Natural Jungle Safari, Premium

Overview

Squirrel monkeys climb down from the trees at Monkeyland, sit on shoulders and eat from visitors' hands, and this five-hour tour builds a full outing around that encounter. The monkeys live on a five-acre stretch of land and were raised by a Canadian couple with decades of animal experience, including years at the Toronto Zoo, so they are fully at ease with people. They are drawn to anything bright, and many will happily pose for cameras.

The tour is not monkeys only. It starts with a visit to a typical Dominican country house, where guides explain how families live off the land and offer tastings of roasted coffee and cocoa along with other island-made products. A walk through a botanical garden follows, covering native plants and flowers of the island, before the guided portion with the monkeys, which runs about 45 minutes.

Hotel transport both ways is part of the package, along with a professional guide who leads every stop. Guides lead in English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese. Sunglasses, a hat and breathable clothing are recommended for this tour. Sunscreen, lotion and insect repellent are not allowed on site.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupTransportation to and from your hotel is included, with the pickup point as detailed at booking.
2. Country house visitThe tour stops at a typical Dominican home to see how locals live off the land and to taste roasted coffee, cocoa and other island-made products.
3. Botanical garden walkA guided stroll through the garden covers native plants and flowers of the island.
4. Monkeyland interactionA guided 45-minute session with the squirrel monkeys, which come down from the trees, sit on shoulders and eat from hands.
5. Return transferThe day finishes with transport back to the hotel.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from the day, from what to wear to how the monkey session works.

• What to wear. Sunglasses, a hat and breathable clothing are recommended. Sunscreen is on the not-allowed list, so leave it off before the monkeys and rely on the hat and shade instead if you burn easily.
• Guides. A professional guide is included and leads each stop. Reviewers praised their guide's knowledge and energy, and one described the trip as well-organized thanks to the guiding.
• Monkey time. The interaction with the squirrel monkeys lasts around 45 minutes within the five-hour tour. The monkeys are used to people and may sit on shoulders, so hold on to anything bright or shiny you want to keep.
• Food and drink. The included tastings at the country house cover roasted coffee, cocoa and other island-made products. No meal is mentioned for this tour, so check the live booking page if you want confirmation either way.
• Photos. Photographs from the operator are listed as a paid extra, not included. Bring your own camera or phone, since the monkeys are known to pose and even peer into lenses.
• Languages. Guides work in English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese. If you need a specific language, confirm availability through the booking page before you go.

Common issues. One reviewer found Monkeyland itself smaller than expected, which is worth knowing if you picture a sprawling monkey park; the site covers five acres. Tips, souvenirs and photographs are excluded from the price. Sunscreen and bug spray aren't allowed before the monkey stop, so bring a hat instead.

Common Questions