Jungle Night Tour in Quepos: Nocturnal wildlife spotting

The forest sounds louder at night than the animals look.

A 2-hour guided night hike through a protected jungle near Quepos, 10 minutes from town, where you search for nocturnal wildlife including tree frogs, snakes, insects, mammals and birds with a spotting scope and flashlights. The guide speaks English or Spanish; children from age 4 are welcome; hotel pickup is included.

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and a short drive to a pristine protected area just outside Quepos, where the real work begins. You'll spend about 2 hours hiking through dense jungle at night with a guide, a spotting scope and flashlights, looking for creatures that only emerge after dark. The habitat is 100% natural (no enclosures, no staged encounters), so what you find depends on the night: tree frogs, snakes, lizards, spiders, insects, mammals, birds. Photographers and anyone interested in herpetology tend to book this one. Families with small children also find it manageable because the pace is built around spotting rather than distance.

The guide will turn off the lights for moments so you can hear the symphony of the rainforest without the distraction of sight. That soundscape (the calls, the rustling, the layers of noise most people never notice) is often what stays with travelers longer than the animals themselves. The spotting scope lets you get close looks at things you'd otherwise miss, and the flashlights are essential for picking out eyes and movement in the dark.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• spotting scope.
• flashlights.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Terra Travel Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you'll follow the commentary in whichever language you choose. This works for families with young children, photographers, and anyone curious about how a rainforest sounds and moves after dark, though it is not suitable for travelers with cardiovascular concerns.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What kinds of animals will I actually see on a jungle night tour near Quepos?

Tree frogs, snakes, lizards, spiders, insects, mammals and birds all live in the protected forest, though what appears on any given night depends on weather and season. The guide uses a spotting scope to help you see detail on smaller creatures and distant movement in the canopy.

How difficult is the 2-hour hike through the jungle at night?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. The pace is built around spotting wildlife rather than covering distance, so you're stopping frequently to look and listen.

Does the tour include transportation from my hotel?

Hotel pickup is included in the booking. The protected area is only 10 minutes from Quepos town, so the drive is short and you'll be in the forest quickly.

What do I need to bring or wear for a night jungle tour?

Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip for uneven forest ground and long pants to protect your legs. Bring insect repellent. The guide provides flashlights and a spotting scope. An air-conditioned vehicle is used for transport to and from the site.