Monkey Tour With Local Cuisine
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Jaco, Costa Rica
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The 'Monkey Jungle' is one of the best places in Jaco to spot white-faced monkeys in their natural environment and lies just a 45-minute drive from town. With this tour, enjoy a guided visit to see the wild monkeys, tuck into a traditional Costa Rican lunch, and make a stop at Tarcoles Bridge to admire the views and spot crocodiles.
- See wild monkeys and crocodiles in their natural habitats
- Delicious lunch of typical Costa Rican food
- Hassle-free pickup and drop-off at your Jaco hotel
- Personalized small-group experience with up to 15 people
What's Included
- LunchTransportation Local mix of fruits: Pineapple, Papaya and Watermelon Bottle of Water Guide Local, authentic cuisine on the way back at La Casita del Sabor (the home of flavor) cooked by locals
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
1
Costa Rica
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Kirk_S
It was such a cool experience! Josue was a wealth of information! The monkeys were incredible and so fun to feed! We had the best authentic lunch and Josue even stopped at a very nice souvenir shop so we could buy some items for our family back home. Highly recommend this excursion!
Reviews
4.8
based on 136 reviews
John_R, Apr 2026
It was interesting tour. The monkeys are in the jungle/woods by someone’s house. You go down a dirt road near the tin houses and go in about 30 ft and the monkeys come to be fed. My kids liked it a lot. It’s a far drive from Jaco area. The Crocodile skywalk is ok, lots of construction so only 1 croc compared to past. The restaurant was nice for taste of roadside cafe.
There was really no talking or narratives from the guides. Just sat in van for over hour with no explanation of what, where , etc. This part was strange because usually there is more interaction from guides.
9s4n57n5j7, Feb 2026
The monkeys were amazing but the guide was not very communicative. We were picked up at 8:10am, then waited on the van for an hour while waiting for another group that went to the wrong pickup location. This wasn’t communicated so we were just sitting on the van all that time while he was outside on the phone. We had no clue what was going on. Then he drove to the location without telling us how long it would be. The monkeys were fun and interactive. The drive home was odd. Again we had no idea what was going on. Lunch was incredibly awkward as the guide stayed at the van and had us go into the restaurant without any instruction. Again, on the way back there was literally no communication from our guide. The tour was meant to be 3 hours, it was nearly 6 hours with 20-30 mins of monkeys. Essentially we wasted an entire day.
Carl_E, Feb 2026
This tour is good overall and the guides were good. Just so you know you are driven an hour out of Jaco to someone's house and the monkys are in their back yard, not what I expected, that being said it was still a fun experience having monkeys jump all over you. You are only there for about 20 minutes. We also saw the crocodile bridge and lunch was good.
shakira_w, Feb 2026
We had such a great time! Tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable. We were running a little late and they waited for us! We drove to the location, the drive was not bad. Monkeys were so comfortable and friendly! They jumped on our shoulders and ate out of our hands. It was such a great experience. After we saw crocodiles off the bridge and ate an authentic Costa Rica meal. The meal was so good and filling I couldn’t eat it all. Get the peach tea! Best peach tea I ever had! Amazing trip! Definitely recommend!
juneg99, Jan 2026
Had a great time with Jefferson. He took us to see monkeys, crocodiles and enjoyed a really nice Costa Rican casada lunch. I would highly recommend this trip.
Bethany_P, Jan 2026
This was an exciting, fabulous, authentic hands-on experience that took place at a families home that backs-up to the jungle. They had made friends with a family of wild monkeys by feeding them and now they come down from the trees and allow you to feed them. Watch out, one person in our group was peed on. They are wild animals! I absolutely loved it!! And the lunch was one of the best I have had my entire stay in.Costa Rica. I definitely would recommend.
ShawntaBrantley, Jan 2026
Couldn't have asked for a better monkey experience! If you want monkeys to literally just walk up/jump on you this is it
Kirk_S, Jan 2026
It was such a cool experience! Josue was a wealth of information! The monkeys were incredible and so fun to feed! We had the best authentic lunch and Josue even stopped at a very nice souvenir shop so we could buy some items for our family back home. Highly recommend this excursion!
Maurice_d, Dec 2025
Carlos, our driver, was great and spoke great English. The description is a bit misleading - it said '3 hours' but at 1.5 hours, we were still a few minutes away from arriving. But the monkeys were great, and the included meal on the way back was simple but fantastic. It was a typical Costa Rican casado lunch and Carlos phoned in our choice of protein so that the meal was ready within a few minutes of our arrival. We did hit holiday and weekend traffic on the way back, which added to the overall length of our excursion (overall time from pickup was ~5 1/2 hours instead of 3), but that's what you get when you choose a popular destination like Costa Rica for a vacation.
Alana_S, Dec 2025
This was one of my favorite parts about our trip to Costa Rica! The monkeys were so sweet and gentle, came up to you and would sit on you while chomping on their snacks. The lunch spot was great and the guides were very friendly and enlightening throughout the tour. If you’re looking for a truly interactive experience, this is the one to book!
