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Tico Explorers

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.

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Stream Anole

A slim anole perches beside streams in humid forest.

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Ringed Snail-eating Snake

A small branch-climbing snake has large eyes and contrasting body rings.

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Yellow-headed Gecko

Adult males wear a golden-orange head above a darker body.

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Middle American Ameiva

A long-tailed ground lizard searches among leaves and sunlit openings.

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Four-lined Ameiva

Pale lengthwise stripes make this quick ground lizard worth a careful second look.

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Green Vine Snake

An exceptionally slender snake resembles a living green vine.

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Redback Coffee Snake

A tiny red-backed snake lives close to the forest floor.

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Mussurana

An adult’s dark body looks very different from a brightly colored juvenile.

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Central American Indigo Snake

A powerful-looking snake may darken from a lighter front to a black tail.

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Central American Eyelash Pitviper

Raised scales above the eyes give this venomous branch-dwelling snake its name.

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Yellow-spotted Night Lizard

Yellow spots brighten the dark body of a secretive forest lizard.

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Cope’s Parrot Snake

A slender green snake blends with branches and leaves.

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