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• See the coral-lined shores with turquoise clear waters in Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
• Walk along the sandy foot trails and look for 'Mista Cracker Jack Street'
• Like chocolate? Explore a delicious chocolate farm

What to See in Manzanillo

For such a tiny place, is there really something to see here? Absolutely!

Beaches

Most of Manzanillo's nameless beaches are recipients of the Ecological Blue Flag.

These undeveloped beaches usually have more palm trees than people. And with the calm waters you can swim and snorkel above the second of two living coral reefs in the south Caribbean. In just 10 minutes, you can find amazing coral reefs teeming with marine live. 

Playa Gandoca

Part of the Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

Also Nearby:

Punta Uva

The word around town is that this is the most beautiful beach in the area. With calm waters and miles of beach to walk, you will pass the day in Caribbean paradise.

Location: The turn off for Punta Uva is 5km before Manzanillo. You can't miss the black and white sign.

Garden, Farms & Museums

Everyone Loves Butterflies!

Several local butterfly gardens have many different species fluttering, offering up-close observation of these irridescent beauties. And as a bonus, one of them has Eyelash Pit Vipers (snakes) that are raised on the grounds and are then released into the wild.

Heavenly Chocolate

This is one of the best places to visit a local chocolate farm and see the magic of how chocolate is cultivated just for you!

• ChocoRart Cacao Plantation and Chocolate Factory:

  Harvested, fermented and cooked cocao is what you'll see here. The owners stick to the same traditional manner as the Mayan Indians have used for thousands of years. All tours are by reservation only and include a yummy chocolate tasting! We are happy to book a tour for you.

Parks & Reserves

The entire village of Manzanillo is part of the Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

The refuge protects almost 70% of the southern Caribbean coast, including some of the areas most beautiful beaches. Great place for wildlife watching, dolphin watching, hiking and a lot more. Read more...

La Ceiba Reserve

Welcoming you into the reserve is an enormous Ceiba tree 18 meters around, it's a 55 meter walk just to circumnavigate the base of the tree. Watch out for the big roots!

Location: On the road in-between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, closer to Puerto Viejo

Also Nearby:

Aviarios Del Caribe (The Sloth Rescue Center)

This is a privately-owned wildlife rescue center near Cahuita. The goal here is to educate people about the amazing lives of sloths and conservation. Canoe tours, bird watching and hiking trails add to the fun. You can watch the owners and volunteers in action as they take care of the increasing number of resident sloths (over 80). Read more...

Bribri Reservation and Volio Waterfall

This waterfall and hike are often part of the Bribri Reservation tour. Family friendly and an easy 30 minute hike with a few simple stream crossings (be prepared for wet feet) will bring you to a beautiful 50 ft. waterfall and swimming hole with cool, refreshing water.

Cahuita National Park

A beautiful coastal park known for its living coral reefs, abundant marine life and white-faced capuchin monkeys. Take the meandering path along the beach which wanders through mangroves and a tropical forest.

One of two living coral reefs in the South Caribbean is found here. Beginning where Playa Blanca narrows, it extends around Cahuita Point and ends before Puerto Vargas. More...