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Nature Field Guide

Rivers & Streams

Explore wildlife, plants and trees. Learn what to look for and where to find them.

All Nature

50 profiles

Nature Field Guide

Almendro de Rio

Spanish name
Almendro de río / Almendro de montaña
Scientific name
Andira inermis
Trees Rivers & Streams · Tropical Dry Forest · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “Purple flower clusters stand out against a dense green crown.”

Tati: “Let’s notice the leaves, flowers and habitat without disturbing the plant.”

Identification

Key Features of the Almendro de Rio

  • Pinnate compound leaves

  • Clusters of lavender-purple flowers

  • Oval fruits and a dense leafy crown

Habitat & range

Dry and humid forests across both slopes, including Guanacaste, Nicoya, the Central Valley, Caribbean lowlands and Osa.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult on permitted paths. Observe and photograph without picking leaves, flowers or fruits. Do not taste plants or let pets chew them. Avoid climbing trees and disturbing roots, seedlings or visiting wildlife.

Threats & pressures

Protect suitable habitat, mature trees and natural regeneration. Avoid trampling, unauthorized clearing and collection.

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Nature Field Guide

American Crocodile

Spanish name
Cocodrilo americano
Scientific name
Crocodylus acutus
Reptiles Estuary & Mangroves · Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “It blends into the riverbank so well.”

Tati: “We can observe from here with our guide. We don’t need to move closer.”

Identification

Key Features of the American Crocodile

  • A long snout and narrow head.

  • An olive-brown adult body with a long, strong tail.

  • Much of the body may be concealed in water or beside a bank.

Habitat & range

Rivers, estuaries, mangrove channels and other aquatic habitats. Observe only from a guide-approved boat or designated viewing place.

Seasonal Calendar

Egg-laying

General species biology; local schedule unverified

Apr, May

General species reference: April–May egg-laying and about 9–10 weeks of incubation. Tamarindo-specific nesting dates have not been verified. Never approach nests.

Event source ↗

Conservation & care

Never feed, approach or provoke crocodiles. Stay in the boat, keep hands inside, and follow local signs and guide instructions. Keep children and pets away from water edges.

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Nature Field Guide

Anhinga

Spanish name
Aninga o pato aguja
Scientific name
Anhinga anhinga
Birds · Coastal Birds · Wetland Birds Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A long neck rises above the water like a question mark. Pico waits while Tati looks for the rest of the bird.

Identification

Key Features of the Anhinga

  • Very long slender neck

  • Straight pointed bill

  • Long tail and pale wing markings

  • Often rests with wings spread

Habitat & range

Scan sheltered freshwater wetlands and wooded lagoon margins for swimming birds or a resting bird on a branch. Observe from a permitted viewpoint.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron

Spanish name
Garza tigre cuellinuda
Scientific name
Tigrisoma mexicanum
Birds · Coastal Birds · Herons & Egrets Estuary & Mangroves · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico wonders where the tiger is hiding. Tati points to the fine patterns on a very watchful heron.

Identification

Key Features of the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron

  • Bare yellow throat patch

  • Adult finely barred neck and body

  • Gray cheeks and greenish legs

  • Young birds have bold brown bands

Habitat & range

Scan shallow water, quiet mangrove channels and vegetated wetland margins from an established viewpoint. Follow a local guide’s directions around estuaries.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Black Wood Turtle

Spanish name
Tortuga negra
Scientific name
Rhinoclemmys funerea
Reptiles Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the black wood turtle. Draw the major shell scutes from a photograph. Compare the outline with the painted wood turtle.

Identification

Key Features of the Black Wood Turtle

  • Dark shell and dark head.

  • Feet adapted to life around freshwater.

  • A hard shell divided into visible scutes.

Habitat & range

Humid lowland freshwater habitats such as streams, ponds and swamp forest, particularly Caribbean drainage areas.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Spanish name
Martinete coroninegro
Scientific name
Nycticorax nycticorax
Birds Estuary & Mangroves · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “This heron looks shorter and rounder than the others!”

Tati: “It may be resting now and feeding later.”

Identification

Key Features of the Black-crowned Night-Heron

  • Stocky body and short-looking neck.

  • Adult: black crown and back, gray wings.

  • Young: brown plumage with pale spots.

Habitat & range

Wetland and mangrove populations include the Tempisque and Gulf of Nicoya landscape and local Caribbean lowlands. Resident birds and seasonal visitors both occur.

Conservation & care

Stay on authorized trails or viewing routes. Give birds space, keep voices low and leave nests undisturbed. Observe without bait, feeding or recorded calls.

Threats & pressures

Wetland drainage, development and contaminated runoff can degrade habitat and water quality.

