Monkey River Jungle Tour
A Wild Journey Through the Lush Jungle Paradise of Monkey River
Your guide also points out the different plants and trees. Many of these are used as medicine by local bush doctors. As you hike deeper into the jungle, you may spot gibnuts (now called “royal rat” since Queen Elizabeth dined on it), deer, ocelots, peccaries, tapirs, coatimundis, and agoutis. Bring binoculars — they’re essential for making the most of the abundant wildlife.
On the way back, enjoy your Kriol lunch at Miss Alice’s restaurant in Monkey River Village. Then head out on a manatee watch before returning to Placencia.
The tour leaves Placencia at 08:00 am and returns at around 1:30 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 sits on the Caribbean Sea at the southern shore of Monkey River’s mouth. In 2000, the estimated population was 200 people. No roads reach Monkey River Town. All traffic moves by sea or along the river itself. Today, fishing and ecotourism drive the local economy.
The village became a town in 1891. At that time, some 2,500 people lived there, mostly working in the lumber and banana industry. These industries declined during the 20th century. A banana blight hit the area hard. By 1981, officials reclassified it as a village, though it keeps the historic name of “Town.”
On October 9, 2001, Hurricane Iris struck Monkey River Town as a 145 mph Category Four storm. The storm flattened most homes and destroyed the banana crop. It also devastated the local black howler monkey population. Afterward, researchers from the University of Calgary — led by Dr. Mary Pavelka — began studying the monkeys’ recovery.
