Travel - Home

Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge

PDF

| Print |

E-mail

Last Updated on Monday, 30 March 2009 12:12

Location: 7 miles south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Southern Caribbean Coast

See South Caribbean Tourism Region

Size: 12,382 land acres and 10,950 marine acres

Date of Creation: October 1985

Part of: Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area

About:

The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is one of Costa Rica’s most unique national parks. Its acreage covers not only 12,382 acres of rain forest, swamp and farmland, but also 10,950 marine acres, home to one of Costa Rica’s two live coral reefs. In addition to protecting diverse acreage, the park, created in 1985, has provisions that allow local communities to continue living in what is now national parkland, creating a diverse, vibrant refuge.

Cocles-River-Gandoca
The refuge begins at the Cocles River, just south of Puerto Viejo, and continues south to the Sixaola River, at the Panamanian border. Its vast acreage protects almost 70% of the southern Caribbean coast, including some of the country’s most pristine beaches, towering mountains, lowland rainforest, endangered swamps and unique ecosystems.

The park’s coastline is lined with fine, white sand beaches and aquamarine waters. Stretching for miles, from northwestern Punta Uva (Grape Point) to southeastern Punta Mona (Monkey Point), the beaches of Gandoca-Manzanillo are some of the area’s most famous attractions. Just off the coast, the live coral reef is home to more than 35 types of coral, 11 species of sponge, 27 species of algae and 34 species of mollusk, in addition to other colorful specimens such as small sharks, painted lobster and spiny sea urchins.

Cocles-limon Back on land, Gandoca houses diverse flora and many animals, including several protected and endangered species. Costa Rica’s only jolillo palm and sojo tree populations are in Pantano Punta Mona (Monkey Point Swamp), a 988-acre marshland near the refuge’s southeastern tip.

The quiet swamp is only one of many scenic and exciting nature spots in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The park’s beaches serve as important nesting spots for leatherback, green, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles. Just south of Monkey Point, a large red mangrove swamp provides protection to a natural oyster bank. Farther south, Gandoca River Estuary is home to spawning Atlantic tarpon, caiman, manatee and other water-loving species.

Farther inland, rolling farmland blends into dense rain forest. White-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, iguanas and many other animals populate the forest canopy, while tapirs scour the forest floor, leaf-cutter ants march along the ground and colorful crabs scuttle about. Full of life, the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge feels like a step into primal nature, where the only signs of humankind are rustic trails and occasional signage.

Weather:

Annual average temperature: 79 °F
Annual average rainfall: 98 inches

There is no clearly defined rainy or dry season in the southern Caribbean, though the least rainy months tend to be September/October and February/March. Even during the drier months, afternoon or evening storms roll into the Gandoca-Manzanillo area.

Activities:

Bird and Wildlife Watching
The southern Caribbean is populated with howler and white-faced monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, toucans, iguanas, butterflies, frogs and other wildlife. Hiking through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, visitors are assured wonderful opportunities to spot tropical flora and fauna.

Turtle Tours
The beaches within the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge are important nesting sites for leatherback turtles, the largest sea turtles in the world. In addition, Manzanillo beaches shelter smaller populations of nesting green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles. To protect and preserve the nesting turtles, a guide is required during nesting season. Learn more about Costa Rica's turtle tours.

Hiking
The refuge is an excellent option for light hikes along meandering trails. Several area tour operators offer informative, guided hiking tours. Note: During heavy rains, the trails may be very muddy and difficult to navigate.

Surfing Snorkel
Surfing is very popular at the eastern end of Manzanillo’s beach, but be careful, as riptides can be strong. Surfboards can be rented at several beachfront shops, and many individuals and surf schools offer surfing lessons.

Scuba Diving
When the waters are calm and the visibility is good, divers can enjoy more than twenty dive sites between Cahuita and Manzanillo, which together are home to Costa Rica’s only two living coral reefs. The colorful, underwater worlds are full of life, including angelfish, triggerfish, shark and parrotfish. Local dive shops offer two-tank dives starting from $65 per trip.

Snorkeling
Snorkelers can also enjoy the area’s two living coral reefs, which host more than 35 species of coral and 400 species of fish. The best visibility is in the waters off Manzanillo; snorkeling equipment can be rented from hotels and beachfront kiosks.

Swimming
The beaches of the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge offer gorgeous white sand ideal for sunbathing and swimming.

Kayaking
Kayaks may be rented from local hotels for excursions through the canals of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. For those adventurers who prefer to have a guide, several tour companies offer kayaking excursions to the refuge.

Back to Top

Flora & Fauna:

The beaches within the reserve are the most important nesting sites for leatherback turtles along Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean. The nesting season brings up to 580 egg-laying females each year (nesting March – July). Three other species of marine turtle lay their eggs on the beaches here: the green in July through October, and the hawksbill and loggerhead turtles from February through May.

Monkey Point Swamp, a 988-acre slice of the park, is home to Costa Rica’s only jolillo palm and sojo trees, in addition to migrating and permanent-resident birds, including the red-lored parrot, the red-capped manikin, the collared aracari, the chestnut-mandibled toucan, the rare harpy eagle and more than 360 other avian species.

Facilities:

A MINAE (Costa Rican Ministry of Environment) office is located on the right-hand side of the road when entering the town of Manzanillo. The office offers complimentary maps, video presentations, bathroom facilities and a wealth of information about the wildlife refuge.

Trails:

There are several hiking trails in the wildlife refuge ranging from short one- and two-hour hikes to day-long adventures. Most trails are appropriate for beginners and follow the ocean from Manzanillo to Monkey Point.

There is a popular 3.4-mile long trail that stretches from Manzanillo to Monkey Point, taking hikers through primary and secondary forest. For experienced hikers, a 5.6-mile trail offers a strenuous hike from Manzanillo, through the Monkey Point Swamp and finally to the small community of Gandoca. Be sure to wear hiking shoes and take plenty of insect repellent, as trails can be muddy and some areas are very mosquito-heavy. Guides are recommended.

Fees and Schedule:

The MINAE office, located at the entrance to the town of Manzanillo, is open from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. There is no entrance fee for the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting There:

From Puerto Viejo, follow the dirt road that heads south out of town towards Manzanillo. The Manzanillo sector’s hiking trails begin at the end of the sandy road that parallels the beach. Park your car or bike in a safe place.

To reach the Gandoca sector, turn right just before the paved road changes to gravel as you head to Puerto Viejo. There are signs here for Bribri and Hone Creek. Follow this dirt road through Hone Creek and Bribri and, shortly before the town of Sixaola, turn left onto another dirt road and go towards Gandoca. Gandoca is a fairly isolated location with only one dirt road leading to it and no real tourist facilities.

Places to Stay:

There are several beach hotels, lodges and budget accommodations in the town of Manzanillo and Puerto Viejo.

Recommendations:

Rain Gear: The weather at Gandoca-Manzanillo is unpredictable, so it is best to go prepared.

Insect Repellent: Mosquitoes and other biting insects are everywhere at Gandoca-Manzanillo, so take plenty of insect repellent on your hike.

Cool Clothing: This area is often hot and humid, so dress in cool, cotton clothing. Don’t hesitate to wear your bathing suit, as quick ocean dips are a very enjoyable way to keep cool.

Hire a naturalist guide: It cannot be stressed enough that guides are worth every penny – they are full of interesting facts and information and know exactly where to look for camouflaged wildlife.