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Nature Field Guide

Boat-billed Heron

Spanish name
Chocuaco o picocuchara
Scientific name
Cochlearius cochlearius
Birds · Coastal Birds · Herons & Egrets Estuary & Mangroves · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

That broad bill looks unlike the pointed bills Pico has drawn. Tati adds a new shape to the explorer journal.

Identification

Key Features of the Boat-billed Heron

  • Very broad boat-shaped bill

  • Large dark eyes and black crown

  • Stocky body with gray back

Habitat & range

Scan shallow water, quiet mangrove channels and vegetated wetland margins from an established viewpoint. Follow a local guide’s directions around estuaries.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Brown Basilisk

Spanish name
Basilisco café
Scientific name
Basiliscus vittatus
Reptiles Forest Edge · Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the brown basilisk. Make a three-column comparison of the common, green and brown basilisk using verified photographs.

Identification

Key Features of the Brown Basilisk

  • Brown or olive body with pale side stripes.

  • Long tail and slender limbs.

  • Adult males can have a head crest without the green basilisk’s tall body sails.

Habitat & range

Lowland forest edges, streamside vegetation and disturbed wooded habitats, including Caribbean areas.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Bull Shark

Spanish name
Tiburón toro
Scientific name
Carcharhinus leucas
Marine Life · Sharks Beach · Estuary & Mangroves · Freshwater · Marine Reef · Ocean · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “That shark looks strong and stocky!”

Tati: “It can move between salt water and fresh water.”

Identification

Key Features of the Bull Shark

  • A stocky gray body with a pale belly.

  • A short, broad rounded snout and small eyes.

  • A large triangular first dorsal fin.

Habitat & range

Tropical and subtropical coastal waters, estuaries and some freshwater systems.

Conservation & care

Observe marine wildlife without feeding, touching or chasing it. Keep litter and discarded fishing line out of waterways. Follow qualified guides and current local rules.

Threats & pressures

Capture in fisheries affects bull sharks. Coastal development and damage to estuarine nursery habitats can put young animals under additional pressure.

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Nature Field Guide

Caída del Cielo Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata Caída del Cielo
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Caída del Cielo Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Caída del Cielo Waterfall

  • Water color that varies with viewing conditions.

  • A mountain setting.

  • Vegetation and uneven terrain along the approach.

Habitat & range

Toro Amarillo / Bajos del Toro area, Alajuela. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Catarata Caída del Cielo — operator-arranged meeting point

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Arrange the parking and meeting point with the operator before leaving. The tourism board describes access through a farm, with guides connecting visitors from parking to the trail.

Before You Go

The map is an attraction search, not a verified gate pin. Confirm the exact meeting point with the operator. Expect steep sections and ravines; confirm whether a guide is required and whether the route suits your family.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Catarata del Toro

Spanish name
Catarata del Toro
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Catarata del Toro and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Catarata del Toro

  • A deep rocky basin.

  • A tall waterfall within steep walls.

  • Forest and vegetation around the viewpoints.

Habitat & range

Bajos del Toro, Alajuela. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Catarata del Toro — private reserve entrance

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Drive first toward Bajos del Toro, then follow the operator’s signs to Catarata del Toro on the main paved road. The operator states that reaching its entrance does not require a dirt-road detour.

Before You Go

Confirm current opening days and admission with the reserve. Swimming is not permitted at Catarata del Toro.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Ceiba Kapok Tree

Spanish name
Ceiba / Puri
Scientific name
Ceiba pentandra
Trees Rivers & Streams · Tropical Dry Forest · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “Huge buttress roots help make a mature ceiba unforgettable.”

Tati: “Let’s notice the leaves, flowers and habitat without disturbing the plant.”

Identification

Key Features of the Ceiba Kapok Tree

  • Large buttress roots on mature trees

  • Palmate leaves with several narrow leaflets

  • Seed capsules containing silky fibers

Habitat & range

Dry, humid and very wet lowland forests on both slopes, including Pacific, Caribbean and northern lowland landscapes.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult on permitted paths. Observe and photograph without picking leaves, flowers or fruits. Do not taste plants or let pets chew them. Avoid climbing trees and disturbing roots, seedlings or visiting wildlife.

Threats & pressures

Protect suitable habitat, mature trees and natural regeneration. Avoid trampling, unauthorized clearing and collection.

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Nature Field Guide

Central American Boa

Spanish name
Boa o béquer
Scientific name
Boa imperator
Reptiles Farms & Cultivated Land · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the central american boa. Using a photograph, draw three saddle-shaped markings and explain how patterns can blend with a background.

