Your stay — La Ensenada Lodge
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The Property — La Ensenada Lodge
La Ensenada Lodge sits on the southern edge of Manzanillo, a short walk from the Caribbean shore, with a breezy open-air reception area that smells of salt and damp wood. The vibe is laid-back and modest — think hammocks on a wooden veranda, a small pool by the river mouth, and rooms with mosquito nets and ceiling fans. It suits budget travellers and wildlife watchers who want to be right at the entrance to the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, not luxury seekers.
Chronicles of Manzanillo
Manzanillo began as a small Afro-Caribbean fishing village, largely isolated until the 1970s when the coastal road reached it. The town's architecture remains low-rise and informal, with wooden houses on stilts and tin roofs, reflecting its Caribbean roots and lack of mass tourism. Culturally, it blends indigenous BriBri traditions with the English-speaking Afro-Caribbean heritage brought by labourers during the banana boom. Today it's a quiet hub for eco-tourism, known for its protected beaches and as a gateway to the refuge, with a distinct Rasta-influenced, slow-paced identity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Manzanillo guide →Best months
February and March — driest period with clear skies, calm seas for snorkelling, and the turtle nesting season winding down, so wildlife spotting is excellent.
Peak / festival surge
July and August — schools are out, so domestic and international families fill rooms. Hotel prices jump 20-30%. Events like the Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar (around July 16) bring processions and regattas to nearby Puerto Viejo.
Budget shoulder season
May and June — early rainy season means fewer tourists, rooms at 30% discount, greener surroundings, and still decent morning sun before afternoon showers.
Weather & packing
The weather flips fast from bright sun to heavy downpour, especially in July. Pack a light rain jacket that doubles as a windbreaker, and always carry a dry bag for electronics on beach day trips.
Live City Briefing — Manzanillo
- The coastal road south from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo was repaved in early 2026, cutting pothole delays; expect occasional single-lane traffic near creek bridges.
- A new ecolodge and turtle conservation centre opened in Gandoca (5 km south) in late 2025, now running nightly guided turtle walks (July is olive ridley season).
- The Manzanillo village market has moved to Saturdays only (not Sundays) from 2026, sharper hustle for fresh fish and crafts.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Ensenada Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request an upper floor (2nd or 3rd) on the inland side facing the jungle rather than the road. These rooms get less street noise from the coastal highway and catch the morning light without afternoon heat.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or car park – they pick up early checkout noise and dust from the gravel lot. Also skip any room directly above the small bar area (likely on the ground floor west side) if you want quiet after 10pm.
Best views
Rooms on the upper shoreline side (east-facing) overlook the Pacific and the curve of Manzanillo Bay – you'll see fishing boats and sunrise. Inland-side rooms face dense secondary rainforest with toucans and howler monkeys, but no water view.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest, set back from the road and above ground-level bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Manzanillo is a small fishing village but the coastal highway runs right past the lodge – motorcycles and trucks pass from early morning till late evening. The bar and small restaurant generate chatter until around 10pm. Also, occasional early-morning roosters (true for any Costa Rican coastal town).
Insider tips
1. Park in the gravel lot to the side, not directly in front – it’s safer from passing traffic. 2. At check-in, ask for a top-floor room away from the bar; staff usually oblige if you mention you’re a light sleeper. 3. If you want the best view, request a 'shoreline-side' upper floor – only a handful of rooms face the ocean, so book well ahead.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — La Ensenada Lodge
Free WiFi throughout; max 10 Mbps shared; no login required
No lift. Two-storey lodge with stairs only; ground-floor rooms available on request
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; limited mobile signal
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs $30 USD (weekday) / $50 USD (weekend)
Free for same-day arrivals and departures; $10 USD per day for extended storage
No step-free access; ground-floor rooms available but no wheelchair ramp or adapted bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 15 vehicles; no EV charging. Nearest public parking is in Puerto Viejo (15 km drive)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in rates; no additional city tax
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; $100 USD incidental hold at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
ATMs give the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Juan Santamaría Airport and small tourist shops. Many businesses accept US dollars but change is often in colones.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, hotels, and larger restaurants; cash essential for street food, taxis, and small shops. Contactless is common but not universal.
Restaurants: 10% service included, extra 5-10% appreciated for good service. Taxis: rounding up is standard. Hotel staff: ¢1000-2000 per bag or per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Coffee from a local sodita or bakery counter, black with sugar: about ¢600-900 CRC.
Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a local sodita: about ¢3000-4500 CRC.
Gallo pinto (rice and beans) with egg or small meat portion at a sodita: about ¢3500-5000 CRC for a main.
The central market and streets around the main park have stalls selling tacos, empanadas, and fruit. Evening food carts appear near the malecon.
