Playa Gandoca
Beach · Caribbean Coast · hidden gem
A remote beach at the southern end of the Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge, backed by a mangrove lagoon; leatherback turtles come ashore to nest here in spring.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 4 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 3 / 10
- Effort
- 4 / 10
- Location
- 9.5999, -82.6063 — Google Maps
Tip
See the leatherbacks (roughly March to June) only on a night tour with local guides.
Be careful
Open-sea surf and rip currents make it a no-swim beach, and crocodiles and caimans live in the lagoon.
Getting there
Rough dirt road off the Sixaola highway; 4×4 recommended, especially after rain.
Places nearby
- Cool & Calm Reggae Bar and GrillFood & CoffeeReggae bar and grill in Manzanillo village at the end of the road, praised for whole grilled red snapper and juicy ribs with a house basting sauce.
- El Refugio GrillFood & CoffeeCalm, well-lit grill at the entrance to Playa Grande on the Manzanillo road, with a daily menu of the freshest fish and meats and a good wine list; a go-to for a sit-down dinner on the south coast.
- Punta Uva Dive CenterSurf, Boats & Diving · from $55Beachfront PADI dive shop at Punta Uva with shore and boat dives on the shallow Caribbean reef, courses from first-time Discover Scuba to Divemaster, and snorkel trips.
- Hotel Aguas ClarasStaysBoutique hotel of brightly painted Caribbean-style bungalows right on Playa Chiquita, south of Puerto Viejo.
- Restaurante SelvinFood & CoffeeSmall family restaurant on the road to Punta Uva, known for coconut-rice-and-beans plates and the local rondón soup, with a lively atmosphere in the evening.
- CHOCORARTFood & CoffeeChocolate factory and cacao farm on the Playa Chiquita road south of Puerto Viejo, rated 4.9 on Google and 4.8 on Tripadvisor.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/531137120 · https://www.kimkim.com/c/ultimate-guide-to-puerto-viejos-beaches · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/531137120