Information
Landmark: Sloth Sanctuary of Costa RicaCity: Limon
Country: Costa Rica
Continent: North America
Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica, Limon, Costa Rica, North America
Overview
Tucked near Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica’s Limón Province, where the Caribbean breeze smells faintly of salt, the Sloth Sanctuary is a one‑of‑a‑kind rescue and rehab center devoted to protecting sloths.Joaquín and Lucy Mena opened the sanctuary in 1997, aiming to safeguard sloths and the forests they call home while guiding visitors to understand and appreciate these slow, gentle animals.The sanctuary is now one of Costa Rica’s best-known wildlife spots, where visitors can watch a sloth blink slowly in the sun and learn about these gentle creatures up close.The sanctuary sits about 10 kilometers, or six miles, northeast of Puerto Viejo, just outside the quiet little town of Cahuita.You can reach it quickly by car, taxi, or bus from nearby towns, and once there, you’ll find several hectares of dense Caribbean rainforest sheltering sloths and other wildlife.In Costa Rica’s Caribbean region, the air stays warm and humid, with temperatures hovering between 23°C (73°F) and 30°C (86°F) all year.From May to November, the region is drenched in steady rains; from December to April, the skies turn clear and the ground cracks in the heat.The Sloth Sanctuary works to nurse injured, orphaned, or sick sloths back to health, then return them to the treetops where they belong.They also step in to save sloths from shrinking forests, busy roads, and the steady push of human development.The sanctuary works to teach people about sloth conservation-how to keep these gentle creatures safe and protect the leafy forests they call home.Alongside its sleepy sloths, the sanctuary shelters monkeys chattering in the trees, turtles basking by the pond, and bright-feathered birds-all survivors of similar hardships.The sanctuary teams up with conservation groups to care for Costa Rica’s wildlife, from nursing injured toucans back to health to guarding sea turtle nests along the shore.At the sanctuary, you’ll spot both two-toed and three-toed sloths-the two main kinds found in Costa Rica, often curled in the branches like furry bundles.Two-toed sloths (Choloepus) and three-toed sloths (Bradypus) differ in their looks, habits, and what they eat-right down to details like the shape of their claws or the leaves they prefer.The sanctuary tailors its care to each species, knowing their needs can differ-a desert lizard, for instance, thrives in warm, sandy corners.Two-toed sloths, with their long front limbs built for steady climbing, tend to move around more than their three-toed cousins.They’re a bit bigger and burn energy faster, while the Three-toed Sloth stays smaller and lumbers along slowly, its three neat toes curling over each foot.Sloths usually keep to a slow, quiet life, often dangling lazily from tree branches.At the Sloth Sanctuary, you can join guided tours in English or Spanish to discover their biology, behavior, and conservation.Guides share vivid details about how these animals climb, nibble on leaves, and curl up to sleep.Visitors also get to discover how injured or orphaned sloths are rescued and cared for, and the guides often invite them to meet a few of the sanctuary’s residents up close-watching one slowly reach for a fresh leaf is unforgettable.The sanctuary makes sure every interaction is safe and gentle for both the animals and the people.A few sloths live at the sanctuary for good, their old injuries or fragile health keeping them from the wild.Visitors might spot one draped over a branch, lazily chewing leaves, fruit, or even a bright hibiscus flower, and now and then see it creep along at that famously slow pace.Afterward, they can stop by the Sloth Cafe for a bite or a drink while discovering more about these gentle creatures and the wildlife that shares their home.The café has a laid‑back vibe, with books and displays that share the sanctuary’s conservation work.Through its Sloth Adoption Program, you can “adopt” a sloth for a year-your name on its card, maybe even a photo of its sleepy face.When you adopt a sloth, you’re giving the sanctuary the funds it needs to feed its animals, mend broken wings, and keep its rehabilitation work going strong.Adopters get photos and updates about their sloth-sometimes a shot of it curled up in a hammock-along with an official adoption certificate.Beyond rescuing and rehabilitating animals, the Sloth Sanctuary is deeply involved in teaching people about sloths and raising awareness for their conservation.At the sanctuary, visitors learn how to protect habitats, understand the effects people have on wildlife, and see why tropical forests-dense with towering ceiba trees-are vital for sloths and countless other creatures.The sanctuary runs educational programs for local schools, environmental groups, and anyone in the community who’s curious-kids might study owl feathers while adults learn about preserving wetlands.Visitors can explore how a sloth’s body works, discover its place in the forest’s delicate balance, and see why it’s under threat-from shrinking jungles and rising heat to the shadowy market for exotic pets.While the sanctuary’s main focus is on sloths, you might also spot rescued toucans, slow-moving turtles, or other animals in the midst of rehabilitation.You might spot monkeys here-howler monkeys calling from the treetops and white-faced capuchins darting through the branches.Many of the monkeys arrive at the sanctuary after injuries or accidents caused by people, while green sea turtles and hawksbills sometimes come in tangled with bits of fishing line or weakened by pollution; bright-feathered toucanets and noisy parrots find shelter here too, often rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, and visitors can see them all any day between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Check ahead for any changes to operating hours, especially in the rainy season when downpours can cancel a tour.Guided tours cost about $20 USD per adult, with lower rates for kids, students, and groups.Your tour price covers a stop at the sloth sanctuary, where you can watch these slow, gentle creatures just a few feet away.You’ll find it near Cahuita, roughly 13 kilometers-about eight miles-north of Puerto Viejo.You can get there easily by car, taxi, or public transport.From December to April, the dry season brings bright, sunny days perfect for tours and exploring outdoors.Between May and November, afternoon showers freshen the air and turn the sanctuary’s greenery a deeper, richer shade.The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica offers a rare, hands-on look at these gentle animals, making it a memorable stop for wildlife lovers and curious visitors alike.The sanctuary focuses on rescuing sloths, nursing them back to health, and protecting their future, playing an
