About Manzanillo Costa Rica

Located about 6 km down the coast from Cariblue, Manzanillo is at the end of the coast road. Beyond this, there are only jungle trails which lead out to Monkey Point and beyond to Gandoca. Manzanillo is a small community, perhaps half the size of Puerto Viejo. The inhabitants are mostly Afro-Caribbean.

The beach in Manzanillo is excellent. Coral reefs offshore create a natural harbor, and there are usually a number of boats moored there. The water is usually calm and perfect for swimming. For some reason, the local inhabitants of Manzanillo seem to spend much more time on the beach than the locals elsewhere in the area.

Beyond Manzanillo is the Gandoca Wildlife Reserve. The jungle in this region is particularly pristine, and there are numerous trails leading through the wilderness but no roads. Ask around in Manzanillo, you can easily find a local guide to take you on an incredible nature walk through the forest teeming with wildlife. You can also arrange boat tours in Manzanillo, including snorkeling, dolphin watching, and transportation out to Monkey Point (Punta Mona).

The road is not currently paved all the way to Manzanillo. It used to become dirt a couple of km past Playa Chiquita in Punta Uva. However, a paving project was recently completed, making Manzanillo much more conveniently accessible. Since the completion of the road, Manzanillo has seen a rapid growth in tourist activity, and is quickly becoming one of the most popular beach going spots in the area.

At the point where civilization stops and the jungle begin, Manzanillo is a great spot for nature lovers, definitely worth exploring during your vacation here.