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Boat tour on the Gandoca Lagoon. Photo by Doug Dosdall
Close to Nature
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The Panama border is just down the beach from Gandoca making this small village the southermost outpost on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Gandoca is most popular during turtle nesting season (March to June) as a place to see giant leatherback and other turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. But Gandoca can be visited year round for a quiet vacation close to nature.
Gandoca cannot be reached from the coastal road, which ends at Manzanillo, but instead you must drive the inland highway almost to Sixaola at the Panama border then drive about 11 km through banana plantations to reach the coast. There is no public transport to Gandoca but you could take a bus to Sixaola then arrange a taxi (about 25 minutes).
Activities in the village include the turtle tours, tours by kayak or boat on the Gandoca lagoon, nature hikes in the Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge. It would be possible the walk to Punta Mona in about 45 minutes (and from there to Manzanillo in another 1.5-2 hours) along the coastal trail but we recommend using a local guide if you're planning this. This travelogue on Gandoca has some useful info.
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Landmarks, Beaches
Gandoca Lagoon
The lagoon is surrounded by dense jungle and offers good nature viewing at the right times of day (best early and late) including caimans and crocodiles, many birds, monkeys and more. 
Average rating: 96 Exceptional
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Hotels
Cabinas El Rinconcito
Family run cabinas. Double, triple and quad rooms with private bath and mosquito net. They offer various tours activities in the area such as lagoon boat tours.
+506 2754 1060 Average rating: 100 Exceptional View on map
Canto del Mar Guest House
Guest house and botanical gardens. Clean modern rooms with private bath. Breakfast is included, other meals are available in onsite restaurant. +506 8314 3297
Average room rate: $60 Average rating: 100 Exceptional View on map
Colibri Lodge Gandoca
Family run cabinas with a swimming pool. +506 2754 1057 Average rating: 91 Excellent View on map
Las Orquideas
Rooms with A/C and private bath. Some have balcony or patio. Shared kitchen and restaurant. Average rating: 100 Exceptional View on map
Shiosai Retreat Cabins
Cabins and a family suite located steps from Gandoca Beach. Restaurant with a focus on seafood and Caribbean dishes. +506 8450 9411
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Restaurants
Soda y Cabinas Kaniki
Restaurant and Cabinas. Serves up basic homemade Caribbean fare and sell snacks and drinks. Cabinas have private baths. +506 2754 1071 Average room rate: $32 Average rating: 90 Excellent View on map
Tours and Activities
Gandoca Tours
Tourist information office and local tour operator. They promote sustainable tourism with eco-tourism, cultural and adventure activities. Tours includes dolphin watching, snorkeling, sea turtle spawning, mangroves and Laguna Gandoca. They also operate a booking office right in the center of Puerto Viejo beside Hot Rocks. +506 8762 8848 Average rating: 75 Good View on map
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