Manzanillo
Gandoca
Cahuita
BriBri
Puerto Viejo
Tortuguero
Alta Talamanca
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Created in 1985, it was the first refuge of its kind to integrate people whose traditional lifestyle has always been to take care of their natural environment. This protected area encompasses both marine areas (4,436 hectares) and coastal terrestrial areas (5,013 hectares) with several residential area / ecotourism zones and most of the areas designated for conservation. It extends from the Cocles River, south of Puerto Viejo along the coast, to the Sixaola River on the border with Panama and protects unique ecosystems, including: the only Orey (Campnosperma panamensis) Swamp in northern Panama; the only mangrove forest on the Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica; an area of 300 hectares (Prioria copaifera) of forests and coral reefs.
Between Punta Mona (Monkey Point) and the mouth of the Sixaola River you can observe three species of dolphins, including the rare Small Pink Tucuxi. The refuge is also home to 358 identified bird species, with almost 40% of the species considered as rare, many of which are migrants from North America.
The nine kilometers of coastline of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are also turtle nesting beaches where four species of sea turtles lay eggs, the main species being the Leatherback Turtle, which can be observed from February to July.
From February to April and September to October are usually the seasons of better visibility under water, ideal for diving or snorkeling.
Gandoca
Gandoca is a small and remote village of approx. 150 inhabitants located on the Caribbean coast between Punta Mona and the mouth of the Sixaola River, which is the border line between Costa Rica and Panama. The houses are scattered and the people who live here are ladino and mestizo farmers, who are mostly descendants of those who started to settle here in the early 30s and 40s. It is part of the Gandoca / Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge that It is completely off the beaten track.
The community has a turtle protection project with local guides that can take you on a night tour during the nesting season between March and June, where you can observe mainly giant Leatherback Turtles that lay their eggs. In August and September the baby turtles can be observed during the day.
The Gandoca Lagoon is part of a wetland and one of the few places where the Manatee is still present, and where you can observe a wide variety of wildlife and birds from a calm boat with one of Gandoca’s guides. Accommodations and meals can be organized in very simple and rustic homes for an authentic experience.
Cahuita National Park
Hands down, one of the best places in all of Costa Rica to observe wildlife. Cahuita National Park was established in 1970 to protect a large coral reef off the Caribbean coast. Unfortunately, the reef is fighting for survival. An earthquake in 1992 lifted a large part of the coral, some of which was exposed to the air and the sun at low tide and quickly perished.
It is known that the 242 hectares of reef have at least 35 species of coral, 140 species of mollusks, 44 species of crustaceans and 123 species of fish. On land, a variety of wildlife can be observed, including Northern Tamandúas, Pacas, White-Snouted Coatis, Raccoons, Sloths, Guatusas, Mantle Howler Monkeys, White-Faced Capuchins and birds, including the Green Ibis, the Green Kingfisher -Rojizo and the Keel-Billed Toucan.
The 1,097 hectares of the Cahuita National Park are part of the La Amistad Caribe Conservation Area of Costa Rica, and are located next to the town of Cahuita, in the southern Caribbean province of Limón. This community has managed to obtain a special concession agreement with the government. Entering the park through the entrance to the village, your entrance fee contributes to community projects. The park protects beaches and lowlands and attracts visitors who can dive in the marine protected area that contains patches of extensive coral reefs, as well as marine turtle nesting areas.
From February to April and from September to October there is usually better visibility under water.
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a multi-ethnic, multicultural place, with people from all over the world and from all walks of life, who live together in peace in a happy mixture. The town is a great place with a relaxed atmosphere where you can eat traditional 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 city was originally called Old Harbor until the government of Costa Rica institutionalized Spanish as a new local language and changed the names of cities and places of interest in the area from English to Spanish. Although many names remain the same, Old Harbor became Puerto Viejo. Although the English-speaking Afro-Caribbean culture was actively dismantled, it is kept alive and flourishing by the locals who speak Patois de Jamaica, ‘pigeon English’ and maintain their cuisine based on traditional coconut milk.
Puerto Viejo is located in the center of some of the most beautiful beaches of the southern Caribbean: Playa Negra, Playa Cocles, Punta Uva just to name a few are some of the most unique beaches for their reefs and wildlife. We are also respected and recognized in the surfing community for having the largest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, the famous Salsa Brava. If you do not surf, it’s always exciting to watch!
Tortuguero
Tortuguero National Park is located on the north coast of the province of Limón. Despite its remote location, since it can only be accessed by boat or plane, it is the third most visited in Costa Rica. The park has a great variety of biological diversity due to its eleven different habitats, including forests, mangroves, swamps, beaches and lagoons.
The coastal area, which has a long beach that extends for almost 35 km and extensive canals, offer rich nesting places for turtles (hence the name “Tortuguero”). The main species that lay their eggs during the months of February to July are: Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green Turtle and the Leatherback Turtle. There are also seven species of land tortoises, Manatees or marine cows, Crocodiles, and a variety of crustaceans, as well as 30 species of freshwater fish such as the Gar, the Eel and the Bull Shark.
BriBrí Indigenous Territories
Only 1.7% of the population of Costa Rica is of indigenous descent. The 2000 national census identified 63,876 indigenous inhabitants for the first time. The Bribri and Cabécar that live within the hills and mountains of Talamanca are the most numerous indigenous populations in the country.
They live in three main indigenous territories: Alta Talamanca-Bribri and Alta Talamanca -Cabécar, territories that cover a large part of the Talamanca mountains and border the La Amistad National Park. The Kekoldi Indigenous Territory is smaller and located just inside Puerto Viejo. These indigenous protected areas were created in 1977 after the approval of the indigenous law by the government of Costa Rica, giving the indigenous peoples of the country the right to live within self-governed communities.
The Bribri and Cabécar de Talamanca people now speak Spanish, wear western clothing, and participate in regional political and economic life. However, even with much more contact with outsiders, their religious ceremonies, ancient traditions and oral histories will continue to be passed on from generation to generation. Many Bribri and Cabecar communities continue to teach their young people to speak the languages of their ancestors.
Alta Talamanca
88% of Talamanca’s territory is protected with the biggest parts in the mountainous areas (therefore ‘Alta’= high) which Alta Talamanca is referred to. This is home to some of the highest mountaintops in Costa Rica, namely in La Amistad and Chiripó National Parks and in the Alta Talamanca Bribri, Telire and Cabecar Indigenous Territories. Some of these areas belong to the most rugged and rarley visted primary rain- and cloud-forest covered areas of Costa Rica. With stunning landscapes, steep trails and an abundance of rivers and creeks, some areas can only be crossed by traditional hanging bridge or simply wading through the water (sometimes knee-deep and sometimes waste-deep).
This is a great place to do longer mountain hikes and trekking tours for the more experienced and adventurous visitor. We strictly recommended these excursions be done with knowledgable indigenous guides and appropriate equipment.
“Ìs be’ shkẽ̀nã“
“How are you” in the BriBri language. BriBri people are indigenous to the mountains of Talamanca.
This post is also available in: Spanish