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    Wildlife·Mariolas Sloth Trail

    Sloth Tour La Fortuna — Mariolas Sloth Trail

    Small Group · shared departure · max 10 travelers, min 2 adults · per-person rate.

    • 2 hours
    • Mariolas Sloth Trail
    • Private Tour or Group Tour

    Small group

    From $65USD · all fees included

    Private $125 per personSmall group $65 per person

    Book Now
    Other booking option

    Your card is authorized only, not charged until confirmed. Availability is checked live. VIVO captures the payment after finalizing the operational details.

    Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) resting on a branch at Mariola's Sloth Trail, La FortunaCosta Rica nature tour photoHummingbird at a flower during an Arenal birdwatching tour

    1 of 3The experience

    • A scope on every tourYour guide puts the animal in the scope and helps you photograph it with your phone
    • On-time pickupWe confirm your pickup time and place before the tour
    • Answers every dayWhatsApp 8:00–20:00
    • Truly wildRespectful distance; sightings are never guaranteed
    • Fast, real replies
    • Free trip planning
    • Organization & bookings
    • Spaces held for you
    • Private & small groups
    • Large groups & universities

    Verified reviews

    See all

    ★★★★★ 5.0 · 1 reviews

    Jacob Sawyer· November 2025 · Google

    Elias is the finest that Costa Rica has to offer! We started with a night tour at Danaus and loved it — he is so intelligent about Costa Rica's flora and fauna. We also booked a daytime sloth tour at the Bogarin trail. Raul was our guide and was great at spotting wildlife: 4 sloths, a toucan, 2 owls, a boa, and plenty more! He also helped plan our chocolate/coffee tour, a pineapple tour, a day at Baldi Hot Springs, and arranged Manuel Antonio tickets and a guide for us. Can't say enough good things — highly recommend booking your tours through him.

    From$65
    Reserve
    Small Group · max 10 travelers, min 2 adults

    Prefer just your party?

    The private tour gives you your own vehicle, your own pace, a dedicated guide and the best light windows. Same itinerary, exclusive to your party.

    See this as a Private Tour

    Included

    Included & what to bring

    Included

    • Naturalist guide

    Not included

    • Transport / hotel pickup — quoted separately by hotel and zone

    What to bring

    • Comfortable clothes
    • Camera
    • Binoculars
    • Water

    What to know

    Gallery

    What you may see

    Real photographs from our departures. Sightings are never guaranteed.

    How it works
    1. 1

      Choose your date

      Date, modality and travellers at checkout.

    2. 2

      We authorize your card

      The amount is held; NOT charged until VIVO confirms.

    3. 3

      We confirm in writing

      Email and WhatsApp with time, meeting point and assigned guide.

    4. 4

      Your private portal

      You receive your portal with itinerary, calendar invite and support.

    Where exactly it is

    Mariola's Sloth Trail · 1 km from La Fortuna (≈5 min drive)

    Open directions

    Tour Location· La Fortuna (Mariolas) Hikes and Trails

    5.0(774)Mon-Sun 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Open in Google Maps

    Travelers also loved

    Travelers who booked this also loved these Arenal & La Fortuna experiences

    Explore Arenal & La Fortuna

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    Ecocentro Danaus – Day Guided Rainforest Tour

    Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Day Guided Rainforest Tour

    Walk through regenerating rainforest and wetlands to spot sloths, frogs, caimans, butterflies and diverse tropical wildlife

    • 2 hours
    • From $65
    Ecocentro Danaus – Night Tour

    Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Night Tour

    Red-eyed tree frogs, eyelash pit vipers and nocturnal insects — a guided night walk through one of La Fortuna's richest rainforest reserves.

    • 2 hours
    • From $65
    Ecocentro Danaus – Birdwatching Tour

    Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Birdwatching Tour

    Specialist birdwatching through wetlands and regenerating rainforest — Spectacled Owls, trogons and 100+ species possible in one morning.

    • 2–3 hours
    • From $95
    Small Group · max 10 travelers, min 2 adults

    Prefer just your party?

    The private tour gives you your own vehicle, your own pace, a dedicated guide and the best light windows. Same itinerary, exclusive to your party.

    See this as a Private Tour
    Duration
    2 hours
    Start time
    7:00am / 3:00pmSubject to availability
    Group style
    Private or small group
    Pickup
    Pickup can be coordinated
    Languages
    EN / ES
    • Fast, real replies
    • Free trip planning
    • Organization & bookings
    • Spaces held for you
    • Private & small groups
    • Large groups & universities

    Gallery

    What you may see

    Real photographs from our departures. Sightings are never guaranteed.

