Wildlife lovers adore Guanacaste, and it’s not hard to see why. There are so many opportunities to get up close and personal in experiencing a variety of exotic species as you go about your day here. Think melodic bird songs, a cacophony of primate coos and the delicate buzz of nearby hummingbird wings.
Perhaps one of the most fascinating animals that you’ll see during your stay are the striking monkeys that grace the jungle canopy here. We spoke to Costa Rica luxury resort founder, Jane Moore, about the monkeys that frequent the resort, the best places to spot them and how we can live in harmony with their natural environment.
What kinds of monkeys can you see at Peninsula Papagayo?
Just earlier this week, I was on route to play a round of golf and spotted a beautiful (and busy) little white-faced capuchin monkey in a nearby tree. He’s just one of three varieties of monkey that you can spot on the Peninsula Papagayo resort. We also have howler monkeys – which you’ll notice look a bit like miniature gorillas – as well as spider monkeys.
It’s been over 17 years since I first came to Peninsula Papagayo. Over the years, my family created this casual game where we have to try and spot a monkey every day. It’s just become part of our everyday life when we’re in the areas, as we’re always looking for them and seeking them out. After all this time, we have only missed a “monkey day” 3 times!
What are the best places to spot monkeys in Guanacaste?
Once you start looking out for them, you’ll start seeing them pop up on the biking trails and the jungle around Peninsula Papagayo. You might even be lucky enough to see them from your Costa Rica luxury villa. In fact, we recently caught one idling away in the afternoon at one of our Venado villas!
Monkeys are a special part of visiting the resort for me because they are very much wild and in their (natural!) element in the many green spaces onsite at Peninsula Papagayo. I love seeing the monkeys eating the fruits, berries, leaves, and flowers. I love seeing them cavorting in the canopy. I love seeing the babies hanging on to their mom for dear life and the young monkeys exploring their surroundings and maybe chasing a sibling. I love seeing them lounging around in the branches. I am a true monkey fan!
Can you get up close to them?
You’ll often be able to get a close glimpse of these special guests. While you can admire them from a safe distance, please don’t be tempted to feed any of the local wildlife that you see. In the case of these lovely white-faced monkeys, they may get accustomed to people and start to become a nuisance. They’re smarter than you think, and have been known to open doors to come inside and steal fruit off the kitchen counters! As I understand it, in these cases, the “rogue” monkeys are captured and may be put in a different jungle area or they could possibly be euthanized if they have become a threat. So let’s leave them to enjoy their own setting without disrupting their natural lifestyle. That way, you can enjoy your own “monkey days” too.
Papapagyo Luxury is the perfect place to indulge your sense of wanderlust and see these eye-catching animal species for yourself. We hope to treat you to your own “monkey days” and special wildlife encounters during your stay at our Costa Rica luxury resort: reach out to our dedicated concierge to book your stay.
