If you’re visiting the amazon rainforest and you’re anything like me, monkeys are likely near the top your list of animals to see in the wild. And if I told you there was an entire island in Tambopata that’s easily accessible from Puerto Maldonado that acts as a sanctuary for all manner of monkeys, you’d likely want to visit.
Well folks, I’ve got good news. There is a ‘monkey island’ (Isla de los monos) in Tambopata. And you can visit to see all manner of monkeys including squirrel monkeys, capuchin and howler monkeys.
Monkey Island in Tambopata Peru
Monkey Island in Tambopata
Monkey Island in Tambopata isn’t your average tourist trap. More than just a picturesque spot in the Amazon, this unique island is a vital hub for primate research, drawing scientists from across the globe to study its diverse monkey populations.
Its isolated ecosystem provides a controlled, natural laboratory for in-depth studies of primate behavior, offering a rare glimpse into their complex lives. Home to capuchins, squirrel monkeys, tamarins, and a host of other fascinating species, Monkey Island plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and biodiversity, taking a holistic approach that extends beyond just its primate inhabitants.
But it’s not solely a scientific sanctuary. Monkey Island also welcomes tourists and other visitors, offering an unforgettable opportunity to observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. And what’s more, it’s not owned by a lodge so you don’t need to stay in an amazon lodge to visit!
How to get to Monkey Island from Puerto Maldonado
Now, you can visit monkey island without paying for a tour and the entry to the island is free. But you will need a boat. And the boats normally come with a guide.
Yet, you shouldn’t be fooled into thinking the island is owned by any of the private amazon lodges. You definitely don’t need to be staying in an overpriced amazon lodge to visit monkey island. The island sits in the middle of the main Madre de Dios river near the entry to Lake Sandoval and it is a public wildlife sanctuary.
In order to get to monkey island you have two main options. You can book a tour that includes monkey island and is usually combined with a visit to Lake Sandoval. Or you can hire a private boat to take you wherever you want to go on the river, including monkey island.
If you opt for a private boat and guide on a multi-day tour, you can even camp on the beach that surrounds monkey island. Meaning you can be the first people to visit the island that day and you can see and interact with the monkeys before all the tourist boats start arriving.
We camped on monkey island overnight. And we got to see capybara and caiman. We swam in the river, had a bonfire and did a spot of fishing in the Madre de Dios. We spent the night listening to all manner of monkey chatter in the treetops. It was definitely an experience I won’t soon forget.
Plus, we walked around the island in the morning and picked up all the trash that floats down the river from the amazon lodges. Meaning we left the island in a better state than we found it.
Note: There’s two entries on Google Maps. There’s a ‘Monkey Island’ and an ‘Isla de los Monos’. The real Monkey Island is ‘Isla de los Monos’ in front of Lake Sandoval. The second entry is by an amazon lodge seeking to sell tours by making it look like they own the island. The below map shows the real ‘Monkey Island’.
When to visit Monkey Island in Tambopata
The best time to visit monkey island is during the winter dry season. Which runs from May to October. During the winter season there is less chance of rain and flooding. And the beaches surrounding the island will be exposed. Increasing your chances of seeing other wildlife like capybaras.
Yet don’t be fooled into thinking winter is cold, it’s still very much hot and humid in the amazon. The only really noticeable difference between winter and summer in Tambopata is that the water level is lower. And it rains a lot less.
What to take when visiting Monkey Island
No matter when you go or which type of tour you take, there are a few necessary items you will need to take with you. And you should have a small day pack with you containing:
- Bug spray with DEET
- Sun protection (cream with a high SPF)
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Rain poncho
- Water (or some other beverage to stay hydrated)
Now, the sun and bugs are your biggest threat in the amazon. Even in winter it is incredibly hot and humid. You need to be able to keep the sun and bugs off yourself, while staying hydrated.
If you don’t carry high DEET bug spray and sun protection, along with enough water to stay hydrated, you’ll have a bad day.
Trust me when I say the mosquitos in Tambopata are no joke. I’ve had them bite me through three layers of fabric. And the only thing I’ve found that seems to slow them down is high DEET bug spray and an overshirt.
Monkey Island travel tip: The forest and grass on monkey island is filled with ticks. So don’t forget to apply the bug spray around your legs and feet. And consider packing tweezers and a box of matches to remove any ticks if you get them.
Is Monkey Island worth visiting from Puerto Maldonado?
Even without the opportunity to see monkeys, I’d say monkey island would still be worth visiting. You’ll notice when visiting that monkey island is filled with very old growth trees and rare plant species.
If you’re lucky enough to get a tour with the guys I went with, they will walk you through the forest on the way to the monkey observation area. And they will explain the medicinal plants and their traditional uses by the local people.
I particularly liked seeing all the species of plants I have at home in Lima, in their natural environment. And I was astounded by just how big some of them can get when they’re free to grow in their own natural environment!
Yet, when it came to the monkeys, we didn’t see as many as we’d thought we would encounter. But we did still see a few. Including one cheeky capuchin that refused to come down for a free snack. And from where I was standing, it sure looked like he was flipping us off.