    About the experience+

    The experience

    Mariolas Sloth Trail – Wildlife Tour — Group Tour

    Explore Sloth Tour La Fortuna. This is the Group Tour for Mariolas Sloth Trail – Wildlife Tour: a shared departure, max 10 travelers, min 2 adults, on a fixed schedule and at a per-person rate. You share a VIVO naturalist guide with other travelers looking for the same thing you are — real wildlife, good light and an honest explanation of what you are seeing. Exact capacity depends on the experience. The itinerary, certified guide and safety standards are the same as our Private Tour; what changes is that the departure time is set and the group sets the pace. Transport is never shared: if you add it, it is private door-to-door for your party only.

    The Mariolas Sloth Trail is a family-run private reserve on the outskirts of La Fortuna that has quietly become one of the most productive sloth-viewing spots in the Arenal region — a quieter, less crowded alternative to the more famous trails and a favorite for photographers and small groups. The property protects roughly 6 hectares of secondary rainforest and old cacao/citrus edges, exactly the kind of mixed canopy that Brown-throated Three-toed Sloths (Bradypus variegatus) and Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) prefer. Trails are flat, well-maintained, about 1.2 km in a loop, and the tour runs 2 hours at a slow pace. Your naturalist guide checks the current-day sloth locations with the property staff before starting, so encounters are consistent — most tours see 2–5 sloths on a single walk, often at closer eye-level heights (4–7 m) than at busier reserves. Beyond sloths, expect Keel-billed Toucans, Collared Aracaris, Chestnut-headed Oropendolas, Passerini's Tanagers, Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, Great Kiskadees, Long-tailed Manakins in season, and White-nosed Coatis and Central American Agoutis on the ground. The site is excellent for macro and telephoto work because light gaps are open and the trail edges give clean backgrounds. Park entrance and bilingual naturalist guide are included. Transport is not included — we quote it separately by hotel and zone. Pair it with Bogarín Trail for a double-sloth day, or with the Safari Float in the afternoon for a full wildlife itinerary.

    What we focus on

    Wildlife-first pacing with a naturalist guide.

    Highlights+

    Highlights

    What makes this day different

    Family-friendly

    Easy walking trail

    Great sloth habitat

    Itinerary+

    Itinerary

    Your day, hour by hour

    Indicative timings — we adapt to wildlife activity and weather.

    1. 7:45 AMHotel pickup
    2. 8:00 AMArrive at Mariolas
    3. 8:15 AMFamily-run trail

      Small private reserve with a gentle loop.

    4. 9:30 AMSloth & bird stops
    5. 10:30 AMReturn to hotel

    Included

    Included & what to bring

    Included

    • Naturalist guide

    Not included

    • Transport / hotel pickup — quoted separately by hotel and zone

    What to bring

    • Comfortable clothes
    • Camera
    • Binoculars
    • Water
    Pickup & times+

    Logistics

    Practical details before you book

    Pickup can be coordinated

    La Fortuna (Mariolas) Hikes and Trails

    Share your hotel or Airbnb name during checkout and we confirm pickup time and any transport cost in writing.

    What to know

    Where exactly it is

    Mariola's Sloth Trail · 1 km from La Fortuna (≈5 min drive)

    Open directions

    Tour Location· La Fortuna (Mariolas) Hikes and Trails

    5.0(774)Mon-Sun 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Open in Google Maps

    Booking window

    Requests close 36h before departure. Inside that window we still try, but availability is not confirmed.

    This experience accepts a card authorization online: the amount is held, never charged, until VIVO confirms.

    2 Adults · 10

    Cancellation & changes

    • 100% − 5%: Green 24h+ · Peak 72h+
    • 50% − 5%: Green — · Peak 48–72h
    • Non-refundable: Green Under 24h · Peak Under 48h
    • No-show: no refund and no rescheduling.
    • The 5% processing fee is kept only when the guest cancels — never when VIVO cancels for weather, safety or operations.
    • Rescheduling is free when requested within the refund window and subject to availability. Outside that window it is not guaranteed. No rescheduling fees.
    • Discounted and group bookings follow the same seasonal policy.
    • Refunds go to the original payment method in 5–10 business days. Never cash.
    Private or small group+

    Compare with other options in this zone

    Real alternatives in the same destination, so you can decide without opening five tabs.

    Experience comparison table
    DetailYou are viewingMariolas Sloth Trail – Wildlife Tour — Group TourEcocentro Danaus – Day Guided Rainforest TourEcocentro Danaus – Night TourEcocentro Danaus – Day Pass
    Duration2 hours2 hours2 hours1–3 hours
    PriceFrom $65From $65From $65From $36
    Difficulty————
    TransportOptionalOptionalOptionalArrive on your own
    ModalityPrivate or groupPrivate or groupPrivate or groupPrivate
    BookingInstant date holdInstant date holdInstant date holdInstant date hold
    Includes1 items5 items4 items2 items
    FAQ+

    Questions

    Frequently asked

    How many people join this group tour?