Identification

Key Features of the Central American Boa

  • Heavy body with large brown saddle-like markings.

  • Broad head and a tapering tail.

  • Color and pattern vary between individuals.

Habitat & range

Forests, forest edges and other suitable habitats across Costa Rica.

Conservation & care

Never approach, touch, catch or try to move any snake, even if it appears harmless or dead. Keep children and pets away, step back calmly and tell an adult or guide. Do not use colors, head shape or this card to judge safety.

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Nature Field Guide

Common Basilisk

Spanish name
Basilisco común
Scientific name
Basiliscus basiliscus
Reptiles Rivers & Streams · Tropical Dry Forest · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the common basilisk. Draw the tail and hind feet from a reference photograph. Never frighten a basilisk to make it run.

Identification

Key Features of the Common Basilisk

  • Very long tail.

  • Brown or olive body with pale stripes and dark bands.

  • Adult males have prominent crests on the head, back and tail.

Habitat & range

Pacific lowland dry and moist forests near streams and rivers.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Common Monkey Lizard

Spanish name
Lagartija de dosel
Scientific name
Polychrus gutturosus
Reptiles Forest Edge · Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the common monkey lizard. Look at a reference photograph and mark the outline of the tail. Compare its proportions with a basilisk.

Identification

Key Features of the Common Monkey Lizard

  • Laterally flattened body.

  • Long limbs, toes and whip-like tail.

  • Greenish coloration and an expandable throat region.

Habitat & range

Primarily humid forest canopy. A documented Hojancha record extends coverage into Guanacaste, where persistent streamside vegetation provides a moist refuge within the dry landscape. Also documented at Reserva Los Campesinos in San Jose province. Regional occurrence depends on suitable wooded microhabitat.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

El Ángel Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata del Ángel
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover El Ángel Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the El Ángel Waterfall

  • A waterfall in the Río Ángel corridor.

  • An upper section visible from certain viewpoints.

  • Vegetation and steep terrain that can hide portions of the falls.

Habitat & range

Near Cariblanco, Río Ángel corridor. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Cariblanco / La Isla — El Ángel waterfall viewing area

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Use Cariblanco as the approach area and arrange the exact viewing or trail meeting point with a local guide. The tourism board describes views from parts of the highway around La Isla.

Before You Go

This map is an approach-area search, not a verified public entrance. Confirm land permission and current trail access before walking along the Ángel River. This is El Ángel near Cariblanco, not El Ángel Gabriel in San Ramón.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Great Kiskadee

Spanish name
Bienteveo grande
Scientific name
Pitangus sulphuratus
Birds Estuary & Mangroves · Gardens · Open Woodland · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “It sounds like it is calling its own name!”

Tati: “Let’s also check its bold eyebrow and strong bill.”

Identification

Key Features of the Great Kiskadee

  • Black-and-white head pattern

  • Bright yellow belly

  • Heavy bill and reddish-brown wings

Habitat & range

Open wooded country and settled areas, often near water, on both slopes, mainly below about 1500 m. Less frequent in some southern Pacific areas; not a high-mountain specialist.

Conservation & care

Observe quietly from trails or established viewing areas. Give nests, roosts and feeding birds space. Do not handle, chase or lure birds with playback. Keep pets away from wildlife.

Threats & pressures

Protect native vegetation, reduce collision hazards around glass and keep cats away from birds. These are practical prevention priorities, not a claim of a measured decline at a specific Costa Rican site.

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Nature Field Guide

Greater Bulldog Bat

Spanish name
Murciélago pescador mayor
Scientific name
Noctilio leporinus
Mammals Estuary & Mangroves · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

The greater bulldog bat is one of the bats that regularly catches fish.

Identification

Key Features of the Greater Bulldog Bat

  • Prominent folded lips and pointed ears.

  • Large clawed hind feet adapted for fishing.

  • Short fur that can be reddish, brown or grayish.

Habitat & range

Rivers, ponds and suitable coastal waters near roosting habitat.

Conservation & care

Observe bats from a distance with an adult or guide. Do not touch, feed or handle any bat, including one found on the ground. Leave roosts undisturbed, avoid direct flash and ask local wildlife professionals for help if an animal appears injured.

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Nature Field Guide

Greater Grison

Spanish name
Grisón
Scientific name
Galictis vittata
Mammals Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest · Woodland Edges

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

The greater grison has a long low body, short legs and a striking pale stripe separating its dark face and underside from its grizzled back.

Identification

Key Features of the Greater Grison

  • Long slim body carried on short legs.

  • Grizzled gray back with dark face, belly and legs.

  • Pale stripe across the forehead and down the sides of the shoulders.

