Puerto Plata Monkey Jungle and Historical City Tour

Monkeys in the morning, history in the afternoon

A combined tour of Puerto Plata pairs close encounters with squirrel monkeys in a natural sanctuary with a guided walk through the city's colonial landmarks. You visit the Monkey Jungle first, then move to the Fortress of San Felipe, the Dominican Amber Museum, Central Park and its Victorian architecture, with time for photos at Umbrella Street. A bilingual guide leads both halves, and hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Monkey sanctuary and city tour

• Visit monkey sanctuary in botanical garden
• Observe and feed friendly squirrel monkeys
• Explore historic Puerto Plata city center
• Visit San Felipe Fortress
• Tour Dominican Amber Museum
• Walk through Central Park and Umbrella Street
• Visit rum or cigar factory

The experience

The tour starts at a botanical garden sanctuary where squirrel monkeys live in a controlled, educational setting. You get to interact with them up close (they'll climb on your shoulders and eat from your hands), and the setup is designed so you can photograph the moment without stress or risk. This is the hands-on part of the day, and it sets the tone before the historical sites.

After the sanctuary, the guide takes you into Puerto Plata's city center to see the colonial architecture and museums. The Fortress of San Felipe is the anchor (a 16th-century structure that dominates the waterfront), but the tour also includes the Dominican Amber Museum, where you can see fossilized resin and the insects trapped inside it. Central Park sits nearby with its Victorian ironwork and gazebo, and there's time built in for photos on Umbrella Street, the narrow pedestrian lane known for its colorful umbrellas strung overhead. Depending on the day's flow, the guide may also stop at a rum or cigar factory.

The whole outing runs about five and a half hours from pickup to drop-off. Bottled water is provided throughout, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the transitions between the sanctuary and the city. The guide speaks both English and Spanish, so language is not a barrier.

What’s included

• Entrance to the Monkey Jungle sanctuary and all city attractions (Fortress of San Felipe, Dominican Amber Museum, Central Park).
• bilingual professional guide for the full tour.
• bottled water.
• hotel pickup and air-conditioned vehicle transport throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 200

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 13 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leomar Tours and Transfer

Is this one for you?At five and a half hours, this tour fits neatly into a morning and early afternoon, leaving your evening free for dinner or other activities. If you want to see both wildlife and colonial architecture in a single outing without splitting your day into separate bookings, the combined structure does that efficiently.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the squirrel monkeys like in the Monkey Jungle sanctuary?

The squirrel monkeys are friendly and accustomed to visitors in a safe, controlled environment. They'll climb onto your shoulders and eat directly from your hands, which is the main draw for most people. It's an interactive experience, not observation from a distance, and it's designed to let you get clear photographs.

Is the Fortress of San Felipe worth seeing if I'm not a history buff?

The Fortress of San Felipe is visually striking (a 16th-century structure right on the waterfront with views across the bay), so it works as a photo stop even if you skip the historical details. The guide will explain its significance, but the setting itself is the real appeal for most visitors.

How much time do you spend at each stop?

The itinerary doesn't break down exact minutes per site, but the five-and-a-half-hour total includes travel time between locations. The monkey sanctuary takes up the first portion, and the city tour covers multiple stops (the fortress, museum, park and photo spots) compressed into the second half, so you're moving through rather than lingering at any single place for hours.

Can I buy souvenirs or photos from the tour?

Photographs and souvenirs are available for purchase during the tour, but they're not included in the price. The guide or sanctuary staff will offer them as optional add-ons.

What's included in the price and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour price covers entrance to the Monkey Jungle and all the city attractions, the bilingual guide, bottled water, and hotel pickup and drop-off. Lunch is not included, nor are gratuities or personal expenses like souvenirs or photos.