GANDOCA MANZANILLO WILDLIFE REFUGE

The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is located near the Panama border on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast. It is classed as a humid tropical rainforest, but it also contains a variety of natural ecosystems such as mangrove swamps, marsh, and lowland rainforest, which protects some of Costa Rica's most endangered plant and animal species. Gandoca Manzanillo protects endangered species such as the manatee, ocelot, and jaguar, as well as a wide diversity of birds. It also safeguards some spectacular mangrove oyster beds that are nestled on the coral reef along the immaculate white sand beach. The marshes conceal Costa Rica's only Jolillo, Orey, and palm swamps.

This region's tropical bays and lagoons provide a safe haven for turtles, manatees, crocodiles, and dolphins, making it the best place on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast for diving and snorkeling. There are much little tropical fish to be found here, and the shallow spots and warm clear water provide comfortable diving in uncrowded areas.