Habitat & range

Forests, wooded edges and other suitable landscapes, often near freshwater.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult or local guide. Observe quietly from a distance, stay on established trails and leave shelter undisturbed. Do not feed, touch, capture or corner wildlife. Keep pets away.

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Nature Field Guide

Green Basilisk

Spanish name
Basilisco verde
Scientific name
Basiliscus plumifrons
Reptiles Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the green basilisk. Compare an adult male photograph with a juvenile. Which features change as the animal grows?

Identification

Key Features of the Green Basilisk

  • Green body with pale or bluish spots.

  • Long tail and long hind toes.

  • Large head, back and tail crests in adult males.

Habitat & range

Humid Caribbean lowland forests and suitable wooded stream corridors.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Green Heron

Spanish name
Garcilla verde
Scientific name
Butorides virescens
Birds · Coastal Birds · Herons & Egrets Estuary & Mangroves · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A small hunched shape almost disappears among the roots. Pico and Tati learn that patient looking beats noisy searching.

Identification

Key Features of the Green Heron

  • Small hunched silhouette

  • Greenish back and chestnut neck

  • Straight pointed bill and yellowish legs

Habitat & range

Scan shallow water, quiet mangrove channels and vegetated wetland margins from an established viewpoint. Follow a local guide’s directions around estuaries.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Green Iguana

Spanish name
Iguana verde
Scientific name
Iguana iguana
Reptiles Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the green iguana. Sketch the outline of a distant iguana. Compare its throat fan with the spiny-tailed iguana card.

Identification

Key Features of the Green Iguana

  • Large hanging throat fan.

  • Long tail and a row of dorsal spines.

  • Large round scale below the ear opening.

Habitat & range

Lowland forests and wooded waterways on both Costa Rican slopes.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Guapinol

Spanish name
Guapinol
Scientific name
Hymenaea courbaril
Trees Rivers & Streams · Tropical Dry Forest · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “Paired leaflets and hard brown pods identify a forest tree with an important wildlife role.”

Tati: “Let’s notice the leaves, flowers and habitat without disturbing the plant.”

Identification

Key Features of the Guapinol

  • Two leaflets in each compound leaf

  • Thick brown woody pods

  • Large spreading forest-tree form

Habitat & range

Pacific lowlands and western Central Valley; Guanacaste dry forest is one documented setting.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult on permitted paths. Observe and photograph without picking leaves, flowers or fruits. Do not taste plants or let pets chew them. Avoid climbing trees and disturbing roots, seedlings or visiting wildlife.

Threats & pressures

Protect suitable habitat, mature trees and natural regeneration. Avoid trampling, unauthorized clearing and collection.

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Nature Field Guide

La Fortuna Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata La Fortuna
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover La Fortuna Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the La Fortuna Waterfall

  • A narrow falling column of water.

  • Forested slopes around the river.

  • Mist and wet rocks near the base.

Habitat & range

La Fortuna, Alajuela. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

La Fortuna Waterfall — ADIFORT visitor entrance

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Navigate to the managed La Fortuna Waterfall entrance outside La Fortuna. After admission, a long stairway descends through the forest to the waterfall; allow energy and time for the climb back.

Before You Go

Admission supports ADIFORT community projects. Ask staff about current water conditions and permitted swimming areas. The stairway may be unsuitable for visitors with limited mobility.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

La Paz Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata La Paz
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover La Paz Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the La Paz Waterfall

  • A waterfall framed by forest.

  • A river continuing through a cascade landscape.

  • Roadside and managed viewing contexts.

Habitat & range

Vara Blanca–Cinchona road corridor. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

La Paz Waterfall Gardens — managed visitor reception

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Navigate to La Paz Waterfall Gardens in the Vara Blanca area and check in at the park reception for its maintained waterfall trail network.

Before You Go

This map selects the managed park entrance, not a roadside stopping point. Confirm admission and current trails; the gardens contain several waterfalls and require walking and stairs.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Las Chorreras Waterfalls

Spanish name
Cataratas Las Chorreras
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Las Chorreras Waterfalls and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Las Chorreras Waterfalls

  • Two side-by-side falls.

  • A small volcanic-rock canyon.

  • Surrounding tropical dry forest.

Habitat & range

Hacienda Guachipelín, Rincón de la Vieja area, Guanacaste. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Hacienda Guachipelín — Las Chorreras visitor check-in

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Navigate to Hacienda Guachipelín and check in for the Las Chorreras waterfall walk. Use the operator’s authorized trail and directions.

Before You Go

Confirm the entrance package, walking route and current swimming conditions with the operator.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Llanos de Cortés Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata Llanos de Cortés
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Llanos de Cortés Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall

  • A broad waterfall curtain.

