Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Congo Bongo
BUNGALOW
(
2759-9016;
www.congo-bongo.com
; d/tr/q US$165/185/205, per week US$990/1110/1230;
)
About 1km outside Manzanillo towards Punta Uva, these six charming Dutch-owned cot-
tages surrounded by dense forest (formerly a cacao plantation) offer fully equipped kit-
chens and plenty of living space, including open-air terraces and strategically placed ham-
mocks that are perfect for wildlife-watching. A network of trails leads through the 6 hec-
tares of grounds to the beautiful beach.
Cool & Calm Cafe
CARIBBEAN
( 8843-7460;
www.coolandcalmcafe.com
;
mains US$9-18; 4-9pm Mon, 11am-9pm Wed-Sun)
Directly across from Manzanillo's western beachfront, this front-porch eatery regales visit-
ors with fine Caribbean cooking, from snapper to shrimp, and chicken to lobster, with a
few extras like guacamole, tacos and veggie curry thrown in for good measure. Owners
Andy and Molly offer Caribbean cooking classes and a 'reef-to-plate' tour where you dive
for your own lobster or fish.
Maxi's Restaurant
CARIBBEAN
(mains US$9-21, lobster US$23-67; noon-9pm; )
Manzanillo's most famous restaurant draws a tourist crowd with large platters of grilled
seafood,
pargo rojo
(whole red snappers), steaks and Caribbean-style lobsters (expensive
and not necessarily worth it). Despite the somewhat lackadaisical service, the open-air up-
stairs dining area is a wonderful seaside setting for a meal and a beer with views of the
beach and the street below.
Getting There & Away
Buses from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo (US$1.20, 30 minutes) depart at 6:45am, 7:45am,
9:45am, 11:45am, 1:45pm, 4:45pm and 6:45pm, returning to Puerto Viejo at 7am, 8am,
10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. These buses all continue to Puerto Limón (US$4.90, two
hours) for onward transfers. Transportes Mepe also runs one direct bus daily between
Manzanillo and San José (US$12, five hours), leaving Manzanillo at 7am and returning
from San José at noon.
