San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
You will absolutely love San José after this experience. Guided by young biologists you will discover nature hiding in the middle of Costa Rica's largest city. You will get to experience with all your senses, wildlife you wouldn't have imagined existed minutes away from downtown. We are an organization called Oropopo Experience, looking to change the way tourism is done in Costa Rica while supporting young scientists, researchers, and local entrepreneurs.
Additional notes:
** From May to November we recommend booking the morning slot, however, afternoons are also great.
• The only San Jose walking nature tour.
• Explore one of the last green patches inside the city on foot with a local biologist.
• See, smell, taste, touch, and listen to nature.
• Find colorful birds, edible plants, and a wild sloth population on campus.
• A percentage of the earnings goes to Funga Conservation, a non-profit foundation.
• Small-group tour with a maximum of 10 people ensures an intimate experience
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Universidad de Costa Rica
We will visit the Campus of the University of Costa Rica, which holds some of the largest patches of forest in the San José Metro Area. On our first stop, we will look for resident and migratory birds, incredible insects and amazing plants and flowers. We'll be talking about art, history, indigenous culture, and most of all, nature. Then, we'll visit the main campus where we will be looking for sloths that live freely and hopefully even see the two different species that inhabit our country. DISCLAIMER: This is not a Recue Center or Sloth Sactuary Tour. You will not be able to touch them, if found, the sloths will be seen in their natural habitat, which means most of the time they will be sleeping on the trees. Still, our experience is your best option at San Jose if you're a true nature lover. This is a 2,5h walking tour, some parts will be exposed to intense sunlight. Not a heavy walk, but please consider your physical condition
What‘s Included
Telescope or binoculars for bird and sloth watching
All Fees and Taxes
Local English speaking guide
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Rain jacket
Closed-toe shoes
Water
Options
Public Tour
Reviews
911 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Lots to learn on this tour
Brenda T,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Santiago was my tour guide. He had lots of passion for birds and for educating the group. I got to see slothes for the first time ever and it was SO exciting! The group was small and intimate and I had fun talking with everyone. The price is very affordable. I'd recommend this tour.
Casual afternoon spotting sloths
Deborah C,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guided by a knowledgeable and passionate biologist, we spotted several sloths during our tour. We went home with great pictures and an awesome experience.
A unique UCR campus ecosystem tour
alejandroa588,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour, within the University of Costa Rica campus was worth it. The campus feels like a protected ecosystem in the middle of the city, with greenery and local biodiversity. The sloths are the star of the tour, and the guides will try their best to find them! Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging, explaining how this ecosystem came to be part of the campus. And how it is evolving. The tour is available in both English and Spanish, making it easy to enjoy for visitors and locals alike. It’s a couple of hours long.
Is a Must in Costa Rica 🇨🇷
janetsN9427TE,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An incredible experience. The tour is totally worth it; there's so much experience and passion in what they explain. Our guide, Luis, was the best—attentive, patient, super friendly, and very good at answering questions.
Perfect tour for nature interested persons
Dreamer52492729321,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing experience! I was just for a short layover in Costa Rica and wondered what I can do in this short time in San José. For me this tour on the Campus of the university was perfect. We saw sloths and birds/ plants. Ismaek was a very passionate biology student and I‘ve really learned a lot from him:)
This was a fun, low-key...
Christina C,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fun, low-key nature tour through the University of Costa Rica campus. We saw about a half dozen sloths, including a mom with a baby! Our tour guide Ismael was personable and knowledgeable, sharing his love of the local ecosystem (and even going above and beyond and contacting our driver for us at the end of the tour)! We got some great close-up photos of the sloths through Ismael's telescope too! If you are looking to fill a few hours while in San Jose, I definitely recommend this tour!
Sloths!
carlrJ7975UL,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I saw sloths. The guide was knowledgeable and engaging. I asked questions and I was impressed with their answers. The tour group was friendly.
Excellent value tour ( sloths)
Jeffyeo,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved the tour. The group was a good size, not too many people. Monica was very infomative. She spoke very good english and answered questions. The tour was a fairly easy walk. And it certianly helped that the Campus was on its Chistmas break. The cherry on top was we saw approximately 8 different individual sloths at fairly close range. 2.5 hours was about right for this trip ( although i could have watched the sloths all day). All in all i can highly recomend this tour.
Highly recommend!!
selinat771,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour by a very passionate, knowledgeable, bilingual biology student. Highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to see sloths up close and learns about biology in more details.
Wonderful way to see a small part of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna
Trek24536183523,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a great way to see some of the flora and fauna that is found in Costa Rica, as well as discovering some historical and cultural facts. Seeing sloths close up was an absolute joy. Ismael was a wonderful guide and his passion for what he is studying really showed.
From US$35.00
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Operated by Oropopo Experience