A World to Discover

WILDLIFE AT LAPA RIOS

Lapa Rios Lodge exists in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings. More often than not, you needn’t even go looking for mammals to find them. Howler monkeys – nature’s alarm clock – will make their presence known to you at dawn. Squirrel monkeys will never be too far from breakfast. Self-assured coatis strut through the main lodge, blissfully unaware of the stir they create.

Other mammals frequently seen around the lodge include spider and white faced monkeys, kinkajous, two and three toed sloths, three species of bat, agoutis, skunks, peccaries, anteaters, armadillos, opossums and more. Our cats, including pumas, jaguarondis, ocelots, margays and jaguars are shy but not impossible to spot either.

Binoculars at the ready – over 300 bird species have been sighted at Lapa Rios, including our namesake lapa, or scarlet macaw. At certain times of the year, large flocks of scarlet macaws can be seen flying together resembling colorful “rivers” (rios) on the horizon, hence our lodge’s name.

Other species frequently spotted include the chestnut-mandibled toucan, aracaris, and the endemic black-cheeked ant-tanager. The sheer abundance of impressive, colorful birds that flitter through our treetops could turn any first-timer into an avid birder.

A host of reptiles and amphibians scurry, slither and hop around the lodge. Glimpse Jesus Christ lizards dart from the path on your way to breakfast. Sunbathe beside prehistoric-looking iguanas. Watch diminutive poison dart frogs splash around after rainfall.

Our expert guides will point out various other lizards, geckos, skinks, tree frogs and snakes including boas, corals, vines and vipers.

Bugs are all part of the Lapa Rios safari. Hard-working leaf cutter ants haul their fruitage along the reserve’s trails. Bright blue morpho butterflies flirtatious glide from tree to tree. Stick insects crop up in unexpected places and noisy cicadas keep up the rainforest rhythm. There is something about seeing insects in situ that makes them more magical than menacing.

Just a stone’s throw from Lapa Rios Lodge: the Pacific Ocean and Golfo Dulce. On their shores dwell crabs, starfish and sea cucumbers. Out in the blue swim green sea turtles, dolphins, and both pilot and humpback whales which can even be spotted from the lodge.