Three-toed Sloth #10, Costa Rica

One of the highlights of visiting Costa Rica has been our unique encounters with sloths. They are super hard to see but we’ve had some ripper photographic opportunities thus far.

A little about sloths. Three-toed sloths are nature’s ultimate chillers, and Costa Rica is their perfect hangout spot. These slow-moving mammals spend most of their lives lounging in the rainforest canopy, blending so seamlessly with their surroundings that even the most seasoned wildlife spotters sometimes miss them. Their fur isn’t just a cozy blanket—it’s a mini-ecosystem, hosting algae and tiny insects that give sloths their signature greenish tint, perfect for camouflage. And here’s the kicker: they only come down from their treetop penthouses about once a week to “do their business,” making them some of the most efficient (and amusingly lazy) creatures in the animal kingdom.

What makes Costa Rica a sloth paradise is its rich biodiversity and laid-back vibe, much like the sloths themselves. With lush rainforests like Manuel Antonio and Monteverde, the country offers these tree-dwellers an endless buffet of leaves and a safe haven to hang upside-down—literally. Sloths are also a symbol of Costa Rica’s eco-tourism, inspiring visitors to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature. From sloth rescue centers to wildlife tours, you can’t help but fall in love with these quirky animals who remind us all to take life one leaf at a time.