Nocturnal Jungle Tour in Manzanillo Refuge: Wildlife Night Walk

Summary

Night Wildlife Walk in Manzanillo Refuge

You’ll walk deep into Manzanillo Refuge after dark with a local guide, searching for snakes, frogs, spiders, and other creatures that only come out at night. It’s an unforgettable way to see Costa Rica’s wildlife up close—and experience the jungle in a whole new light.

5.00

(4 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The air felt thick and warm as we stepped off the main road and into the darkness of Manzanillo Refuge. Our guide, José, flicked on his headlamp—instantly, the forest floor came alive with tiny movements. You could hear frogs croaking somewhere close, and every so often, a branch would snap underfoot. We started along the coastal trail first; the salty smell from the sea mixed with that earthy scent you only get in Costa Rica after a rain.

José pointed out a line of leaf-cutter ants hauling their green cargo across our path. Not far ahead, someone spotted a bright green Anolis lizard clinging to a branch—almost invisible unless you knew where to look. The deeper we went, the more eyes seemed to blink back at us from the undergrowth: spiders weaving between roots, a fat tarantula sitting perfectly still on a log, even a kinkajou rustling high above in the canopy. He told us about each animal’s habits and how they fit into this patchwork of primary and secondary forest.

After about two hours winding through trails—sometimes ducking under low branches or pausing to listen for movement—we reached the Manzanillo viewpoint. The ocean was just a dark line out there, but you could hear waves crashing below. On the way back, José handed out fresh fruit slices; honestly, nothing ever tasted so sweet as after walking through that humid night air.

3h–4h