Monkey Jungle

There aren't many places in the world where you can get squirrel monkeys to climb on your shoulder and then ride a zipline 50 feet over the jungle, all in the same morning.

Monkey Jungle sits 9 km up El Choco Road, between the towns of Sosúa and Cabarete on Puerto Plata's north coast. It's two attractions in one: the monkey sanctuary, where about 30 squirrel monkeys and capuchin monkeys live in a semi-wild controlled environment and interact with guests; and the zipline course, a 7-line system through the surrounding canopy with a final 50-foot rappel descent. You can do either or both — most visitors do both as a combo for around $50–$80 per person, or just the monkey portion for less.

What separates Monkey Jungle from a typical tourist excursion is the nonprofit angle. The operation is run as a registered Dominican nonprofit, and 100% of net revenue funds two on-site facilities: a free medical clinic that serves local Dominican families who can't afford private healthcare, and a free dental clinic doing the same for dental work. When you pay the entry fee, you're literally paying for a stranger's checkup. That's not marketing — it's verified, and walking through the on-site clinic is part of the standard tour for guests who want to see where the money goes.

The monkey experience

Visitors enter a large enclosed habitat with the squirrel monkeys, hold cups of fruit pieces, and the monkeys come to you — climbing on shoulders, taking food from your hand, occasionally on your head. They're tame, used to humans, and harmless. Capuchin monkeys are kept in a separate area for safety (they're bigger and more dominant) but visible from a viewing platform. Standard visit is about 30 minutes in the squirrel monkey enclosure with a guide who explains behavior, diet, and the rescue background of each monkey.

The zipline course

7 ziplines totaling about a mile of cable, ranging from short practice runs to 600+ foot main lines, all run through the Monkey Jungle property's section of the El Choco forest. The course finishes with a 50-foot guided rappel descent through the trees. Helmet, harness, and gloves provided. Beginner-friendly — guides walk you through every transition, no prior zipline experience needed. Allow about 90 minutes for the full course.