Learn about animal re-introduction programs and become acquainted with primates at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary in Quintana Roo. Mexico recently introduced a law that bans the use of animals in shows, and many of the previous owners donated their animals to the sanctuary. See several species of monkeys, birds, snakes, ostriches, and even zebras as you walk around the facility.

Interact with a few animals including primates
Learn about the facility's rehabilitation practices
Choose from several timeslots for your visit
Upgrade to include a transfer from your hotel

What's Included

Local guide
Monkey Bonding at special areas

Gratuities
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Optional transfer service from Tulum or Playa del Carmen for $10 USD extra per Person
We do not do Pickups at Cancun Area, we can arrange a private transfer from Cancun for $130 USD

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

At Tulum Adventure, we understand that getting to the sanctuary can sometimes be a challenge. To make things easier for our visitors, we offer transfer services from certain areas for an additional fee. To arrange a transfer service, visitors simply need to provide their Hotel or Accommodation name and address, and we will take care of the rest. The round-trip transfer from Tulum and Playa del Carmen costs $10 USD extra per person and can be paid upon arrival at the sanctuary. For those traveling from Playa Maroma to Puerto Morelos, the transfer service costs $20 USD extra per person. It's important to note that Tulum Adventure does not offer transfers from the Cancun area. However, we can arrange a private transfer for visitors for an extra fee. Please contact us for more information. By offering transfer services, Tulum Adventure ensures that visitors can easily reach the sanctuary and fully enjoy their handcrafted design tours and off-the-beaten-path exploration.

What To Expect

Akumal Monkey Sanctuary

Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult

Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

Operated by TulumAdventure Mexico

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

4.5

73 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 73 reviews

Akumal Monkey Sanctuary was a great trip out :-)

James_B, Aug 2023

Monkey sanctuary was a great trip out - the tour guide Itziry (nickname Siri) was really knowledgeable and really put across the great passion they feel for saving and looking after the animals and preserving the land in which they live. We would recommend this trip highly (If you like Monkeys & Snakes)

Response from Host, Sept 2023

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great trip to the Monkey Sanctuary and that Siri made your experience memorable. It's fantastic to know that her knowledge and passion for saving and caring for the animals and their habitat shone through during the tour. We're proud to have such dedicated guides who are committed to our mission. Your high recommendation means a lot to us, and we're glad to hear that you would recommend this trip, especially for those who share an interest in monkeys and snakes. Hope to see you soon guys.

Wonderful experience

Christopher_M, July 2023

The tour was great and the sanctuary was a wonderful organization to experience. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I cannot recommend them highly enough. They are doing great work and deserve donations.

Response from Host, July 2023

Thank you for your fantastic review of the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great tour and found the sanctuary to be a wonderful organization. Your once-in-a-lifetime experience and high recommendation mean the world to us. At the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for our rescued monkeys and other wildlife. Our goal is to ensure their well-being and contribute to their conservation. Your support and appreciation for our efforts are truly heartwarming. Thank you

Great Day with the Animals!

Bill_W, June 2023

Learning about the purpose of the sanctuary and the various animals. The hands on interaction. Marcos!

Response from Host, July 2023

We're delighted to know that you had a fantastic time at the sanctuary and enjoyed learning about its purpose and the various animals we care for. Hands-on interactions are at the heart of our mission, and we're thrilled that you had the opportunity to experience it. And it seems Marcos made a significant impact on your visit! We couldn't be happier to hear that he contributed to making your experience memorable. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to him.

Great time!!!

Blake_B, May 2023

Best experience and well worth the time. Getting up looks with monkeys and learning there habits, while learning other animals at the sanctuary.

Response from Host, May 2023

It sounds like you had an incredible time observing monkeys and learning about their habits, along with getting to know other animals at the sanctuary. We strive to provide unique and educational experiences, and we're delighted to know that we succeeded in creating a memorable visit for you. Your positive words mean a lot to us, and we truly appreciate your support. We hope that your time spent with us left you with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation for the incredible wildlife we share this planet with. Once again, thank you for choosing our sanctuary and for sharing your experience. If you ever find yourself in the area again, we would be honored to welcome you back for another enriching adventure.

Great interactive zoo like experience

Henry_D, Feb 2023

Loved the direct interaction with the monkey and hearing stories about rescues. There were great photo opportunities with snakes and parrots. 😀

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hi Henry, thanks for your review, we are glado you have a good time with us, and could take home great photos. The stories are awesome, the way the animals have recovered at the sanctuary is amazing, thanks again, hope to see you soon.

Very cool

Kristina_C, Dec 2022

This was a very cool experience. Our tour guide was great and very knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this to anyone traveling here.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Hola Kristina, we appreciate your visit and are thankful for your kind words, here at the sanctuary we work hard day by day to achieve unforgettable memories for our visitors. Cheers

Must See!

Kate_S, Dec 2022

The hands-on interaction with the animals was amazing! Our guide was extremely informative, so our visit was both educational and enjoyable!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Hola Kate, we appreciate your visit and are thankful for your kind words, here at the sanctuary we work hard day by day to achieve unforgettable memories for our visitors. Cheers

Good cause

Nicole_A, Nov 2022

Educational. Good cause. Enjoyed the brief animal interactions. I felt I was able to contribute to their efforts. The guide, Oscar, was very thoughtful.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Hola!! Thank you for your kind words, it's an amazing job what the foundation and the sanctuary have done for the wildlife. It has been years and lots of work but it has been worth it. We will be waiting for you on your next visit, i'm sure you will find new experiences. Cheers.