  • Rock and moss around the ledge.

  • A pool and sandy area below.

Habitat & range

Bagaces, Guanacaste. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Llanos de Cortés — visitor entrance near Bagaces

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Navigate to the visitor entrance near Bagaces, rather than to a pin in the waterfall pool. Confirm the parking area and authorized walking route on arrival.

Before You Go

Confirm current admission and opening arrangements locally. Ask staff about water conditions before entering any designated swimming area.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Long-tailed Weasel

Spanish name
Comadreja de cola larga
Scientific name
Neogale frenata
Mammals Farms & Cultivated Land · Open Woodland · Rivers & Streams · Woodland Edges

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A long-tailed weasel has a narrow flexible body that helps it move through cover and investigate small spaces.

Identification

Key Features of the Long-tailed Weasel

  • Very slender body with short legs and a small head.

  • Brown upper coat and pale underside.

  • Long tail with a black tip.

Habitat & range

Wooded edges, scrub and other suitable partly open landscapes.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult or local guide. Observe quietly from a distance, stay on established trails and leave shelter undisturbed. Do not feed, touch, capture or corner wildlife. Keep pets away.

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Nature Field Guide

Montezuma Waterfalls

Spanish name
Cataratas de Montezuma
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Montezuma Waterfalls and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Montezuma Waterfalls

  • A waterfall and natural pool.

  • Rocky river terrain.

  • Forest close to the coastal community.

Habitat & range

Montezuma, Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Montezuma Waterfalls — lower-trail approach near La Cascada

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

The lower-waterfall trail approach is near La Cascada Restaurant and the bridge on the Cabuya side of Montezuma. Confirm the current public trail access locally before setting out.

Before You Go

The map indicates an approach landmark, not a managed entrance or an upper-waterfall route. Confirm access permission and trail conditions. Use a local guide if unsure; do not jump from the falls.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Nauyaca Waterfalls

Spanish name
Cataratas Nauyaca
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Nauyaca Waterfalls and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Nauyaca Waterfalls

  • A tall upper waterfall.

  • A lower fall spreading over steps of rock.

  • Forest around a broad canyon and pools.

Habitat & range

Barú area near Platanillo and Dominical. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park — San Salvador office

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

For this entrance, approach via Route 243 to Tinamastes and follow the operator’s signs toward San Salvador and its office. Check in for the hiking or transport option.

Before You Go

Nauyaca has two separately operated entrances. This map selects Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park, not the other operator. Match your ticket to this office and confirm the recommended vehicle route.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Northern Neotropical River Otter

Spanish name
Nutria mesoamericana
Scientific name
Lontra annectens
Mammals Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

This river otter is a water-adapted member of the weasel family.

Identification

Key Features of the Northern Neotropical River Otter

  • Brown streamlined body with a paler throat.

  • Small rounded ears, whiskered muzzle and webbed feet.

  • Long thick tail tapering toward its tip.

Habitat & range

Rivers, streams and wetlands; documented study areas include Tortuguero and the Sarapiquí basin.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult or local guide. Observe quietly from a distance, stay on established trails and leave shelter undisturbed. Do not feed, touch, capture or corner wildlife. Keep pets away. Stay clear of slippery or unstable banks; do not enter water to follow an animal.

Conservation assessment

Mammal Diversity Database lists this recently separated species as Not Evaluated, checked October 2026. Do not transfer the older Lontra longicaudis assessment automatically.

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Nature Field Guide

Oropéndola Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata Oropéndola
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Oropéndola Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Oropéndola Waterfall

  • A waterfall descending between canyon walls.

  • A pool that can appear turquoise.

  • Vegetation along the Río Blanco.

Habitat & range

Rincón de la Vieja area, Guanacaste. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Hacienda Guachipelín — Oropéndola visitor check-in

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Navigate to Hacienda Guachipelín near Curubandé and check in for Oropéndola access. Follow the operator’s directions to the correct trailhead.

Before You Go

This map targets the operator check-in, not the waterfall pool. Confirm the current check-in point, ticket, trail access and swimming conditions before visiting.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Painted Wood Turtle

Spanish name
Tortuga de bosque pintada
Scientific name
Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima
Reptiles Open Woodland · Rivers & Streams · Tropical Dry Forest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the painted wood turtle. Compare its walking feet with a sea turtle’s flippers using photographs. How does each shape suit its habitat?

Identification

Key Features of the Painted Wood Turtle

  • Domed brown shell with variable markings.

  • Red or orange markings around the head and limbs.

  • Walking feet rather than sea-turtle flippers.

