ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: MONKEY ISLAND
Just minutes beyond the world famous canal lies one of Panama’s most beloved tourist attractions, “Monkey Island.” Located in the heart of Gatun Lake, these remarkable islands that dot the waters running parallel to the canal are home to three different monkey species offering visitors an unforgettable, interactive glimpse into Panama’s rich biodiversity. What makes this place truly special isn’t just the playful howler monkeys or the curious capuchins you’ll encounter, it’s also the incredible story of how these islands came to be. This is all you need to know: Monkey Island.
THE ORIGINS OF MONKEY ISLAND
I have taken three different Monkey Island tours and heard different versions of how these islands came to be the refuges that they are today. The first version is that decades ago, it wasn’t unheard of to keep monkeys as pets here in Panama. However, as the cute baby monkeys aged into adolescence, they became considerably more difficult to manage. As a result, owners often kept them in less than ideal conditions: in cages or chained outside. The story goes that an American scientist working in the Canal Zone rescued many pet monkeys and relocated them on suitable islands in Gatun Lake, so that they could live their best monkey lives. Today, generations of white-faced capuchins, Geoffroy’s tamarins and howler monkeys make their homes here eagerly greeting visitors every day.
The second tale of Monkey Island is that during the construction of the Panama Canal, Gatun Lake was flooded to allow the passage of ships. What were once topographical high points became the little islands that are now scattered around the lake. Monkeys that were living in these higher areas became stranded on the newly formed isles in the lake. This, too, makes a lot of sense. In the end, maybe it’s a little of both.
A LOT MORE THAN MONKEYS
There’s a lot more to a monkey island tour than just monkey-spotting. If you’re a nature lover like I am, you’ll love being out on the waters of Gatun Lake. The scenery is extraordinarily unique: lush islands surrounded by aquatic vegetation, the occasional crocodile, iguana or capybara, and gargantuan cargo ships passing by dwarfing the tiny panga. The best guides will make a point of scouting out unique wildlife and sharing fun facts about the canal along the way.
THE MAIN ATTRACTION
As we pull up to the first island, the guides begin searching the trees looking for signs of hungry white-faced capuchins. Every time I’ve visited we’ve had excellent encounters with these mischievous creatures. The guides tell the stories of the alpha males, their harems and the most recent, baby additions to the troop. The monkeys are not shy about boarding the boat to grab the snacks brought by tour boats. The most important rules to remember are: never reach out for the monkeys and let them come to you. It’s such a cool experience to interact with these animals and see their different personalities.
WHITE-FACED CAPUCHINS
- Range: The white-faced capuchin and their subspecies are a mid-sized “New World Monkey” with a range stretching from Honduras in Central America to coastal regions of Colombia.
- Size: 3-9 pounds
- Families: Alpha males are at the top of the troop hierarchy mating with females who normally tend to live apart from males for most of the year.
- Diet: Capuchins typically feed on fruits during the rainy season and supplement their diets with insects, larvae and other vegetation during drier months. These monkeys play an integral role in pollenation and dispersing seeds in the forest.
- Activity: diurnal
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
- Status: vulnerable
- Fun facts: 1. They are very intelligent monkeys and very recognizable having appeared in movies and TV series. 2. The white-faced capuchins get their name from the little, dark cap of fur that resembles the cap or hood of Capuccin friars. 3. Capuchin males have recently been recorded kidnapping baby howler monkeys just for fun.
GEOFFROY’S TAMARIN
- Range: Panama and Colombia
- Size: 8.9-9.4 inches (225-240mm), 17.0 oz (.460 kg)
- Families: Their family groups are smaller often consisting of only 3-5 monkeys. Males play an important role in caring for young.
- Diet: They have very similar diets to the capuchins dining on plants, fruits, and insects.
- Activity: diurnal
- Lifespan: 13 years
- Status: Near threatened
HOWLER MONKEY
- Range: Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
- Size: 16-28 inches (40-70cm) , 15-22 pounds (6.8-9.9kg)
- Families: Howler monkeys live in groups of 6-15 members usually consisting of 1-3 males, multiple females and offspring.
- Diet: Howlers eat flowers, buds, nuts and leaves.
- Activity: diurnal
- Lifespan: 15-20 years
- Status: Endangered
- Fun facts: 1. Howler monkey vocalizations can be heard from up to 3 miles away. 2. Howler monkeys are adept swimmers.
IS IT OKAY TO FEED THE MONKEYS?
Finally, some visitors may wonder, “is it ethical to feed and interact with the monkey populations on Gatun Lake thereby making them somewhat dependent on humans for food?.” At the end of the day, my first guide emphasized that because the former pet monkeys were absolutely dependent on humans for food in their former lives, it’s somewhat necessary. Of course, there are also sources of food on the island with native plants and fruits for monkeys to forage on freely. In the end, nothing is perfect and visiting Monkey Island is a really beautiful way to experience a day on the waters of Lake Gatun and learn about the endemic species that make Panamá one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
WHICH TOUR IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Because Monkey Island tours are one of the most popular tours here in Panama City, there are loads to choose from. Honestly, I think this is where the guide is truly everything. My first tour was made that much better because of the local guide, Tereza of New Leaf Panama Eco Tours, who was born and raised in the Canal Zone. It was such a comprehensive look at the area starting with a drive through Ciudad del Saber, a nicely paced tour of the main islands inhabited by monkeys and some excellent information about the workings of the canal, followed up with an amazing, interactive tour of the Emberá-Wounaan indigenous community. I learned so much that day and enjoyed every minute of our tour in spite of a torrential downpour on the lake.
MONKEY ISLAND TOURS
The options for tours to Monkey Island are seemingly endless. Like most ecotours where the focus is on viewing wildlife, it’s advisable to set out early in the morning. This will give you the best likelihood of seeing monkeys when they’re ready for their first meal of the day. If your budget allows, choose a combo tour for the best bang for your buck. Most tours include pick-up at your hotel or Airbnb, but read the fine print carefully to make sure you know what’s included.
Monkey Island offers a unique blend of natural wonder and adventure tourism that is the stuff memories are made of. Whether you’re a wildlife photography enthusiast, a family seeking educational adventures, or simply someone who wants to witness the magic of tropical primates in their natural habitat, Monkey Island delivers experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
For a more detailed itinerary and tours, check out my article, “The Ultimate 8-Day Panama Itinerary.“