VERY worthwhile project

Sabra_B, Oct 2022

What a beautiful experience and great organization. Will definitely return and will definitely donate to this worthwhile cause that is NOT an animal park but an actual rescue. So glad they’re here!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Hola Sabra, thank you for your kind words, it's an amazing job what the foundation and the sanctuary have done for the wildlife. It has been years and lots of work but it has been worth it. We will be waiting for you on your next visit, i'm sure you will find new experiences. Cheers.

Monkey on my head!

layne_P, Oct 2022

We loved this experience. Yary was a fantastic tour guide!! Bonita, the monkey, was so cute!! The photos were really reasonably priced

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you Layne for sharing your experience, its always good to be close to those amazing animals, and know all the work that is behind the sanctuary, its good to hear you have a good time, Yary is always on top.

Great place.

Daren_C, Aug 2022

We loved everything. Seeing the rescued animals and being educated about them, they are very well cared for and look happy. Our tour guide Marcus was excellent he told the stories, spoke perfect English, he is also a credit just as all the staff to the Monkey sanctuary, we will definitely return on our next visit to Mexico. This place is a little gem and these rescued animals, Monkeys, donkey, pigs, flamingo etc etc. need visitors donations to survive. We participated in all the activities, held a boa snake, a macaw and had the monkey bonding experience. Everyone should visit this place when they come to Mexico.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Hola Daren, we are so grateful with your review, your kind words are pure energy for us to continue creating new experiences and keep the good work that everybody at the sanctuary is doing. Once again thank you!!! we will be glad to receive you again on your next visit. Mao

our review

David_P, July 2022

the tour was great. we loved the monkeys and all the other animals. the spider monkeys were my favorite

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hola David, Thank you for your kind words, the spider monkey is as well my favorite, although you get to see different species, the spider monkey is like the boss. Thanks for your visit, we will see you soon !!!

Akumal sanctuary - EXCELLENT

Christina_M, June 2022

Marcos was a great guide he went throughout the entire tour of the sanctuary at a good pace in order for everyone to experience all the animals. He also was accommodating to his audience as far as doing the entire tour in both English and Spanish. Overall, great experience would recommend to anyone visiting the area.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Hola Christina. Thank you for your kind words. Our guides always try to go the extra mile, we will be sure to tell Marco about the great job they are doing. Thank you for your visit, hope to see you soon again

We enjoyed the hands on...

Leah_K, Mar 2022

We enjoyed the hands on experiences with birds, a snake, and of course the monkey’s! Guide Siri was awesome.

Lots of money for not able to take pictures

Ely_K, Dec 2021

I was told 1 price which included transportation from my hotel. Once I arrived they charged an additional $10 per person for the ride. I had my entire documentation regarding the inclusion of transportation. They did not care that i had the conversation printed out. Then you were not allowed to take any photos with your own phones/cameras when holding the monkeys. Only they could take the photos, then charged minimum of $30 for the photo. They rushed me to leave and I didn’t get but about 1 minute to look at photos I have called, emailed, and texted with the company to be able to view and purchase photos. They said they would send me a link, but they haven’t yet. The monkeys were cute. But nothing I can share with anyone because they do t allow photos!!

Response from Host, Dec 2021

Hola Ely, we are sorry about your experience. As we told you once you called us. The transfer service has an extra cost of $10usd and you could see that information before you book the tour. It's on your ticket as well. This information was clear at the moment you booked. The printed conversation you brought we didn't figured out with whom did you have it, it wasn't from someone from the agency as well from the sanctuary. We didn't knew the person you told us you chat with. Sorry about the confusion. The reason no pictures are allowed is because we have had some issues with the monkeys and the phones or cameras that visitors bring. That's why we have trained staff that do the photo session while you enjoy the monkey bonding. Once again we are sorry about your experience. Thank you. Mao

A vacation highlight

Amy_G, Aug 2021

Our tour guid Marcos was amazing! So Informative. My family of 8 learned so much and we got to hold macaws, snakes, and monkeys!!!! Hope to come back one day

Great Experience

Sumayyah_M, July 2021

Amazing time. The staff was patient and knowledgeable with every exhibit. Well executed tour and it makes you want to work to make life better for the animals and environment. ❤️!

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you for your kind words, it's great when you could give back to those amazing animals. The job that the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary has been doing is incredible. We are glad you enjoy while learning, that's the idea. See you soon!

Great tour

sharon_s, May 2021

Edwin was a great tour guide! The Monkey experience was amazing! We didn’t get to see the Ostriches or zebras, as was advertised but the monkeys were the main event!

Response from Host, June 2021

Hola Sharon, thank you for your kind words, I will check what happened to the Ostriches and zebras, maybe not available on your visit date, thanks for letting us know. Always the monkeys, yes, thank you!!

Fabulous!!!!

Jill_M, Jan 2021

I am so happy that I did this trip. Not only were there monkeys, but many different animals & birds. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and fun. I loved every minute of this tour.

Response from Host, Jan 2021

Hola Jill. Thank you for your kind words, we have been working daily on improving our experience with the animals, The Akumal Monkey Sanctuary Foundation has been doing a great job with all the Rescued species. Thanks again and hope to see you soon again. Cheers Mao

A Great Time For Us & A Perfect Home for Animals

Stephanie_M, Oct 2020

We really loved our experience. The monkey encounter was extra special. Our guide, Marco, was really informative and clearly passionate about the wellbeing of the animals. I hope they will continue to grow because rescue animals deserve a place like Akumal Monkey Sanctuary to call home.

Response from Host, Oct 2020

Hi Stephanie, thank you for your comment, we will let Marco know the great job he is doing, we are very grateful as well for the oportunity of helping our beloved animals, we hope to see you soon again, cheers, Mao