Resort guests may be able to see sloths on site
IAN STALKER
Those staying at Costa Rica’s Copa de Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort can expect to have some particularly low-key neighbours during their time on the Pacific Ocean property.
Resort grounds — found in a country seen as a pioneer in eco-tourism — have a population of sloths, with those tree-dwelling, famously slow-moving mammals somewhat iconic of Costa Rica.
“There are many sloths on property here at Copa de Arbol. We assume they’re here for the views and salty leaves,” the resort says of the herbivores.
Indeed, the area’s being home to sloths, which rarely come down from trees, recently led to a visit by Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, a British zoologist and founder of the Sloth Conservation Foundation, who used Copa de Arbol terrain for her work, which included using a drone equipped with a thermal camera to help get a fix on the number of sloths found in the area. Cliffe, now a permanent resident of Costa Rica, is undertaking the first-ever sloth census in the country.
Cliffe’s work has drawn attention from the likes of the BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Scientific American and TV show 60 Minutes as she works to safeguard sloths, of which there are 6 types, 2 of which are considered endangered, with habitat loss being one threat. Cliffe says sloths have spent “millions of years evolving to go unnoticed,” something that helps them evade predators but makes determining their population in a given area challenging.
But Megan Kee, who handles marketing for Copa de Arbol, says resort guests who sight some of the critters that seemingly everyone finds irresistibly cute shouldn’t be surprised.
“Sloths are not the easiest to spot because they are at times the colour of the trees and so slow moving,” she says of mammals that Cliffe labels “masters of disguise.” “But I personally have been to the resort more than a handful of times and seen sloths every single time. The hotel staff is wonderful at spotting them and because the sloths don’t move quickly, they usually reside on the property for weeks at a time in the same trees.Tourists are usually very excited (upon seeing sloths) as the sloths are one of Costa Rica’s most popular animals.”
Kee says Copa de Arbol itself has an “updated clean vibe, more modern-rustic. Teak wood is found throughout with palm-leaf roofs, beautiful details to offer a relaxing zen energy. Copa de Arbol is a wonderful place for all travellers and offers an experience unlike any other resort. Those who visit find themselves immersed into the true rainforests of Costa Rica, only steps from the warm Pacific. It’s the true Jurassic Park of the country. We are all inclusive!”
Cliffe — who plans to return to Copa de Arbol with a “sloth detection dog” to get a better handle on the local sloth population — was herself smitten by the resort, praising the “beautiful property,” which is found on the Osa Peninsula.
Meanwhile, Kee says Copa de Arbol guests can expect to see many other creatures during their time at the resort.
“Most guests at the hotel enjoy a wonderful combination of relaxing and adventure,” she continues. “Everyone who visits seems to enjoy the wildlife as there are a number of wild animals spotted daily on the property. We have quite a bit of bird enthusiasts come visit.
“Guests will usually see toucans, capuchin and howler monkeys; a large variety of other birds like hummingbirds and black hawks among others. The adorable coati is spotted regularly. Also a variety of frogs, toads and lizards like the basilisk, which hang around the pool every day. We offer tours to Corcovado, where there are a number of whales and dolphins along the way and almost every species that’s native to the country will be seen. Guests love the tapirs and ring tailed coatis.”
More information can be found at copadearbol.com.