Habitat & range

Northwestern Pacific Costa Rica, south toward the Tarcoles and Carara area. Uses seasonally dry woodland, scrub and moist gallery forest near streams. The reviewed natural-range sources do not support a general South Pacific assignment.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Proboscis Bat

Spanish name
Murciélago narigón
Scientific name
Rhynchonycteris naso
Mammals Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

The proboscis bat is a tiny insect-eating bat with an elongated muzzle.

Identification

Key Features of the Proboscis Bat

  • Small grizzled gray-brown bat with a long muzzle.

  • Two faint pale back stripes.

  • Pale tufts spaced along the forearms; similar bats require expert comparison.

Habitat & range

Freshwater-associated habitats with suitable exposed roosting surfaces.

Conservation & care

Observe bats from a distance with an adult or guide. Do not touch, feed or handle any bat, including one found on the ground. Leave roosts undisturbed, avoid direct flash and ask local wildlife professionals for help if an animal appears injured.

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Nature Field Guide

Río Agrio Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata Río Agrio
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Río Agrio Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Río Agrio Waterfall

  • A waterfall within a wooded river corridor.

  • Rock walls and wet vegetation.

  • A river influenced by volcanic minerals.

Habitat & range

Toro Amarillo / Bajos del Toro area, Alajuela. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Catarata Río Agrio–Dino Land — visitor entrance

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

The municipal directory locates the entrance approximately 4 km north of the Bajos del Toro sports field. Navigate to Catarata Río Agrio–Dino Land and use its visitor parking and managed trails.

Before You Go

Confirm current entry options with the operator. Different attractions and pools may have different access rules; ask staff where visitors may enter the water.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Río Celeste Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata Río Celeste
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Río Celeste Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Río Celeste Waterfall

  • Blue-toned water when conditions allow.

  • A waterfall framed by forest.

  • A viewing area reached by steps.

Habitat & range

Tenorio Volcano National Park, northern Costa Rica. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Tenorio Volcano National Park — El Pilón entrance

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Enter through El Pilón and follow the marked Río Celeste trail. The waterfall lookout requires a descent on stairs and the return climb.

Before You Go

Reserve through SINAC. Swimming and entering the river are prohibited inside the national park. Rain may affect trail conditions and visibility.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

San Fernando Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata San Fernando
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover San Fernando Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the San Fernando Waterfall

  • A tall falling stream.

  • Dense vegetation around the falls.

  • Steep forested terrain.

Habitat & range

Cinchona, Vara Blanca–San Miguel de Sarapiquí corridor. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Cinchona — San Fernando waterfall viewing area

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Travel along the Vara Blanca–San Miguel de Sarapiquí corridor to Cinchona. Arrange a permitted viewing stop with a local business or guide and ask where parking is available.

Before You Go

This map shows Cinchona as a viewing area, not a verified waterfall trailhead. The tourism board identifies highway views. Public base access is not verified; obtain permission before entering private land.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

South American Snapping Turtle

Spanish name
Tortuga lagarto / Tortuga mordedora
Scientific name
Chelydra acutirostris
Reptiles Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “What clues help us recognize this reptile?”

Tati: “Let’s notice its shape, markings and habitat from a respectful distance.”

Identification

Key Features of the South American Snapping Turtle

  • Large powerful head

  • Long tail with raised scales

  • Rough shell and strong clawed limbs

Habitat & range

Freshwater wetlands and rivers in Costa Rican lowlands, on both slopes where suitable habitat remains.

Conservation & care

Observe from a safe distance with an adult. Keep hands and pets away from the head and water’s edge. Do not lift, move, feed or handle a snapping turtle, and never lift any turtle by its tail.

Threats & pressures

Protect habitat connections and natural shelters. Avoid road mortality, collection and deliberate killing. Leave reptiles in their habitat rather than keeping or relocating them.

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Nature Field Guide

Spectacled Caiman

Spanish name
Caimán de anteojos
Scientific name
Caiman crocodilus
Reptiles Estuary & Mangroves · Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the spectacled caiman. Compare verified caiman and American crocodile photographs. Draw the eye ridge without treating it as a field safety test.

Identification

Key Features of the Spectacled Caiman

  • Bony ridge between the eyes.

  • Armored back and muscular tail.

  • Broad crocodilian head and body.

Habitat & range

Suitable lowland freshwater wetlands, rivers and ponds in Costa Rica.

Conservation & care

Observe only from a guide-approved viewing location. Stay away from water edges, never swim or wade where crocodilians may occur, and never feed or approach one. Keep children and pets well away from banks.

