Spotting Snakes During Your Vacation

Yes, we have snakes in Costa Rica, lots of them, and some that are extraordinarily beautiful. The most dangerous is the bushmaster, which is very common in sugar cane fields. Fatalities from a snake bite for anyone in Costa Rica are extremely uncommon. Locals and tourists in car accidents are a lot more common! The most dangerous activity undertaken by most adventure companies in Costa Rica is to drive on public roads, especially at night, in the fog, with no yellow lines or white lines, no place to pull off, with nothing to mark huge potholes that might have formed the last time it rained. Snakes hardly rank in comparison.

While hiking, the opportunity to meet multi-legged or legless creatures is increased. We want you to know what to do when you encounter snakes, etc., before we start off into the forest. Serendipity does NOT carry snake antivenin (antivenin can kill as fast as the snake) but our staff are trained on how to handle snake bites. To date, we have not needed to use our snake bite treatment training, so please don’t break our record. Listen carefully to your guide on how to introduce yourself to a snake, and how to know which snake is which.

Top Tips on Snakes in Costa Rica

• – If you are going hiking in the natural landscape in Costa Rica, a good rule of thumb is to use closed-toed shoes to protect yourself from snakes and other creep-crawlies on the trail. If you expect to be hiking through dense foliage, long pants and boots that at least cover your ankle are recommended.
• – If you are hiking with a guide, listen to their instructions. Do not wander off the trail and reach out to grab tree branches and other foliage.
• – Check your boots. If you have left your boots outside to dry, be sure to peek inside and shake them out before putting them back on.
• – If you see a snake, keep your distance until instructed to do otherwise by your guide. Do not be tempted to move to get a closer look or take a photograph, even if people around you are doing so.
• – If a snake is crossing your path, have patience and let it pass. Do not attempt to step over the snake or walk past until it is fully crossed over to the other side of the trail.