Andrew_D, Nov 2025
One of the coolest things I’ve personally done by far. Monkeys were awesome and our guide Josue was very knowledgeable about every question we had. Highly recommend!
Dina_V, Nov 2025
The driver was 20 minutes late picking up. We did not stop to see the crocodiles at the river which was part do the tour. I even said something and he said it was not part of the tour.
Ebony_M, Oct 2025
Great food, great tour guide. Worth every penny! This was definitely a great look into Costa Rica rural life.
Jill_S, Sep 2025
Wow Wow! This monkey experience was truly up close & personal. Immediate & direct monkey interaction!
Anonymous, Jul 2025
It is a bit of a drive from Jaco area but totally worth it if you want to see capuchins up close and personal! They will pick you up drive you to the monkey house (which literally is behind someone’s house at end of road). There you will be educated on the local area and the monkeys while you spend time feeding them as they hop from shoulder to shoulder of the people in your group. Everyone in our group thoroughly enjoyed our time there! Afterwards, it’s off to a souvenir stop, crocodile spotting from the bridge, followed by a fantastic typical Costa Rican lunch. Great way to spend half a day while you’re here, highly recommend!
Teri_B, Jul 2025
The tour out to the monkey house ended up being amazing! We got to interact with a lot of monkeys!!
Just be aware it is located literally behind someone’s house. It was a little shocking when we first pulled up. But we had the best time when we got back there.
Also our driver did not speak English. Luckily my husband is fluent in Spanish so he was able to translate for us.
Overall I would definitely recommend if you are wanting to enjoy monkeys!
Emily_W, Jul 2025
What a great experience! The monkeys are so cute and friendly. They climb and jump all over you. I love that they live wild and we just get to visit them. The interaction is amazing. Our guide, Josue, was friendly and knowledgeable and the lunch spot we visited is one of my favorites in Jaco. Pro tip though - do not wear white! Haha. Fruit juice and monkey paws will be on you.
Scott_B, Jul 2025
Awesome!! We loved it!! It was so fun to have the monkeys jumping on us!! Guides were amazing!! The food was fantastic!!
Courtney_A, Jun 2025
First thing, Josue was an AMAZING and knowledgeable tour guide!
We went first to see the Capuchin monkeys in THEIR habitat, what an experience! They’re in the wild but a small family cares for them and keeps their habitat safe. The monkeys will jump on you but they’re gentle and only looking for a banana which was provided to us to feed them! This was my favorite part of our whole trip to Costa Rica!
We then went to the bridge overlooking the crocodile area. We saw two Crocs but because of the recent rain they weren’t very visible. No biggie for us because we honestly came for the monkeys and authentic lunch cuisine!
The third leg of our trip we went to get souvenirs from a local shop. They had a big variety and we were able to get what we wanted for our family back home.
Next was the lunch! OMG, it was SOOOO good! Huge portions and the peach tea and fresh juice, *chefs kiss*! We had tilapia in a garlic sauce, gallo pinto, and eggs. Also on the side was homemade salsa and a liquid seasoning that was really good!
Josie also took us to get Caldosa from a very small vendor and it was also really really good!
We would’ve gone to see the sloths (something you have to arrange with him) but we ran out of time before our next excursion, not their fault AT ALL, we just planned things a little too close together :()
I give this tour and Josue a 10/10! Amazing experience that I would definitely do again when we come back!
Thanks Josue for a wonderful trip! Pura Vida!
Sonia_P, Jun 2025
Highly recommended this tour and especially out tour guides. They were amazing with the whole family. Seeing the monkeys was amazing and the lunch afterwards was also amazing. Definitely recommend them and this tour.
Sam_M, Jun 2025
Monkeys are awesome! Our guide Josue was friendly, spoke good English, and told us a great deal about Costa Rica. The monkey experience was even better than I thought it would be. They are a tribe of wild monkeys in the jungle, but a woman near by protects them. So they are friendly to (allowed) tourists and will happily climb all over you when you feed them (it was crazy). We also went to a restaurant where the locals eat for some authentic cuisine, which was delicious. Can’t recommend the tour and our guide Josue enough. (Driver Ugo was also great, friendly, and professional)
Jamie_H, Jun 2025
The monkey tour was truly an incredible experience. Our guides, Carlos and Jose, were professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable about the monkeys. The monkeys themselves were so gentle and sweet — many even landed on me and approached to be fed. It was heartwarming to see how well cared for they are. They roam freely in their natural habitat and aren’t confined in any way. Watching the mother and baby monkey together was especially touching! The lunch provided was outstanding, and the fresh fruit was delicious. I highly recommend this unforgettable adventure!
Racheal_K, Jun 2025
50 minutes from Los Suenos to the monkeys. Josue and Carlos are the absolute best. The monkeys are not caged but live in their natural environment behind a their guardians home. The property is in poor condition by most standards but it didn't change our experience at all. We had a great trip.
