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- Mangrove canals and boat tours: Labyrinthine tidal channels thread the refuge — best explored by small boat with a local guide. Quiet, shallow waterways bring you up close to root systems, fiddler crabs and tiny fish that you won’t see from the shore.
- Sea turtle nesting beaches (personal favorite): Long, dark stretches of sand host nesting olive ridley (and sometimes leatherback) turtles; guided night walks and release events are unforgettable. Timing matters (nesting season runs in the rainy months on the Pacific side), and local programs help protect nests while giving visitors a respectful view.
- Birdwatching and shorebird rookeries: Mangroves, lagoons and the ocean edge draw herons, egrets, kingfishers, frigatebirds and lots of migratory waders — great binocular territory and easy to
- Mangrove canals and boat tours: Labyrinthine tidal channels thread the refuge — best explored by small boat with a local guide. Quiet, shallow waterways bring you up close to root systems, fiddler crabs and tiny fish that you won’t see from the shore.
- Sea turtle nesting beaches (personal favorite): Long, dark stretches of sand host nesting olive ridley (and sometimes leatherback) turtles; guided night walks and release events are unforgettable. Timing matters (nesting season runs in the rainy months on the Pacific side), and local programs help protect nests while giving visitors a respectful view.
- Birdwatching and shorebird rookeries: Mangroves, lagoons and the ocean edge draw herons, egrets, kingfishers, frigatebirds and lots of migratory waders — great binocular territory and easy to spot from boats or low dunes.
- Estuarine lagoons and kayaking: Calm lagoons and back channels are perfect for paddling; you can glide past exposed roots, watch fish spook, and see life on the waterline without disturbing it. Morning or late afternoon light is best for photos and wildlife activity.
- White-sand beaches & sandbars: The refuge’s quieter beaches and shifting sandbars are great for a relaxed swim, sunsets or a beach walk — much less crowded than nearby tourist spots. They also act as important resting/nesting spots for wildlife, so keep noise and lights down.
- Short trails and dune walks: There aren’t big mountain hikes here, but the small footpaths through mangrove edges and dunes reward you with close encounters — think iguanas, crabs, and the odd monkey call in the distance.
- Community-run ecotourism and local fishing villages: The tours are often run by nearby communities that know the refuge intimately; taking a guided trip supports conservation and gives you stories and access you wouldn’t get alone.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.