When the sun goes down in La Fortuna, the rainforest changes. Animals you may not see during a daytime walk start to feed, hunt, call, and move through the vegetation and canopy.
During a Mistico Night Tour, a naturalist guide helps you follow those sounds, spot subtle movement, and look in places you might otherwise pass without noticing. Still, every night in the rainforest is different. Sightings depend on the weather, season, location, and natural behavior of the animals, so no species is guaranteed.
So, what might you see during the tour? This guide introduces you to some of La Fortuna night wildlife, including frogs, reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, and other creatures you may encounter along the trail.
1. Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
A flash of red between the leaves may reveal one of the most recognizable frogs in Costa Rica’s rainforest.
Red-eyed tree frogs have bright green bodies, vivid red eyes, blue-and-yellow markings along their sides, and orange toes.
Guides often look for them resting on broad leaves and low vegetation near ponds, streams, and other damp areas. Despite their bright colors, they can hide surprisingly well when they close their eyes and tuck their legs against their bodies.
Warm, humid evenings may bring more frog activity, so a little rain earlier in the day could work in your favor. You might even hear their calls before your guide finds one among the vegetation.
2. Glass Frogs
Alt text: Small glass frog blending into a green leaf near a rainforest stream as a guide points it out at night.
Glass frogs are tiny, delicate, and remarkably good at disappearing. Their pale green coloring blends almost perfectly with the leaves around them, while some species have translucent skin on their underside that allows you to see the outline of their internal organs.
These frogs often rest on or beneath leaves near streams, where their size and camouflage make them difficult to find. Spotting one takes a trained eye: without knowing where to look or which signs to listen for, you could pass within a few feet of one without realizing it.
3. Other Rainforest Frogs and Toads
Beyond red-eyed tree frogs and glass frogs, La Fortuna’s rainforest holds a much wider variety of amphibians that may become active after dark. Other frogs and toads may appear near streams, on the forest floor, beneath leaves, or among low vegetation.
Croaks, chirps, and calls often ripple through the forest before a frog comes into view. These sounds alert your guide that one may be nearby and help narrow down where it could be hiding.
What you encounter can vary from one night to the next. Recent rainfall, humidity, temperature, and other conditions all influence which amphibians become active and where they may appear.
4. Snakes
Coming across a snake can make a night walk feel genuinely wild. One may be resting coiled on a branch, moving quietly through low vegetation, or waiting motionless for prey to pass by.
Their colors and patterns can blend so closely with leaves, vines, and bark that you might walk right past one without noticing. Guides look for the subtle curves, textures, and movements that can reveal where a snake is hiding.
If one appears, your guide will help the group observe it from a safe, respectful distance. A calm encounter offers a fascinating look at how snakes behave in their natural habitat.
Planning a trip to La Fortuna? Discover the snakes you might encounter.
5. Sleeping Lizards
Some of the nocturnal species you find in La Fortuna may simply be asleep. Small lizards often rest on leaves, narrow branches, tree trunks, and other sheltered spots, remaining much stiller than they would during the day.
Their colors help them blend into the vegetation, and some choose places you might never think to check—even branches or leaves right at eye level. A curled leaf, the tip of a branch, or a patch of bark could hide a sleeping lizard in plain sight. Don’t worry, though, with a careful look from your guide, nighttime may give you the chance to observe one without disturbing it.
6. Kinkajous
Kinkajous are nocturnal mammals related to raccoons that spend most of their time in the trees. Their round faces, large eyes, and prehensile tails suit life in the canopy. Spotting one often begins with looking up: rustling leaves, a moving branch, or a sudden sound may be the first clue that one is overhead.
Once found, a kinkajou may climb quickly through the branches and disappear into the vegetation within seconds. Sightings can be brief, so stay alert when your guide points the flashlight toward the canopy.
7. Two-Toed Sloths
Unlike their three-toed cousins, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths are primarily nocturnal and tend to become more active after dark. If one is nearby, you may see it feeding on leaves or slowly moving from branch to branch through the canopy.
Finding one can still take patience. Two-toed sloths often remain high in the trees, and their fur blends easily with the branches and vegetation around them. From the trail below, even a moving sloth may look like little more than a shadow among the leaves until your guide points it out.
Meet the much-loved sloths of La Fortuna!
8. Coatis and Other Mammals
Alt text: White-nosed coati walking across the rainforest floor after sunset during a night wildlife tour in La Fortuna.
Not every animal encountered during a night tour is exclusively nocturnal. Coatis, for example, are usually more active during the day but may occasionally appear after the sun sets. Other mammals might also cross the trail or move through the surrounding forest.
A sound from the forest floor or a quick movement between the trees could reveal an unexpected visitor. These encounters are not common or guaranteed, but that is part of the fun of exploring the rainforest at night: you never know exactly who might appear.