Sue_R, May 2025
The monkeys are very friendly and interactive. The surrounding setting was rather unkempt. Overall, a nice experience!
JOHN_B, Apr 2025
This tour was incredibly fun and so much more than we had anticipated from the description. Our tour guide, Carlos, was super friendly and informative about the local area, the country and the monkeys. He stopped along the way and bought each of us delicious fresh fruit and a bottle of water. We interacted with the monkeys for about 1 hour, had a photo stop along our way and saw a local beach and shipping port area from the beach side. We then went to see the Tarcoles river where the crocodiles are abundant. All of this was followed by a absolutely delicious lunch in a local restaurant with very friendly staff. Carlos took pictures for us on his phone and provided us with the photos and videos he took. We will absolutely look for him again for a future tour if we ever return to Jaco, Costa Rica. He made the whole experience even more fascinating. This all took about 4 hours and was a perfect half day event!
Sandra_S, Feb 2025
This tour starts early, one needs to be at the Jaco meeting Cafe by 8. The advertised free hotel pickup, even in Jaco is limited. Uber's cheap & usually quick.
It's a long drive to Punta Arenas for a fairly brief visit with the monkies. Our guide shared his photos which was appreciated. Cousin Susan & I both loved the playful Capuchins 🐒. Avoid wearing or taking anything they can grab, or something that might be damaged if soiled.
Our guide didn't stop at the Crocodile Bridge. We've both seen alligators & 🐊 so weren't upset. Lunch was well prepared. I don't eat foods with cilantro, so missed the two delicious looking salads and beans. The upside was having plenty of room for a visit to Pops🍦 in Jaco 😉!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you very much for your detailed feedback about your tour experience! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the interaction with the playful capuchin monkeys and appreciated the photos shared by our guide.
We take note of your comments regarding the early start time and the limited information about hotel pickup. We are reviewing our communication procedures to ensure tour details, including transportation logistics, are clear and accurate. We appreciate your suggestion regarding the use of Uber as a convenient alternative.
We understand that the trip to Punta Arenas may seem long for the monkey visit, but we hope the unique experience with these animals was worth the journey.
We regret that our guide did not stop at the Crocodile Bridge, but we are glad it was not an inconvenience for you.
Regarding lunch, we appreciate your comment about the food preparation. We take note of your dietary restriction with cilantro and will consider it for future improvements in our menu options. We are glad you enjoyed your visit to Pops in Jacó!
Thank you again for your feedback, and we will use it to improve the experience for our future travelers.
Ellen_G, Feb 2025
There was a huge discrepancy between the cost of the tour and what we got. There was transport that was comfortable to a public house where we walked around back along a side yard where there were one variety of monkey. The monkeys were fantastic and loved that portion of the tour. We were then driven to a souvenir shop where the driver gets a cut.We had a typical meal in small local restaurant which was very good. Again the cost for what we experienced was poor value.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
We are very sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations regarding the perceived value of the tour. We appreciate your feedback regarding the interaction with the monkeys and the local meal; we are glad you enjoyed those aspects.
We want to clarify that the cost of the tour is mainly due to the distance of the location where the monkeys are found, approximately one hour from Jacó. Comfortable and safe transportation to this location is a significant part of the price. However, we firmly believe that the unique and unforgettable experience of interacting with these animals in their natural environment is well worth the investment.
We take your concerns about the souvenir shop stop very seriously and are reviewing our tour packages to ensure they accurately reflect the experiences offered. We would like the opportunity to discuss this further with you and explore possible solutions. Please contact us directly so we can address your concerns more personally.
We value your feedback and will use it to improve our services and ensure all our customers have a satisfying experience.
Christopher_L, Jan 2025
Good tour, great up close and personal experience with the monkeys. Was good for 3 year old. Bus ride is long, about an hour. On the way back there is 2 stops at a souvenir shop and then at a restaurant. The food and atmosphere at restaurant was great.
Meeting spot on map was inaccurate. If you can’t find the meeting spot, try cafe bohio in jaco. That’s where we finally found the guide.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Hello friend, thank you very much for your recommendations. we hope to see you again
Lynn_C, Jan 2025
Our guide Tati bought some fruit for us for the ride, good thing because we are not morning people and my daughter did not have any breakfast! Be prepared to laugh s lot with the monkeys, they are pure joy. Lunch was outstanding; be sure to try "cas", a green drink that is a bit tart and super refreshing. Delightful time all around.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your review! We’re so glad to hear that Tati made sure your day started off well and that you enjoyed the company of the monkeys – they truly are special! We’re also happy you enjoyed the lunch and the "cas" drink, it’s definitely a local favorite. We hope to see you again for more fun and refreshing moments! Pura vida!
kira_h, Nov 2024
Exclusive and great experience. We had our whole family and it was enjoyable. Once in a lifetime experience for sure
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your review! We’re so happy to hear that you were able to enjoy this unique experience with your whole family. We love being part of such special moments. We hope to see you again soon for more unforgettable memories! Pura vida!
From $80.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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