Mammals · Frequently seen with a guide
Brown-throated three-toed sloth
Perezoso de tres dedos
Reviewed by Pura Vida Compass Editorial TeamLast reviewed How we research
Three-toed sloths move during the day, which makes them the easier of Costa Rica's two sloth species to spot. They favour cecropia trees, where their silhouette is easier to pick out against open branches. A good guide with a scope will find them far faster than you will.
Where to look
- Lowland rainforest
- Secondary forest
- Cecropia stands
- Roadside trees
When
Year-round. No seasonal pattern worth planning around.
Watching it ethically
- Never hold a sloth or pay for a photo with one — handling causes serious stress.
- Keep at least a few metres away and stay quiet.
- Avoid flash photography entirely.
These are Pura Vida Compass planning estimates, not live quotes, and not guarantees about weather, availability or wildlife sightings.
Pura Vida Compass Editorial Team compiled this page from official park and operator information plus our own editorial scoring, and last reviewed it in August 2026. Costs and travel times are planning estimates, not live quotes.
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