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Contact:
Kyra Cruz
Director
Asociación Costarricense de Turismo Rural Comunitario (ACTUAR)
Apartado Postal 719-1260
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: +506/248-9470
Fax: +506/248-9731
info@actuarcostarica.com
www.actuarcostarica.com
Recommended by:
Small Grants Program, Costa Rica
Global Environment Facility
www.nu.or.cr/gef/
pequenas.donaciones.cr@undp.org
Type of accommodation:
Home stay/farm stay
Features:
Hot water
Kitchen
Laundry facilities
Restaurant
Wheelchair accessible
Number of rooms: There are seven family homes or eight cabins available.
Year founded: 1995
Number of employees: 15
Percent of employees who are local residents: 100 %
Type of destination:
Beach
Farm, ranch (rural)
Forest/rainforest
River, lake, wetland
Able to accommodate:
Families
Gay/lesbian
Seniors
Singles
Singles with children
Volunteers
Description of the area:
The Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is on the southeastern coast of Costa Rica’s Caribbean zone, between the mouths of the Cocles and Sixaola Rivers. Wetlands, lagoons, swamp forests, reefs, seagrass pastures, and algae are protected in the zone; these ecosystems provide habitat for endangered species like manatees and sea turtles such as leatherbacks, loggerheads, green turtles, and hawksbills that emerge from the sea to nest on the beaches of the refuge. There are also important mammal and bird populations. South of Punta Mona is the only remnant forest of cativo (Prioria copaifera) in the nation’s southern Caribbean zone.
Until the last century, the region was occupied by Amerindians who were then displaced further inland, first by indigenous groups from Nicaragua (Miskitos), and then by black Antilleans who populated the zone. Today, the people live mainly from tourism and subsistence fishing.
Available activities:
Adventure, sports
Bird watching
Eco/nature/wildlife
Educational, research, volunteering
Tours
Visits to conservation projects
Walking / hiking
How to get there:
On the road to Puerto Viejo, go right at the Hone Creek crossroad and continue to the village of Bribrí. Travel 29 km (18 miles) on the road to Sixaola, then turn left at the sign indicating the entrance to Gandoca and continue for 14 km (8.7 miles).
You can reach the zone by vehicle or bus. There are buses from San José to Sixaola leaving from the Los Caribeños station on Calle Central, Avenida 11 (Transportes Mepe, Telephone +506/257-8129); in Sixaola, you can take a taxi to Gandoca (17 km-10.5 miles).
Prices for private transport can be requested from ACTUAR.
Making a difference:
Three local organizations coordinate tourism in the region: the Gandoca Manzanillo Sustainable Development Association, the Gandoca Naturalist Guide Association, and the Cabin Owners Association. These groups practice conservation and sustainable management of the Wildlife Refuge through leatherback protection, clean-ups of Gandoca beach, and community development.
General rates:
$25 or less
For more information about rates, please write info@actuarcostarica.com
Aditional Information:
General information about the business and activities for visitors, available on the ACTUAR Web site.
Date this information was provided: September, 2007.
