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If you’ve heard about owls in Costa Rica, you’ve probably also wondered how often they’re actually seen. Are they common, or are they one of those animals everyone mentions but few people catch sight of?
Most owl activity happens after sunset, when the rainforest quiets down, and nighttime hunters begin to move. In regions like Arenal and La Fortuna, owls are present, but they don’t behave the way many visitors expect.
In this guide, we’ll tell you where to find owls in Costa Rica, why the Arenal region is a good place to listen for them, and what nighttime walks are really like, so you know what to pay attention to once the sun goes down.
Are There Owls in Costa Rica?
Yes, there are owls in Costa Rica. The country is home to around 17 owl species, most of which are active after sunset. This is when owls begin hunting, calling, and moving through the forest, usually staying high in the trees where they’re harder to spot.
You may come across names like the Costa Rican pygmy owl, Central American pygmy owl, tropical screech owl, middle American screech owl, black-and-white owl, unspotted saw whet owl, great horned owl, Pacific screech owl, or striped owl. These species reflect Costa Rica’s overall owl diversity, but they aren’t all found in the same regions or encountered with the same frequency.
Because each species is tied to specific habitats, where you are matters, some owls are more closely associated with lowland rainforest, others with more open or drier areas, and a few are rarely encountered by visitors at all.
Where to See Owls in Arenal / La Fortuna
The Arenal and La Fortuna region offers the kind of conditions owls respond to. Dense rainforest canopy provides cover, prey is abundant, and protected natural areas help keep nighttime noise low. Together, this creates an environment where owl movement and calling are easier to notice after dark.
Here are the main places where owls are most often noticed around the Arenal region:
Mistico Park night walks
A night walk at Mistico Park moves at an easy, quiet pace. Once it gets dark, the forest feels calmer, and the group takes its time instead of rushing along the trail.
Guides pause the group when they hear calls and give everyone time to stop and listen. Lights are used only when needed, so most of the experience is about paying attention to sound. You spend more time standing still than walking, and little by little, you start to notice how calls repeat or change as owls move through the trees.
Other owl habitats in the Arenal region
Outside of guided trails, owls in the Arenal region are usually found in places that stay quiet after dark. Areas with tall, mature forest give them cover, and deeper sections of the rainforest tend to have less noise and movement at night.
Places near streams or damp areas often attract small animals, which is why owls pass through or stay nearby. You may also hear more calls where dense forest opens up a bit, since sound carries better, and it’s easier to notice movement in those transition areas.
Most Common Owls You May Encounter in Arenal
The Arenal region is one of the places in Costa Rica where owls are regularly part of the nighttime soundscape. While owls don’t always make themselves visible, their presence is often noticeable once the forest settles down after dark, especially if you know what to listen for.
Spectacled Owl
The Spectacled Owl is one of the largest owls found in the Arenal region and is known for its deep, low call that carries through the forest at night. When it calls, the sound carries far through the forest, especially on quiet nights.
If you’re lucky enough to see one, its dark face and pale markings around the eyes stand out right away. Locally, it’s often called “Oropopo.” This owl prefers forested areas and river zones with big trees and feeds mainly on small mammals, along with other animals.
Most encounters happen through sound, but sightings do happen when the owl is resting quietly in the canopy, usually around dusk or early morning.
Mottled Owl
The Mottled Owl is one of the owls people run into most often in Costa Rica, and Arenal is no exception. It has a rough, gruff call that can carry through the forest and sometimes goes on for several minutes from the same tree.
What makes this owl interesting is how adaptable it is. It shows up in dense forest, smaller woodland patches, and even well-treed areas near lodges and gardens. Because it tends to stay put when it’s calling or roosting, people do occasionally spot it sitting quietly in a tree, especially around dusk or early morning. Even so, most encounters still begin with its voice cutting through the night.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl often surprises people because it doesn’t fully follow the usual “owl rules.” It’s small, alert, and not strictly nocturnal, which means it’s sometimes active around dusk and even during the day.
Its call is sharp and high-pitched, cutting through the forest in short bursts that are easy to notice during quieter moments. Unlike larger owls that stay high in the canopy, this one often calls from lower branches or open edges, which is why some visitors do get a quick look at it perched nearby.
Crested Owl
The Crested Owl is the kind of owl you notice when the forest feels especially still. It prefers humid, mature rainforest and tends to stay deeper in the trees, away from open areas and noise.
When it does vocalize, the sound is long and low, spaced out enough that it can easily blend into the background if you’re not listening closely. It often sticks to the same general area, which is why guides sometimes know where to listen for it. Sightings are less common, but they do happen when the owl is resting quietly during the day, hidden among dense foliage.
Bare-Shanked Screech-Owl
The Bare-Shanked Screech-Owl is closely tied to higher elevations around Arenal, especially in cloud forest and cooler, misty areas. It’s fairly common in these habitats, but it doesn’t draw much attention to itself.
