The amazing Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

Posted February 1, 2016

Costa Rica is full of beautiful beaches and landscapes. But if there is one region you most definitely cant miss to visit, is the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. This is for sure one of the most stunning and intense places to visit while in Costa Rica.

Located just a few kilometers from Puerto Viejo and the Panama border, Gandoca Manzanillo is one of the most significant wildlife refuges as it protects some of the most endangered species in the country.

Getting to Gandoca Manzanillo is not easy – but well worth it! So if you are planning to rent a car, make sure you choose a medium-to-big size 4×4; as you will be driving through many dirt and unpaved roads. You are able to pick up your rental car either at our Alajuela or San Jose offices.

: Lazy Bear Gandoca Costa Rica

: Diving Gandoca Costa Rica

: Beach Gandoca Costa Rica

The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is actually a humid tropical rainforest that contains a couple of mangrove swamps which makes it exceptionally unique. The refuge includes some of the most gorgeous Caribbean beaches such as Playa Uva, Manzanillo, Playa Chiquita and Playa Cocles. These beaches are nationally known for having some of the most crystalline oceans and crisp white sand.

The beaches’ clear blue waters give visitors the amazing opportunity of taking part in many activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving or even kayaking. Regardless of which activity you choose, you definitely need to see the refuge’s coral reefs. There are about 35 species of coral which house more than 125 species of fish.

If you are not too much of a water person, you might prefer to stay on land and go on an adventurous hiking trip. The trails cross right through the refuge’s rainforest so you will find this to be a jaw-dropping experience. When hiking you may get to meet some of the local friends such as howler monkeys, toucans, sloths and tapirs. Gandoca Manzanillo is also home to caimans, turtles, tarpons, dolphins and lizards.

As the refuge is located in the Limon province, the climate may get extremely hot and humid depending on the season. The best time to visit this gorgeous refuge is during the dry season (From March to April and September to October).

The best advice we can give you is to take a couple of days off, visit our lovely Caribbean side and spend a day at this breath taking wildlife refuge. We are sure that the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge will amaze you!