It is no surprise that Costa Rica is home to the most diverse array of species and ecosystems. Despite its small size, Costa Rica inhabits over 6% of the world's biodiversity, making it an unmatched haven for ecotourism and wildlife lovers. When exploring Costa Rica’s natural offerings, one would never know the amount of dedication that goes into protecting such pristine wildlife.

Within its lush rainforests and breathtaking landscapes crawls their most adorable and iconic resident - the sloth. While the gentle presence of these furry creatures (and other species) may seem inviting, they need our help to stay safe in their environment. The Costa Rican Tourism Board has crafted the perfect guide to help ensure a responsible yet memorable experience for you and your new furry friends. Here are the essential steps:

Be Present and Calm

Before spotting a sloth, take a moment to focus and fully engage with the sounds and surroundings of nature. A Zen mindset helps maintain a laid-back atmosphere for the sloths - more than they already are!

Keep It Respectful

Avoid harassment such as loud noises, whistling, shining lasers or spotlights, and using bright lights or drones. These can startle and disturb the sloths. You don’t want to scare off your new furry friends!

Play Detective

Sloths can play a little hard to get. Observe them as if you are trying to solve a mystery. A savvy nature enthusiast admires the sloth's natural grace from a distance, without interfering in its natural habitat.

Maintain Safe Distance

As cool as sloths are, they aren’t into selfies! Keep a proper distance and resist the urge to photobomb their sacred sanctuary.

Carry It in Your Heart, Not In Your Hands

What you carry from the area should be memories, not physical objects. Preserve wildlife habitats by leaving them as lush as how you found it. Don’t steal your new friends' food or home decor – not cool!

Don't Share Your Food

What may be delicious for you, may not sit so well with your new friend. Sloths enjoy a balanced diet of leafy greens. Let them enjoy their superfoods without offering any of yours.

Follow The Rules     

National regulations are in place across Costa Rica to keep the sloths and their home safe. Adhering to these rules ensures a pristine and safe environment for our furry friends and is crucial for their well-being.

Get To Know Their Story

Learn more about these furry nap enthusiasts and the role they play in Costa Rica’s vast ecosystem. Don't be shy in spreading the word to help raise awareness amongst friends and fellow travelers. After all, who doesn’t enjoy sharing stories and memories amongst friends?

Encourage Strategic Partnerships

Part of being a true friend is standing up and advocating for your quiet friends. Make an impact by getting involved with groups and organizations that help promote sloth and habitat protection!

Promote Bodiversity

Join the mission and let us unite to protect nature’s biodiversity and cultural richness by listening to the voices of the world. Sloths may be quiet, but they appreciate the help that their friends around the world provide!

Costa Rica is a gateway to connect with nature responsibly and experience the sloth’s charming presence. By following these steps, travelers are not only ensuring a memorable and respectful experience but are also supporting the conservation of these incredible animals.

These recommendations are not only designed to help enhance your experience with sloths, but they also apply equally to all other animals you may encounter in their natural habitat. Therefore, it is important to adhere to these guidelines to contribute to the conservation efforts for all wildlife.

For more information on responsible wildlife interactions, please visit the Stop Animals Selfies Campaign website.