Created in 1985, the Gondola Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge was original and the first one of its kind to integrate the people whose traditional lifestyle has always been to care for their natural environment, this protected area covers both marine (4,436 hectares) and coastal land areas (5,013 hectares) with some residential/ecotourism zones and most areas designated for conservation. Stretching from the Cocles river south of Puerto Viejo down the coast to the Sixaola River at the Panamanian border, it protects unique ecosystems including: the only Orey (Campnosperma panamensis) swamp north of Panama; the only mangrove forest on Costa Rica’s Caribbean shores; a 300-hectare Cativo (Prioria copaifera) forest, and coral reefs.

Between Punta Mona (Monkey Point) and the Sixaola river mouth one can observe three species of dolphins, including the rare small Pink Tucuxi. The refuge is also home to 358 identified species of birds with nearly 40% of those species considered rare, with many being North American migrants.

The nine kilometers of shoreline of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is a key turtle-nesting beach where four species of sea turtles lay eggs, the main specie being the Leatherback Turtle can be seen between mid-February and July.

February through April and Sept/Oct typically have the best underwater visibility for diving and snorkelling.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural place with people from all parts of the world and from all walks of life living peacefully together in a happy mix. The town is a great place with a relaxed vibe where you can eat typical caribbean food, listen to reggae and calypso music and watch the sunset. The community of Puerto Viejo is known for its active defense of the rich cultural and historical heritage.

The town was originally called Old Harbor until the Costa Rican government institutionalized Spanish as the new local language and changed the names of the towns and landmarks in the area from English to Spanish. Though many names remain the same, Old Harbor became Puerto Viejo. The Afro-Caribbean English speaking culture was actively dismantled, but nevertheless keeps itself alive and thriving with the locals speaking Jamaican Patois, ‘pigeon english’ and maintaining their traditional coconut-milk based cuisine.

Puerto Viejo is in the center of some of the most beautiful beaches in the southern Caribbean, from Playa Negra to Playa Cocles and onto Punta Uva, just to name a few. Costa Rica’s most unique beaches, reefs and wildlife can be found between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. We are also respected and recognized in the surfing community for the biggest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, the famous, Salsa Brava. If you aren’t up to surf, it is always exciting to watch!

Tortuguero National Park is situated on the northern coast in the Limon Province of Costa Rica. Despite its remote location, it is the third-most visited park in Costa Rica, reached only by airplane or boat. The park counts with a large variety of biological diversity due to eleven different habitats, including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons.

The coastal zone, which has a long beach extending to nearly 22 miles (35 km), is the nesting ground for turtles hence the name ‘Tortuguero’ (tortuga=turtle), many of them are reported on the canal banks as well. The main species to lay eggs during the months of February to July are: hawksbill, loggerheads, green sea turtle, and leatherbacks. Also seven species of Land turtles, the manatee or sea cow, the crocodile, and a variety of crustaceans are found here, as are 30 species of freshwater fish, gar, eel and bull shark.