Guanacaste Buggy Tour & Sloth Sanctuary Day Trip

Wildlife Encounters & Off-Road Adventure from Playa Matapalo

You’ll ride off-road buggies through Guanacaste’s rugged mountains with a local guide, visit Costa Rica’s largest sloth sanctuary to meet rescued wildlife, and cool off with swims at three unique beaches. Expect muddy shoes, laughter, and moments of quiet awe you’ll remember long after the trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy Adventure and Sloth Sanctuary

• Off-road buggy tour through Guanacaste mountains and beaches
• Visit Eco Park Sloth rescue refuge and animal sanctuary

The Experience

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice was the dust — it gets everywhere, even in your teeth if you smile too much (which I did). Our guide, Diego, handed us bandanas with a grin and said, “Trust me, you’ll want this.” He was right. The buggy felt like a toy at first but then we hit the mountain trails behind Playa Matapalo and suddenly I was gripping the wheel for real. There’s something about bouncing over potholes with the wind full of green smells — wet leaves, earth after last night’s rain — that makes you feel like a kid again.

The animal sanctuary stop was quieter than I thought it’d be. Not silent — there were parrots squabbling somewhere above us and a sloth blinking slowly in a tree like he’d just woken up from a dream. The staff here actually know every animal by name. One woman (I think her name was Mariela?) told us how they rescued an ocelot last month — she showed me its favorite shady spot. I tried to get a photo of a toucan but it kept hopping away; honestly, I gave up and just watched it for a while instead. There’s something calming about seeing animals up close without glass between you.

Afterwards we piled back into the buggies — my shoes still muddy from the sanctuary paths — and Diego led us down toward three different beaches. Each one had its own mood: one busy with families, another almost empty except for some fishermen fixing nets. We swam at the last stop; saltwater always feels different after sweating through mountain trails all morning. On the way back, Diego pointed out some wild monkeys in the trees and joked that they’re better drivers than most tourists (he might be right). My arms are still sore from steering but honestly, I’d do it again tomorrow if I could.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Guanacaste buggy tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your day trip booking.

Do I need experience driving buggies for this tour?

No prior buggy driving experience is necessary; all skill levels are welcome.

How long does the tour last?

The guided buggy tour lasts about four hours including stops.

Can children join the buggy tour and sloth sanctuary visit?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in a stroller or pram.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas of the sanctuary are wheelchair accessible.

What animals will we see at the sanctuary?

You may see sloths (two- and three-toed), monkeys, jaguars, toucans, pumas, crocodiles, snakes, wildcats, butterflies, parrots, and more.

Are meals included on this day trip?

No meals are included; bottled water is provided but infant meals are not included.

Will there be opportunities to swim during the tour?

Yes, there are stops at three beaches where you can swim or relax.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in Guanacaste, bottled water throughout the adventure, entry to Costa Rica’s largest animal sanctuary with expert local guides sharing stories about each rescue animal—and plenty of time to swim or relax at three different beaches before heading back home.