Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
4.5
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Admission tickets
from
C$73.45
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
219 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
27
Average
13
Poor
7
Terrible
9
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Philip M
Atlanta, GA284 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Our group of four spent a half day here.
Parking is in a secured area with an attendant.
There is a cashier and entrance to pay a fee and also make a donation for the care of the refuge. They also check your bags for single use plastic that is not permitted.
There are multiple signs in multiple languages explaining the rules and requirements to not litter and ensure that all patrons control their trash and leave nothing behind but footprints.
There are gender neutral bathrooms beyond the bridge near the entrance. Only two bathrooms for the entire refuge.
The trails and elevated view points are incredible!!
Our visit was today, Sunday and the crowds were average in size.
The beaches are beautiful however it’s necessary to bring water shoes to protect your feet from the coral and rocks. The water is clean and warm.
Unfortunately many of the adults were not watching their children and many children allowed the wind to blow away Mylar snacking packages from potato chips, tostones, and plastic beverage bottles. All of these items are deadly to turtles and other animals. While the trash was blowing around, not one single local person picked up any of it. Our group and other Americans and Europeans were the only people to pick up the trash and carry it out 😞
Hopefully people will treat this precious nature preserve with more respect in the future and teach their kids to not litter.
Parking is in a secured area with an attendant.
There is a cashier and entrance to pay a fee and also make a donation for the care of the refuge. They also check your bags for single use plastic that is not permitted.
There are multiple signs in multiple languages explaining the rules and requirements to not litter and ensure that all patrons control their trash and leave nothing behind but footprints.
There are gender neutral bathrooms beyond the bridge near the entrance. Only two bathrooms for the entire refuge.
The trails and elevated view points are incredible!!
Our visit was today, Sunday and the crowds were average in size.
The beaches are beautiful however it’s necessary to bring water shoes to protect your feet from the coral and rocks. The water is clean and warm.
Unfortunately many of the adults were not watching their children and many children allowed the wind to blow away Mylar snacking packages from potato chips, tostones, and plastic beverage bottles. All of these items are deadly to turtles and other animals. While the trash was blowing around, not one single local person picked up any of it. Our group and other Americans and Europeans were the only people to pick up the trash and carry it out 😞
Hopefully people will treat this precious nature preserve with more respect in the future and teach their kids to not litter.
Written May 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Z
New Brunswick, NJ46 contributions
Jan 2022
Some good, some not so great
Loved the views and the blue water.
Snorkeling near the entrance was great.
The hiking trails are OK, but there weren't any animals to be seen, not even any bugs.
We ran into a slight issue as we were hiking. Two teenage boys came running towards the exit and asked us if we had seen a strange man; the boys looked scared and were carrying large sticks. We didn't think too much of this and kept going. A few minutes later a single young women was running for the exit and said she was just robbed, now she looked really scared. We are pretty sure it was the two teenage kids that did it, but didn't figure that out at first. Later we saw them running back into the park, probably to do it again. If you go, travel in a small group, you should be fie.
Loved the views and the blue water.
Snorkeling near the entrance was great.
The hiking trails are OK, but there weren't any animals to be seen, not even any bugs.
We ran into a slight issue as we were hiking. Two teenage boys came running towards the exit and asked us if we had seen a strange man; the boys looked scared and were carrying large sticks. We didn't think too much of this and kept going. A few minutes later a single young women was running for the exit and said she was just robbed, now she looked really scared. We are pretty sure it was the two teenage kids that did it, but didn't figure that out at first. Later we saw them running back into the park, probably to do it again. If you go, travel in a small group, you should be fie.
Written February 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Klimt2013
Sao Paulo, SP707 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
The Gandoca Manzanillo National Refuge has beautiful tropical forest and coastline beautiful beaches and coral reefs. To be able to contemplate the biodiversity of the refuge, the beauty of the beaches; in some of the beaches it is possible to take a refreshing dip. Unmissable opportunity in the province of Limon, very close from Cahuita or Puerto Viejo. Admission is free with voluntary donation for the maintenance of the Reservation. From 6:30 am to 3 pm. There are bathrooms at the entrance. Take care to collect and bring back any material that contaminates the shelter (bottles, bags, plastics, etc. etc.).
Automatically translated
Written July 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelleyash
San Diego, CA1,919 contributions
The hike was treacherous in January! We were slipping, sliding and walking through ankle deep water.
Jan 2025 • Couples
Really hard to enjoy our time there because 80% of the trails have inclines that are muddy and slippery. I exercise regularly and have great balance but after hiking in 4 miles I turned around. I slipped several times along the way. There is not a safe path to walk on. Tree roots, slippery mud, uneven terrain, huge puddles you can't avoid and when you step into them you are up to your ankles in water and mud. In some places there is a handrail or rope but 99% of the trail doesn't have that. The other groups who started the hike at the same time as us turned around before us because of the dangerous hiking conditions. If its sunny the beaches and rain forest are beautiful, if it is cloudy they are not as impressive.
Written January 8, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elisabeth M
43 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
I do not question the preservation of nature or animal protection. Following bad rains, the path was a real mud rink after the lookout to go to Tombay-La cuvea... despite hiking shoes, tree roots and sometimes railings to stand... we spend our time looking where to put our feet rather than looking at the landscape and looking for animals. It’s a shame not to be warned at the entrance to the park.
So WATCH OUT if it rained or was raining.
So WATCH OUT if it rained or was raining.
Automatically translated
Written January 31, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jma660
Ukiha, Japan33 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Had a fantastic morning out in the refuge with Florentino Grenald as our guide. He is beyond knowledgeable and made the experience so easy and fun. He’ll cater for any level of “snake fear”, he’ll also help you get more comfortable in the jungle generally. Plus he gives you rubber boots, which are heaven sent given the mud. The walk was four hours and was 90% off the usual tourist trail. As other reviews say, he starts in his amazing garden which is arguably the best bit! Give Florentino a call if you have any questions. Everyone in Manzanillo knows him!
