The Manatees of Costa Rica

In the warm waters along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, there's a fascinating creature—the manatee, affectionately known as the "sea cow” or “manatí” in Spanish." These gentle animals never fail to charm those fortunate enough to see them. With their peaceful presence, they bring a sense of wonder to our waters. Let's explore their world!

The manatees in Costa Rica are of the West Indian species (Trichechus manatus). They're quite big—measuring about 8 to 13 feet in length and weighing anywhere from 440 to 1,300 pounds, or even more. With their wrinkled gray skin, sparsely covered in hairs, and sometimes spotted with algae, they look unique.

And those whiskers? They're not just for show! They help these herbivores find their favorite foods. When it comes to behavior, they're known to be calm, often gliding gracefully through the water as they search for their next meal.

Manatees are dedicated eaters, taking their time when it comes to meals. Their diet consists of water grasses, mangrove leaves, and various types of algae. Surprisingly, they munch on up to ten times their body weight in food every day!

While this may sound like a lot, it's crucial for keeping their large bodies fueled and healthy. Due to the effort required to find food, manatees spend a significant portion of their day—up to eight hours—eating plants. Consequently, they don't have much energy left for quick movements. Moving slowly helps them conserve energy.

Manatees reach sexual maturity in three to five years. During mating season, the males compete for the attention of females. Courtship rituals involve vocalizations, physical displays, and even playful chasing. Once a pair forms a bond, they may engage in elaborate mating behaviors, often accompanied by gentle nuzzling and touching.

Female manatees have a gestation period of about 12 months, after which they give birth to a single calf. Mother-calf pairs share a close bond, with the mother providing nourishment and protection until the calf is ready to fend for itself. They quickly learn to swim and feed alongside their mother, who carefully guides them away from potential dangers like crocodiles and other predators.

Manatees are quite selective about their homes, favoring spots like rivers, canals, bays, and estuaries. In Costa Rica, they primarily live in the Caribbean region, especially in the southern part of Gandoca and Barra del Colorado. They're particularly attracted to areas with plenty of seagrass and vegetation, making Tortuguero National Park a top choice due to its dense canals. Unfortunately, spotting them isn't as common as we'd like due to their declining numbers. That's why it's crucial to protect their habitats and ensure their safety. These habitats provide the perfect environment for manatees to graze on seagrasses, mangrove leaves, and various other sea and freshwater plants.

To maximize your chances of seeing manatees in Costa Rica, review our best places to stay in Tortuguero. We have plenty of eco-lodges and sustainable hotels, including Manatus, named specifically after the manatees. Plus, at Hotel Manatus, the manatee is the star ambassador! They've teamed up with the Foundation for the Conservation of the Manatee to spread awareness about these lovable creatures and their habitat protection.

As much as we love them, manatees are facing serious threats. They are an endangered species in constant peril of losing their homes to construction development, getting hit by boats, and getting tangled up in fishing gear, to name a few. But Costa Rica is working hard to protect them. From keeping their habitats safe to raising awareness about their importance, conservation efforts are underway to ensure that manatees continue to glide through Costa Rica's waters for years to come.

So, next time you find yourself along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, keep an eye out for our adorable sea cows. And remember, it's up to all of us to help keep them safe and happy in their home. If you want to experience thoughtful and eco-conscious travel to Costa Rica, contact us and we’ll be able to help.

• Costa Rica's proud symbol: In 2014, two young students in Costa Rica campaigned for the manatee to become a national symbol of marine life. Their efforts were successful, making the manatee an official emblem of the country's commitment to nature conservation.
• Mermaid misunderstanding: Centuries ago, sailors mistook manatees for mermaids. Even Christopher Columbus thought so. In 1492, when he first encountered a manatee, he thought it was a mermaid.
• Mythical roots: Manatees belong to a group called sirenians, named after the sirens of Greek mythology. Sirens were mythical creatures often associated with mermaids, believed to sing enchanting songs that lured sailors.
• Longevity legends: Manatees have an impressive lifespan of 50 to 60 years in the wild.
• Untouched sovereignty: Manatees reign supreme in the waters without any natural enemies! Even alligators give them space, but watch out—humans pose the biggest threat to them.
• No-bite nibblers: Manatees sport a set of teeth, yet they're no biters. Their teeth are all molars, designed solely for chewing.