Blue River Resort & Hot Springs, Costa Rica

Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Center (Currently not available)

Blue River Resort, Hot Springs & Spa is now under construction. The Blue River Zoo, among the few zoos in Cost Rica to include a wildlife rescue center, is part of a one–of–a–kind all–inclusive resort featuring the zoo and rescue center, resort, natural mineral hot springs pools, botanical gardens, spa and large array of eco adventure tours. Please read on…

The Blue River Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Center is located along a stunning scenic 1 ½ hour drive from Liberia in the rain–forests, beside the Rincon de la Vieja National Park – a fantastic place to learn about the dependency between plants and animals. There are the resplendent quetzals, macaws, pumas, monkeys, our iguana center and our butterfly gardens. Costa Rica’s wildlife diversity is a favorite among naturalists from all over the world. You won´t want to miss this.

About us

The Blue River Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Center is privately funded and show-cases many of the exotic wild animals found in Costa Rica. We consider ourselves a conservation education center for all visitors. In fact, our mission statement includes using the zoo as a platform to understand the importance of protecting the world’s animals and their inhabitants.

Many tourists search far and wide to view the animals found right here.  Unfortunately, from all corners of Costa Rica, animals are victims of repossession, loss of habitat and accidents. Many will be nursed back to health and released back into their natural environment. After your visit, you’ll want to return again and again.

Details to Come

Admission and prices
Events
Hours

Sample Costa Rica Animal Photo Galleries:

• Yahoo
• Dan Heller Photography
• A Personal Collection

Animals of Costa Rica

Birds

Over 850 species have been identified, far more than have been seen in North America, Europe or Australia! These range from the resplendent quetzal, with its shimmering green plumage, scarlet belly, There are over 50 species of hummingbirds, 15 parrots (including the scarlet macaw,) six toucan species white tail feathers and green tail coverts that trail over 60 cm (2 ft) behind its body -- to the rare harpy eagle, which can snatch a monkey or a sloth right out of its branch in the treetops., 75 different flycatchers, 45 tanagers, 29 antbirds and 19 cotingas.

Mammals

Over 200 mammal species have been recorded in Costa Rica. Observant visitors to the national parks and other protected areas are almost certain to see one of the country's four types of monkeys -- howler, spider, white-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys.
The country is also home to a wide assortment of other tropical mammals; two types of sloth, the often-viewed three-toed, a diurnal animal, and the rarely seen, nocturnal two-toed sloth. Three types of anteaters reside in Costa Rica; the tamandua is most commonly seen, while the others, the giant and silky anteaters are rarely glimpsed.
Visitors to Costa Rica's rainforests are liable to see armadillos, agoutis, coatis, peccaries (wild pigs), kinkajous, raccoons, squirrels and bats. But some rainforest animals are almost never seen. Jaguars and tapirs, for example, are now considered endangered species. Still, their tracks are regularly seen in the more remote, larger expanses of undisturbed forest such as that surrounding the Rara Avis Reserve.

Other Animals

Over 35,000 species of insects have been recorded in Costa Rica, with thousands more still undiscovered.

Most noteworthy among these are the butterflies. It is estimated that 10% of the world's butterfly species reside in Costa Rica. (see the butterfly gardens within the Blue River Botanical Garden). One of the most breathtaking is the morpho, with its 15 cm (6-inch) wingspan and electric blue upper wings. Floating over the rivers, usually on sunny mornings, they are a stunning sight. When they land, only their brown under-wings are visible; which acts as camouflage to protect them from their enemies. Such camouflage is prominent in the butterfly community. Some species look just like the leaves and bark of the trees on which they rest. Yet others have wings with spots that resemble eyes. Predators occasionally attack their wings, leaving them with only minor injuries, their heads and bodies safe from harm.

Costa Rica is home to roughly 150 species of amphibians, some of which are extremely colorful and exotic. There are tree frogs which spend their entire lives above the forest floor, breeding in the water of tank bromeliads or in holes in the trunks of trees. Others, the poison-arrow frogs, are exuberantly colored, ranging from bright red with blue or green legs to bright green with black markings. These frogs emit skin toxins that are distasteful of lethal to their potential predators, and their bright coloration serves to warn predators of their danger.

There are over 200 species of reptiles in Costa Rica, over half of them snakes. But snakes are rarely encountered, even by those looking for them. Often they are nocturnal or superbly camouflaged, and if they lie perfectly still on the forest floor, they can be virtually impossible to detect.

Much more frequently seen are the country's lizards. The common Ameiva has a white stripe running down its back. Bright green basilisk lizards can reach a metre (3 ft) in length. Their huge crests run the length of their heads, giving them the appearance of a dinosaur. They are nicknamed "Jesus Christ lizards" because they can run across water when disturbed.

Costa Rica is also home to crocodiles and turtles. The 14 turtle species include both marine and freshwater varieties. The largest of the marine turtles are leatherbacks. Their shells are up to a meter and a half (5 feet) and they weigh upwards of 360 kg (800 lb)! Marine turtles climb up sandy beaches to lay their eggs, a spectacular sight because it happens en masse. Olive Ridleys nest synchronously -- tens of thousands of females sometimes emerge from the sea in a single night!

Off the Pacific coast and around the offshore islands and coral reefs, snorkellers and scuba divers can find spectacular tropical fish, sea urchins, anemones and starfish.