Mangrove ecosystems are vital for coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration, yet they face increasing threats from climate change and anthropogenic pressures. To address these threats, a comprehensive initiative in the Ramsar-designated wetlands of the Gulf of Montijo, Panama, was implemented to integrate nature-based solutions (NbS) into local climate adaptation strategies. Sound scientific research, participatory economic development planning, and community-based mangrove restoration planning were used in the initiative with the aim of enhancing coastal resilience and sustainable livelihoods. The initiative was part of a climate vulnerability study focused on sea-level rise impacts where a core component of the process was knowledge brokering, bridging technical research with local understandings of climate risk and mangrove restoration. Through targeted capacity-building activities, communities were engaged in interpreting climate risk assessment results, fostering informed decision-making. The initiative codeveloped a mangrove restoration plan structured around three pillars: (1) adaptive ecological restoration, (2) participatory land-use planning, and (3) community engagement. In parallel, a participatory economic development plan was formulated, identifying sustainable income-generating activities such as eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, and mangrove-based enterprises. Results from the 8-month participatory process underscore the importance of integrating local knowledge with scientific assessments to enhance the effectiveness of ecosystem restoration and ensure long-term sustainability. The coproduction of knowledge through active community participation improves the accuracy and relevance of adaptation strategies and also fosters local ownership and long-term engagement. Aligning mangrove restoration with sustainable economic opportunities, such as eco-tourism, has proven critical in increasing community buy-in and resilience to climate risks. However, challenges persist in securing long-term financial resources, strengthening local governance structures, and ensuring sustained community involvement beyond initial project phases. The Gulf of Montijo case study highlights how nature-based solutions (NbS) can foster socio-ecological resilience and provides valuable insights for scaling community-led adaptation in other coastal regions facing similar vulnerabilities.