Where to See Sloths in La Fortuna

If you love nature and wildlife, you probably have sloths on your bucket list. These adorable animals are one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica, and for good reason. They are cute, cuddly, and fascinating to watch. But where can you see them in the wild?

La Fortuna is one of the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica. It is a town near the Arenal Volcano that is surrounded by rainforests that are home to many sloths and other animals.

In La Fortuna, you can find sloths hanging from the trees, sleeping, eating, or moving slowly. But they are not easy to spot. They are very well camouflaged and often stay high up in the canopy.

In this article, I will share with you some of the best ways to see sloths in La Fortuna. You will also learn:

The best time and season to see sloths
The best places and trails to see sloths
The best tours and guides to see sloths
The best tips and precautions to see sloths

By the end of this article, you will be ready to plan your sloth-seeing adventure in La Fortuna and have an unforgettable experience.

Where to See Sloths in La Fortuna — Sloth on tree © Unsplash

Table of Contents

The Best Time and Season to See Sloths in La Fortuna

The best time to see sloths in La Fortuna is during the rainy season, from May to November. Although sloths are active all year round, they have more food available, and they need to drink more water during this time.

Sloths tend to move more during the early morning and late afternoon, when the temperature is cooler.

The best time of the day to see sloths is between 6 am and 10 am, and between 4 pm and 6 pm. This is when they are more likely to come down from the trees to poop, which they do only once a week.

The worst time of the day to see sloths is between 12 pm and 2 pm. This is because they are usually sleeping and hiding from the sun during this time. They are known to sleep for up to 20 hours a day.

The Best Places and Trails to See Sloths in La Fortuna

There are many places and trails where you can see sloths in La Fortuna, but some are better than others.

Here are some of the best ones that I recommend:

1. Sloth Watching Trail

This is a local company that offers the best natural trail for sloths in the Arenal area. The Sloth Watching Trail is located 600 meters from the central park of La Fortuna and has an area of about 20 hectares and a trail of approximately 2 km.

You can see from 4 to 5 sloths, different species of birds, snakes, beetles, spiders, frogs, and lots more. They have three different tours: Birding La Fortuna, Sloth Tour Arenal, and Night Walking La Fortuna.

2. Sloth’s Territory

This is another place where you can experience sloths in their natural habitat. It is located 4 km from La Fortuna and has a trail of about 1.5 km.

You can see from 6 to 8 sloths, hummingbirds, tanagers, parrots, honeycreepers, woodpeckers, flycatchers, monkeys, and more.

They have four different tours: Sloth Tour, Bird Watching Tour, Night Tour, and Combo Tour.

3. Bogarin Trail

Bogarin Trail is a private nature reserve that offers tons of wildlife, just 5 minutes away from downtown La Fortuna. It has a trail of about 2.5 kilometers and a butterfly garden.

You can see from 8 to 10 sloths, toucans, macaws, owls, caimans, iguanas, and more. They have three different tours: Sloth Tour, Night Tour, and Bird Tour.

These are some of the best places and trails to see sloths in La Fortuna, but there are also other options.

You can also try to see sloths for free in the Rio Danta Corredor Biologico Sendero, a forest reserve close to the town center. Or you can visit some of the wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centers in the area, such as Proyecto Asis, La Fortuna Wildlife Center, or Arenal Natura Ecological Park.

The Best Tours and Guides to See Sloths in La Fortuna

If you want to have the best chance of seeing sloths in La Fortuna, you should consider taking a tour or hiring a guide. They are local experts who know where to find the sloths and how to spot them.

They also have binoculars and spotting scopes that help you see them better. They can also tell you more about the sloths and their behavior, as well as other animals and plants that you encounter.

There are many tours and guides that you can choose from, depending on your budget, preference, and availability. Some of the most popular and reputable ones are:

1. Sloth Watching Trail

As mentioned before, this is one of the best places to see sloths in La Fortuna, and they offer guided tours with professional and friendly guides.

They have small groups of up to 10 people and provide transportation, snacks, and drinks. The tours last from 2 to 3 hours and cost from $25 to $35 per person.

2. Sloth’s Territory

This is another great place to see sloths in La Fortuna, and they also offer guided tours. They have small groups of up to 8 people and provide transportation, snacks, and drinks.

The tours last from 2 to 3 hours and cost from $30 to $40 per person.

3. Bogarin Trail

Bogarin Trail offers a sloth-watching guided tour that is available at different times of the day, such as 08:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00 hrs.

The tours last from 2 to 3 hours and cost from $35 to $45 per person. They have small groups of up to 12 people and provide transportation, snacks, and drinks.

These are some of the best tours and guides to see sloths in La Fortuna, but there are also other options.

You can also book a private guide through platforms like Airbnb Experiences, Viator, or GetYourGuide. Or you can ask your hotel or hostel for recommendations.

The Best Tips and Precautions to See Sloths in La Fortuna

Seeing sloths in La Fortuna is a wonderful experience, but you need to follow some tips and precautions to make it safe and enjoyable for you and the sloths.

1. Respect the sloths and their habitat

Wild animals like sloths need space and privacy. While you might be tempted to, do not touch, feed, or disturb them.

Do not also make loud noises or flash photography. Your guide will direct you on the best approach when you encounter a sloth in the wild.

2. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear

Since sloths live in areas that can be hot, humid, and wet, you might need to wear light, breathable, and comfortable clothes.

You also need to wear closed-toe shoes or boots that have good grip and support. Then try to protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

You might not know when it will rain, so it is a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho.

3. Bring water and snacks

Sloth-watching can be tiring, so make sure you bring enough water and snacks to keep yourself hydrated and energized.

Try as much as you can to avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, as they can dehydrate you.

4. Bring insect repellent and first aid kit

Sloths share their habitat with many insects, some of which can bite or sting. Bring insect repellent and apply it generously to avoid getting bitten.

Bring a first-aid kit with basic items such as bandages, antiseptics, and painkillers. If you have any allergies or medical conditions, bring your medication and inform your guide.

Conclusion

Sloths are one of the most amazing animals in the world, and seeing them in La Fortuna is a dream come true for many travelers. La Fortuna is one of the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica, as it has many places and trails where you can find them.

At this point, I have provided you with enough information to help you plan your sloth-seeing adventure at La Fortuna. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

Louis Ojibe

Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.