Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary Tour & Sloth Encounters

Summary

Meet rescued sloths and monkeys, walk the sanctuary trails, hear real stories

You’ll walk shaded trails with a local guide at Manuel Antonio’s wildlife sanctuary, getting close to sloths, monkeys, parrots and more as you hear their rescue stories. Learn about real conservation projects and meet animals who can’t return to the wild. Snack included after your visit—a simple moment that stays with you.

What’s the experience like?

“That’s Luna—she likes papaya more than anything,” our guide said, and I swear the little sloth actually perked up when she heard her name. We’d just started walking through the KSTR Re-Wilding Center in Manuel Antonio, and already I felt like I was eavesdropping on some secret animal world. It wasn’t a zoo vibe at all—more like visiting someone’s home where every resident had a wild story. The air smelled a bit earthy, with that mix of rain-soaked leaves and something sweet from the trees overhead. My shoes were muddy within minutes, but honestly, it felt right.

I kept expecting to see animals hiding in corners, but most of them were just… there. A couple of monkeys watched us from above (one scratched his belly in this totally human way), and our guide—María—knew all their names and backstories. She told us about the wildlife bridges they’d built to help animals cross safely, and how some of these guys couldn’t go back to the wild. There was this parrot who’d learned to mimic María’s laugh—she did it for us and everyone cracked up. I tried repeating one of the animal names in Spanish; pretty sure I butchered it because María grinned and shook her head.

The walk itself wasn’t long or hard, maybe an hour or so? We stopped often to listen or just watch—sometimes you forget how quiet a place can get except for birds calling out or leaves shifting in the breeze. At one point we passed by a coati curled up on a branch; he looked so peaceful I felt weird even whispering. They gave us a snack at the end (some kind of local fruit bread that was still warm), which hit different after being outside all morning.

I didn’t expect to leave thinking about how much work goes into rescuing these animals—or how personal it feels once you’ve seen their faces up close. Even now, sometimes when things get too loud back home, I remember that hush under the trees in Manuel Antonio. Makes me want to do more, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Wildlife Sanctuary and Learn Conservation

• Arrive at KSTR Re-Wilding Center
• Join guided walking tour of sanctuary
• Observe sloths, monkeys, and parrots
• Learn about animal rescue and care
• Discover wildlife bridges and reforestation
• Explore wildlife hospital and nursery
• Understand conservation efforts and how to help

Top questions

How long does the wildlife sanctuary tour take?

The guided walking tour lasts around one hour.

Are there sloths at the KSTR Re-Wilding Center?

Yes, you’ll see sloths along with monkeys, parrots, coatis and other native animals.

Is this tour suitable for young children or strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers during the tour.

What is included in the sanctuary tour?

You get close-up encounters with sanctuary animals plus a snack after your visit.

Do guides speak English during the tour?

The guides are local staff who communicate in English and Spanish.

Is this a good day trip option from Manuel Antonio?

Yes—the center is located right in Manuel Antonio area.

What’s included

Your visit includes entry to the wildlife sanctuary with guided walking tour led by local staff who share each animal’s story; you’ll also enjoy a fresh snack after your time among sloths and monkeys before heading out again.