Manuel Antonio Park

14/09/2026

No, it’s not a bird from a fantasy painting…
It’s the Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessonii)**, one of the most iconic and colorful birds of Costa Rica’s tropical forests.

Recognizable by its turquoise crown and racket-shaped tail, the Lesson’s Motmot is a symbol of elegance and balance in nature. Often perched quietly among the branches, it patiently waits before swooping down to catch insects, small fruits, or even tiny crabs — a master of calm precision in the rainforest.

Another fascinating fact: these birds build their nests in earthen banks, which is why they are locally called “guardabarrancos.”

Encountering this bird along the trails of Manuel Antonio National Park is a magical reminder of the biodiversity that makes Costa Rica unique.

📍 Momotus lessonii — locally known as the “pájaro bobo” or “guardabarranco.”

📘 Book your guided tour today! Contact us via WhatsApp: +506 8745 5658

10/09/2026

“Emerald Silence on the Leaf!”

Meet the Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas)**, a fascinating amphibian found in the lush rainforests of Costa Rica. Its vivid green color allows it to blend perfectly with the foliage, making it almost invisible to predators, a true master of camouflage.

During the day, this frog rests motionless on leaves, conserving energy and moisture. At night, it becomes active, exploring the vegetation in search of insects. Its delicate balance between stillness and movement reminds us how every creature plays a vital role in the harmony of the rainforest.

📍 Spotted in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
Book your guided tour today: 👉 manuelantoniopark.net
📲 WhatsApp: +506 2777 2100

09/09/2026

📱 Book your guided night tour today! Contact us via WhatsApp: +506 8745 5658

07/09/2026

“Night falls, and the forest awakens.”

It’s not mystery, it’s rainforest life unfolding.

Meet the Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine (Coendou mexicanus), a nocturnal resident of Costa Rica’s tropical forests. With its spiny coat and gentle movements, this elusive mammal spends its nights exploring the treetops in search of fruits and tender leaves.

Perfectly adapted to arboreal life, the porcupine’s prehensile tail acts like a fifth limb, allowing it to climb and balance with ease. Its quills, tipped in yellow, shimmer under the moonlight, a natural armor that protects it from predators while blending into the forest canopy.

Spotting one during a guided night walk through Manuel Antonio National Park is a rare and magical experience, reminding us that the rainforest’s beauty often hides in silence and shadow.

📍 Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, locally known as Puercoespín enano mexicano.
📱 Book your guided night tour today! Contact us via WhatsApp: +506 8745 5658

07/09/2026

“Color Explosion in the Canopy!”

Meet the Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii)**, one of Costa Rica’s most vibrant rainforest residents. With its striking red belly, yellow chest, and long multicolored beak, this toucan species turns every branch into a work of art.

Often seen in small groups, the Collared Aracari fills the forest with cheerful calls and playful energy. It’s a reminder that nature doesn’t just paint landscapes — it paints life itself.

Spotted in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
Book your guided tour today: 👉 manuelantoniopark.net

05/09/2026

03/09/2026

“…and it walked upon the waters…”

Meet the Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) — known in Costa Rica as cherepo or Jesus Christ lizard, for its astonishing ability to run across water as if defying gravity itself.

This rainforest icon is a living reminder of nature’s miracles. With its elegant crest and emerald scales, the cherepo blends perfectly into the tropical foliage, moving with grace and speed that seem almost divine.

Spotted in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
Book your guided tour today: 👉 manuelantoniopark.net

02/09/2026

"Ah, finally, the visitors are gone.”
It’s not laziness, it’s rainforest wisdom.

Meet the Hoffmann’s Two‑toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni), one of Costa Rica’s most iconic and peaceful mammals.

With its unhurried pace and gentle nature, this species spends most of its life hanging upside down in the canopy, perfectly adapted to the rhythm of the tropical forest. Its slow metabolism allows it to survive on a leafy diet, and here’s a fascinating detail: sloths can turn their heads up to 270 degrees, thanks to extra neck vertebrae, giving them an incredible range of vision while barely moving.

Spotting a sloth during a guided walk through Manuel Antonio National Park is always a heartwarming reminder that nature thrives at its own rhythm, and sometimes, slowing down is the best way to truly enjoy life.

📍 Hoffmann’s Two‑toed Sloth, locally known as “Perezoso de dos dedos.”
📱 Book your guided tour today! Contact us via WhatsApp: +506 8745 5658

31/08/2026

No, it’s not Nagini or a dark lord’s horcrux...

It’s the Costa Rican boa constrictor (Boa imperator), one of the most impressive and misunderstood reptiles of our tropical forests.

With its powerful body and stealthy movements, this species plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of small mammals and birds. Despite its size and strength, the boa constrictor is non‑venomous — it hunts by wrapping around its prey and applying pressure until it can no longer move.

Spotting a boa resting on a branch during a guided walk through Manuel Antonio National Park is a breathtaking reminder of the rich biodiversity that thrives in Costa Rica’s rainforests.

📍 Boa imperator — locally known as “Bécquer” or “Becker.”

📲 Book your guided tour today! Contact us via WhatsApp: +506 8745 5658

29/08/2026

The Rainforest’s Colorful Sentinel
Ever wondered who keeps watch over the canopy of Manuel Antonio? Meet the Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii), one of the most iconic residents of Costa Rica’s rainforest!

With its striking yellow chest and impressive bill, this toucan is not just a feast for the eyes — it plays a vital role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and helping the forest regenerate. You’ll often spot it perched high among the trees, calling out with its unmistakable croak-like song that echoes through the jungle.

Fun fact: Despite its large beak, the toucan’s diet consists mostly of fruits, making it one of nature’s most efficient gardeners!

Spotted in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
Book your guided tour today and experience the magic of the rainforest up close!