Mangrove forests serve as natural safeguards. With their root system these salt resistant trees represent a habitat that reaches far out into the sea. Following the rhythm of low tide and high tide, the ocean brings food and sediments to the mangrove forest. Protected from the big fish of prey in the open sea, young fish, crabs and prawn can grow up in peace.
For the fruit-eating inhabitants of the lowland rainforest mangroves have little to offer, so Saimiris will only be found at the edges.

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There are two major groups of forests to be found at the coasts of Central America. The richly growing lowland rain forest with dense vegetation and high trees, and the savannah like open dry forest where cactuses and thorny shrubs dominate. Sea turtles leave the breeding to the hot sand at the beaches. On their way to the sea, seabirds, vultures, coatis or crocodiles capture many of the young turtles.