National Wildlife Refuge: Gandoca-Manzanillo

I had the chance to be in the area this past July and had a great time. I love Caribbean food: "rice n beans", seafood, red snapper etc.. Maxi's is definately the place to eat there.Here are some pics of me with Mona and friends in Manzanillo:

Costa Rica - Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge

Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge
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Places To See - Parks, Reserves and Protected Areas

Location: 12 km south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in the Limon Province, 73 km Southeast of the city of Limon in Talamanca
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 protects almost 70% of the southern Caribbean coast and includes some of the areas most beautiful beaches. It extends all the way down to the Rio Sixaola which forms the Panamanian border, protecting along the way gorgeous beaches, coral reefs, lowland tropical forests (some primary), and several of Costa Rica’s most endangered habitats including the only jolillo palm swamp in Costa Rica.

Gandoca Manzanillo, a humid tropical forest, is one of the most important parks of Costa Rica to inhabit the reefs along the Caribbean coast in Costa Rica. It provides a wide range of lowland habitats with rare and unique plants, and it protects major freshwater and marine habitats, including one of the least-spoiled coral reefs on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

When the park was created in 1985, special provisions were made to allow residents of the small town of Manzanillo and other areas like Punta Uva to continue living in their community, which would now fall within the Park’s boundaries. Thus, the refuge exists today as a mixed refuge.

The wildlife refuge officially begins at the Cocles River (south of Puerto Viejo) on the ocean side of the road and extends 30 kilometers down to Rio Sixaola at the Panamanian border. At the Punta Uva River, the refuge begins to move inland, eventually encompassing Hone Creek into its boundaries.

The coral reefs that begin offshore from Punta Uva extend south to Manzanillo’s Punta Mona are part of the refuge’s protected zone. The living reef supports more than thirty five types of coral, 11 species of sponge, 27 species of algae and 34 species of mollusk.

Beyond Punta Mona (AKA Monkey Point, the point of land you see from the beach in Manzanillo as you look south towards Panama) are beaches that serve as important nesting grounds for the four species of endangered sea turtles that nest from March through July (green, hawksbill, leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles).

The delicate lowlands of this Caribbean coastal region are home to several endangered species of plants and animals. The region is well-known for its red mangrove swamp. It is the only red mangrove swamp remaining in Costa Rica. The swamp serves as a spawning site for Atlantic tarpon, oysters, and many other marine organisms. In the Gandoca lagoon, crocodiles, caimans, shrimps, manatees, snook and tarpon all contribute to the cycle of life. The only natural mangrove oyster beds left in Costa Rica exist here as well.

Most of the inland part of the refuge is flat or gently rolling and is covered with lowland tropical forest. The rest includes some farms and grasslands and the small villages of Manzanillo, Punta Uva, Punta Mona, Home Creek.

In terms of exploration of the wildlife refuge, the trails and more forested sections begin in Manzanillo or from the small village of Gandoca. Usually visitors access the park through Manzanillo as Gandoca is a more isolated community.

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Weather:

Annual average temperature: 26 C ( 79 F )
Annual average rainfall: 2500 mm (98 inches)

Hot and humid. There really is no clearly defined wet or dry season here in the Caribbean. It is hot and humid year round. The least rainy months tend to be September/October and February/March. Even during the drier season in the south Caribbean, afternoon or evening storms roll in.

Activities:

There are a few tour companies in Manzanillo offering a range of activities in the reserve from guided hikes to dolphin watching tours and fishing excursions where the tarpon fishing is said to be better than in Tortuguero.

There are scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities offshore. You can rent snorkeling equipment from any of the dive shops in Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo (several hotels have equipment too) and swim straight offshore from the white sand beach in Manzanillo to where you can see that the water darkens. This is where the coral reefs are.

The best times to visit for snorkeling are in September/October and March thru May. Visitors will usually find calm, crystal clear waters. angelfish, blue parrot fish, anemones, crabs, starfish, sea fans and sea cucumbers are some of the wildlife encountered on the reefs. Sea turtles and Atlantic tarpon may also be sighted.

Hiking on the trails is the best way to see a lot of birds. You might notice tiny flashes of color darting on the ground.... those are poison dart frogs, do not step on them and do not touch them.

Turtle tours can be coordinated through the Minae office in Manzanillo.

Camping is permitted within the refuge (preferably at the beach) because there are a lot of mosquitoes and snakes inland. Pay at the Minae office in Manzanillo.

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Flora & Fauna:

Gandoca Beach is the most important nesting site for leatherback turtles in the south Caribbean coast in Costa Rica. The nesting season consists of up to 580 egg-laying females each nesting season (March – July). Three other species of marine turtle lay their eggs on the beaches here: the green in July thru October, and the hawksbill and loggerhead turtles who frequent these beaches from February through May.

Caimans, Atlantic tarpon and manatees may be found in the estuary are all sighted in the red mangrove swamp and lagoon. Unusual and endangered mammals like the Baird’s tapir and harpy eagle are occasionally spotted in this area as well.

Large numbers of raptors migrate in the fall through the park. Parrots, toucans, red-capped manakins, collared aracaris (small toucans), and more than 360 other species of bird may also be found in the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge at various times of the year. There are 358 species of birds, of which 102 are migratory, mainly coming from North America.

Facilities:

The park's main office is on the right hand side of the road that runs parallel to the beach, just before you enter the center of Manzanillo. There are maps of the refuge and educational videos here. In addition, there are restrooms, a picnic area and drinking water available at the station.

Trails:

There are many trails in the wildlife refuge ranging from short one- to two-hour hikes to all day hikes. Trails lead to Punta Mona and to Monkey Point. Another longer trail leads to Gandoca. There is a 5.5 kilometer (3.4 mi.) long trail that takes you to primary and secondary forest and pretty beaches from Manzanillo to Punta Mona. It starts at Manzanillo town then goes along the beach for one kilometer (0.6 mi.) It goes through groves of coconut trees and more. It gets hot and mosquitoes are usually active.

Fees and Schedule:

The main office is open for public attention on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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 in a safe place. (Ask at Willie’s Tours on the right as you drive towards the end of the road)

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 a just a little before the town of Sixaola, turn left onto another dirt road and go towards Gandoca. Gandoca is considered to be a fairly isolated location with only one dirt road leading to it and no real tourist facilities.

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Places to Stay:

Maxi's in Manzanillo and there are a few other cabinas in town.

Recommendations:

1) Be prepared for hot, wet weather. It is hot and humid year round here and afternoon rainstorms can sneak up on you even in the dry season. Wear cotton or quick-dry clothing. Bring sunscreen, a hat, bandana, plenty of water and insect spray (mosquitoes and no see-ums can be bad).

2) Check at the Minae office for trail conditions. Many parts of the trail are often flooded.

3) Hire a naturalist guide. You will see so much more and enjoy a more fulfilling experience.


Nearby Parks:

Cahuita National Park

Hitoy - Cerere Biological Reserve

Aviarios del Caribe Wildlife Refuge (The Sloth Rescue Center) see our travel blog

Kekoldi Native American Reserve

Cuenca Rio Banano Protected Zone

Contact info:

The Minae office is located on the right side of the road just before you enter central Manzanillo.

Minae Phone 506-2-759-9901, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. There are maps and good information of trail conditions and turtle nesting night hikes.

Volunteer Opportunities with the leatherback turtle project: www(dot)anaicr(dot)org

or call Mario or Claudio at 506-2-224-3570 or 506-8-818-2534