    Group Tours are shared departures, max 10 travelers, min 2 adults. Exact capacity depends on the experience and date.

    Can I choose my own start time on a group departure?

    No. Group departures run at fixed times so everyone starts together. If you need a specific hour, light window or pace, book the same experience as a private expedition.

    Is transport shared with the group?

    Never. Transport is always private and always quoted separately by hotel and zone — your tour is shared, your ride is not. You can also meet us at the starting point at no extra cost.

    How much is the group rate per person?

    The shared rate starts at $65 per person, all taxes and fees included. Children pay a reduced rate. See the private experience for its current rate.

    What makes Mariolas Sloth Trail different from Bogarín?

    Mariolas is a smaller, family-run reserve on the outskirts of La Fortuna — quieter, less crowded and often with sloths at closer eye-level heights (4–7 m). Bogarín has more birds and is closer to downtown; Mariolas has better photographic backgrounds and more peaceful sessions. Serious photographers usually prefer Mariolas; birders usually prefer Bogarín. Doing both in one morning is our top-selling combo.

    How many sloths will I see at Mariolas?

    Most tours see 2–5 sloths on a single 2-hour walk — both Brown-throated Three-toed (Bradypus variegatus) and Hoffmann's Two-toed (Choloepus hoffmanni). The family staff scouts the current-day tree locations before your tour starts, so encounters are consistent year-round.

    Can I do Mariolas Sloth Trail without a guide?

    The reserve does allow self-guided visits, but a private naturalist guide is strongly recommended. Sloths blend into the canopy perfectly — most self-guided visitors walk past 3 out of 4 sloths without seeing them. A guide brings a spotting scope, checks with staff for the day's sloth locations, and identifies every bird call. Same trail, dramatically different experience.

    How far is Mariolas from La Fortuna?

    About 10 minutes from downtown La Fortuna by car — on the outskirts of town toward the Peñas Blancas area. Round-trip hotel pickup is quoted separately by hotel zone. If your hotel is outside town, we quote a small transport surcharge by zone when you book.

    Is Mariolas good for photography?

    Excellent — trail edges give clean, uncluttered backgrounds; light gaps are open enough for 400–600mm work; and the low visitor volume means you can set up a tripod without blocking anyone. A private guide will slow the pace to your shot list. Great for both sloth portraits and small-bird photography (motmots, tanagers, honeycreepers).

    How long is this tour?

    2 hours

    Where does this experience take place?

    Mariolas Sloth Trail

    Free cancellation 24h+ Green / 72h+ Peak (−5% fee)

    La Fortuna (Mariolas) Hikes and Trails

    Secure payment · no hidden fees

    How booking works
    1. 1

      Choose your date

      Date, modality and travellers at checkout.

    2. 2

      We authorize your card

      The amount is held; NOT charged until VIVO confirms.

    3. 3

      We confirm in writing

      Email and WhatsApp with time, meeting point and assigned guide.

    4. 4

      Your private portal

      You receive your portal with itinerary, calendar invite and support.

    Verified reviews

    What travellers said about this experience

    5.0 · 1 verified reviews shownRead all verified reviews
    J

    Jacob Sawyer

    November 2025 · Google

    Elias is the finest that Costa Rica has to offer! We started with a night tour at Danaus and loved it — he is so intelligent about Costa Rica's flora and fauna. We also booked a daytime sloth tour at the Bogarin trail. Raul was our guide and was great at spotting wildlife: 4 sloths, a toucan, 2 owls, a boa, and plenty more! He also helped plan our chocolate/coffee tour, a pineapple tour, a day at Baldi Hot Springs, and arranged Manuel Antonio tickets and a guide for us. Can't say enough good things — highly recommend booking your tours through him.

    View original review

    Travelers also loved

    Travelers who booked this also loved these Arenal & La Fortuna experiences

    Explore Arenal & La Fortuna

    More experiences in Arenal & La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Day Guided Rainforest Tour

    Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Day Guided Rainforest Tour

    Walk through regenerating rainforest and wetlands to spot sloths, frogs, caimans, butterflies and diverse tropical wildlife

    • 2 hours
    • From $65
    Ecocentro Danaus – Night Tour

    Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Night Tour

    Red-eyed tree frogs, eyelash pit vipers and nocturnal insects — a guided night walk through one of La Fortuna's richest rainforest reserves.

    • 2 hours
    • From $65
    Ecocentro Danaus – Birdwatching Tour

    Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

    Ecocentro Danaus – Birdwatching Tour

    Specialist birdwatching through wetlands and regenerating rainforest — Spectacled Owls, trogons and 100+ species possible in one morning.

    • 2–3 hours
    • From $95

    Mariolas Sloth Trail – Wildlife Tour — Group Tour

    From $65 per person · taxes included

    Book Now
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