Monkey Sanctuary, Cenote & Plantation Tour in Punta Cana

“This was the only excursion that we found suitable for our four year old. The monkey sanctuary was a unique experience. While the handlers give you fruit, the monkeys are unrestricted and at times took to some guests more than others. We were directed not to take pictures, but that was simply because they had a professional photographer present that you could purchase your images from at the end. I don’t think the plantation tour was necessary. It was part photo pop part quick lesson on coffee and chocolate. But I learned something new, so that’s always a plus. The denote was a perfect ending. But I would have loved to stay longer.”

“Pick up was simple at the lobby of our hotel. About 25 minute drive and we arrived on time, however, we lost about 45 minutes waiting for other groups to arrive. The guides were stressed, and obviously annoyed. Come to find out it was a much larger group the day we went, which unfortunately made everything rushed. It took longer to get through the multiple briefings than actually spend time on the activities. Monkeys were fun and only reason worth going. We were then rushed through multiple photo opportunities in the plantation, which is meant to get you to buy the photo package at the end. The Cenote was pretty cool, but because of the large group very overcrowded and short. Some opportunities to buy coffee and mamajuana. If you understand this is really a picture opportunity and photo sales packaged around feeding some squirrel monkeys then you might have the right mindset going in. I would definitely try and negotiate the price harder next time knowing what this really is. Kids enjoyed it, but everything was rushed and I felt someone had their hand on my wallet the whole time. The cherry on top was a 1 hour bus ride back to the hotel on a warm bus. Positives: the monkeys were a good experience, cenote the kids loved, some really great pictures were taken and we ended up buying them. The lady selling the beers was super nice, I didn’t mind spending the tourist prices.”

“Overview A fun experience on the surface, but be prepared for what is ultimately a well-orchestrated photo sales operation. Throughout the tour, guides frequently interrupt the experience to pose you and your group for photos — only to reveal the steep price tag at the very end. To add insult to injury, they have you fill out a satisfaction survey before you ever see what the pictures cost. My kids had a blast and were completely oblivious to the mechanics of it all, but as an adult it left a sour taste. Pros • The monkeys are genuinely fun and engaging — hard not to enjoy • The plantation tour was interesting, with samples of coffee, chocolate, coconut, and local drinks • The cenote at the end was a relaxing, cool way to finish the tour • Great for young kids who will love every minute of it Cons • Constant photo interruptions throughout the tour with no upfront disclosure of cost • Photos are significantly overpriced and aggressively sold at the end • The survey-before-sales-pitch sequence feels deliberately manipulative • Hard to be fully present in the experience when you’re constantly being posed • Music on the buses is painfully loud, especially if you’re seated toward the back Bottom Line If you have kids, they’ll love it — mine did. Just go in with eyes open, set a mental budget for photos in advance, and decide before you arrive whether you’re buying them. Don’t let the surprise pitch at the”

“This was a great tour if you don’t mind paying to encounter animals only to pose for pictures that they take to then be charged to pay again for those pictures at the very end. I get it. We’ve done plenty of these kinds of things. We ALMOST ALWAYS buy the pictures. However, these were EXPENSIVE. We resent having our experiences interrupted by constant posing without prior knowledge of the cost for those interruptions. They give you a survey to fill out BEFORE they try to sell you the pictures. There was good stuff too. The monkeys were super fun. The plantation tour with the samples of coffee, chocolate, coconut, and Mamajuana was interesting and informative. Our guide, Benjamin, was friendly and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed him. There was also another younger guy who was lots of fun. The cenote was welcome and relaxing at the end. It was a cool experience to swim there, but again, lots of time spent posing for more overpriced pictures. We have mixed feelings about this excursion overall. While we enjoyed it at the time, the surprise high price tag at the end for the photos unfortunately influences our overall remembrance of the day.”

“Wonderful family experience for our family of ten, ages 3 and up. We got to feed several monkeys throughout four different enclosures, learn about and see cocoa beans growing, how coconut oil is produced, how their coffee tastes and is ground, samples mamajuana, and got to swim in a cenote at the end for a refreshing 20 minutes or so. I highly recommend this excursion! Our tour guides (I didn’t catch their names but we went on May 17th 2026) were very informative and excellent at their jobs. Antonio was our bus driver back with nexus to Royalton Bavaro and he was excellent as well.”