San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees

Wild sloths and birds on a forest campus minutes from downtown San Jose

This is a guided walking nature tour through the University of Costa Rica campus, one of the largest forested patches inside San Jose, led by a young biologist in English or Spanish. You'll search for sloths in their natural habitat, spot resident and migratory birds, and explore edible plants and forest flowers across 2.5 hours of walking on mostly shaded trails. Binoculars are provided. The group stays under 10 people. A portion of earnings supports Funga Conservation, a local nonprofit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore nature in San Jose city

• Visit University of Costa Rica campus
• Look for resident and migratory birds
• Observe insects, plants, and flowers
• Discuss art, history, and indigenous culture
• Search for wild sloths in natural habitat

The experience

The University of Costa Rica campus holds some of the last green forest left in the San Jose metro area, and that's where the tour happens. Your guide, a young biologist, leads you through two main zones: first the outer forest patches where you'll look for birds, insects and flowering plants, then the main campus where the resident sloth population lives freely in the canopy. This isn't a rescue center or sanctuary. The sloths are wild and mostly sleeping in the trees when spotted, which is exactly why the guide knows where to look and how to read the forest for you.

The walk takes 2.5 hours and covers ground that's not heavy but does include stretches of direct sun, so closed shoes and your own water matter. You'll use binoculars to watch birds and sloths without disturbing them, and the guide talks through the art, history and indigenous culture woven into the forest as you move. The group caps at 10 people, which means you're not competing for sightlines or the guide's attention. Morning departures are recommended May through November, though afternoons work year-round.

What’s included

• Binoculars or telescope for bird and sloth watching.
• English or Spanish-speaking local biologist guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Public TourUp to 10 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30, 11:00 and 14:00

Private TourUp to 7 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30, 11:00 and 14:00Private option

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 11:00 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years): free · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Oropopo Experience

Is this one for you?Choose the public tour if you're comfortable sharing the experience with other nature lovers and want to keep the cost lower. Pick the private tour if you'd rather have the guide's full attention and set your own departure time. Either way, this tour works for any fitness level. The pace is set by what the forest offers that day, not by a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years): free; Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the best time of day to spot sloths on this tour?

Morning departures are recommended from May through November, though sloths are present and visible any time of day. They sleep most of the time, so your guide's knowledge of where they rest is what matters most. Afternoon tours work well year-round if morning doesn't fit your schedule.

Will I be able to touch or hold the sloths if we find them?

No. The sloths live freely on campus in their natural habitat, and the tour keeps them undisturbed. You'll observe them in the trees with binoculars, which is the only way to see them without stress to the animals.

What birds and plants might I see on the University of Costa Rica campus?

The campus holds resident and migratory bird species, tropical insects, flowering plants, and edible forest plants. Your guide will point out the specific species present that day and explain their role in the forest ecosystem.

Is this tour physically demanding, and what should I wear?

It's not a heavy walk, but it does cover 2.5 hours with some stretches in direct sun. Closed shoes are required. Bring your own water and sunscreen. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels as long as you're comfortable walking for that duration in warm weather.

Do public tours and private tours follow the same route and timing?

Both options use the same University of Costa Rica campus route and take 2.5 hours with a local biologist guide. The difference is group size: public tours run with up to 10 people, while private tours are just your group.