General Information:
Location: 15 kms. south of Puerto Viejo, on the south Atlantic Coast
Weather: Hot and humid with frequent rain showers.
Temperatures: 72- 95° F with 87-90% humidity
Altitude: Sea level
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About:
The tranquil town of Manzanillo marks the end of the potholed road from Puerto Viejo.
Near the Panamanian border, this idyllic spot offers clear waters and
pristine beaches and is the least developed of the Puerto Viejo area
towns.
Manzanillo is where dirt
roads blend into sandy roads that eventually dead end, and foot trails
become the only means by which to continue on. Names like “Mista
Cracker Jack Street” leave no room for doubt that Manzanillo is small
town.
The entire village of Manzanillo is located within the Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
and is surrounded by tropical humid forest inland and coral-lined shores with turquoise clear waters seaward.
Activites in Manzanillo include snorkeling, diving, kayaking, hiking
and wildlife watching in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and turtle
tours. The protected beaches here welcome the leatherback sea turtle.
There are a limited amount
of hotels and cabinas here. Most visitors come for the day from Puerto
Viejo. Many of the employees of the Puerto Viejo hotels and
restaurants live here and the town has an authentic Caribbean feel.
Locals speak Patois and Spanish with a thick Caribbean accent.
Visitors in search of
nightlife should stick to the late-night discos of Puerto Viejo.
Manzanillo is a place to relax and enjoy the laid-back Caribbean
atmosphere. On Saturday nights, Maxi's Bar and restaurant is the local
hot spot.
Manzanillo is a very
popular destination for Ticos on Sundays and during Easter week and
Christmas, where they camp and picnic along the beach.
Getting around on foot or
bicycle is easiest here. Local shops rent out bikes, and scooters are
available in Puerto Viejo.
Brief History:
Manzanillo is a 250 year-old village originally settled by fishermen
seeking the hawksbill sea turtle. They first settled near Monkey Pond
and gradually moved in to what is now known as Manzanillo. The village
has developed slowly over the years and has only had electricity since
the 1980's and landline phone service since 2000.
Services and Facilities:
There are no banks, ATM's, gas stations or pharmacies in Manzanillo and
the closest medical facility is the clinic in Hone Creek.
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