Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge

View off the point Manzanillo-Gandoca refuge

The Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge is located just 13km south of Puerto Viejo behind the quite Caribbean town of Manzanillo and stretches to the Sixaola river separating Costa Rica from Panama. The refuge is a sanctuary for marine and wildlife and is one of the few national parks along with Cahuita National Park that protect the surrounding Coral reef.

A trail weaves through the tropical humid forest and secluded beaches of the park towards the small village of Gandoca. We highly recommend a guide for this hike although you can access the park on your own. Our local Bush Master guide prides himself on the knowledge he has acquired on the wildlife refuge and will explain and educate you on the flora and fauna of the area and the different wildlife you cross on your journey through the Reserve whilst sharing his experiences of the area with you. The Bush Master hikes around 2 hours into the park before turning back towards Manzanillo.

The refuge is also home to the Gandoca Lagoon which feeds the only mangrove forest on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, making this area extremely important to the ecosystem and the well-being of the vulnerable manatees that breed and rely on the mangroves to survive, along with crocodiles, caymans, and the hundreds of species of birds. The mangroves also give shelter to a giant oyster-bed, lobsters, tarpon and also the dolphin. It is recommended a boat be taken to the lagoon from Manzanillo as it is an arduous hike.

Beach cove Manzanilo-Gandoca wildlife refuge

Some guides provide kayaks, allowing you to paddle through the depths of the lagoon so you can feel the real sense of nature. The other entrance to the Lagoon is through the village of Gandoca just a few kilometers away from Sixaola the border town between Costa Rica and Panama.

Between the months March and July Gandoca becomes a prime nesting site for many sea turtles, the largest of which is the leatherback turtle. An extensive volunteer program was put into effect in the early 90’s by the Asociación ANAI, where students and volunteers could participate in the conservation of the endangered leatherback turtles by tagging and protecting nest sites and hatchlings. The association has also developed a hatchery where they have liberated over 350,000 hatchlings back onto the beaches and into the warm waters of Gandoca. Many volunteers stay with local families of Gandoca, a quite village with a bar, a restaurant and a small pulperia (grocery store).

Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Map

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