Explore Northern Plains

Costa Rica’s Northern Plains connect rural communities with rivers, forests and the wider Arenal landscape. Places such as La Fortuna, Guatuso and Los Chiles offer different ways to learn about life shaped by water and land. Explore with curiosity, learn from local people and help care for the landscapes and traditions that make this place special.

tapirus-bairdii

October 8, 2026

Baird’s Tapir

Costa Rica’s largest land mammal has a flexible snout and an important forest role.

October 8, 2026

Jaguar

A powerful spotted cat that depends on habitat and healthy prey populations.

October 8, 2026

Puma

A long-tailed, unspotted wild cat that uses many forest types.

leopardus-pardalis

October 8, 2026

Ocelot

A secretive patterned cat that hunts mostly on the forest floor.

leopardus-wiedii

October 8, 2026

Margay

An agile spotted forest cat with exceptional climbing ability.

herpailurus-yagouaroundi

October 8, 2026

Jaguarundi

A small, long-bodied wild cat with a plain-colored coat.

October 8, 2026

White-nosed Coati

A long-snouted forest forager often seen with its tail held upright.

dasyprocta-punctata

October 8, 2026

Central American Agouti

A quick forest-floor rodent that stores seeds for later.

October 8, 2026

Lowland Paca

A spotted nocturnal rodent that shelters in burrows near wooded watercourses.

dicotyles-tajacu

October 8, 2026

Collared Peccary

A hoofed forest mammal with a pale collar across dark bristly fur.

October 8, 2026

White-lipped Peccary

A social forest mammal whose large herds need connected habitat.

odocoileus-virginianus

October 8, 2026

White-tailed Deer

A browsing mammal whose raised tail reveals a white underside.