Akumal Monkey Sanctuary

This was a lot of fun! 2+ hours of guided tour, lots of monkeys. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable, got to hold a macaw and interact w monkey that sat on our laps etc. Marcos our guide was fantastic. While waiting for our ride (husbands were golfing), we walked into town and had nice lunch and drinks. My daughter and I had a great time and really enjoyed it. Bring bug spray there were a lot of mosquitoes. Water, drinks and nice bathrooms available along w comfortable seating.

Absolutely loved our visit to the monkey sanctuary! From the moment we stepped in, the experience was nothing short of magical. The monkeys were adorable and so full of life; it was a joy to watch them play and interact in their natural habitat. Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable, and really passionate about the welfare of these amazing creatures. The sanctuary is doing an incredible job at conservation and education, making it a must-visit for anyone who loves animals. Despite the heat, the entire visit was comfortable and engaging, thanks to the well-thought-out facilities and the shade provided by the lush surroundings. I highly recommend this sanctuary to anyone looking for a heartwarming and enriching experience. It's a perfect outing for families, friends, or anyone who wants to get up close with nature. Five stars all the way!

It was a sheer delight to visit a sanctuary that showers such immense care on its inhabitants. The tour, guided by the knowledgeable Atziri, was a fantastic journey, not just in learning about the animals but also in feeling a deep connection with this remarkable experience. Some might ponder the size or pricing of this place, but it’s important to remember their mission: rescuing and providing a haven for Earth’s wonderful creatures. This sanctuary is a gem for children, families, and adults alike. The highlight for me was definitely witnessing the monkeys and birds - a true joy for any animal enthusiast seeking a unique and enjoyable outing.

What’s more, the cenote experience is a must-do! It offers a chance to refresh and rejuvenate with its enchanting and purifying waters. A pro tip: book the first tour of the day to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more exclusive experience. We did, and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves!

Lastly, while the photos are priced per person, not per group, and may seem a bit steep at $35 US each, remember the noble cause you’re supporting. We chose to purchase them, not just out of our love for animals but also to hold onto a beautiful and lasting memory of this special place.

We booked on the rescue tour with Cesar to see the animals rescue and rehabilitation deep in the jungle.

This trip over exceeded our expectations. Cesar, our guide had the most incredible relationship with the animals and was an absolutely fantastic host. He drove us into the jungle and told us all about the animals, where they had (unfortunately) come from and the process of rehabilitation if the animals were able to be reintegrated back into the wild. It was very educational and very moving and we learnt so much.

The day ended with a visit to their private cenote which was just beautiful.

We cannot thank Cesar enough for the tour but also the rescue centre for working hard to give the animals a better quality of life.

We would highly recommend.

This is my first time in Mexico and really wanted to experience interacting with some of the monkeys at the sanctuary. We got the pleasure of having Atziri as our guide throughout the sanctuary and she was THE BEST. Very friendly, informative, and frequently asked if we had any questions about theirs rescue animals.
I would love to have her as my guide every time I come back with other friends and family.

Choosing to do the full excursion at Akumal Monkey Sanctuary was SUCH a wonderful time and one of highlights of our trip. We did the ATVs to cenote, cave cenote, animal sanctuary tour, monkey bonding and held parrots and a snake. All the employees here were very informative and we received excellent safety briefs and information prior to riding the ATVS. They were extremely observant, placing folks who weren’t as comfortable towards the back and those who were very comfortable towards the front. All the guides were informative and safety-forward. We received lots of information regarding the animals, their care, why they were there and how the space is committed to caring for animals. The goal is to release back to the wild or if the animals cannot be released, then the sanctuary will provide them with having as good life as possible. Everyone was so nice (very impressed with how many languages they spoke) and we had an absolute blast. Would recommend to anyone!

Our guide was Katy - she was fantastic! The monkeys are adorable and it was both beautiful and heartbreaking to hear their stories and how they got to the sanctuary. It was fun and educational! That we got to have a monkey interact with us was the best part and holding the parrots 😍

Marcos was an amazing guide! He was very knowledgable and helpful in answering our questions. The efforts to rehabilitate and preserve the animals in a conservation is why we came and it was more than worth the trip! Thank you Marcos!

Very fun family activity. Staff balances public education with ecology and care for animals. This is not a zoo it is a care and rehab facility and that shows. Animals are well cared for.

