Written by Nikki Solano

Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️

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Our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., has discounts for San Jose/Alajuela tours and activities. Con mucho gusto (you’re welcome) and pura vida!

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IMPORTANT: This article is part of our Memorable Costa Rica series.

The revered Latin American female writer Isabel Allende once advised: “Write what should not be forgotten.” Inspired by the quote’s brevity and the subject matter of lasting significance, the articles in our Memorable Costa Rica series are concise and highlight what we feel are the most memorable aspects of featured Costa Rica experiences. If you don’t want to waste time rereading the repeated facts and long-drawn-out paraphrased summaries that some other Costa Rica resources offer, then the personal briefs in our Memorable Costa Rica series are perfect for you. Use them to discover the unique qualities and unforgettable moments that we believe each Costa Rica experience provides, so you can easily decide which experiences are worth incorporating into your trip, and in only five minutes or less. 👍🏽

Estimated reading time for this article: 4 minutes

Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center brief

Slow-paced, self-guided, peaceful strolls along the smooth concrete trails at Alajuela’s Rescate Wildife Rescue Center (formerly ZooAve) feel light-years away from the crowded capital city of San Jose and the bustling SJO Airport (30 minutes and 15 minutes by car, respectively). At the center, you can lay your eyes on rescued members of some of Costa Rica’s most colorful and elusive wildlife species; striking blue peacocks and prehistoric-looking iguanas roam freely while multicolored toucans and macaws, agile and acrobatic monkeys, adorable lazy sloths, svelte jungle cats, and more demonstrate their most beloved traits and characteristics from within their temporary homes (and in some cases, permanent homes): giant metal enclosures beautifully disguised by palms, ferns, bamboo, and other eye-catching flora, plus strange-looking oropendola nests. Informative signage is all around, so without a tour guide and with 1-2 hours to spend, you can learn about past and present resident wildlife as well as the center’s rehabilitation efforts. (Don’t miss the story about the retired “freedom bus.”) Go to see a variety of wildlife conveniently at one place⁠—especially if your time and/or budget is limited⁠—and to support the center’s honorable work.

Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center photos

Map of the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center

More information about the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center

For more information about the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, including the nonprofit’s history, current operations, guided tour options, volunteer opportunities, and visitor information (hours of operation, entrance fee rates, location information, etc.), please see the center’s website.

Have questions about the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center?

We’re happy to answer your questions! Please see our forum below to submit your question.

Pura vida! 🙂

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