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Nature Field Guide

Spotted Sandpiper

Spanish name
Andarríos maculado
Scientific name
Actitis macularius
Birds · Coastal Birds · Shorebirds Beach · Estuary & Mangroves · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico looks for spots but finds a plain white belly. Tati learns that the name does not describe every season.

Identification

Key Features of the Spotted Sandpiper

  • Brown back and white underparts

  • Frequent tail bobbing

  • Short straight bill

  • Belly spots may be absent outside breeding

Habitat & range

Scan exposed shoreline feeding areas and nearby resting places with binoculars. The tide changes which flats are available; remain on a safe established route.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Stream Anole

Spanish name
Anolis de quebrada
Scientific name
Anolis oxylophus
Reptiles Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “What clues help us recognize this reptile?”

Tati: “Let’s notice its shape, markings and habitat from a respectful distance.”

Identification

Key Features of the Stream Anole

  • Slender body and long tail

  • Brownish camouflage

  • Perches close to forest streams

Habitat & range

Caribbean-slope streams and humid northern foothills; the type locality is Sipurio in Limón.

Conservation & care

Observe with an adult from permitted paths. Do not catch, chase, touch or feed reptiles. Leave bark, logs, rocks and leaf litter in place. Keep pets away and allow animals an open escape route.

Threats & pressures

Protect habitat connections and natural shelters. Avoid road mortality, collection and deliberate killing. Leave reptiles in their habitat rather than keeping or relocating them.

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Nature Field Guide

Sunbittern

Spanish name
Garza del sol
Scientific name
Eurypyga helias
Birds Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “Its folded wings look so different from its open wings!”

Tati: “We will wait for natural movement instead of startling it.”

Identification

Key Features of the Sunbittern

  • Dark head with white stripes.

  • Long bill and slender neck.

  • Orange-chestnut wing pattern visible in a natural display.

Habitat & range

Wooded streams in Caribbean foothills and adjoining lowlands and the southern Pacific. Usually around 100–1200 m, locally higher in Coto Brus.

Conservation & care

Stay on authorized trails or viewing routes. Give birds space, keep voices low and leave nests undisturbed. Observe without bait, feeding or recorded calls.

Threats & pressures

Smithsonian identifies habitat loss as a pressure on Sunbittern populations.

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Nature Field Guide

Tayra

Spanish name
Tolomuco
Scientific name
Eira barbara
Mammals Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “That animal moves quickly on the ground and in trees!”

Tati: “Let’s watch without trying to keep up.”

Identification

Key Features of the Tayra

  • Long dark body with short legs.

  • Often a paler gray head.

  • Long bushy tail and agile climbing.

Habitat & range

Tortuguero’s Caño Chiquero–Mora aquatic route and surrounding rainforest.

Seasonal Calendar

Breeding possible

Costa Rica; broad natural-history account

Year-round

ACG describes reproduction throughout the year; no fixed Tortuguero birth months are established.

Event source ↗

Conservation & care

Keep a respectful distance and leave an open route for the animal. Stay on authorized paths, secure food and rubbish, and observe without feeding, touching, baiting or chasing.

Threats & pressures

Deforestation, forest fires and persecution around poultry or small farm animals are documented pressures.

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Nature Field Guide

Tesoro Escondido Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata Tesoro Escondido
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Tesoro Escondido Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Tesoro Escondido Waterfall

  • A waterfall surrounded by vegetation.

  • Rocky river terrain and neighboring pools.

  • Mountain scenery and viewpoints.

Habitat & range

Toro Amarillo / Bajos del Toro area, Alajuela. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Catarata Tesoro Escondido — visitor reception

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Navigate to the Tesoro Escondido visitor reception in the Bajos del Toro area. Check in before taking the managed trails to the waterfall and any included viewpoints.

Before You Go

Reserve the package you want with the operator; the waterfall, pools and Mirador La Gota may be included differently. Confirm trail conditions and suitability for children.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Victoria Waterfall

Spanish name
Catarata Victoria
Scientific name
Waterfalls Freshwater · Rivers & Streams

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Victoria Waterfall and learn how water shapes Costa Rica’s landscapes.

Identification

Key Features of the Victoria Waterfall

  • Water falling into the Río Negro.

  • Canyon rock formations.

  • Plants growing around the river corridor.

Habitat & range

Hacienda Guachipelín, Rincón de la Vieja area, Guanacaste. Look for the waterfall’s river, rock formations and surrounding vegetation from approved viewing areas.

Conservation & care

Visit with an adult and follow the site’s current access rules and staff guidance. Stay on authorized trails and behind barriers. Wet rocks, steep drops, strong currents and sudden rises in water can be dangerous. Do not jump from waterfalls or climb wet rock faces. Enter water only where explicitly permitted and conditions are approved by site staff. Leave plants, rocks and wildlife undisturbed and carry out all litter.