MegaSuper and Palí are the main budget-friendly chains in Manzanillo.
Puerto Limón's central market is the nearest main shopping area; locally, shop at small general stores for basic T-shirts and beachwear.
Public bus connects Manzanillo to Puerto Limón and Cahuita (about ¢700-1500 CRC per trip). Budget airport transfer: shared shuttle from Juan Santamaría to Manzanillo runs $50-60 USD per person; no direct bus from SJO.
Emergency Contacts
ManzanilloDial 911 for all emergencies. Calls are answered in Spanish; some operators speak English. For non-urgent police assistance, call 117. The Red Cross ambulance service can be reached at 1281. Keep your passport details handy for reporting incidents.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Manzanillo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at La Ensenada Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca → Manzanillo village (2km walk to cottages)
💡 Buses leave from the gas station south of Puerto Viejo's main strip. They're packed with surfers and locals—stand near the door for a quick exit at the Manzanillo stop.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca → Caribbean Dream Cottages, Manzanillo
💡 Shared 'colectivo' taxis in Puerto Viejo charge around $5 per person and leave from the main bus stop. Flag one down on the main road heading south.
San José, Terminal Caribe (MEPE station) → Manzanillo village entrance (2km walk to cottages)
💡 Direct bus goes to Manzanillo village, not the cottages. Walk or catch a taxi from the bus stop. Bring snacks—trip is long and there's no onboard food.
San José International Airport (SJO) → Caribbean Dream Cottages, Manzanillo
💡 Book a shared shuttle like Interbus or Caribe Shuttle for about $55 per person—cheaper and reliable. Taxis are private, so split with your group.
About Manzanillo
Wikipedia ↗
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a coastal town in Talamanca in Limón Province in southeastern Costa Rica, known simply as Puerto Viejo to locals. The town was originally called Old Harbour until the Costa Rican government institutionalized Spanish as the national language and changed the names of the t...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at La Ensenada Lodge?
Request an upper floor (2nd or 3rd) on the inland side facing the jungle rather than the road. These rooms get less street noise from the coastal highway and catch the morning light without afternoon heat.
Which rooms should I avoid at La Ensenada Lodge?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or car park – they pick up early checkout noise and dust from the gravel lot. Also skip any room directly above the small bar area (likely on the ground floor west side) if you want quiet after 10pm.
Is La Ensenada Lodge noisy?
Manzanillo is a small fishing village but the coastal highway runs right past the lodge – motorcycles and trucks pass from early morning till late evening. The bar and small restaurant generate chatter until around 10pm. Also, occasional early-morning roosters (true for any Costa Rican coastal town).
Which rooms have the best views at La Ensenada Lodge?
Rooms on the upper shoreline side (east-facing) overlook the Pacific and the curve of Manzanillo Bay – you'll see fishing boats and sunrise. Inland-side rooms face dense secondary rainforest with toucans and howler monkeys, but no water view.
What are insider tips for staying at La Ensenada Lodge?
1. Park in the gravel lot to the side, not directly in front – it’s safer from passing traffic. 2. At check-in, ask for a top-floor room away from the bar; staff usually oblige if you mention you’re a light sleeper. 3. If you want the best view, request a 'shoreline-side' upper floor – only a handful of rooms face the ocean, so book well ahead.
What time is check-in at La Ensenada Lodge?
Check-in at La Ensenada Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Ensenada Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; max 10 Mbps shared; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Ensenada Lodge?
13% VAT included in rates; no additional city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near La Ensenada Lodge?
Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a local sodita: about ¢3000-4500 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from La Ensenada Lodge?
Public bus connects Manzanillo to Puerto Limón and Cahuita (about ¢700-1500 CRC per trip). Budget airport transfer: shared shuttle from Juan Santamaría to Manzanillo runs $50-60 USD per person; no direct bus from SJO.
When is the best time to visit Manzanillo?
February and March — driest period with clear skies, calm seas for snorkelling, and the turtle nesting season winding down, so wildlife spotting is excellent.
Top Attractions in Manzanillo
💡 Cash only (Costa Rican colones or US dollars accepted). Prices are fixed and fair – haggling isn’t the norm. Look for the lady selling home-made coconut bread.
💡 No entry fee for the self-guided trail. Wear long trousers and closed shoes because of leaf-cutter ants. Take water and check for sandflies at dusk.
💡 Take the trail starting near the soccer field – it’s steep but only 15 minutes. Best at sunrise for the light and fewer mosquitoes.
💡 Go early (before 9am) or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds. Bring reef-safe sunscreen as the bay is part of a protected area.
💡 Hire a local guide – they spot sloths, toucans and howler monkeys you’d miss alone. Guides charge around $20 per person for a 2-hour walk, entirely optional but worth it.