Gandoca Manzanillo

Manzanillo Gandoca wildlife national reserve found in the Costa Rica Caribbean offers a great opportunity to visit a humid tropical rainforest, the only natural and intact mangrove oyster bed found in the Costa Rica Caribbean, the only primary lowland rainforest wetland in its region, the only orey and jolillo palm swamp in Costa Rica, one of the two only living coral reefs of Costa Rica (the other one is at Cahuita National Park and it is the biggest of the two), and little more than six miles of beach. This wildlife reserve is located almost seven and a half miles away from Puerto Viejo, Limon lying on the coast around Manzanillo village extending southeast as far as the Panama border. Manzanillo Village is located in the outskirts of the Manzanillo Gandoca and it also contains lush rainforest areas and great beaches. Snorkeling at the coral reef area, which lies at a tenth of a mile away from the shore, is definitely a popular and recommended activity when you visit this wildlife reserve.

Beyond the Punta Mona Beach, that lies inside Manzanillo Gandoca, you will find the Gandoca Lagon with the only red mangrove swamp in the exuberant Costa Rica Caribbean. Manzanillo Gandoca also protects the river mouths of Cocles River and Sixaola River. The coral reef at this wildlife reserve, found across the Punta Uva Beach, Manzanillo Beach, and Uva Beach, is known for its manatees, dolphins, and several species of sea turtles. Most of the turtles at Manzanillo Gandoca nest from February through May throughout the east end of the refuge. The species of sea turtles that Manzanillo Gandoca protects are leatherback turtles, green turtles, and hawksbill turtles.

Manzanillo Beach is made out of clean golden sand perfect for relaxing and it is also said that its shores are a breeding area of dolphins. If you have a chance to take a tour to see the dolphins, take it as it is a really nice experience to be close to these intelligent and amiable mammals in their environment. Gandoca Beach is made out of black sand that extends five and half miles from Punta Mona Beach to Sixaola River. Due to the rough beach currents and high tides Gandoca Beach is constantly changing the shape of its shore and is usually covered with rainforest debris.

Atlantic tarpons, caimans, and manatees have been sighted at the Gandoca River. The endangered Baird’s Tapir can be spotted in the very humid and dense rainforest of Gandoca Manzanillo, along with crocodiles, caymans, pacas, keel billed toucans, and the ornate hawk eagle among many others. Sea creatures to be found at Gandoca Manzanillo are: lobsters, sponges, red and black urchins, green anemones, crabs, hydroids, sea cucumbers, shrimp, green turtles, and the rare tucuxi estuary dolphins have also been spotted in the shores of this amazing wildlife reserve. 65% of Gandoca Manzanillo is tropical rainforest of which 300 hectares is made out of cativo rainforest. Inside of the Gandoca Manzanillo rainforest and swamp areas about 358 bird species have been identified.

In order to reach the Manzanillo region of this stunning wildlife reserve with so many different natural habitats, drive through Puerto Viejo Limon take the road through Punta Cocles and Punta Uva until you reach the Manzanillo entrance. To reach the Gandoca region take the highway south of Cahuita through Hone Creek and then Bribri. Just before you reach Sixaola town turn coastward to Gandoca. Local communities live within the wildlife reserve of Gandoca Manzanillo thus the management of the area is mixed but fortunately sustainable development is promoted and applied by most of its habitants.

In conclusion, Manzanillo Gandoca offers unique and precious natural habitats that are definitely worth seeing, snorkeling is definitely a recommended activity, as well as taking a tour to see the dolphins, or simple go and relax at the gorgeous Manzanillo Beach and feel reconnected with nature.