Land Activities:
Bird & Wildlife Watching
Rich ecosystems of the nearby Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge offer a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. Learn more about bird and wildlife watching
Hiking
Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge has several trails for exploring.
Turtle Nesting Tours (March – July)
Guided night hikes seeking nesting leatherback sea turtles (the largest sea turtle in the world, also known as the baula turtle) are offered March through July. Tours organized by the Red Talamanca (heading up the the baula turtle protection program) include dinner at a local family's home, and a guided, educational hike along the beach looking for sea turtles laying eggs. Read more about turtle nesting tours
Shopping
There are few stores on the way to Manzanillo along the side of the road that offer unique, hand-made souvenirs, but Manzanillo itself is not a shopping mecca. Check out the Tribal Market; they often have unique clothing and souvenirs and great silver jewelry. It is located along the gravel road in between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. There are a few small super markets and gift shops in Manzanillo, some selling nice hammocks.
Water Activities:
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Spectacular living coral reefs in this area from Punta Uva around to Punta Mona offer excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities. There is a dive shop in town who also offers kayak surfing lessons.
Surfing
There is a surf break near Punta Mona. Read more about surfing in Costa Rica.
Organized Tour Options:
Bocas del Toro Panama is just across the border from Manzanillo and some local tour companies offer multi-day excursions.
Restaurants & Nightlife:
Maxi’s Bar and Restaurant might be the only spot to find nightlife, and even then, only on the weekends. Manzanillo is not the place to go for exciting night life, except maybe on Saturday night when the locals come out to let loose.
There are a few other restaurants in town serving traditional Costa Rican and Caribbean style dishes.
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