La Fortuna Night Walk at El Silencio: Wild Forest, No Enclosures

The distinction the operator draws is worth taking seriously: the animals here live free in their own habitat, nothing is kept in an enclosure, and what turns up changes from one night to the next. Sightings are not guaranteed, and some evenings are better than others. The walk covers the trails at Mirador El Silencio, at the foot of Arenal, with an experienced naturalist guide. Groups are kept small, which is what makes it work with children along and leaves room to photograph whatever stops long enough. What the guide is looking for: the red-eyed frog that ends up on every poster of Costa Rica, poison frogs, snakes, lizards, spiders, insects, and birds asleep on their branches. With luck, mammals as well, sloths among them. Closed shoes are essential, and that one is not negotiable on a trail at night.