One of the questions I often get about my travels to Costa Rica is “are there dangerous animals in Costa Rica.” The answer is a wild “Yes!” I have seen several of them as I have explored this beautiful country, and many of these animals are also found in other areas of Central and South America. Costa Rica’s wildlife is a big draw for tourism, and you need to know a few things in advance of appreciating the many wild animals you will encounter.
So, sit back, relax, and let’s take a look at Costa Rica’s dangerous animals.
Costa Rica and It’s Most Dangerous Animals
Before I get into the dirty details, I want to simply give you a quick overview of Costa Rica’s wildlife. This country has a huge amount of biodiversity, and dangerous encounters could be around every corner.
Of course you are going to think about the most obvious animals, like jaguars, but there are also small creatures you might not even consider like the tiny bullet ant, which has one of the most painful stings in the world.
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With threats around every corner, it’s very important to keep your wits about you as you are wandering through this place, and no matter what you see, make sure you view it from a distance.
Let’s get started!
The Most Dangerous Snake in Costa Rica
As you start exploring the beauty of Costa Rica, it’s likely that you will wander into the lush rainforests. Here, you will find some dangerous snakes that are not only venomous snakes, but also snakes that hide in the darkness, snakes that don’t hesitate to bite, and the most dangerous snakes in Costa Rica are also some of the most elusive.
Fer de Lance Snake – The Most Dangerous Snake
This dangerous snake is one of the most aggressive, and you want to make sure that you are prepared that they might be around almost anywhere in the country. You can identify this snake by the yellowish bands around its body and the diamond pattern along it’s back. Many see it and think it’s a coral snake. Though it looks like one, they are different species.
Just one bite from this snake has enough venom to be deadly to a human. On top of that, once the fer de lance snake bites someone, the venom, which contains anticoagulant properties, can lead to symptoms such as internal bleeding, blindness, the necrosis of tissue, and if not treated, you could certainly die.
The younger fer de lance snakes often focus on hunting lizards and frogs, or similar small creatures, but the larger adult snakes begin to hunt bigger mammals.
If you encounter the fer de lance in the wild, move away slowly, and don’t do anything that it might find to be aggressive. This is a dangerous snake and one snake that’s best to admire from several feet back!!
Eye Lash Viper Snake
Though the fer de lance snake might be more dangerous to humans, you don’t want to cuddle up next to the eye lash viper! Once your see this beautiful snake, you will easily see how it got its name. This snake has small horns above its eyes, which look like eyelashes.
Another thing about the eyelash vipers is that they are very pretty, and if you want to see them don’t look for a typical gray or brown snake; you will likely notice their vibrant colors including red, yellow, green, and blue.
When they are adults, the eye lash viper generally measures around 20 – 30 inches in length, and they are generally found in the tree branches throughout Central America, including in Costa Rica. Like other venomous snakes, the eye lash viper’s bite can be fatal, but it is rare for them to attack humans. Instead, they tend to go for their favorite foods which include frogs, rodents, lizards, and birds.
Other venomous snakes you could encounter include the Central American Bushmaster, the Coral Snake, and the Mute Rattlesnake. Be VERY aware when in any area of poor visibility as venomous snakes are no joke!
The Big Cats of Costa Rica – Dangerous Wildlife Encounters
As we move away from deadly snakes and into mammals, I can’t miss the opportunity to talk about the wild cats of Costa Rica in a post about the many dangerous animals in the country.
Costa Rica is home to two very stunning, yet very dangerous, big cats: the puma and the jaguar.
Both of these wild cats hunt in the forest, and they often have large territories for hunting. These cats do their best to stay hidden in the trees, but it is possible that you might run into these dangerous creatures as you travel throughout the country. Both of them are found in popular spots like the Arenal Volcano National Park and Santa Rosa National Park.
Jaguars
As one of the top predators in the area, the jaguar is a crucial part of the ecosystem in Costa Rica. These large cats keep other animal populations in check, but because they are so elusive, the odds that you will run into one of these cats in the wild aren’t very high.
Adults can weigh up to 250 pounds, and they can live around 15 years. The jaguar is a stunning animal, with a gorgeous coat with spots, which help it blend into the forest.
People who do run into a jaguar in the wilds of Costa Rica typically find them in protected areas, such as the Corcovado National Park. For those who are lucky enough to see one, expert advice says to stay calm, move away slowly, and as always, it’s best to keep your distance and watch the animals from afar.
Pumas
The other big cat that you will find in Costa Rica is the puma. You are less likely to run into a puma than you are a jaguar, as they are generally nocturnal, and the populations of the puma are much smaller than the populations of the jaguar.
The main diet of the puma includes rodents, birds, deer, and reptiles. One of the coolest things about the puma is how it can adapt the way it hunts depending on what type of prey is available. This shows that they have amazing survival skills.
