A short trip to Manzanillo and the wildlife refuge

Manzanillo sits a short ride from Blessed House and feels like a different pace of the same coast. The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge protects forest that meets the sand, so a walk can move from beach to birdsong in a few minutes.

Bring water, wear shoes you can get wet, and give yourself a half day. The beaches stay quieter than Puerto Viejo, which is why so many guests make this their first outing.

The village itself is small. You can eat, look at the water, and then follow a trail into shade without a long transfer. Howler monkeys and crabs are common company if you walk slowly and keep voices down.

Tide matters. At lower water the sand opens. At higher water the forest edge feels closer. Ask us about the tide before you leave so you are not surprised by a wet path.

Come back through Punta Uva if you still have light. The ride south and the ride home can be the same road and two different days, depending on when you stop.