The ATV ride was fun. The cenote was nothing special but the ride to get there through the jungle was a good time and if you aren’t visiting any other cenotes this is a chance to at least check one out.

Definitely wear bug spray but make sure it’s biodegradable.

Fantastic adventure with Marcos! He was the best guide! Very helpful, informative, fun and is passionate about his job and the work of the sanctuary! He is super knowledgeable about the monkeys and other animals on the premise. I would definitely recommend visiting the monkey sanctuary and ask for Marcos!!

I went with three of my friends and we were part of a larger group! It was such a pleasant surprise and worth the experience. We were able to see so many animals and our tour guide Atziri was amazing. She was speaking French, Spanish, and English and was very accommodating with all the information she gave. Definitely recommend checking this place out and her as a guide! You're able to interact with a few animals as well!

Just wow! My wife and I had a great time seeing the monkeys, riding the ATVs, and visiting the Cenote. The gift shop had everything we needed (water shoes, hats, snacks) and surprisingly fair prices. The staff is really split into 2 sections. The inside staff who work with reservations, gift shop, pictures, etc, got us in even though we didn't have a reservation. They made things VERY easy. The outside crew who run the tours were very amusing and absolutely went out of their way to make sure everyone was having a good time, while also respecting the wildlife.

As for the tours and the wildlife, it was mildly expensive, but very much worth the price. Getting to interact with the animals was the most unique experience I've ever had in terms of getting to hold/have contact with the birds, monkeys, and snakes. The animal sanctuary is a great idea for kids ~8 (well behaved) and up. Saw some pretty authentic places to eat in town on the way in. They did include a box lunch which will hold you over.

The ATV ride to the Cenote was a ton of fun! Whether you ride ATVs or never have, you'll be grouped with people in your skill/comfort level and the guys running that part of the tour did an outstanding job taking care of everyone. There was a buggy for those who couldn't ride. DON'T BE AFRAID TO DO THIS! Once you're at the Cenote it's a short walk down into it and how far you go in, really depends on you. I'd probably recommend ~16 years old as a minimum age.

This wasn't a tour that takes your money on one end and spits you out the other. You can tell, with the little touches, the effort of the staff, the not too cool for school attitude of the outdoor staff, that wants everyone to have a good time, AND WE DID!

Really enjoyed our visit during a recent stay at a local resort.
Such an interesting and important place to support. Our tour guide was lovely. She was very kind and a wealth of information about all of the animals the sanctuary. Highly recommend taking the tour.

This is my second time at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary and this time I brought my partner. Learning the back stories about these precious animals and their lives before this place is heart wrenching. Thank goodness for the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary it is such a beautiful place that cares immensely about preserving lives and allowing the animals to live in a protected and trusting environment.
I highly recommend visiting this sanctuary. The staff is genuine, they know their stuff, and they care about your experience and educating you on how to do our part.
I’ve made sure to donate each time I’ve went and if you have the ability to donate I am sure anything helps this place.
Considering the massive construction taking place right there in the jungle and in close proximity there will be many habitats affected and more animals getting injured and pushed out of their homes. The more you visit places like the Akumal sanctuary the more support they get to help these precious beings that need our help.
11/10 recommend putting this on your list. As a California native living in San Francisco this sanctuary holds a special place in my heart. One last big shout out to our guide Kari who clearly loves what she does.
-Ivy & Brian

Very nice place. Monkeys seem very well kept. The staff clearly care about the animals. Very interactive and great information. Great for small kids. Not the cheapest but hey

This was my second time here five years. Great place to spend the few hours and help some unfortunate animals. Extremely informative Marco was our guide he was informative. The interact with the animals are great too. Bring mosquito repellent and put a lot on before you go in. I would definitely recommend and would be back soon. they also give you water and a tostada at the end.

The tour was amazing and very grounding. our tour guide was very nice and informative. Highly reccomend/ Atsiri was great!!

Atziri was amazing guide answered all the questions and made our family experience at the sanctuary a memorable one! Highly recommend to ask for her!

This place needs to be seen and supported. They are doing an amazing job trying to preserve and rehabilitate these animals. Come and get a tour. Our guide Adolfo was superb.

So fun!! Marcos was a great tour guide! Took his time and answered any questions we had! Really cool and safe experience!!