From March to December the pumas have their breeding season, but there is also a low rate of reproduction, so females only have cubs every two or three years. Cubs stay with their mother for about a year.
If you are in areas where there are pumas, try to create noise to scare them off, and never approach a puma, especially if you see them eating or caring for their young cubs.
Poison Dart Frogs – The Beautiful, but Tiny Terrors of the Rainforest
I simply cannot skip the poison dart frog when talking about Costa Rica’s dangerous animals. Most people know about these small creatures thanks to their vibrant hues and deadly reputation.
It is human nature to react when you see something beautiful, and with poison dart frogs, tiny beauties, there is no exception.
Whatever you do, never, ever touch or try to pick up one of these creatures.
Their skin is covered in a type of poison that can cause a heart attack or paralysis, and some of them, like the golden dart frog, has enough potent venom to kill several people.
Dart Frogs Are Easily Identifiable Thanks to Their Bright Colors
Even though the poison dart frog is quite small, you can usually see them pretty easily around the trees and forest floors thanks to the bright colors of their skin.
These amphibians have this coloring as a warning to prey not to eat it, and they are commonly found throughout the county.
In general, you can see poison dart frogs in the following areas:
- Corcovado National Park
- Carara National Park
- Cahuita National Park
As with all of these creatures, if you see a poison dart frog, you should definitely not touch it or get too close. In other words, look, but not touch.
Not only should you avoid disturbing these frogs, but you don’t want to disturb the forest floor where they are often found.
Dangerous in the Water – Crocodiles and Sharks
The country of Costa Rica has a lot of coastline and a lot of river mouths, where there are dangers under the surface. Even Costa Rica’s rivers that might seem calm and peaceful likely have threats to people who aren’t looking out for themselves.
Two of the most dangerous animals in Costa Rica are the bull shark and the American crocodile.
Bull Sharks – Found Along the Coast and in Rivers of Costa Rica
The bull shark is a very aggressive shark, and they are known to not only be in the ocean, but also in the rivers of Costa Rica. These sharks have a shocking 350 teeth in their mouth, and they absolutely can be a threat to people.
In the wild these sharks hunt dolphins, rays, and various fish, and people often find them around the Bat Islands.
If you are going to swim around Costa Rica’s coasts or wade into the rivers, you need to take some caution.
The best thing you should do is to simply avoid any areas where bull sharks have been seen or where they are known to be. You should also swim or dive with a guide who is knowledgeable about how to stay safe when bull sharks are in the area. Finally, if you do happen to run into one of them, the best thing to do is to watch them from afar.
The Venomous Spiders of Costa Rica
The dangerous animals of Costa Rica are found both on water and land, and when it comes to one of the most dangerous, this one is very aggressive and known to attack without a lot of prompting. The scariest spider in the country is the Brazilian wandering spider.
Don’t Mess with the Brazilian Wandering Spider!
Known for having an extremely painful bite that causes symptoms like itching, swelling, and vomiting, the Brazilian wandering spider is found throughout Costa Rica, and they have no problem attacking anything that provokes them.
Though these spiders are small, they are quite easy to recognize. They have dark stripes along the front, and a black line going down the carapace.
When these spiders feel threatened, they have a well-known stance, which finds them with their front legs raised up and ready to fight. Once you see this, it’s really anyone’s guess as to what they might do.
Highly aggressive, these spiders do not make webs. Instead, they use their silk for wrapping up their prey, creating sacs for their eggs, and for climbing.
If you get bitten by this spider, you can expect extreme pain, paralysis of your muscles, and it’s possible that the venom could even cause death.
They are found throughout Costa Rica, and one of the best pieces of advice that I can give you is to check your shoes for these spiders before you put them on.
The Smallest Threats – Bullet Ants
Finally, we have come to the smallest threats in Costa Rica — the bullet ant. This ant is only about an inch or so in size, but the bite is extremely painful…like a bullet cutting through your skin.
You will find these throughout the country, especially in areas like the rainforests, which have high humidity and a lot of vegetation.
Reddish-black in color, the sting is one of the most painful sting you can get. It causes redness and swelling, and the intense pain can last for 24 hours.
If these ants feel a threat, they have no issue becoming aggressive, so if you are in an area where these ants are commonly found, you really should take a lot of caution.
My best recommendations are to wear gloves and cover your skin. You also need to avoid their nests.
Co-Exist and Appreciate the Beauty of This Amazing Country
On your next trip to Costa Rica, make sure you can appreciate the beauty of the area, but also keep in mind that there could be dangers lurking around every corner. Of course, you are going to notice the large predators, but also remember that some of the most dangerous animals are also some of the smallest.
Seeing some of these animals may be a once in a lifetime experience, and you should absolutely take the opportunity — however, watch from a distance, don’t be aggressive, and co-exist peacefully with these exceptional creatures.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip.
