Puerto Plata: Monkeyland Tour & Dominican Countryside Home Visit

Summary

Monkeyland squirrel monkeys, local homes, fruit feeding & culture

You’ll feed playful squirrel monkeys right from your hands in Monkeyland near Puerto Plata, then visit a rural Dominican home where you’ll share stories with locals and taste fresh coffee and chocolate. Expect laughter, honest moments with nature, and a real glimpse into daily life outside the resorts — plus pickup is included for an easy start.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bouncing along in the back of that open-air truck when the guide — I think his name was Carlos — shouted something about keeping our sunglasses close. It made sense later. The air smelled like wet leaves and sugarcane, and my shirt stuck to my back before we even reached Monkeyland. There’s this moment when you step into the jungle and it just swallows up all the noise except for birds and whatever’s rustling overhead (probably monkeys, but I tried not to look nervous).

The first monkey landed on my arm so lightly I almost laughed out loud — tiny hands, surprisingly warm. They’re squirrel monkeys, but they move more like little thieves than squirrels. Carlos handed me a bowl of fruit and suddenly there were four or five of them around me, their faces so close I could see the flecks of orange on their fur. One tried to untie my shoelace (I let him win). Someone behind me shrieked when a monkey went for her earring — apparently shiny things are fair game here. The guide just grinned and said it happens every day.

After the monkeys had their fill (and we’d all checked our pockets), we drove out to a countryside house where time moves differently. The woman who lived there showed us how she makes coffee from scratch — beans roasted over a fire, ground by hand. She let us try some with hot chocolate too; honestly, I still remember that taste because it was thick and earthy and nothing like what I drink at home. There wasn’t any electricity or running water in the house, but somehow it felt warmer than most places with both.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Monkeyland and countryside home

• Hop on open-air safari truck
• Explore Dominican countryside
• Visit Monkeyland in tropical jungle
• Offer fruit to squirrel monkeys
• Watch monkeys interact and play
• Visit typical countryside home
• Learn about local history and culture
• Discover traditional customs

Top questions

How do you get to Monkeyland from Puerto Plata?

The tour includes pickup in an open-air safari truck from Puerto Plata to Monkeyland.

Can you feed the monkeys during the tour?

Yes, visitors are given fruit bowls to feed the squirrel monkeys directly.

Is Monkeyland wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible if your wheelchair is foldable.

What else is included besides Monkeyland?

The tour also visits a typical Dominican countryside home for cultural experiences.

Are food or drinks provided during this tour?

You’ll get bottled water plus samples of hot chocolate and coffee at the countryside home.

Is this suitable for young children or infants?

Infants and small children can join if they ride in a pram or stroller.

Are there health restrictions for this activity?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, poor cardiovascular health, or flu symptoms.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in an open-air safari truck from Puerto Plata, entry to Monkeyland where you’ll feed squirrel monkeys with fruit bowls provided by trained staff, a stop at a local countryside home to sample fresh coffee and hot chocolate with bottled water available throughout — all guided by locals who know every twist of the trail.