Manzanillo travel guide
Manzanillo, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A tiny Afro-Caribbean village at the end of the coast road, surrounded by the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, with calm water, jungle hikes and some of the prettiest beaches in Costa Rica.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Late Jul to Oct
From Puerto Viejo
About 25 min
Best Airport
SJO
Getting around
Bike or on foot
Don’t want to read all this?
Book your Manzanillo trip
Car rental
Flights
Hotels
Shuttles
Travel insurance
Trip planner
Our take
Who Manzanillo is for
We really like this area as an alternative to Puerto Viejo. It’s more peaceful, but still close enough to Puerto Viejo if you want to be near things. We love the whole stretch from Puerto Viejo down to Manzanillo. The beaches are beautiful and it has a really cool, relaxed feel. It’s perfect if you want quiet beaches, jungle hikes and snorkeling.
One thing to keep in mind: There are no ATMs and only small shops here, so get cash and groceries in Puerto Viejo before you come.
Make it a base: It’s the kind of place where you can rent a house for several days and just have a really chill time. Plus, it’s easy to get down into Panama from here if you’re heading to Bocas del Toro.
Manzanillo or Puerto Viejo?
Choose Manzanillo if…
You want to relax. There isn’t a whole lot to do besides hiking, snorkeling and enjoying the beaches, and that’s the point.
Choose Puerto Viejo if…
You want a lively backpacker town with nightlife, lots of restaurants and shops, and surfing.
Can’t decide?
Stay in Manzanillo or Punta Uva for the calm, and bike or drive to Puerto Viejo for dinner and a night out.
Getting there
How to get to Manzanillo
Driving from San José
The drive goes through Braulio Carrillo National Park to Limón, then down the coast. I absolutely love the drive along the coast! Road work in the national park can cause delays, but you don’t need a 4×4.
By bus, take the Mepe bus from San José to Limón (about 4 hours), then the Mepe bus from Limón to Manzanillo (about 2 hours). It costs about $15 one way, and there’s no bathroom on the bus, so use the one at the Limón station.
For more info:
Rental car
Rent a car if you want to explore the coast. Adobe gives our readers 10% off, a free second driver and 0% deductible on liability protection.
Coming from Panama
From the Sixaola border, buses run to Puerto Viejo about every hour (5:30 am to 6 pm) and continue on to Manzanillo about every two hours. For shared shuttles, use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Manzanillo is on the southern Caribbean coast, at the end of the road south of Puerto Viejo (about 25 minutes away) and about 20 minutes from the Panama border.
Good to know: There aren’t any ATMs in Manzanillo. Get cash in Puerto Viejo, and do your big grocery shop there too.
Weather
Manzanillo weather and best time to visit
Driest months
The Caribbean has its own weather. The best time to visit is usually July to October, and August almost completely dries up.
Rainy months
Mid-December through July tends to be wetter, but it’s unpredictable. Usually when it rains, it rains at night. July is often the rainiest month.
Best time
Jul to Oct
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Trail tip
Muddy in rainy season
Our tip
Our tip: In the rainy season the refuge trail becomes a complete muddy mess, so plan your big hike for the drier months.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Manzanillo
Where to stay along this coast
Manzanillo
Quietest · End of the road
A tiny village with calm water, snorkeling and the refuge trail right there. Perfect if you just want to relax.
Punta Uva
Beautiful beach · Surfing
One of the prettiest beaches on the coast and a popular surf spot, between Manzanillo and Puerto Viejo.
Cocles and Playa Chiquita
Closer to town · More options
More hotels and restaurants, and a short bike ride to Puerto Viejo’s nightlife.
Faith Glamping Dome
Mid-range · Glamping · Breakfast included
Unique domes with private bathrooms, and breakfast is included.
Cabinas Yamann
Mid-range · Pool · Shared kitchen
Basic cabins with a shared kitchen and a pool on the property.
Congo Bongo EcoVillage
High-end · Cabins · Next to the beach
Nice cabin-style accommodations right next to the beach. Every detail is perfectly maintained here.
Casa del Mar
Budget · Beachfront · Snorkeling
Budget-friendly wooden cabins with a kitchen on a beachfront property. You can snorkel directly in front of the cabins. It’s great!
Want something unique? See our list of the best glamping spots in Costa Rica, including a few on this coast.
See our 12 best hotels around Puerto Viejo →
Our pick
Rent a house
We love renting a home for more privacy and the flexibility to cook, which helps here since there are only small shops in town.
A few we like: Casa Del Mar (2 bedrooms, sleeps 5, beachfront), Villa Noor (5 bedrooms on 5 acres of untouched land, so expect total privacy) and Ginger & Cacao (two luxury houses, perfect for a large family or small group).
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Manzanillo rentals on VRBO →
Is Costa Rica planning feeling overwhelming? Let us break it down for you.
