Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve

[Gale in KY]

Keep in mind that this is not your usual tourist attraction..when you go to the monkey reserve, you are in the animals domain, which is what is so great about this place. It is a place where you are really inside the natural experience of the jungle. No cages here. If you want to see the monkeys you have to go out and find them. You can get a guide or go it on your own. Our guide was a Maya boy who was about 12, he gave us a wonderful tour and we did see monkeys, heard alot more than we saw.

When I was there, they were in the midst of a long running spider monkey project, not sure if that is still ongoing or not. There are howlers there as well.

There is a cenote and some small ruins..nothing significant, but with the jungle closing in around them, you get a real feeling of the Maya. The ruins have not been excavated.

If you follow the pathways they wind around the the Laguna, we didn't see any crocks that day, but they are known to be there..I wouldn't swim, although no signs prohibit it. It's a very scenic view.

I have heard they have added a zip line and rock climbing since we were there..I almost hope that isn't true, it was truly perfect as a jungle habitat.

It's about 30 minutes or so on Coba Rd, going toward Coba. Entrance fee was $30MX when we were there, but that may have increased by now..it's been a couple of years.

I didn't get any pics, didn't have my camera with me, we went on the spur of the moment..be sure to take a camera, just in case you get the chance to snap a picture.

It was a wonderful day, I would love to go back and explore it further, learn more about the programs they are running.

Take bug spray..the mosquitos are what you expect in the jungle.
Take lots of water, it was really HOT even in Jan.
It's not hard to walk, but I was glad I had my boots.

[minniemex]

Thanks for the info Gale! It sounds like a real experience. Will have to talk to Mickey & see he's interested!

[AdGuy]

Gale,

Thanks for posting this. We are planning on going when down there in December. A few questions...

1) The cenote you mentioned...can you swim it or is it small/algae-filled?
2) I'd heard there are kayaks that you can use to get to the island. Do you recall if that's true?
3) We love this kinda stuff and tend to explore every inch of a place like this. That said, is this an "all-day attraction" or a "couple of hours" spot?
4) I think this is near the fork in the road that, if heading away from Tulum towards Coba (west), you would veer to the right. Is there signage?

Thanks again...if we actually track down the place, we'll make sure to take plenty of pictures.

[Gale in KY]

The cenote was clear and swimmable, although I would guess it is about 30 ft. down a ladder to get to it. Once inside, visibility is limited by the small amount of sunlight that filters thru a couple of small entrance holes..I would take a divers light if you plan to snorkel or dive the cenote, but it is crystal clear and really nice on a hot afternoon.

I didn't see any kayaks at the lagoon and only got to admire the island from a distance..but this was a few years ago and I have heard, the same as you, that you can now kayak over to the island.

I went to Coba early, then spent about 3 hrs at Punta Laguna on the way back..would like to have stayed longer, there is something about being silent in the jungle for hours just watching for what you see that appeals to me..lol..but I wanted to stop at Grand Cenote on the way back to Tulum that day..it was a full day of activity!

I would plan for an early morning visit..mornings and late afternoons is when the the monkeys are most active and plan on staying a minimum of 3 hrs.

There was a quite large hand lettered sign out front by the road..you really can't miss it..although I doubt that sign weathered Emily and Wilma..lol..I am sure it has been replaced and is still well marked. There is also a small shop and fruit market at the entrance.

[Steve O]

The Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve is located about 20 minutes outside of Coba. At the glorieta, take the road towards Nuevo X-Can. The reserve is on the west side of the road. You'll miss it if you're not looking. It's a small village comprised of 34 families. Spider and howler monkeys can both be seen. Spider on the side you enter and howler across the lagoon. A guide from the village is recommended as they speak monkey talk and know how to locate the monkeys. Go early or later in the afternoon as the monkeys forage for food elsewhere. The price of a guide is negotiable and usually runs between $50 and $100 pesos. Spanish and English don't do you much good in this area. Maya is the language. I speak the universal language of cerveza and got my guide drunk. I was even invited to his home for a meal with the family. It's a must see if you are in the area.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/puntalagunasign.jpg


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/puntalagunalagoon.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/puntalagunacenote.jpg


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/puntalagunamonkey.jpg

Stupid idea of only 4 photos.

