Gandoca Manzanillo Refuge Jungle Hike
Explore the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge on a guided hike through a natural, Caribbean coast jungle setting filled with remarkable plants and wildlife.
- Duration:
- 4 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 8:30 AM
- Hotel Transportation Offered
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
The professional tour guides are experts at spotting animals in their natural habitat. This tour provides the opportunity to watch white-faced monkeys and howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, snakes, poisonous frogs, and many other rain forest creatures. The Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge is also home to 384 species of birds including hummingbirds, tanagers, owls, and toucans.
The hike offers views of the region’s rich biodiversity and plant life. The jungle trees are draped with mosses, lichens, bromeliads, orchids, and many other plants and flowers. You will learn about medicinal plants and the natural history of this jungle refuge. Guides will also explain some information pertaining to the local Afro-Caribbean culture.
Tour participants are strongly advised to bring proper footwear. The trails are very muddy after rain, which can occur during any time of the year. For this reason, we recommend wearing trekking boots. This will ensure optimal traction and also protect you from unlikely (but still possible) snake bites. Do note that if you go hiking after it has rained your shoes will likely get very muddy and wet. Please come prepared with the proper footwear.
Travelers can request an English, Spanish, French, or German speaking guide for the tour. Also, transportation from Cahuita or Puerto Viejo is optional.
Attraction Visited
Located in Costa Rica's southeastern Talmanca region is the large Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge, a collection of rainforest and wetland habitat complete with a coral reef. At 23,348 total acres (9,450 ha), this vast refuge begins south of Punta Uva-3 miles south of Puerto Viejo-until it runs into the Sixaola River at the Panamanian boarder. Besides Cahuita, this park is the only other place in the country with a coral reef.
Read more:Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
What to Bring
Trekking boots, insect repellent, camera and binoculars, swim suit and towel if you like to spend time on the beach.
What's included
Transportation from local hotels in Puerto Viejo or Cahuita, local bilingual guide, snack and insurance.
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.
Traveler Comments
Our guide made a big effort to find wildlife but it just wasn't our day. He was very knowledgable about the area and history. The hike requires being in decent shape. It is a lot of up and down over muddy ground with no railings or hand holds to help. Our guide was kind enough to help me down the steepest slickest bits.
Ariel was an excellent guide. He was ontime / very knowledhable / professional.
Our guide was fantastic!
Similar things to do
Beyond an outstanding multi day rafting excursion this 4 day journey allows visitors to partake in a variety of nature and adventure activities within the Pacuare River Valley including rafting, canopy tour, hiking as well as education about community conservation efforts.