At night, what most people notice first is a soft, repeating trill that blends easily into the background sounds of the forest. Since it’s small and quiet, encounters are usually based on sound rather than sight. Every now and then, though, one is spotted during the day, resting calmly in the trees, which can be a surprising moment for anyone on the trail.
What to Expect When Spotting Owls at Night
Spotting owls at night is different from walking a trail during the day. The pace is slower, the forest is darker, and you might spend more time stopping, listening, and waiting than moving forward.
Here’s what usually happens during a night walk when owls are around:
Owls are heard more than seen
Owls are usually noticed by sound before anything else. The dense canopy and low light make movement hard to see, and many owls stay still while perched high in the trees. Their calls travel much farther than any visible movement, which is why most nighttime encounters begin with listening rather than spotting an owl right away.
Stillness and low-light movement
Night walks move slowly and with purpose to avoid disturbing wildlife. People walk quietly, stop often, and keep movement controlled, especially when sounds are heard nearby. Flashlights are used sparingly and pointed low, which helps eyes adjust to the dark and keeps the forest calm. This slower pace makes it easier to notice subtle sounds and movement that would be missed if the group kept walking.
How guides identify sounds for you
Guides listen for differences in tone, rhythm, and repetition to figure out which owl is calling. They also pay attention to where the sound is coming from and how high it seems to be in the trees, which helps narrow things down. As calls repeat, guides can explain what to listen for and point out details that most people would miss on their own.
How likely are you to actually see an owl?
Seeing an owl at night does happen, but it’s never guaranteed. Some owls stay completely still while perched, blending into the canopy, while others move quietly through the trees without showing themselves. Many nights include strong vocal activity without a clear visual moment.
When a sighting does happen, it’s usually brief and depends on timing, location, and how the owl is positioned in the forest.
Best Time to Spot or Hear Owls
Around Arenal, owls are usually more active not long after the sun goes down. The forest gets quieter, and that’s when calls and movement become more noticeable. Weather matters too; light rain can bring more calling, while windy nights are usually quieter.
Between 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM
The first hours after sunset are usually the most active time for owls around Arenal. As the forest settles into the night, calls become easier to notice, and movement is more frequent. This is often when people hear their first owl of the evening, especially on calm nights.
After light rain
Light rain can make owl calls stand out more once it stops or eases up. The forest gets quieter, insects and other animals become active again, and owls often start calling soon after. Heavy rain or strong wind, on the other hand, usually reduces calling and limits movement.
Tips for Listening and Spotting Owls at Night
By now, you already know that night walks move at a slower pace, with more stopping and listening than continuous walking. How you move, where you focus, and how patient you are can make a real difference when it comes to noticing owl activity. These simple habits help create the right conditions for listening—and, with some luck, spotting one.
Here are a few simple ways to help owl encounters during your night walk:
- Move slowly and avoid rushing: Night walks work best at an easy pace, with frequent pauses to listen rather than constant movement.
- Keep lights low and pointed down: Using flashlights only when needed helps your eyes adjust and keeps wildlife from pulling away.
- Stay quiet, especially after stops: Owl calls are often subtle at first, and background noise can easily cover them up.
- Give your ears time to adjust: After a few minutes in the dark, you’ll start to notice sounds that weren’t obvious at the beginning of the walk.
- Be patient when calls are heard: Owls don’t always move right away. Staying still often leads to clearer calls or brief movement.
- Dress comfortably and bring a light layer: Feeling cold or uncomfortable makes it harder to stay focused during quiet moments.
Discover Nighttime Wildlife with Mistico Park!
As you can see, owls are very much part of Costa Rica’s nighttime forests, even if they don’t always make themselves visible. In the Arenal region, their calls, timing, and movement give the forest a completely different feel after dark—something you start to notice once you spend time here at night.
At Mistico Park, nighttime walks are about letting the forest lead the experience. With quiet trails, minimal lighting, and knowledgeable guides, you have the chance to notice owls and other nocturnal wildlife in a calm, respectful way that follows the natural rhythm of the rainforest.
If you’d like to experience how the forest feels after dark, contact Mistico Park today to learn more about our night walk and plan your visit.
FAQs
How likely is it to see an owl at night in Arenal?
Seeing an owl at night in Arenal does happen, but it’s not guaranteed. Many encounters are based on sound, and sightings depend on timing, location, and how the owl is positioned in the forest.
Will I hear more owls than I see?
Yes, you will usually hear more owls than you see. Dense canopy, low light, and how owls perch make hearing calls much more common than spotting an owl clearly.
What time do owls start calling?
Owls usually start calling shortly after sunset, often between 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM. This is when the forest quiets down, and nighttime activity becomes more noticeable.
Can children join a night walk?
Yes, children can join a night walk, as long as they’re comfortable walking quietly and listening in the dark. Night walks work best for kids who enjoy calm, slower-paced experiences.
Do I need binoculars or special gear?
No, you don’t need binoculars or special gear for a night walk. Comfortable walking shoes and a light layer are usually enough, since most owl encounters involve listening rather than viewing from a distance.
