A Wild Journey Through the Lush Jungle Paradise of Monkey River
A half-hour fun boat ride through the mangroves takes you to Monkey River village before you head upriver into the pristine rainforest. In support of sustainable tourism, order a genuine Kriol lunch at Miss Alice’s restaurant so it will be ready when you come back down the river. You can expect to see pristine rainforest, crocodiles in the water, huge iguanas on tree branches sunning themselves, turtles, and many species of tropical birds.
Upriver, your licensed guide will lead you into the rain forest in search of howler monkeys who communicate with each other to declare their territory. Nothing you read could prepare you for the adventure of hearing these monkeys for the first time…you just have to experience it!
Your guide will also point out the different plants and trees many of which are used as medicine by local bush doctors. As you hike through the jungle further from the river you may spot gibnuts (now known as royal rat since Queen Elizabeth dined on it), deer, ocelots, peccaries, tapirs, coatimundis, and agoutis. Binoculars are essential if you want to make the most of viewing the abundant wildlife.
On the way back enjoy your Kriol lunch at Miss Alice’s restaurant in Monkey River before heading out on a manatee watch on the way back to Placencia.
The tour leaves Placencia at 08:00 am and returns at around 2:30 pm.
Wear sturdy shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat. Bring a camera, binoculars, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a sense of adventure.
Fitness Level Required: Low to Moderate
Monkey River Town Background and History
Monkey River Town is on the Caribbean Sea on the southern shore of the mouth of Monkey River. In 2000 the estimated population was 200 people. As no roads reach Monkey River Town. All traffic is by sea and by way of Monkey River itself. The main occupations are fishing and ecotourism.
The village was incorporated as a town in 1891 at which time it had a population of some 2500 people, mostly engaged in the lumber and banana industry. With the decline of these industries and a blight of banana trees in this area in the second half of the 20th century the population declined, and in 1981 was legally reclassified as a village again, although retaining the historic name of “Town”.
On October 9, 2001, Hurricane Iris made landfall at Monkey River Town as a 145 mph Category Four storm. The storm demolished most of the homes in the village and destroyed the banana crop. The area’s formerly large population of black howler monkeys was similarly greatly reduced. Researchers from the University of Calgary led by Dr. Mary Pavelka study the monkey population.