A Day at Monkeyland in Punta Cana


This year, while we were in Punta Cana, our son Cameron, and daughter-in-law Brittney came to spend a couple of weeks with us. Cameron and Brittney decided to take a local excursion. We tagged along for what would end up being a fun adventure—one that would lo bring us up close and personal with the playful residents of Monkeyland.

Monkeyland


Monkeyland is a 5 acre sanctuary nestled in the hills of the Dominican Republic, about 30 minutes outside of Punta Cana. Despite the distance, the drive took two vehicles and more than an hour and a half to get there. 

Unlike traditional zoos, Monkeyland is dedicated to the conservation and care of squirrel monkeys, a small, playful species native to Central and South America. It provides a natural, free-roaming environment for these monkeys, allowing visitors the opportunity to interact with them in a way that is both safe and respectful of the animals’ wild nature.

Upon arrival, our guides gave us a brief orientation about the monkeys' behavior, the history of Monkeyland, and what we could expect during our visit. He explained that the monkeys are friendly but wild, and we should treat them with respect and patience. 

Meeting the Monkeys


Interacting with the monkeys was an unforgettable experience! As soon as we stepped into the sanctuary, we were surrounded by curious and playful monkeys who seemed just as excited to see us as we were to meet them. They eagerly followed us as we made our way toward the feeding area. The moment we started offering the treats, the monkeys didn’t hesitate to climb all over us, grabbing pieces of fruit and even posing for a quick photo. They were so sweet! It was so much fun to be able to interact with them and to watch them interact with each other. 


Tips for Visiting Monkeyland Punta Cana

  • Wear Comfortable Closed-Toed Shoes: You’ll be walking through lush trails and might be climbing a bit of terrain, so sturdy footwear is a must.

  • Do Not Wear Sunscreen or Insect Repellant: both of these can make the monkeys ill.

  • No Food or Drink: the monkeys are smart and will try and take any food or drink you have.

  • Respect the Animals: Don’t try to grab or force interaction with the monkeys. They’ll come to you when they’re ready!

  • Bring a Camera: Trust me, you’ll want to capture the memories.

If you're ever in Punta Cana and looking for something truly unique to do, I can't recommend Monkeyland enough. It's more than just an excursion—it's an experience that connects you to nature, monkeys, and memories that will last a lifetime.


Comments

  1. So much fun! We saw the squirrel monkeys at the Phoenix Zoo last week, but we weren’t able to feed them.

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  2. Years ago we had the fun of squirrel monkeys - I'm surprised you still have hats on. Our hats were relocated never to be found again.

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  3. This is so cute! What a lovely experience!

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  4. I was at the Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Ghana a few years ago. It was lovely to see the monkeys in a natural environment.

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  5. Oh that sounds so neat! I would definitely want to do that if I were there.

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  6. OMG they are adorable! What a great place to visit.

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  7. What a delightful day out! Monkeys are fun - and cheeky as you're saying. In South Africa they warn tourists about baboons, but sure enough one of them stole my bag of cookies ;-)

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