Written February 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JamesFFC
Maidenhead, UK603 contributions
Sept 2020
Located a short walk/cycle/drive from Manzanillo, this is well worth a visit! There was nobody there when I visited and I saw a few animals (monkeys/birds/crabs) plus there are some fantastic hidden beaches the further in you go to the park. Really well worth a visit.
Only slightly bizarre thing was on my way out, I tried to give a donation (park entrance is free but donations are, I assumed, welcome). I gave it to him at 16:01, and the guy said we are closed for donations?!? First time for everything I suppose...
Only slightly bizarre thing was on my way out, I tried to give a donation (park entrance is free but donations are, I assumed, welcome). I gave it to him at 16:01, and the guy said we are closed for donations?!? First time for everything I suppose...
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin C
Charleston, SC3 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Beautiful beaches and scenery, but I do NOT recommend this park. My wife and I (and our baby) were robbed here today on the main trail by a man wearing a mask and wielding a large (around 5 ft) machete. He forced us to the ground, demanded we not look at him, and took our iPhone, cash (luckily we did not have much), and my rain jacket. He instructed us to continue walking on the trail deeper into the jungle, not allowing us to travel back on the path toward Manzanillo. After he let us go, we got lost trying to find our way back a different route and ended up in a clearing with a small wooden house, which we later learned is likely linked to the perpetrator. If you encounter this house, DO NOT APPROACH IT. We finally found a path back to town and let the police know. They did a search, but did not find anyone. We later went to the police station and gave a full report (this is the only way it would really go on record).
We want everyone to know that this is not an isolated incident, but a reoccurring pattern in this park -- although we were not harmed, we easily could have been. We cannot understand how the authorities continue to allow people to use the park without any warning whatsoever of this dangerous pattern of armed robbery.
If you have had a similar encounter, please let the police know and give a full report at the station -- this is the only way to build evidence for the case.
We want everyone to know that this is not an isolated incident, but a reoccurring pattern in this park -- although we were not harmed, we easily could have been. We cannot understand how the authorities continue to allow people to use the park without any warning whatsoever of this dangerous pattern of armed robbery.
If you have had a similar encounter, please let the police know and give a full report at the station -- this is the only way to build evidence for the case.
Written December 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christina h
Montreal, Canada3 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
I am not here to scare you but to warn you...My boyfriend Dave and I were in the reserve at Gandoca-Manzanillo on the 8th of October 2013 taking a hike ...we did the trail that lead us to Punta Mona...on our return we had been robbed at gunpoint by one individual 28-30yr old male, 5'11" in height covering his head and partially his face with a t-shirt...he fired a shot next to Dave's foot and then put the gun right to his head...he took our backpack and camera....worse yet,10min later we saw a young couple in their twenties and we warned them about the man however they had just freed themselves from him shortly before...they were both tied up by him and she ,sadly,was raped...we only found out that she was raped later by email from the police in Bribri...we hurried out of the reserve and made police reports...please,please don't head out there for a hike on your own ...couples stay clear...be in large groups or don't go at all, it's not worth the trauma...
Written October 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marisa W
1 contribution
Sept 2016 • Couples
My boyfriend and I were hiking in mid-September in broad daylight, not too far away from the water and not very deep into the park. A masked man wielding a machete jumped out from behind a tree and demanded all of our possessions. We gave him everything (phone, wallet, shoes off our feet, etc). He then told us to run but blocked the path back to the beach and the park entrance. So, we to run deeper into the jungle. We managed to escape after 15 terrifying minutes of hiding, while the man was robbing another couple. We hope this gets cleaned up, because the park is truly beautiful and well worth a visit.
Written September 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where exactly is the entrance to the refugio nacional Gandoca Manzanillo?
Written March 2, 2025
We are visiting the area at the end of the month and into June, staying in Punta Uva.. with the refuge so close I am wondering if skipping the Jaguar Rescue would be an option... they offer a hike and my thoughts are that the price is quite inflated.
Written April 24, 2017
Is there zline tours in the refuge?
Written June 30, 2016
How do I get in touch with Abel Bustmante?
Written May 16, 2016
How do we book Abel? Email address please
Written April 8, 2016
Bonjour au paresseux ;-) !
Nous allons à Manzanillo mi-juillet prochain et nous aimerions visiter le parc naturel de Gandoca. D'un point de vu pratique comment trouver ces guides que ce soit Tino, Abdel ou Omar ?
Avez vous des idées des prix des excursions et des conseils pour les visites ou la vie là bas ? Notre budget n'est pas extensible ;-) !
Merci beaucoup pour toute réponse !
hi everyone. We ar eplanning to spent 2 nights in Manzanillo. First how do you contact the guides? Second can I have an idea of the price, also the guided tour "must see" 'cause our budget is kind of thigh!
Thank you for taking few minutes for an answer
Mathias
Written January 31, 2016
nana v
Palmares, Costa Rica
hola quiero ir con mi novio para su cumpleaños de sorpresa porque una vez fue y le encanto el lugar, yo nunca he ido y a la vez quiero conocer, lo que necesito es de información sobre cabinas (con un toque romántico) que sean privadas que se puedan alquilar, gracias de antemano por la ayuda =)
Written April 6, 2015
Hola Monica, definitivamente escogen un romántico y paradisíaco para su celebración. puedes llamar a estos lugares tal ves te ayuden. Congo Bongo 27599016, Casa Yumka 8848 6464. Entre otras, disfruta del caribe.
Written April 6, 2015
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