Place
Overview
A short, lush rainforest walk with big wildlife payoff, the Sloth Trail is the easy crowd‑pleaser inside the park’s interior. The core path is about 0.4 miles one way (≈600 m) and stays shaded beneath dense canopy. It parallels the main access road but feels wilder and quieter.
Route and distance
Most visitors enter via the Mangrove boardwalk from the park entrance and flow straight onto the Sloth Trail, which finishes at the central junction near the cafeteria and restrooms. Plan 45–60 minutes if you pause for wildlife; more if you tack on connectors. Online distances vary because many people include the Mangrove boardwalk and/or the return leg.
Surface and accessibility
The first half is an elevated wooden boardwalk designed to let wildlife pass underneath; the second half transitions to a flat, packed‑gravel jungle path. The boardwalk segment is wheelchair/stroller‑friendly; the gravel half is less so.
Wildlife and what to watch for
This corridor is known for sloths—both two‑toed and three‑toed—plus frequent monkey sightings, deer, and agoutis. Foliage is thick, so spotting can be tricky on your own. A guide (or simply watching where guided groups stop) dramatically improves your odds; binoculars help.
Best time to hike
There’s no single “season,” but mornings are your friend—cooler temps, softer light, and more active wildlife before heat and crowds build later in the day.
Tips, rules, and connections
If sloths top your list, budget time to linger and consider hiring a guide. Keep a respectful distance and stay quiet around wildlife. Park rules matter here: no food inside and no single‑use plastic water bottles—bring a refillable bottle. Monkeys are bold; secure your belongings. Entry requires advance online tickets and your passport (or a copy). From the junction, it’s easy to continue to other trails and the beaches if you want to extend the day.
Bottom line
High reward for minimal effort. It’s not a solitude hike and it’s short, but for families and wildlife‑minded travelers, it’s one of the best places in the park to scan the canopy for sloths.
Pros
- Elevated boardwalk then gravel—two perspectives on rainforest life in one short walk
- Often less hectic than the parallel access road while offering better wildlife chances
Cons
- Wildlife can be hard to spot without a guide in dense foliage
- Gravel half is much less wheelchair‑friendly than the boardwalk
Parking
Access from the park entrance via the Mangrove boardwalk; the Sloth Trail begins just beyond inside the park.
Caution
Keep distance from wildlife and stay quiet; monkeys are bold—secure bags and food. No food or single‑use plastic bottles allowed; bring a refillable bottle.
