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Playa Manzanillo: Quiet and chill with nature close at hand
The End of the Road
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The village of Manzanillo has long been off the beaten track, even since the paved road arrived in 2003. This is as far as you can go along the coastal road towards Panama. This little town remains a vibrant outpost of Afro-Caribbean culture and has also remained pristine, thanks to the 1985 establishment of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, which includes the village and imposes strict regulations on regional development.
Activities are of a simple nature, in nature: hiking, snorkeling and kayaking are king. (As elsewhere, ask about riptides before heading out.) Other than that, you may find the occasional party at the locally renowned Maxi's bar and restaurant at the end of the road, which is the end of the line (where buses arrive).
To go beyond Manzanillo along the coast you'll need to continue on foot along the path into the refuge (a local guide is strongly recommended, both to see the maximum amount of nature and for security) or head out on a boat. A half day round trip hike will get you to lovely Punta Mona. Further southeast, deep in the reserve, is the village of Gandoca.
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Almonds and Corals 
25 room hotel with a variety of suites and rooms located beachfront. All rooms with private bath. Restaurant, bar and wellness spa on site.
+506 2271-3000, 2759-9056
View on booking.com
Average room rate: $190
Average rating: 80 Very Good
View on map
Ara Manzanillo
aramanzanillo.org
Organization dedicated to reintroduction and conservation of the endangered Great Green Macaw. These had previously been become virtually extinct in the South Caribbean region. When you visit the Manzanillo fieldstation you are directly supporting conservation efforts. You will also have a unique experience coming up close to these incredible creatures. Visitation is daily from 3:00pm to 4:00pm with prior reservation only by telephone or email. +506 8971-1436 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map
Cabinas YaMann
Swiss couple who rent bungalows. Clean accommodation with your own fridge in the cottage, fans, mosquito protection (windows and gable) and bed nets, balcony, 2 double beds, private bathroom with hot water, towels and cleaning every day. Pool, outdoor shared kitchen with free coffee. Laundry service. Wifi in the cabinas. Children welcome. +506 2759 9121 View on booking.com Average room rate: $75 Average rating: 91 Excellent View on map
Chile Verde
Vacation rental house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with sea views. +506 8396 3247 View on booking.com Average room rate: $80 Average rating: 79 Good View on map
Colores Seafront
Hotel and restaurant right in the heart of Manzanillo across from the beach. Simple rooms with private bath and minifridge. In the space formerly occupied by Mar y Sol Hostel. Restaurant serves a variety of international and Costa Rican dishes and has ample options for vegetarians and vegans. +506 6203 0798 Average room rate: $37 Average rating: 92 Excellent View on map
Congo Bongo EcoVillage
Eight beautiful beach nature houses for rent. On the 15 acre property they have flowers, fruit and giant rainforest trees. There is a private walkway to the quiet, unspoiled beach, featuring the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea. +506 2759 9016 View on booking.com Average room rate: $210 Average rating: 98 Exceptional View on map
Cool and Calm Cafe
Restaurant with a menu inspired by the Caribbean and influenced by cuisines around the world. Chef Andy Cook grew up on the Talamanca Coast right here in Manzanillo where he grew, harvested, and caught much of the food he and his family cooked at home. 2750 3151, 88437460 Average rating: 88 Excellent View on map
El Arbol Jungle Houses
El Árbol (the tree) is a vacation house & jungle villa rental. Fascinating jungle experience in the Caribbean rainforest of Costa Rica. This lodge on 16+ acres of private property is situated in the wildlife refuge, with the beautiful Caribbean sea only about a kilometer away. You will stay in one of the luxurious, fully equipped houses on stilts. Experience the jungle like never before. Have the monkeys waiting outside your window as you wake up to the sounds of tropical birds singing. There are sloths, nosebears, other mammals, frogs, and so much more. +506 8721 3949 Average room rate: $150 Average rating: 91 Excellent View on map
El Colibri Lodge
Bed and breakfast inn in the jungle for nature lovers. Four rooms each with private terrace with hammock, queen bed, private bath. 500m by footpath to Playa Grande +506 2759 9036 View on booking.com Average room rate: $75 Average rating: 89 Excellent View on map
Exotico Beach
Adults only hotel at Playa Grande with restaurant and pool. Rooms, suites and villas. +506 6411 3165 View on booking.com Average rating: 93 Excellent View on map
Faith Glamping Dome
Located in Playa Grande just 10 minutes walking from the town of Manzanillo. Glamping is made up of units of Geodetic Domes (those used by NASA). Each elevated on a deck with its own private bathroom. +506 2750 0696 View on booking.com Average room rate: $120 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map
Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge
This protected area stretches from Punta Uva east to Manzanillo and beyond South all the way to Gandoca. Many of the hotels and businesses located in these areas are actually within the reserve so operate under restrictions that give priority to the wildlife. The protected area includes lowland rainforest, a wetland, a mangrove swamp and 10 km of beach. +506 2759 9100 View on map
Happy House Manzanillo
Three bedroom/3 bathroom vacation rental home beachfront at Playa Grande in Manzanillo. Huge covered patio with open area kitchen and dining. +1 817 800 2034 Average room rate: $240 View on map
Hotel Boutique D'Angelo
Vacation rental apartments. Two two bedroom apartments on the second floor and four one bedroom apartments on the ground floor. Each apartment has two double beds in each bedroom, A/C in bedrooms, one bathroom, equipped kitchen, fiber optic internet. +506 7291 2426 View on booking.com Average room rate: $132 Average rating: 88 Excellent View on map
