Monkey River Wildlife Encounters and Manatee Watch
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
A half hour fun boat ride through the mangroves takes you to Monkey River village where you head upriver into pristine rain forest. Expect to see crocodiles, huge iguanas on tree branches sunning themselves, turtles, and many species of tropical birds. Upriver, your licensed guide will lead you into the rain forest in search of howler monkeys. Nothing you read could prepare you for the adventure of hearing these monkeys for the first time...you just have to experience it! On this mellow hike, your guide will also point out the different plants and trees many of which are used as medicine by local bush doctors. As your hike through the jungle further from the river you may spot gibnuts (now known as royal rat since Queen Elizabeth dined on it), deer, ocelots, peccaries, tapirs, coatimundis and agoutis.
Buy a genuine Kriol lunch at Miss Alice’s restaurant in Monkey River before heading out on a manatee watch on the way back to Placencia.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Meals are not included - tradition is to support the Monkey River Village buy buying lunch there.
Wear shoes that you don't care if they get wet - for the mellow walk into the jungle part of the tour.
Long sleeve shirts and long pants and mosquito spray can be necessary some times of the year.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Monkey River Town
Depart Placencia Village at 08:00 am for a boat ride along the coast zipping in an out of the mangroves. Stop in Monkey River Town to order lunch to be eaten on the return trip. You can expect to see crocodiles, huge iguanas on tree branches sunning themselves, turtles, and many species of tropical birds. Upriver, your licensed guide will lead you into the rain forest in search of howler monkeys which communicate with each other to declare their territory. Nothing you read could prepare you for the adventure of hearing these monkeys for the first time...you just have to experience it! Your guide will also point out the different plants and trees many of which are used as medicine by local bush doctors. You may spot gibnuts (now known as royal rat since Queen Elizabeth dined on it), deer, ocelots, peccaries, tapirs, coatimundis and agoutis. abundant wildlife. Stop at Miss Alice’s restaurant in Monkey River before heading out on a manatee watch on the way back to Placencia.
What‘s Included
Transport
Park Fees.
Pick Up and Drop Off in Placencia Village.
Tour Guide.
Lunch.
Alcoholic drinks.
Drinks.
Options
Monkey River Wildlife Encounters and Manatee Watch
Pickup included
Reviews
80 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic day out
Searchingjon,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were picked up from our condo and driven to splash dive. Warmly greeted and introduced to Junior, our guide. He was very friendly and knew all the names of the various birds & mammals we saw. We saw howler monkeys; numerous different species of birds, crocodile and a few manatees too. Fantastic day out, highly recommended.
Great Tour
amybC5262JN,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour with Junior! He was incredibly knowledgeable about local animals and plants. We saw so many different species and it was truly a highlight of the trip!
Success on Monkey River
S4012VJcynthial,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had wonderful bird and wildlife viewing, from howlers to manatees to herons and ibis. What a beautiful country you have.
All the Stars
jeremymJ3547WY,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We saw all the animals and had a fantastic trip.
GREAT Experience!
Trip284706,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Terrific experience with a great guide (JR). The Dive Center folks could not have been nicer. JR was incredible - knowledgeable, friendly, sensitive to our needs, and genuine. I highly recommend going through these folks.
Monkey river day trip
bradkU1167OZ,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our captain was Junior, picked us up right on time. Had a great trip up to Monkey River, ordered food at Alice’s restaurant, headed up river, Junior did a great job pointing out the local plants and animals along the way. Got to see manatees, several bird species, crocodile, leaf cutter ants, howler monkeys and back to Alice’s for a delicious meal. Then headed back to Placencia with a couple stops to see more manatees on the way. We all had a great time. Would definitely recommend.8
Monkeys and So many other animals!
annmV3989UL,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a fabulous day to Monkey Town and up Monkey River. Splash Dive Center took us on an educational boat ride, where we saw so many animals and learned about them & the local plants and their many uses (often medicinal). We took a hike in the rain forest and heard the howler monkeys, along with many birds. The other people on the boat with us were photographers, so we stopped lots to enjoy watching the animals. We also saw a crocodile, manatee, turtles, and so many types of birds. It was a very memorable day! Highly recommend!
Monkey river boat ride
pjandme2003,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked with splash dive center and had junior as our guide he grew up in monkey river town and was very knowledgeable about all the plants and wildlife in the area as well as the history of the town we saw alot of different birds as well as howler monkeys crocodiles and bats. we had a great lunch at Alice's in monkey river town and on the boat ride back we stopped and was lucky enough to see a couple manatee. It was a great experience in belieze and our guide junior was amazing.
Enjoyable Boat Journey
Mary B,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an awesome tour Our Guide was extremely knowledgeable. Would highly recommend to anyone. Saw a lot of birds. The Howler monkeys were lazy in the top of tree tops. I was raining, it was understandable. Did see the manatees on the way back. That was a bonus. They tour company did a great job. The lunch was also tasty.
Just OK
Ellen S,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Nearly an hour each way to Monkey Island via bare bones motor boat and a bumpy ride. Stopped on the way to give a head count for lunch, which was not included in the tour price. Only 1 choice - rice & beans, fried plantain, chicken thigh and water for $10US We saw a handful of monkeys overhead, 2 crocs, 4 or 5 iguanas and 1 manatee. Lots of birds. The guide was very knowledgable tho a bit difficult to understand. Overall, the tour was ok. We came back with very achy backs.
From US$130.00
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Operated by Splash Dive Center Limited (but shown as Splash Dive Shop on Trip Advisor)