Mystic Island

Wildlife of Golfo Dulce

Howler monkeys calling at dawn, scarlet macaws in the almond trees, sloths crossing the road, crocodiles in the river mouths. A few of the neighbors, photographed around the gulf.

Scarlet macaw feeding among the broad leaves of a beach almond tree
Scarlet macaw Ara macao

The canopy

Mantled howlers in the branches, tanagers in the leaves and a roadside hawk on the forest edge.

  • Two howler monkeys face to face on a branch, backlit by green leaves
    Mantled howlers Alouatta palliata
  • Golden-hooded tanager with a turquoise face and black mask on a thin branch
    Golden-hooded tanager Stilpnia larvata
  • Black tanager with a bright scarlet rump perched in a leafy tree
    Cherrie’s tanager Ramphocelus costaricensis
  • Mantled howler monkey sitting on a thick branch, looking up through the leaves
    Mantled howler monkey Alouatta palliata
  • A hawk perched on a bare branch against dark rainforest
    Roadside hawk Rupornis magnirostris

Trunks, gardens and the forest floor

Peacocks on the island’s lawns, hummingbirds in the porterweed, and smaller neighbors on palm trunks and mossy rocks.

  • Squirrel climbing the lichen-covered trunk of a palm
    Red-tailed squirrel Sciurus granatensis
  • Hummingbird with a red bill perched on a porterweed stem among purple flowers
    Rufous-tailed hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
  • Orange-headed gecko peering out of a hole in a mossy rock
    Yellow-headed gecko Gonatodes albogularis
  • Peacock with an iridescent blue neck and crest
    Peacock Pavo cristatus
  • Three-toed sloth with green-tinged fur crawling across a gravel road
    Brown-throated sloth Bradypus variegatus
  • Brown and cream butterfly feeding on a yellow flower in the grass
    White peacock Anartia jatrophae

River mouths and mangroves

American crocodiles in the river mouths around the gulf.

On the island, the mangrove walk goes down to the shore, where roots meet the tide: herons, kingfishers and crabs in the quiet channels.

See the island trails
  • Two crocodiles seen from above, swimming side by side in green water
    American crocodiles Crocodylus acutus
  • Mangrove channel with still water and exposed roots

Whales and dolphins in Golfo Dulce

Golfo Dulce is one of the few tropical fjords on Earth, ringed by Piedras Blancas and Corcovado. It is the only place where humpbacks from both hemispheres come to give birth.

A pod of dolphins surfacing together in the green water of the gulf

Humpbacks from two hemispheres

Southern-hemisphere mothers and calves from July to November; northern visitors from December to April.

Dolphins all year

Bottlenose and spotted dolphins live in the gulf all year, often riding the bow on the way out to fish.

See the fishing
In the gulf, by month
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Humpbacks from the southNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNo
Humpbacks from the northYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Dolphins residentYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

In the gulf Not in the gulf

Rainforest, gardens and reef around the gulf

Four places near the island, from lowland rainforest to coral.

Aerial view of rainforest running down to the gulf, with a boat’s wake on the water

  • Piedras Blancas

    14,000 hectares of lowland rainforest next door: 4 monkey species, scarlet macaws, toucans and 340 recorded bird species.

  • Casa Orquídeas

    A family botanical garden on a remote beach, reached only by water: orchids, heliconias and the birds they draw.

  • Mangroves by kayak

    Paddle the Rincón estuary on the tide, with sloths, herons and kingfishers along the banks.

  • Reef snorkeling

    Coral off the Piedras Blancas shore, clearest in the dry season from January to April.

Tell us your dates

Share when you’d like to come and what you’d like to chase. We’ll match you with the right boat and captain and send a full itinerary within [24 hours].

Request dates WhatsApp +1 (208) 763-4858