Our Signature Experience

The Ultimate Sloth Watching Experience at Rio Celeste

Spot wild two-toed and three-toed sloths in the humid Cecropia forests of Katira, Guatuso — with expert guides and professional-grade spotting scopes.

🎟️ Book — $25 per person What to Expect ↓

Wildlife Education

Spot Two and Three-Toed Sloths in Katira

The humid climate of the Guatuso lowlands creates a perfect habitat for both sloth species found in Costa Rica. Our private Cecropia forest is one of the best places in the country to observe them in their natural environment.

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Hoffman’s Two-Toed Sloth

Choloepus hoffmanni

The larger and more mysterious of the two species, the Hoffman’s Two-Toed Sloth is primarily nocturnal — making a daytime sighting especially special. With its cream-colored fur and rounded face, it blends masterfully into the Cecropia canopy.

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Size: Larger species, up to 8kg
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Activity: Primarily nocturnal; sleeps up to 20 hours daily
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Diet: Leaves, flowers, and fruit from Cecropia trees
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Camouflage: Algae grows in fur for perfect green-tinted disguise
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Fun Fact: Can rotate their head 270° to scan for predators

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Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

The most commonly spotted sloth species and arguably the more charismatic one. The Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth is diurnal — most active during daylight hours — making it a favourite of photographers. Look for its distinctive dark mask around the eyes.

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Activity: Diurnal — active during the day
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Trademark: Permanent «smile» on face; dark eye mask
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Speed: The world’s slowest mammal — 0.15 mph max
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Lifespan: Up to 40 years in the wild
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Fun Fact: Descends to the ground only once a week to defecate

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Why Cecropia Trees Are Sloth Paradise

Sloths are uniquely adapted to feed on Cecropia leaves (Guarumo) — the large, fast-growing tropical trees that dominate our private forest reserve. These leaves are low in nutrients and hard to digest, which is why sloths evolved to move slowly and conserve energy. Our reserve maintains a pristine Cecropia habitat that naturally attracts and supports multiple sloths year-round.

The Experience

What to Expect on Your Guided Walk

Meet Your Naturalist Guide

At the reserve entrance you’ll meet your certified Costa Rican naturalist guide. They’ll give you a quick wildlife briefing and explain what to look for — and what to listen for.

Walk the Cecropia Forest

Easy, flat trails through the private forest — no hiking boots required. As you walk, your guide scans the canopy for movement, shape, and the tell-tale signs of resting sloths.

🔭 The Spotting Scope Moment

Once a sloth is located, your guide sets up the professional spotting scope. Hold your phone to the eyepiece and you’ll capture magazine-quality images — the «wow» moment every visitor remembers.

Discover the Full Ecosystem

The remaining time is spent exploring the richness of the rainforest ecosystem: toucans in the treetops, poison dart frogs on the forest floor, and the iridescent flash of Blue Morpho butterflies.

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Professional Spotting Scopes

We provide high-end spotting scopes so you can see every detail of the sloth — the texture of its fur, the curve of its claws, the lazy blink of its eyes — and take «Nat-Geo» style photos with nothing but your phone.

📸 No heavy camera equipment needed

Native Biodiversity You May Encounter

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Toucans

Keel-billed & Chestnut

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Dart Frogs

Strawberry Poison Frog

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Morpho Butterflies

Iridescent blue wings

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Howler Monkeys

The roar of the jungle

Practical Info

Plan Your Visit

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Departure Times

8:00 AM
10:00 AM
1:00 PM
3:00 PM

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Duration

90 minutes
Approx 1.5 km walked
Flat, easy terrain

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Who Can Join

All ages welcome
No fitness level required
Child-friendly

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What to Bring

Comfortable shoes
Light layers
Insect repellent
Charged phone camera

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Book Your Sloth Watching Tour

$25 per person · 90 minutes · Guaranteed sightings

Tours at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM daily

📱 Book via WhatsApp 📍 Find Us on Map