This blog is part of our Costa Rica Travel series. If you want to catch up on our back story, you can go to
Today, we headed into the mangroves for a private tour by Mangrove Monkey. As noted in our previous blogs, private tours offer the personalized service that we enjoy as part of our retirement travel strategy.
As you know, Pink Bear is rather mischievous, so we left her home to do some travel research because there was a good chance she would run away with the monkeys if we brought her.
Mangrove Monkey is a family-owned tour agency in Quepos with over 20 years of experience. They offer various tours on the Isla Damas in Costa Rica. After extensive research, we selected this company for our visit to see monkeys. After we checked in, we waited for our guide. The facility offered smoothies and snacks, and there was a gift shop.
Our guide met us and escorted us to the boat, and we headed down the river into the mangroves.
Iguanas:
Our first encounter was with a spiny-tailed iguana on the shore. They are also called black iguana or “garrobo” in Costa Rica and other parts of Central America. We even saw one scooting across the river.
Bats:
Next, we came across some rather ominous little critters
These proboscis bats were hanging quietly on a tree beside the river, perfectly camouflaged against the bark. These are small bats, only about 2.5 inches long. The bats are nocturnal, sleeping during the day in an unusual formation: most of them line up, one after another, on a branch or wooden beam, nose to tail, in a straight row, as you can see from this picture
Snakes:
Continuing our scary-creature hunt, we came across this snake just chilling on a tree branch. This Boa Constrictor is not a venomous snake, and Boas do not even have fangs. In the wild, they ambush and overpower prey—such as small mammals and birds—by wrapping around them to constrict their breathing. They may not be deadly to humans, but I still would not want to tangle with them.
Monkeys
All these creatures were quite fascinating, but we were ready to see some monkeys! As we glided down the river, our guide provided us with information about the monkeys. In the mangroves of Quepos, many troops of white-faced monkeys live. Since this tour company has been operating in the area for over 20 years, the monkeys are familiar with them and therefore not afraid. The monkeys have become accustomed to the guides over the years and are comfortable approaching the boats. Our guide began calling the monkeys, and they came!
Peek-a-boo! I see you!
Photo opportunities galore! Just be ready, they may pee on you! This one did! But Diane was a good sport about it.
Tony looks a bit skeptical!
Kathy looks a bit more relaxed!
Laura got photo-bombed!
This tour was truly the highlight of our vacation. Viewing these creatures in their natural habitat was special. The company is very easy to deal with. You can book in advance on the website and pay when you arrive. If you pay cash, there will be a discount. The directions were good, and even though it is off the beaten path, it was easy to find. This is an unmissable attraction in your retirement travel to Costa Rica.
Moments like this are exactly why we dreamed about retirement travel — unforgettable wildlife encounters in beautiful places far from the crowds.
Retirement Tour Rating:
⭐ Retirement Comfort Level: 10/10
⭐ Adventure Level: Calm
⭐ Pink Bear Approved: Yes
Tips for Monkey Mangrove:
- Bring a light windbreaker; the tour goes rain or shine.
- Bring your camera — many photo opportunities
- Private tours offer great personalized service and flexibility
If you missed our past adventures and other useful information, you can find them at the links below