We are annual visitors to LaManzanilla. Last night we discovered something truly amazing. The mangrove forest is a front center feature in LaManz with tourists often lining the roadside fence to see crocodiles basking in the sun. What we were delighted to find is that this 198 hectare mangrove forest and nature preserve is so, so much more that its prehistoric armoured denizens.
At 4:45 we met Gerardo, a passionate local biologist, who speaks perfect English, for a bird watching boat tour of the forest. With a friendly greeting Gerardo loaded us into a very stable panga style boat and issued us each a pair of binoculars and off we went. Gerardo silently paddles the boat deep into the mangrove up its open central canal. As the tour is after public hours you are the only ones in the preserve, after a few minutes paddling the sounds of the village drop away and you are struck by the quiet peaceful calm of this rich bio diverse gem, then the magic begins!  The forest come alive with thousands of beautiful exotic birds from massive great white egrets to little yellow flycatchers and Gerardo is knowledgeable about each one. Even though the mangrove is home to over three hundred crocodiles, many over four metres in length, you will only glimpse a few in the distance as it turns out these monsters are actually very timid and shy.
The trip to the end of the forest and back takes about two hours.
Gerardo is happy to answer any questions and share his wealth of knowledge about nature, culture, and local history.
we both agreed that this one of the most beautiful and amazing tours we have ever taken, it will definately become an annual highlight!  Mucho Gracias Gerardo!

Derek and Vicki , British Columbia