Playa Manzanillo, Costa Rica
Located at the end of the coastal road 6 kilometers down from Puerto Viejo is Playa Manzanillo. Beyond this beach there are only jungle trails which lead to the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife and Marine Refuge. The village of Manzanillo is about half the size of Puerto Viejo. The Afro-Caribbean inhabitants in this small and laid back fishing village are friendly and love to hang out on the palm-fringed white sand beach. The water here is usually calm and perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving, and offers a natural harbor for the boats that moored here, thanks to the coral reefs offshore.
At the point where civilization stops and the jungle begins, Manzanillo is a great spot for nature lovers. The jungle in this region is pristine and teems with wildlife. There are no roads but numerous jungle trails and local guides are available to take visitors on nature walks. Boat tours, snorkeling, dolphin watching and hiking up to the Monkey Point are the popular activities here.
The town of Manzanillo has several colorful local markets and plenty of sodas and restaurants that serve up some of the best seafood in the country. With the wide variety of fish, crabs, shrimps and lobsters found here, this town is known for delicious local cuisines.
Photo courtesy: flickr.com/photos/wwandrew