Monkeys
I watched a band of mantled howler monkeys cross the hostel’s backyard, laboriously leaping from one fan palm to another. These monkeys rarely touch the ground, preferring to spend their days resting on branches high in the jungle canopy, feeding on leaves, fruit, and flowers.
Humans don’t interest them, nor does our food. At dawn and dusk, you can hear their eerie calls from kilometers away—the males marking their territory.
Coatis
Coatis are cute little crosses between raccoons and anteaters, with long noses, sharp claws, and ringed tails. Females and young live in groups, while males tend to roam alone. They eat just about anything—fruit, insects, small animals, and scraps. Curious and bold, they often search for food near people, sniffing around bags at campsites and along trails.
Seeing one in the shadows of a hotel entrance during an early-morning walk to the beach, I had to stare for a moment to figure out whether it was a giant cat or a dog. Then it raised its never-ending tail, reminding me that I was somewhere far from home.
Sloths
Sloths (perezosos) spend nearly their entire lives hanging upside down in trees. Algae grows on their fur, giving them a greenish tint that works as camouflage. They eat mostly leaves, which are difficult to digest and provide little energy—hence their slow pace and long naps.
They only come down to the ground about once a week to poop, a risky ritual that leaves them vulnerable to predators.
Watching them appear and disappear into the canopy makes them look like magicians, relentlessly moving in another time zone entirely. Look away for a moment and they’re gone.
Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs (Bernard-l’ermite) are common along Costa Rica’s beaches, skittering across the sand. They don’t grow their own shells but instead occupy empty snail shells, swapping them as they grow. This creates constant competition for the best fit.
They feed on almost anything left behind by the tide: algae, bits of plants, or dead fish. Watching them cluster around food, dragging their borrowed homes behind them, feels like witnessing a miniature society at work.