9. Owls and Other Night Birds
An owl call from somewhere in the trees may be your first clue that a night bird is nearby. Guides listen for these sounds and scan the canopy for silhouettes, the subtlest movement of a branch, or a shape perched quietly among the leaves.
The night may also reveal birds you would normally see active during the day. Some settle into unlikely sleeping spots beneath large leaves or on protected branches, where they remain sheltered from predators and rain. Without a guide pointing them out, owls can be surprisingly easy to miss.
10. Bats
A quick silhouette darting overhead may be all you see of a bat during a night walk. They are usually spotted flying above the trail or between the trees rather than resting nearby, often moving too quickly to follow for long.
Different bat species help the rainforest in different ways. Some pollinate flowers, others disperse seeds, and many feed on insects. Their speed and the low light make them difficult to photograph, so watching their movement through the trees may be the best way to appreciate the encounter.
11. Spiders
Under a flashlight beam, spiders and webs that nearly disappear during the day suddenly come into view. La Fortuna’s rainforest is home to a wide variety of species, from web-builders among the vegetation to hunters on the forest floor.
As the light catches the spiders and their silk, colors, patterns, and details that were hidden moments earlier begin to appear. The rule is simple: look, don’t touch. For your safety and theirs, leave the spiders, their webs, and the surrounding vegetation undisturbed.
12. Insects and Other Tiny Creatures
Some of the biggest surprises on a night walk can be among the smallest. Moths, beetles, walking sticks, crickets, ants, and leaf-mimicking insects may appear on tree trunks, beneath leaves, or beside the trail.
A closer look can reveal extraordinary colors, unusual textures, and camouflage so convincing that an insect looks like part of a leaf or branch. Sometimes, the smallest creature resting on a leaf becomes the most memorable find of the night.
Will You See Different Animals Than During the Day?
Yes, you may see different animals during a night walk than during the day. Night tours can reveal nocturnal species and behaviors that are less noticeable in daylight, although every wildlife encounter is different. Daytime walks are often associated with monkeys moving through the canopy, toucans and hummingbirds among the trees, butterflies near the trail, and reptiles active in the sunlight.
After dark, your attention turns to frogs, bats, owls, kinkajous, insects, spiders, and the nocturnal activity of two-toed sloths. You may also find daytime animals in an entirely different way, tucked beneath leaves or resting on protected branches while they sleep.
Neither experience replaces the other. A night tour reveals another side of the same rainforest, making it a worthwhile addition even if you have already explored the trails during the day.
Book the Mistico Night Tour and discover the magic of the rainforest after sunset.
See La Fortuna’s Nocturnal Wildlife at Mistico Park
The best way to experience all of this firsthand is with guides who know exactly where to look. On the Mistico Night Tour, a naturalist guide leads you along rainforest trails and hanging bridges, helping you find animals and behaviors you might otherwise miss, move safely through the forest, and observe wildlife without disturbing it.
No two walks reveal exactly the same things, but that unpredictability is part of discovering nocturnal wildlife in La Fortuna. Bring your curiosity, keep your eyes open, and see what appears after dark. Contact Mistico Park today to book your tour!
FAQs
Is a night wildlife tour worth it if I already visited the rainforest during the day?
Yes, a night wildlife tour can still be worth it after a daytime visit. It may reveal nocturnal animals, sleeping birds, and behaviors you are less likely to notice in daylight, allowing you to see another side of the same rainforest.
What happens if we don’t see many animals during the tour?
Your guide will continue listening for calls, checking the vegetation, and watching for subtle movement throughout the tour. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but even small discoveries, nighttime sounds, and signs of activity can reveal how the rainforest changes after dark.
Is a night wildlife tour suitable for children?
Yes, the Mistico Night Tour is suitable for children ages 10 and older. Families should consider whether their children feel comfortable walking through the rainforest for approximately 2.5 hours after dark.
When is the best time of year to see nocturnal wildlife in La Fortuna?
You can see nocturnal wildlife in La Fortuna throughout the year. Rainy-season moisture may encourage more amphibian and reptile activity, while the dry season often brings more predictable weather and comfortable trail conditions.
Can you photograph animals during a Mistico Night Tour?
Yes, you can photograph animals during a Mistico Night Tour, but flash photography should be avoided to protect the wildlife. Low light and quick movement can make some animals difficult to capture, so follow your guide’s instructions and take photos without disturbing them.
What should you bring to a night wildlife tour in La Fortuna?
Bring closed-toe walking shoes with good grip, long pants, lightweight clothing, insect repellent, a raincoat or poncho, water, and a camera or phone. You may also bring a flashlight or headlamp, although Mistico provides lights for visitors.
