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.

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.

Trekking boots, insect repellent, camera and binoculars, swim suit and towel if you like to spend time on the beach.

Transportation from local hotels in Puerto Viejo or Cahuita, local bilingual guide, snack and insurance.