[Steve O]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/puntalagunahut.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/puntalagunagirl.jpg


Enjoy your trip.

[AdGuy]

Steve O,

Thanks for the great directions and wonderful photos. My Mayan language skills are even worse than my Spanish conversational abilities (is that even possible? :rolleyes: ) but I'm an expert when it comes to "speaking suds" as I'm both an enthusiastic consumer and a manufacturer (I home brew). :D

I completely agree with you on the photo/image limits...very frustrating! :mad:

[jx2]

The Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve is located about 20 minutes outside of Coba. At the glorieta, take the road towards Nuevo X-Can. The reserve is on the west side of the road. You'll miss it if you're not looking. It's a small village comprised of 34 families.


Is this on the road between Tulum and the Coba turn-off( the same road as Gran Cenote is on) or one of the forks going away from Coba??? If that makes any sense:confused:

[AdGuy]

Is this on the road between Tulum and the Coba turn-off( the same road as Gran Cenote is on) or one of the forks going away from Coba??? If that makes any sense:confused:


Yes...well, kinda. You'd head towards Coba, pass Gran Cenote, go through the two or three small towns along the way towards Coba. After about a half hour you'll get to the fork in the road (before the ruins) go right and continue toward Nuevo Xcan until you see the sign for Punta Laguna.

[jx2]

Yes...well, kinda. You'd head towards Coba, pass Gran Cenote, go through the two or three small towns along the way towards Coba. After about a half hour you'll get to the fork in the road (before the ruins) go right and continue toward Nuevo Xcan until you see the sign for Punta Laguna.

O.K i think i got it, but just one little more detail. We drove to Coba in May 06 and stopped in several of these little towns , but the only major fork in the road i can remember is the one where you turn left at the (kinda traffic circle) to go to Coba or you can head to Chichen Itza on one of them. I take it this must be the fork you speak of? If so i assume there will be a sign saying Nuevo Xcan ? Thanks for the info, cause this may be something to add to our agenda in 20 days :p :D

[AdGuy]

O.K i think i got it, but just one little more detail. We drove to Coba in May 06 and stopped in several of these little towns , but the only major fork in the road i can remember is the one where you turn left at the (kinda traffic circle) to go to Coba or you can head to Chichen Itza on one of them. I take it this must be the fork you speak of? If so i assume there will be a sign saying Nuevo Xcan ? Thanks for the info, cause this may be something to add to our agenda in 20 days :p :D

I think it is. I know exactly the "traffic circle" you speak of as we did this in June (thanks for paving the way!). I've read in a couple posts on different sites that there is signage but you have to pay attention. You should be fine as long as you monitor your cervaza consumption! :p

Once again, I'm following in your footsteps as we don't get back down till December 7. I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures!!

[Steve O]

There are 3 roads available at the circle. The on at about 9 o'clock goes to Coba. The one at 12 o'clock goes to Chemax. The one at 2 o'clock goes to Nuevo X-Can. You can take as many times around the circle as you need to get your bearings. Not any traffic at all. The roads are clearly marked.

[jx2]

There are 3 roads available at the circle. The on at about 9 o'clock goes to Coba. The one at 12 o'clock goes to Chemax. The one at 2 o'clock goes to Nuevo X-Can. You can take as many times around the circle as you need to get your bearings. Not any traffic at all. The roads are clearly marked.


Gott ya ;) . I know exactly where to go now. Thanks for clarifying. Wife says she's not so sure she wants to give up her Tulum beach time(only two days this time) to tour inland :( We'll see though;)
Gonna share some of our Tulum time with Isla Mujeres this trip.

[dutchie26]

here is a link to Loco gringo.com where they have a trip report with pics.

http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/oct2003.cfm

Looks like a very interesting side trip!


Dutchie