Many people are afraid of snakes and because of that they don't travel to Costa Rica. We have found that in most cases snakes are good at hiding so you rarely see these animals unless you are specifically looking them.

If you are sticking to the main tourist towns and paved hotel grounds, your likelihood of seeing a snake is actually quite low (under 10%). While Costa Rica is home to over 140 species of snakes, they are notoriously shy, nocturnal, and expertly camouflaged. Most "wildlife sightings" for tourists involve sloths, monkeys, and toucans rather than reptiles. However, if you are hiking in national parks like Corcovado or Manuel Antonio, your chances increase significantly, especially if you have a professional naturalist guide who knows where to look for the "Eyelash Viper" or the "Fer-de-Lance." In 2026, the best way to safely see snakes is at a "Ranarium" or a dedicated wildlife sanctuary. To avoid accidental encounters, the "golden rule" of the Costa Rican jungle is: never put your hands or feet where you cannot see them, and always wear closed-toe shoes when walking on unlit paths at night. Most snakes will detect your footsteps and move away long before you ever see them.