The 4 Types of Monkeys in Costa Rica: How to Spot Them in Manuel Antonio

• February 12, 2026
• Christien
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Imagine waking up not to the sound of a digital alarm, but to a deep, guttural roar echoing through the jungle mist. It sounds like a jaguar, but your Villa Concierge assures you with a smile: “It’s just the Howler Monkeys announcing the sun.”

While travelers flock to see monkeys in Costa Rica across various regions, Manuel Antonio is special. It is one of the few places in the country where you can spot all four species in a single morning. And the best part? You don’t always need to trek into the National Park to see them. Thanks to the vertical architecture of Villa Punto de Vista, designed to float among the treetops, the primates often come to you.

Which species of monkeys in Costa Rica can you find here? The region is home to four distinct species: the endangered Central American Squirrel Monkey (Tití), the intelligent White Faced Capuchin, the loud Mantled Howler Monkey, and the acrobatic Spider Monkey. Our villas offer a unique eye level viewing experience, allowing guests to observe the most iconic monkeys in Costa Rica in their natural canopy habitat directly from their balconies.

The Villa Advantage: Eye Level Wildlife Watching

Most tourists wander through the rainforest looking straight up, straining their necks to catch a glimpse of a shadow high in the branches. At our luxury private villas, we flipped the script.

Our architecture was specifically designed to minimize impact on the ground and maximize connection with the canopy. By building vertically, our rooftop decks and upper suites sit inside the tree line. This means you aren’t looking up at the monkeys; you are looking at them. It’s an immersive, private wildlife experience that turns breakfast into a nature documentary.

“We just returned from the best family vacation we have ever taken at Punta de Vista… We enjoyed seeing sloths and monkeys from our balconies and even had monkeys approach the pool and breakfast area on a few occasions, much to the delight of the children. The real differentiator at Punta de Vista, however, is the level of service provided by the team.”

— Timothy and Tracy Chi, Founders of THE KNOT and WEDDING WIRE

Meet the Neighbors: A Guide to the 4 Species

Unlike a general list of coolest animals in Costa Rica, here is everything you need to know specifically about the primate neighbors you will encounter.

1. The Central American Squirrel Monkey (Tití)

• Local Name: Tití
• Status: Endangered (Endemic to this region)
• The Vibe: The cute, chaotic squad.

These are the crown jewels of monkeys in Costa Rica. Small, orange backed, and incredibly social, they move in large troops of 20 to 70 individuals. They are famously photogenic and often travel along the monkey bridges installed over the roads an initiative supported by local conservation groups like the Titi Conservation Alliance.

Where to spot them: They love the fruit trees surrounding Villa La Isla. Listen for high pitched chirps, almost like birds.

2. The White Faced Capuchin

• Local Name: Carablanca
• Status: Common & Clever
• The Vibe: The mischievous intellects.

Easily recognized by their black bodies and white chests/faces, Capuchins are highly intelligent tool users. They are the most curious of the bunch and are often seen inspecting the trees around the pool area.

A Note on Intelligence: These monkeys are smart enough to open zippers. While our staff ensures the villa is secure, we always remind guests to keep shiny objects safe when lounging on the terrace!

3. The Mantled Howler Monkey

• Local Name: Mono Congo
• Status: Common & Loud
• The Vibe: The heavy metal band of the jungle.

You will likely hear them before you see them. Their call can travel up to 3 miles. Despite their terrifying sound, they are essentially vegetarians who spend most of their day napping in the high canopy. Seeing a family of Howlers moving slowly through the trees while you enjoy a private yoga session on the deck is a spiritual experience.

4. Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey

• Local Name: Mono Araña
• Status: Recovering Population
• The Vibe: The Olympic gymnasts.

With long, lanky limbs and a prehensile tail that acts as a fifth hand, Spider Monkeys are the acrobats of the forest. Once extinct in this specific area due to habitat loss, they have been successfully reintroduced and are making a comeback. Spotting one is a special treat and a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Monkey Etiquette: Responsible Luxury

As part of our commitment to sustainable tourism, we strictly adhere to a No Feeding policy regarding all monkeys in Costa Rica.

Why shouldn’t you feed the monkeys?

1. Health: Human food (processed sugar, gluten) makes them sick and rots their teeth.
2. Behavior: Feeding makes them aggressive and dependent.
3. The Law: It is illegal in Costa Rica.

Our Concierge and Staff are trained to manage these interactions to keep both you and the wildlife safe. We want them to remain wild, healthy, and free just the way nature intended.

Photography Tips for Your Villa Stay

You don’t need a massive zoom lens to get great shots here. Because the monkeys frequent the property perimeter:

• Golden Hour: The best light is usually between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM when troops are starting their foraging routes.
• No Flash: Please disable your flash. It startles the animals and ruins the natural lighting of the rainforest.
• Phone Friendly: Since they get relatively close to the balconies, modern smartphones (especially using Portrait Mode) capture stunning details.

For the best photography of monkeys in Costa Rica without crowds, book a villa with upper level balconies. Troops often use the Villa Punto de Vista roofline as a transit corridor between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM, offering unobstructed eye level photo opportunities.

Comparison: Villa Viewing vs. National Park

Note: We highly recommend visiting the park for the full biodiversity experience (sloths, deer, birds), but for strictly viewing monkeys, your villa is the VIP box.

Christien

Christien Johnson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Villa Punto de Vista Estate, an award-winning private resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, he has helped make the estate a benchmark for private villa experiences, earning 700+ five-star reviews, 13 consecutive WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards (an achievement only secured by the top 3% of venues worldwide) and a vote as the #1 wedding venue in Costa Rica, as well as recognition from Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Johansens, and the Global Choice Awards as the Best Villa in Central America. 

Christien also founded and manages Vista Destinations Luxury Travel Agency, Costa Rica Weddings, and Costa Rica Chefs, and advises brands worldwide on automation and AI in luxury hospitality, shaping the next era of high-touch, personalized travel as a trusted voice in private-estate and transformational travel.