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Home > Lodges by region > Caribbean Coast > Gandoca >
 
GANDOCA
Turtle conservation!
 
Enjoy the beach, observe the Baula Turtles laying their eggs, do some trekking at the Gandoca Lake and swamps and observe a diverse population of local and migratory wild birds in Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.
 
Lodging:
You may stay in cabins or in local family homes.   
 
Gandoca Cabins!
 
El Rinconcito Cabins! María Sanarrucia
This is an ample wooden house with 4 rooms.  Each one is equipped with 2 bunk beds, private bathroom, hot water, mosquito nests. Miss María Sanarrucia is also the owner of Lanmary restaurant, which is located in the same property and has a capacity of 20 pax.  
 
Orquids Cabins! Xiomara Sosa
They offer 3 picturesque cabins, each one with private bathroom and hall in the front.  They also offer a 20 pax small restaurant. Internet service available.
 
Las Baulas Residential! Sandra Medrano
Sandra Medrano offers two cabins surrounded by beautiful gardens. Each cabin has a private bathroom, hot water, mosquito nests, fan and an ample corridor with hammocks. Restaurant with capacity of 20 people.
 
Gandoca Homestays!
 
Doña María Baltodano Homestay!
Wooden house with 2 rooms for couples. and 3 single beds. 1 room with 2 individual beds. 1 dinning hall. 1 bathroom and toilet. Outside the house there are 3 showers and 1 toilet.
The family: 2 adults and 1 boy. Doña María is a housewife. 
Services: They have security boxes inside of each room.
 
Doña Sandra Medrano Homestay!
The house has an extensive garden draped with hammocks. It has a porch, kitchen, two large bathrooms (hot water) and 4 rooms. The maximum capacity is 10 pax, but we recommend 6 people maximum. It is fairly close to the beach.
The family: 2 adults and 2 boys (17 and 22 years old) live in the house. Doña Sandra is a housewife and in her spare time she enjoys tending to the garden.
Services: Each room comes with a fan, mosquito nets, towels, soap and toilet paper. They are building a dinning hall (20 person capacity).
 
Doña Carmen López Homestay!
The house is a bit further from the beach. The rooms are separate from the house. There are 2 rooms for 3 people (a bunk bed and a single bed) and one room for couples. This house has a shower and toilet, and one large restroom to be shared among all the guests. Outside the rooms there have hammocks. Also, Doña Carmen has other house with bunk beds and a bathroom and toilet.
The Family: 2 adults, a child, a baby live in this house.
Services: They provide toilet paper and soap, mosquito net. They will lend the washing machine, but the users have to buy the soap. There is a small store “Pulpería La Costa” located in front of the house.  
Other services:
  • Tours
  • Volunteer programs





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Getting There    What to bring
Rural Birding in Costa Rica! |  | Hiking |  | One Day Tour |  | 

Gandoca Rural Escape 2D/1N (March to July)
Without transportation

Day 1: Leave early, passing local banana plantations and campesino farms. In Gandoca, a local guide will greet you with traditional refreshments and introduce you to your host families. Lunch. In the afternoon there will be free time to enjoy the beach and visit the hatchery where the turtle eggs are protected. Dinner. After dinner, gather around your local guide, who will tell you about the sea turtles that nest on the Caribbean Coast, then go for a walk to watch for leatherbacks (baulas), the biggest sea turtles in the world. We will observe the nesting process and learn about ANAI’s research on leatherback turtle protection. Return to your host family’s home.

Day 2 Breakfast Around 8:00 a.m. As an optional activity not included in the itinerary, leave for Gandoca Lagoon, and learn about its natural history. Delicious lunch and departure.

Included: one night lodging, 4 meals, turtle observation

Price per person $74.00

Leatherback (Baula) Turtle Nesting Tour (March to July)
Without Transportation

At 5:30 p.m. You will make your way to Gandoca Manzanillo, where your local guide will be waiting for you. Presentation about Gandoca`s conservation efforts. Explore this beach town and enjoy a delicious dinner with a local family. After dinner, your local guide will provide information on marine turtles. Then you will explore the marvellous ritual of the leatherback turtles laying their eggs on the beach. You will also learn a bit about ANAI’s research work in the area. Around 11:30 p.m., return to your hotel in Puerto Viejo or Cahuita.

Included: tour to observe the turtles laying their eggs, dinner with a local family, a water bottle, presentation on Gandoca`s conservation efforts, local guide.

Duration: 7 hours

Price per person $32.00

 

Leatherback (Baula) Turtle Nesting Tour (March to July)
With Transportation. About 1 hour away from Puerto Viejo and 1 hour and 20 minutes from Cahuita by car

Depart: between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Duration: 7 hours approximately.
At 5:30 p.m. You will make your way to Gandoca Manzanillo, where your local guide will be waiting for you. Presentation about Gandoca`s conservation efforts. Explore this beach town and enjoy a delicious dinner with a local family. After dinner, your local guide will provide information on marine turtles. Then you will explore the marvellous ritual of the leatherback turtles laying their eggs on the beach. You will also learn a bit about ANAI’s research work in the area. Around 11:30 p.m., return to your hotel in Puerto Viejo or Cahuita.

Included: transportation back and forth from Cahuita and/or Puerto Viejo, tour to observe the turtles laying their eggs, dinner with a local family, a water bottle, presentation on Gandoca`s conservation efforts, local guide

Price per person $90.00

Gandoca Lagoon Tour

Your local guide will give you a hearty welcome in Gandoca. She will share with you the conservation efforts of Gandoca’s local associations. Hike along the beach (2 kms) until reaching the lagoon. This magical lagoon covers about 250 hectares. Its tranquil waters are surrounded by mangrove forest and by yolillo palms. It is home to various species of monkeys, beautiful aquatic birds, sloths and crocodiles which you will observe from a boat. After this delightful experience, head back to town where you will enjoy a delicious local lunch.

Includes: boat tour at Laguna de Gandoca, lunch, presentation on Gandoca`s conservation efforts, local guide.

Duration: 6 hours

Price per person $26.00

Dolphin Watching

You will be boating for about 2 km and stopping near Punta Mona and Gandoca beaches, where you may observe some of the 3 species of dolphins.

What to bring? Drinking water, sun block, solar protection (hat or cap, long sleeved lightweight clothing), dark glasses, bathing suit, towel.

Duration: 3 hours

Price per person $46.00

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100 m Este del Ministario de Trabajo, Barrio Tournón
Tel: (506) 2248-9470  -  Fax: (506)
 2248-9470 +1
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Canadian customers toll free 1 877 2 064642 
P.O. Box 719.1260, Escazú, Costa Rica -
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