Map
Turrialba is a quiet town in Costa Rica’s Central Valley region. The nearby Pacuare is, well, less quiet. In fact, it’s a roaring river that runs through rural Costa Rica and good place to spot monkeys in the tress above. The thrilling Pacuare is Point A on a trip where the ultimate thrills come from seeing New World monkeys in their natural habitats. Save some adrenaline for El Zota, a biological field station in the diverse Limon province. Welcome to primatology paradise.
Monkeys cross borders. As do you as you make your way to Isla Colon in Panama’s Bocas del Toro — a Caribbean archipelago. For years, large-scale banana production took place here, and wherever there are bananas, there are monkeys. Visit areas where poaching as well as habitat destruction and fragmentation are taking place, and examine what you can do to alleviate these threats. Now back to Costa Rica.
“Costa Rica was an amazing place to learn about primates. The people were friendly and the places we stayed at were beautiful. ” — Melissa Arango, Conway, SC
Our next habitat is an animal rehabilitation center in Manuel Antonio National Park, on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Enter via Quepos and discover bays filled with dolphins and whales and a rainforest teeming with monkeys. The rare squirrel monkey (not on map above) is definitely here. Come find it.
What are my next steps?
Costa Rica & Panama
Columbus came. de Léon came. Now here you come, ready to explore a whole new world of monkeys.
They’re in the jungles, up in the cecropia trees, on the beaches, and overlooking rivers. In Panama and Costa Rica, the monkeys are all around you.
Bocas del Toro
Rainforest, pristine snorkeling reefs, blue-green waters and a tropical Caribbean atmosphere. Yes, this is Panama.
Cariari
Popularly known as banana town. A small farming community, but the research station is located in the protected rainforest nearby.
Pacuare River
Take thrill ride past incredible scenery, on a river that was ranked as one of the world’s best by National Geographic.
Quepos
Named after the Quepoa Indians that once lived here. It’s the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park.
San Jose
In Costa Rica’s bustling capital, experience foodie haunts, museums, colorful markets and fully alive Tico culture.
