Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge: What to Do

The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo) protects the stretch of Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast from the village of Manzanillo down to the Panama border. It is one of the wildest, least-developed corners of the region — and one of the easiest to reach from Puerto Viejo.

It combines rainforest, mangroves, one of Costa Rica’s few living coral reefs, and quiet beaches where sea turtles nest. You do not need a tour to enjoy it, but a local guide makes the wildlife come alive.

Wildlife You Might See

The refuge packs a lot of the Caribbean’s wildlife into a small, accessible area:

• Sloths, howler and white-faced monkeys in the coastal forest
• Poison dart frogs, toucans and countless birds
• A living coral reef with tropical fish, rays and the occasional nurse shark
• Dolphins in the Gandoca lagoon (including the rare tucuxi)
• Nesting sea turtles on the beaches, roughly March to July — ask locally, as timing varies

Beaches and the Coastal Trail

Manzanillo beach, at the refuge entrance, is calm and good for swimming and snorkelling. From there, a beautiful coastal trail runs about 5.5 km through the jungle to Punta Mona, passing hidden coves and reef-fringed points along the way.

It is a flat but sometimes muddy walk; allow a few hours if you want to swim and watch wildlife. A guide is worth it both for spotting animals and for keeping to the right paths.

Best Things to Do

A few ways to make the most of a visit:

• Snorkel or dive the reef — one of the healthiest on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side, best on calm, clear days
• Hike the Manzanillo–Punta Mona coastal trail with a local guide
• Take a kayak or boat tour of the Gandoca lagoon to look for dolphins and manatees
• Eat fresh Caribbean food at one of the small sodas in Manzanillo village

Practical Tips

• Hire a local community guide at Manzanillo — it supports the community and hugely improves what you see
• Bring cash (colones) for guides, parking and food; there are no big facilities
• Reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes and plenty of water are essentials
• For snorkelling, aim for the calmer, clearer windows (February–March and September–October) — but the sea here changes day to day

How to Get There

The refuge starts at Manzanillo, at the end of the coast road about 14 km southeast of Puerto Viejo. You can take the local bus, drive, or rent a scooter or bike.

See our full guide to getting to Gandoca-Manzanillo →

Key Takeaways

Gandoca-Manzanillo is the wild, reef-and-rainforest end of the southern Caribbean — great for snorkelling, a coastal jungle hike and wildlife, and easy to reach from Puerto Viejo. Go with a local guide, bring cash and reef-safe gear, and pick a calm day for the water.