At Olas Verdes Hotel, in Nosara, Costa Rica, guests often share their morning coffee with some of our most ancient and curious residents: the iguanas and garrobos that roam freely through our gardens and rooftops. These sun-loving reptiles have become part of our daily lifes, undisturbed by human presence and entirely at home within the green spaces of the hotel.

What’s the difference between an iguana and a garrobo? It’s a question even many locals struggle to answer.

Iguanas vs. Garrobos: What’s the Difference?

While both are large reptiles, they belong to different species:

• Iguanas, known locally as iguana verde, are usually green when young but may darken as they mature. They’re primarily herbivores, spending their time munching on leaves and fruit. Look for their long tails, spiky crests, and calm demeanor.
• Garrobos, also called black iguanas or iguana negra, are technically spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaura similis). Unlike their greener cousins, garrobos are faster, more agile, and omnivorous, often seen darting up trees or walls. Their darker coloration and banded tails help tell them distinguish from one another.

True Locals at Olas Verdes Hotel: Our Named Residents

Over the years, some of these reptiles have settled into daily routines so consistent that we’ve given them names. From “Sherman,” who guards the poolside trees, to “Pepe,” often seen sunning himself near Nacho’s Casa, these animals have become part of our story.

They live here year-round, moving calmly among guests and staff, showing no fear—a sign of both their comfort and the respect they receive from humans around them.

Life Expectancy and Daily Habits

With proper conditions, both iguanas and garrobos can live up to 15-20 years, spending their days basking in the sun, shedding their skin as they grow, and calmly observing the daily rhythms of Olas Verdes. Guests often spot them in the mornings, when they warm up for the day, or in the afternoons, when they seek shade among our native plants.

Respect the Locals

We ask our visitors to enjoy these encounters respectfully:

• Watch them from a distance.
• Avoid feeding them (they’re quite capable of finding their own meals).
• Appreciate their primitive, quiet presence as part of the ecosystem that surrounds and defines Olas Verdes.

Next time you visit Olas Verdes and spot a spiny silhouette sunning on a stone wall or tree branch, you’ll know: it’s not just a lizard—it’s a neighbor.

Would you like additional information on this topic? Please contact us at reservations@olasverdeshotel.com