Sign up for free, step by step guidance (plus your printable planning checklist right now) and we’ll tell you exactly what to do next, and when.
Things to do
Things to do in Manzanillo
Hike
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
The trail starts at the ranger station at the end of the road in Manzanillo. Entrance is by donation. The Mirador Manzanillo lookout is about 15 minutes in, and the coastal trail to Punta Mona is about 5 km (roughly 2.5 hours round trip).
Good to know
Don’t hike alone, and consider hiring a guide. They’ll spot wildlife you’d miss, and theft has happened on the remote trails. In the rainy season the trail gets very muddy.
Snorkel
Snorkel right off the beach
The water here is calm enough to snorkel on your own, so bring your own gear. You can also book a reef diving tour.
Good to know
At Casa del Mar you can snorkel directly in front of the cabins.
Beach hop by bike
Start at Playa Manzanillo and work your way north to Punta Uva, Playa Chiquita and Cocles. Biking is the best way to do it, and you’ll feel relatively safe on the roads here.
Surf at Punta Uva
Punta Uva is a popular surf spot, and you can rent boards or take lessons nearby.
Chocolate tour
Several companies run tours that show you how chocolate is made, from bean to bar.
Cahuita National Park
A short drive north, and one of the best parks for seeing lots of wildlife in a short time.
White water rafting
Tours leave from Puerto Viejo for the Pacuare River, with one-day and multi-day options.
Free trip planner
Get a custom Costa Rica itinerary
Tell our planner your dates, airport and travel style. It picks the regions that fit, with hotels, tours and drive times for each stop.
Where to eat
Where to eat in Manzanillo
El Refugio Grill
Mid-range · Date night
Everything is excellent here! This is our go-to dinner date spot in the area.
GypSea Café
Breakfast & lunch · Our favorite
My favorite of all favorites, and definitely my go-to breakfast and lunch spot.
Pita Bonita
Middle Eastern · Sharing platters
Delicious Middle Eastern food. Get the shared platter if you’re dining with someone.
Cool & Calm Café
Caribbean · Beachfront · Seafood
A Caribbean-style dinner spot right on the beach. Go for the seafood or fish.
Other good options are Cocolaba Lounge for a cheap Caribbean breakfast or lunch and Maxi’s, the village’s best-known hangout at the very end of the road.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Manzanillo
Clothes
Basically just fast-drying clothes and swimwear, plus something light for dinner.
Snorkel gear
The water is calm, so bring your own mask and snorkel.
Don’t forget
Bug spray, a headlamp, binoculars for wildlife and plenty of sunscreen.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Manzanillo used to not have the best reputation for safety, but that has changed. In general it’s a safe place to visit. Just be aware of your surroundings.
Good to know
Practical basics
Groceries
There are a few small mini markets, but for real grocery shopping head to Puerto Viejo.
ATMs and banks
There are no ATMs in Manzanillo, so take out cash in Puerto Viejo before you come.
Getting around
Getting around Manzanillo
Manzanillo is small and easy to explore on foot. For nearby beaches and Puerto Viejo, bike, take a taxi or rent a car.
Rental car
Best for day trips to Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and beyond. Adobe has an office in Puerto Viejo, and our readers get 10% off.
Bikes
Biking is the best way to beach-hop up the coast, and you’ll feel relatively safe on the roads here.
FAQ
Manzanillo FAQ: your questions
Is Manzanillo, Costa Rica worth visiting?
Yes, definitely. It has beautiful white sand beaches, calm water for snorkeling and great hiking in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
Is Manzanillo safe?
Manzanillo used to not have the best reputation for safety, but that has changed in recent years. In general it’s safe; be aware of your surroundings and don’t hike alone.
Manzanillo or Puerto Viejo: which is better?
Manzanillo is more relaxed, with not a whole lot to do besides hiking and enjoying the beaches. Puerto Viejo is popular with backpackers and has a vibrant nightlife scene and many stores and restaurants.
How far is Manzanillo from Puerto Viejo?
About 25 minutes by car, at the end of the coast road. You can also bike, take a taxi or take the bus.
How much does it cost to hike the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge?
Entrance from the Manzanillo ranger station is by donation. The trail to Punta Mona is about 5 km, roughly 2.5 hours round trip.
Are there ATMs in Manzanillo?
No. Get cash in Puerto Viejo before you come.
How do I get to Manzanillo by bus?
Take the Mepe bus from San José to Limón (about 4 hours), then the Limón to Manzanillo bus (about 2 hours). It’s about $15 one way.
When is the best time to visit Manzanillo?
Usually July to October. Mid-December through July tends to be wetter, and July is often the rainiest month.
Every guide
All our Manzanillo guides
Keep exploring
More towns in Caribbean Coast
Planning more of the region? See our full Caribbean Coast guide.