Plan Your Visit

Hacienda Guachipelín — Victoria Waterfall visitor check-in

Get Directions ↗

Getting There

Navigate to Hacienda Guachipelín and arrange Victoria Waterfall access at check-in. Staff will direct you to the authorized access route into the Río Negro canyon.

Before You Go

Confirm tour arrangements and suitability for children. Use the operator’s access instructions rather than navigating directly to a canyon pin.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

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Nature Field Guide

Violet Sabrewing

Spanish name
Ala de sable violáceo
Scientific name
Campylopterus hemileucurus
Birds Cloud Forest · Forest Edge · Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “It looked dark until it turned!”

Tati: “Iridescent feathers can change appearance as the light changes.”

Identification

Key Features of the Violet Sabrewing

  • Large hummingbird shape

  • Thick curved bill

  • White outer tail corners

Habitat & range

Humid mountain forest and forest edges on both slopes. Breeding is mainly at middle elevations, with seasonal descent into foothills. Guanacaste means humid mountain habitat, not dry beaches.

Conservation & care

Observe quietly from trails or established viewing areas. Give nests, roosts and feeding birds space. Do not handle, chase or lure birds with playback. Keep pets away from wildlife.

Threats & pressures

Protect native vegetation, reduce collision hazards around glass and keep cats away from birds. These are practical prevention priorities, not a claim of a measured decline at a specific Costa Rican site.

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Nature Field Guide

Water Anole

Spanish name
Anolis acuático
Scientific name
Anolis aquaticus
Reptiles Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico: “What clues help us recognize this reptile?”

Tati: “Let’s notice its shape, markings and habitat from a respectful distance.”

Identification

Key Features of the Water Anole

  • Brown body with pale flank markings

  • Long tail

  • Close association with forest streams

Habitat & range

Southwestern Costa Rican stream habitats, with documented records from Osa and research around Las Cruces.

Conservation & care

Observe with an adult from permitted paths. Do not catch, chase, touch or feed reptiles. Leave bark, logs, rocks and leaf litter in place. Keep pets away and allow animals an open escape route.

Threats & pressures

Protect habitat connections and natural shelters. Avoid road mortality, collection and deliberate killing. Leave reptiles in their habitat rather than keeping or relocating them.

View full profile →

Nature Field Guide

Water Opossum

Spanish name
Zorro de agua
Scientific name
Chironectes minimus
Mammals Rivers & Streams · Tropical Rainforest

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

The water opossum, also called the yapok, is a marsupial adapted to life beside freshwater.

Identification

Key Features of the Water Opossum

  • Silvery gray coat crossed by broad dark markings.

  • Dark facial mask and a long mostly bare tail.

  • Webbed hind feet, best studied in reference photographs.

Habitat & range

Forested freshwater streams and associated riverbanks.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult or local guide. Observe quietly from a distance, stay on established trails and leave shelter undisturbed. Do not feed, touch, capture or corner wildlife. Keep pets away. Stay clear of slippery or unstable banks; do not enter water to follow an animal.

View full profile →

Nature Field Guide

West Indian Manatee

Spanish name
Manatí del Caribe
Scientific name
Trichechus manatus
Mammals Estuary & Mangroves · Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

The West Indian manatee is a large aquatic mammal with a rounded paddle-shaped tail and a whiskered muzzle.

Vulnerable

Identification

Key Features of the West Indian Manatee

  • Large rounded body with gray skin.

  • Blunt whiskered muzzle and two front flippers.

  • Broad rounded paddle tail, without a dolphin's split flukes or dorsal fin.

Habitat & range

Caribbean waterways and wetlands, including Tortuguero.

Conservation & care

Use a responsible local wildlife operator and follow site rules. Give aquatic mammals room to feed, rest and travel. Do not feed, touch, chase or enter the water to approach them. Keep waste and fishing line out of waterways.

Conservation assessment

Global species-level IUCN category reported by Mammal Diversity Database, checked October 2026. Subspecies and national categories can differ.

View full profile →

Nature Field Guide

White-lipped Mud Turtle

Spanish name
Tortuga de barro de labios blancos
Scientific name
Kinosternon leucostomum
Reptiles Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the white-lipped mud turtle. Study a verified photo and draw the pale mouth edge. Describe how a turtle can remain hidden without disturbing its shelter.

Identification

Key Features of the White-lipped Mud Turtle

  • Pale markings around the mouth.

  • Small, domed brownish shell.

  • Short legs and a relatively large head.

Habitat & range

Suitable ponds, slow freshwater and damp lowland habitats.

Conservation & care

Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.

View full profile →

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