The Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is located on the beautiful Costa Rica Caribbean coast about 12 miles south-east of Puerto Viejo de Limon in the Manzanillo area; Here you will find beautiful beaches of fine sand calm waves and coral reefs that decorate the sea and make this region a paradise for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts. The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is a mixed refuge (state and private) where many natural landscapes of land beach and sea combine in addition to its Caribbean style that makes this place a very attractive place for visitors where conservation and sustainable management of these ecosystems is carried out in parallel with the participation of communities mainly in the towns of Punta Uva Manzanillo Punta Cocles and Gandoca. The refuge is part of a coastal unit of marine origin called the emerged coral platform as well as a plain (southeast of Manzanillo) with marsh characteristics. This shelter encompasses several habitats such as lowland forests a wetland and a marshy mangrove as well as safeguarding the only orey and jolillo swamp palm of Costa Rica; from the ecological point of view is very important because it contains the only intact marsh mangrove of the Atlantic and a small primary rainforest unique in the region.
TThe refuge protects about 5 km2 of reef in front of Punta Uva Manzanillo and Punta Mona has a strip of beach of 10 kilometers 740 acres of forest a coral reef and 2 marshes protecting the habitat of threatened species; it?s also a spawning area for several species of sea turtles. In addition we can find animals such as crocodiles bales West Indian manatees caimans tapirs tarpon dolphins sea turtles frigate birds woodpeckers eagles toucans; there are coral species such as sea fans; this places protect the only natural bank of mangrove oyster (Crassostrea rhizophorae) of the reef area in the coastal strip inhabiting colorful fish like blue parrotfish angelfish sea anemone gallops Venus fish prawns oysters lobsters and sponges; This refuge also protects the wild fauna especially those species in extinction ways or with small populations. The Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge has a lagoon this portion of the Atlantic coast is classified as a tropical humid forest.
We recommend that you enjoy the area by doing activities such as:
- Turtle nesting tour (February to May).
- Dolphins tours.
- Diving in the reef sector.
- Hiking.
- Horseback riding.
- Boat trips.
- Bird watching.
- Enjoy the sun sea and beach.
- Kayak.
- Visit Indian Reserves.
In the Gandoca-Manzanillo Natural Wildlife Refuge you can find services such as bathrooms drinking water lunch area parking areas as well as restaurants hotels cabins in surrounding areas local guides and customer service. The schedule is from Monday through Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The best time to visit the refuge is between March to April and September to October that are considered the summer months.
When you visit the Caribbean area of Costa Rica do not forget to visit the Gandoca-Manzanillo Natural Wildife Refuge and enjoy its marine wealth reef formations golden beaches and beautiful landscapes; If you wish to travel to this beautiful area check our rates and schedules and we will gladly help you book your transportation. Interbus.
