Whether we like them or fear them, snakes are an integral part of Costa Rica’s renowned biodiversity. This small country is home to no fewer than 141 species of snakes in its diverse ecosystems. If you are visiting and not actively looking for them, you are unlikely to see any. However, if you spend enough time in the country, it is almost inevitable that you will encounter one eventually.

My general advice for interacting with snakes in Costa Rica is very clear: don’t approach them, don’t touch them, and don’t try to move them. You are probably not a snake expert, so you should not assume that the snake you are facing does not belong to one of the approximately 23 poisonous species in the country. If you find a snake inside your home, you should call the fire department (Bomberos de Costa Rica). They are trained to capture and remove them safely, and they handle thousands of these cases every year.

Bothriechis lateralis
Cerrophidion sasai

This article is not about how to handle snakes (something you should not do, I repeat), but about simple measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of them entering your home. Basically, there are two key actions:

  • Do not offer them good places to hide.
  • Do not provide them with food.

How to reduce the risk of finding snakes in your home

Although Costa Rica has a wide variety of snakes, they are not easy to spot. This is because they prefer to stay hidden, as they are part of the food chain for many other species. For this reason, it is important not to create ideal shelters around your home. Avoid accumulating piles of rocks, stacks of firewood, or sheets of metal, as these are perfect hiding places for them.

It is also essential not to indirectly attract snakes by offering them food. Many species feed on rodents, small reptiles, and amphibians, so you should avoid attracting these animals to your home. Keep trash cans tightly closed and away from the house, as rodents often feed on trash. If you compost, be sure to place the container some distance from the house. Also, avoid puddles of water, as these attract frogs, and frogs, in turn, attract snakes.

Sensorial Sunsets