Punta Laguna National Park
Are you interested in experiencing a living Mayan community and discovering a Monkey Sanctuary?
With a population of approximately 30 families, Punta Laguna Monkey Sanctuary is a thriving area that welcomes tourists! These natives welcome all individuals to visit and learn by participating in historic day to day activities.
Otoch Ma’ax Yetel Kooh, or Punta Laguna, has been a protected area since 1982. It is home to the spider monkey and the puma cat. Spreading across 5,367 hectares, it is the perfect adventure for families and nature lovers alike. You can be sure you will be able to enjoy the beautiful landscape in a safe and respectful way.
Punta Laguna offers five possible activities:
- A hike suitable for all ages in the jungle to get a glimpse of the spider monkey and hear the howler monkey’s famous cry. (encountering them is not guaranteed)
- A relaxing canoe trip through the lagoon
- An adrenaline packed zip-line tour over the lagoon
- A descent into a cenote by way rappel rope (max weight 210 lbs / 95 kg)
- A historic Mayan purification ceremony
This national park is a few miles from Coba ruins. So it’s a great idea to combine the visit of Punta Laguna with these ancient mayan ruins in one day trip!
Punta Laguna vs Akumal Monkey Sanctuary:
Punta Laguna is a national park that provides a glimpse of monkeys in their natural habitat. Exploring the jungle through hiking presents an opportunity to encounter these creatures. However, it is crucial to time your visit appropriately, taking into account the season, in order to maximize your chances of observing them. The monkeys in Punta Laguna are not accustomed to human interaction, so there is limited closeness between humans and monkeys.
On the other hand, Akumal Monkey Sanctuary serves as a refuge for rescued monkeys. These animals have been saved from various situations such as circuses, illegal domestic use or abandonment, and accidents caused by contact with electrical wires on highways, particularly affecting spider monkeys. While the primary objective of the sanctuary is to heal and eventually release as many monkeys as possible back into the wild, it is not always feasible due to their injuries or their reliance on human care.
