South Caribbean
Gandoca Manzanillo
Monday, February 25th, 2008This beautiful refuge has an area of 9,449 hectares (4,436 marine and 5,013 land). Located in Talamanca, its coastline stretches from the mouth of the Río Cocles near Puerto Viejo to the mouth of the Sixaola on the Panamanian border. Its highest point is the Manzanillo hills at 185 meters above sea level. Its wooded […]
Cahuita National Park
Monday, February 25th, 2008Established as a national monument in 1970 and made a national park in 1978, this wilderness area protects 1,067 hectares of land, 600 hectares of coral reef and 22,400 hectares of marine territory. Its two main areas, Cahuita and Puerto Vargas, feature highly scenic beaches as well as the largest fringing coral reef in the […]
Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve
Monday, February 25th, 2008Created in 1978, this 9,949-hectare preserve is surrounded by three indigenous reservations—Telire, Tayni and Talamanca—and is part of the La Amistad Biosphere Preserve. Hitoy Cerere, whose indigenous names mean “river of moss-covered rocks” and “river of clear waters,” respectively, is located in the Estrella and Telire river basins. The altitude here ranges from 100 to […]
Playa Gandoca
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008Beyond Punta Mona the irregular coastline transforms into one that begins with a curve and then opens up to stretch more regularly up to Gandoca. Here, the beach features gray sand and strong surf. Southward from Gandoca the beach stretches to the mouth of the Río Sixaola, which marks the border with Panama. This last […]
Playa Mona
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008To get to this beach, visitors must walk some five kilometers from Manzanillo to Punta Mona. The coastline in this area is very irregular. The forest and surrounding scenery make this stretch of coast exceptionally beautiful, especially around Punta Mona, where a small, greenery-swathed island enhances the coastal scenery, complemented by always-lush forests and patches […]
Playa Manzanillo
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008This golden-sand beach stretches north some 3.5 kilometers from the town of Manzanillo to Punta Uva. It has moderate to strong surf, an irregular, curved shape, and plentiful coastal vegetation, particularly palms. Ideal for walking, horseback riding, sunbathing and swimming, this beach also offers diving in several areas in front of the town and near […]
Punta Uva
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008Punta Uva is a wide, sandy ridge that stretches northeast up to the promontory at the end of Playa Chiquita. To the south the coast opens in a curve up to Manzanillo. Bordering this point is a coral reef where diving is possible. Punta Uva’s unique shape makes it ideal for walking all the way […]
Playa Chiquita
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008Located right after Punta Cocles, this golden-sand beach forms a cove by the same name. Beyond this point the irregular coast continues, bordering rocky platforms. Some two kilometers to the south is a highly scenic rocky promontory swathed in lush tropical greenery. Here, the coastline forms a bend surrounded by calm, clear water. This lovely […]
Playa Cocles
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008Long and wide, this beach has moderate to strong surf. To the north and opposite Punta Pirriplí lies a beautiful rocky island of the same name that lends special appeal to this coast of few islands. This beach is perfect for enjoying activities such as sunbathing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, beach volleyball and soccer. A […]
Puero Viejo
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008Puerto Viejo sits on a point or cape made up mainly of coral platforms, so several areas here are not suitable for swimming. However, there are other spots with white sand and convenient cafes that are ideal for enjoying the ocean. These places are referred to by the names of certain people or establishments […]