Jungle Dreamz
Two comfortable and contemporary Caribbean style jungle houses, Casa Luka and Casa Rio. Both with two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, bath with hot water, parking, safe. Each house is suitable for 2 to 4 people and is located just 300 meters from the colorful village of Manzanillo and its white sandy beach. +506 8315 7245 View on booking.com Average room rate: $110 Average rating: 91 Excellent View on map
Kañik Apart Hotel
Cabinas at Playa Grande. Each cabin is for two people and has a kitchen with utensils, small refrigerator, TV, air conditioning, bluetooth speakers, fast internet, closet, safe, queen size bed, private bathroom and a terrace overlooking the pool. Breakfast included. +506 4350 0806 View on booking.com Average room rate: $165 Average rating: 98 Exceptional View on map
Manzanillo Beach
The long beach at Manzanillo stretches from the village south into the reserve. South from the village, a 4x4 or bicycle or walking is recommended on the rough sand road. North of Manzanillo to the point of Punta Uva is a quiet and wide stretch of beach which is another popular spot for surfing. The whole beach is also known as Playa Grande. Average rating: 94 Excellent View on map
Manzanillo Caribbean Resort
Resort property with rooms, studios, casitas, apartments and villas. All with A/C and private baths. Most with kitchens. Pool, spa, restaurant, bar, conference room. +506 8774 1940 View on booking.com Average rating: 93 Excellent View on map
Maxi's Restaurant
Traditional Caribbean restaurant that has stood at the end of the road for many years. There is a full service restaurant and a small quick service option as well and they also rent some rooms. +506 2759-0673 Average rating: 77 Good View on map
Nature Observatorio
Treehouse suspended 25 metres above the ground. Accommodates 4 people or day visits. Cold shower and dry eco toilet. Enjoy a walk through the primary forest, climb the tree and relax with the spectacular view of nature around. +506 8628 2663 Average rating: 100 Exceptional View on map
Pangea Lodge
Luxury homes on a private property with swimming pool, tropical gardens, relaxation areas and grills. Each house is fully equipped with ensuite baths, well equipped kitchens, wifi. Houses on the property or nearby are Casa Blanca, Bamboo House, Tranquillity House, Beach House, Casa Namasol, Casa de Paz and Casita with options of studio, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom units. +506 8738 4860 View on booking.com Average room rate: $120 Average rating: 88 Excellent View on map
Playa Paulo Mena
Beach about a half hour walk down the coast trail into the wildlife refuge. Remote and unpopulated, leave your valuables at home. Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map
Punta Mona
"Monkey Point" is a nice 1/2 day hike through the remote Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge from the end of the road in Manzanillo. A guide is strongly recommended. Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map
Punta Mona Center
100 acre organic farm, community and center for sustainable living and education located a boat ride or hike south of Manzanillo. They have an office in Puerto Viejo located behind ATEC across the street from Cafe Viejo. The mission at Punta Mona is to expose all people who come to the farm to the ideals of Permaculture and educate about sustainability. They also offer lodging to have overnight visitors for a reasonable rate which includes 3 organic meals, lodging, and use of kayaks. +506 8321 2788 Average room rate: $40 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map
Reymond Tours Manzanillo
Local tour guide specializing in tours of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Also offers a nice selection of custom tours of the South Caribbean with an experienced, local guide. 506 8675 9689 View on map
Se Ua Bed and Breakfast
Sé Ua (“our home”) is a jungle style B&B, born from a desire to live in harmony with nature. Made of wooden decor, the 4 rooms are rustic but spacious and cozy (Wifi, private bathroom, terrace). 5 apartments also feature equipped kitchens. Breakfast and drinks are available in the lobby or just relax. The rain forest with lots of birds, monkeys and butterflies surrounds our tropical garden. They also offer outdoor activities, area tours and bicycle rental. Manzanillo is 5 minutes away on bicycle. Puerto Viejo is a 15-minute drive by car or bus. +506 8807 6663 View on booking.com Average room rate: $52 Average rating: 87 Very Good View on map
Tambie's Bro Panadería
Argentinian restaurant and bakery +506 6261 4853 Average rating: 100 Exceptional View on map
Tarponville Fishing Lodge
Lodge offering accommodations and fishing trips for guests and non-guests. The rooms have air conditioning, two beds, ceiling fans, a private bathroom, and most have a beachfront view. Located just a a few meters from the beach in a location not accessible by car, a 300m walk down the trail from the end of the road. Stay packages include meals and fishing trips (or rates for non anglers too). +506 8499 7131 Average room rate: $350 Average rating: 80 Very Good View on map
Wild Ginger Community Herbal Center
Community based education center is in the heart of Manzanillo. The center hosts workshops, groups, apprentices, plant walks, and serves the community with herbal wellness consultations as well as custom herbal formulas. The educational programs highlight the local plant people, farmers, herbalists, healers, seedsavers, the keepers of this knowledge and culture, those who are helping it to continue on and to thrive into the future. The programs support first and foremost the local economy. Also rents a cabina just one block to the beach. +506 8366 2873 Average room rate: $50 View on map
Luis Castro
Hola y Saludos! Estuve en la reserv hace 11 meses con un amigo, fue una experiencia unica! Ahora quiero volver pero por distintos asuntos, debo asistir solo, lo cual no es problema ya que soy fotografo y es un oficio de mucha paciencia(muchas personas no lo entienden). Cual es el peligro de ir solo? No es mi primera vez solo en el caribe sur en general, se que desafortunadamente hay mucho prejucio acerca de la provincia, pero la Reserva puede ser muy sola en ocasiones. Gracias
October 21, 2015