National Parks
The southern Caribbean coast is bracketed by two of Costa Rica's most rewarding protected areas — both reachable by bike or a short drive from the lodge gate. Cahuita National Park to the north covers a thousand hectares of land and twenty-two thousand of marine reserve, including the most developed coral reef on this coast (35 coral species, 300+ molluscs, three turtle species, French angels and Isabelita and Queen angelfish). Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge to the south sits between the Sixaola River and the Talamanca mountains — primary and secondary forest, empty beaches, and local guides who can read the medicinal-plant layer of the understorey. Tours booked through reception support the Iguanaverde Foundation.
Cahuita National Park
About half an hour north of the lodge, Cahuita National Park protects 1,067 hectares of coastal forest and another 22,400 hectares of Caribbean sea — including 600 hectares of living coral, the most developed reef on this coast. A flat shoreline trail runs the length of the park, golden-sand beaches on one side and wetland forest of Yolillo palm and sangrillo trees on the other, so you walk the whole way with the water in earshot. Sloths, monkeys and shorebirds turn up along the trail without you working for them.
The reef is the headline: 35 species of coral, more than 300 kinds of mollusc, three species of sea turtle and clouds of reef fish — French angelfish, Isabelita, Queen angelfish. Snorkelling inside the park is done with licensed local guides who know where the coral heads are healthiest; reception books the guide and the ride up the coast. Cahuita has a human story too — its first settlers were fishermen from the Caribbean islands, and the park stands on land those families once owned.
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
The refuge starts where the lodge does. Punta Uva sits at the edge of the Refugio Nacional Gandoca-Manzanillo, which runs south past Manzanillo village to the Sixaola River on the Panamanian border — the Talamanca foothills rising behind it, white-sand beaches and coral reef along its seaward side. It is the wilder of the two parks: primary and secondary rainforest, long empty beaches, and trails where you can walk an hour without meeting anyone.
Go with a local guide. Manzanillo's nature guides grew up in this forest and can read it — which plants are medicine, which fig the toucans are working, where a sloth is sleeping fifteen metres up. We recommend the guided walk over going alone every time; it is a different forest with someone who can see it. The Manzanillo trailhead is about ten minutes south of the lodge by car, or a flat, easy bike ride.
Planning your visit
Both parks work as unhurried half-day trips from the lodge — out after breakfast, back for a late lunch on the terrace.
- Cahuita — about half an hour north by car or taxi. Entry at the Cahuita town gate is traditionally by donation, with a set fee at the Puerto Vargas entrance; ask reception to confirm current fees and opening hours.
- Snorkelling the Cahuita reef — with a licensed local guide, best in the calm, clear windows (April–May and September–October are the most recommended months). Reception books boats and guides.
- Gandoca-Manzanillo — the refuge meets the lodge's own stretch of coast, so the forest walks start ten minutes from your door. Local guides for medicinal-plant and wildlife hikes are arranged through reception.
- Every tour booked through reception supports the Iguanaverde Foundation's green-iguana breeding program here on the property.
