the sloth's favorite food. Your guide will point out these trees as you hike through dense forest and along a river that borders the reserve. Although sloths are solitary animals and spend most of their time sleeping or eating, your specialized guides are experts at finding them, so you're guaranteed to see them! You'll also look for other wildlife, take photos, and learn a lot about sloths, the local habitat, and other critters you see along the way.

During the excursion, you'll learn about the importance of sloth protection. Illegal trade of this species has increased significantly due to the sloth's popularity. This ecological sanctuary promotes the animals' security by protecting their natural habitat.

You'll transfer back to La Fortuna to end the trip.

Start times

  • Daily
    8:00 am, 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm

What's included

  • Transportation
  • Bilingual guide
  • Entrance fee
  • Flashlight
  • Bottled water
  • Snacks

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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Knowledgeable Guides

Many reviews praised the guides for being knowledgeable, friendly, and capable of spotting sloths and other wildlife. Specific guides such as Luis and Gustavo were mentioned positively. (11 mentions)

Lauren
“We had a specialty guide for this tour and he taught us a lot about sloths and was great at spotting them!”  — Lauren A.
A
“The tour guys great and were able to find sloths just driving down the road.”  — Audrea H.
A
“Thank you to our knowledgeable guide and the local spotter who'd spent hours before tracking down the animals.”  — Anna L.
Variety of Wildlife

In addition to sloths, reviewers mentioned seeing a range of other animals including frogs, lizards, toads, toucans, howler monkeys, and insects. (10 mentions)

Jaya
“we got to see two toed sloths, toads, bull frogs, red eye tree frog, sleeping toucans and more.”  — Jaya C.
A
“We also saw plenty poison dart frogs, a Jesus Christ Lizard, howler monkeys and a tiger heron.”  — Anna L.
E
“The guide found us sloths, lizards, frogs, birds, and many insects”  — Elizabeth R.
Sloth Spotting

Reviews frequently mention seeing both two-toed and three-toed sloths, often with baby sloths. However, the experiences varied, with some noting sloths were far away or hard to spot. (6 mentions)

C
“We got to see both types of sloths”  — Caitlin M.
A
“We got to see 5 different sloths.”  — Audrea H.
A
“We spotted 7 in all, two and three toed sloth.”  — Anna L.
Night Tours

Night tours were highlighted as a unique experience where travelers could see nocturnal creatures. Some noted it was similar to other night tours and could feel repetitive if done multiple times. (4 mentions)

P
“Important to note that night walks are similar in Arenal and Monteverde so doing both was a bit of an overkill.”  — Protima W.
W
“Great fun doing the night tour.”  — Wei S.
E
“It was a beautiful nighttime walk”  — Elizabeth R.

Traveler reviews

25 total ratings, 18 with reviews
4.5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.7
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
4.9
neil
neil p.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024
Saw many sloths. The guide ensured we saw them through telescopes as they are often up high in the trees Read more

Saw many sloths. The guide ensured we saw them through telescopes as they are often up high in the trees

Tips for future travelers

Take powerful binoculars

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
G
Guillermo T.
West Whittier-Los Nietos, CA | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2023
We saw about 12 sloths, but far away. If you want to be close look for conservatory. Also seeing sloths could be a miss. But the end of trip coffee and snack was nice. Read more

We saw about 12 sloths, but far away. If you want to be close look for conservatory. Also seeing sloths could be a miss. But the end of trip coffee and snack was nice.

Tips for future travelers

We would be seeing sloths in other activities.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lauren
Lauren A.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023
It was a lot of fun to “hunt” for sloths in La Fortuna and see them in their natural habitat. We had a specialty guide for this tour and he taught us a lot about sloths and was great at spotting them! Read more

It was a lot of fun to “hunt” for sloths in La Fortuna and see them in their natural habitat. We had a specialty guide for this tour and he taught us a lot about sloths and was great at spotting them!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
C
carolyn w.
Lancaster, CA | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023
Our guide, Luis was outstanding! Read more

Our guide, Luis was outstanding!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M
marlyn C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2023
Did not see much sloth Read more

Did not see much sloth

Tips for future travelers

Enjoy the experience ,learn all you can

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
P
Protima W.
Mammoth Lakes, CA | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2023
Saw sloth bear with baby, frogs and lots of other creatures. It was good experience.
Important to note that night walks are similar in Arenal and Monteverde so doing both was a bit of an overkill.
Read more

Saw sloth bear with baby, frogs and lots of other creatures. It was good experience.
Important to note that night walks are similar in Arenal and Monteverde so doing both was a bit of an overkill.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
S
Shannon S.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 13, 2023
We were picked up by Callidryas Tours for a sloth viewing expedition. For this tour, you do need the guides driving because they search for sloths in the wild while driving the local streets! They have amazing eyes to pick them out of the trees and we stopped multiple times to view the sloths in their natural environment through telescopes. We were able to see both two toed and three toed sloths and also found moms and their babies! Read more

We were picked up by Callidryas Tours for a sloth viewing expedition. For this tour, you do need the guides driving because they search for sloths in the wild while driving the local streets! They have amazing eyes to pick them out of the trees and we stopped multiple times to view the sloths in their natural environment through telescopes. We were able to see both two toed and three toed sloths and also found moms and their babies!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amazing driving while also picking our sloths!!!
Transport
Alison
Alison C.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2023
Just the two of us and a guide for this walk. We spotted sloth and frogs, and other wildlife. Read more

Just the two of us and a guide for this walk. We spotted sloth and frogs, and other wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Jaya
Jaya C.
Hermosa Beach, CA | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023
Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He took us around a private farm and we got to see two toed sloths, toads, bull frogs, red eye tree frog, sleeping toucans and more. He took great pictures and shared with us. Read more

Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He took us around a private farm and we got to see two toed sloths, toads, bull frogs, red eye tree frog, sleeping toucans and more. He took great pictures and shared with us.

Tips for future travelers

Definitely better than the sloth park which is not natural. Definitely dress full sleeves and put insect repellent on.

Quality of Experience
Knowledgeable and friendly
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
On time
C
Caitlin M.
The Woodlands, TX | Reviewed on Dec 08, 2022
We got to see both types of sloths, which made walking in the rain for an hour absolutely worth it. Read more

We got to see both types of sloths, which made walking in the rain for an hour absolutely worth it.

Tips for future travelers

Prepare to get wet!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Like what you see?

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