You can’t come to Costa Rica and leave without seeing a sloth, right? I think the best way to see a sloth up close in Costa Rica is by visiting a sloth sanctuary. That’s because, in the wild, you’re most likely to see a sloth high up in the jungle canopy. At a rescue center, the sloths will be close enough to see and you’ll have the added bonus of learning about conservation efforts in Costa Rica.
In Monteverde, Selvatura Park is a great place to see sloths in close proximity as well as learn about their habitats and conservation. As an extra bonus, at Selvatura Park you can visit their butterfly habitat in addition to the sloth sanctuary.
Here is a detailed review of everything you can expect on a trip to the Sloth Conservation and Butterfly Garden at Selvatura Park.
Selvatura Park Quick Facts
| Hours: | 7 AM to 4 PM |
| Price: | Sloth Sanctuary: $39 for ages 13+ and $27 for children 4-12 Butterfly Garden: $21.47 for adults and children (There are various combo tickets available as well!) |
| Address: | Selvatura Adventure Park, Puntarenas Province, Tilarán |
Selvatura Park is located within the cloud forests of Monteverde, a protected rainforest known for being located literally within the clouds. The cloud forest plays a large role in making Costa Rica accountable for 5% of the biodiversity in the entire world despite only making up 0.03% of its landmass.
In Selvatura Park, you’ll have a chance to see a slice of the rainforest up close, with opportunities for ziplining, hiking across massive suspension bridges, or visiting the conservation centers that house butterfly and sloth habitats.
I always recommend a visit to the butterfly and sloth habitats as an activity well-suited for families with children. It’s a calm, peaceful environment, and a chance to get a close look at incredible animals you won’t find anywhere near the US!
Getting to Selvatura Park
You can reach Selvatura Park by car (simply put the address into Google Maps or Waze) and park in their lot with free parking.
They also have a shuttle service which you can arrange in advance by contacting the park via WhatsApp (+506 4001-7895) or email at [email protected].
Psst: Here are some of my favorite nearby hotels!
What to Expect at the Monteverde Sloth Sanctuary
The sloth habitat inside Selvatura Park is home to 20 sloths you can see up close in an enclosure that closely mimics the natural environment of these animals. Here you can see the two-toed sloth, one of the two types of sloths found in Costa Rica.
Selvatura Park works closely with the Caribbean Sloth Sanctuary to offer these animals a safe environment and promote education and conservation efforts in Costa Rica. The animals were rescued from situations that prevented them from being able to stay in their natural habitat, such as injury, poaching, or habitat destruction.
A visit to the sloth habitat in Selvatura Park will be a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity to see these adorable creatures within a picture-taking distance (but no flash!).
What to Expect at the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens
In Selvatura Park you’ll also have the chance to visit their butterfly gardens with over 30 species of butterflies housed in a giant dome structure that mimics their natural habitat.
Here, there are not only fully grown butterflies but butterflies in every stage of their growth process including those enclosed in a formed chrysalis.
The guide will take you on a walk through their gardens and tell you all about the life cycle of the butterflies and their natural habitat in Costa Rica. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and run four times daily at 8:30 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2:30 PM.
FAQs BEFORE Visiting
- How much is parking? Parking is free at Selvatura Park
- Can I do more activities at Selvatura Park while I’m there (zipline, hanging bridges, etc)? Yes of course! The park has an option to bundle all their activities including the zipline tour, hanging bridges walk, sloth habitat, butterfly garden, and reptile and amphibian exhibit for $165.75 for adults and $124 for children. If you go with this option, I recommend getting to the park early because you’ll easily spend the entire day there.
- Can I touch or hold the sloths? You will not be permitted to touch the sloths at Selvatura Park as they are living in a protected sanctuary habitat. You will be able to take pictures of the animals as long as you turn off your flash.
- Is there a restaurant onsite? There is a restaurant at Selvatura Park that serves coffee, snacks, and lunch. In addition to the restaurant, you’ll also find access to lockers and bathrooms near the reception area of the park. Otherwise, here are some of my favorite restaurants and coffee shops in Monteverde!
- Do I need to book tickets in advance? The best way to guarantee access is to book your ticket online in advance. You are permitted to buy tickets when you arrive at the park if you choose not to buy in advance, pending availability.
- What should I bring to Selvatura Park? Wear comfortable clothes and remember it’s an environment with high humidity inside the enclosures so they recommend you bring a cloth to clean off glasses or camera lenses.
- What if I need to cancel? You will receive a refund if you send a written request to [email protected] within 72 hours of the tour start time, otherwise, the ticket is non-refundable, according to the park’s website.
- Where else can I see Sloths in Monteverde? You always have the chance of spotting a sloth while hiking in Monteverde. A guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve can increase the likelihood! However, remember sightings in the wild are never guaranteed.
Is the Monteverde Sloth Sanctuary & Butterfly Garden Worth a Visit?!
A visit to Selvatura Park is an amazing way to experience the beauty of the cloud forest while also engaging in an educational experience the entire family will appreciate. I was so pleased with my experience, that I treated my mom to a visit to the sloth habitat when she visited Costa Rica for her birthday. She told me it was her favorite activity she did while visiting.
Trust me, you won’t regret adding a visit to Selvatura Park to your list of things to do in Monteverde!
More Things to do in Monteverde
I may be slightly biased since I live in Monteverde, but there are SO many amazing things to do during your stay. I recommend planning at least 3 days to explore this beautiful spot in Costa Rica.
- Best Zipline Tours in Monteverde
- Hanging Bridges to Check Out
- El Tigre Waterfalls
- Night Tours in Monteverde
Lindsay Gantz lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica with her husband who is Costa Rican. She helps visitors plan trips to Costa Rica and also organizes small group trips for solo female travelers. You can reach her on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
