Close Menu
World Travel Blog
    • Airlines
    • Destinations
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Travel Deals
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Six Of The Best Walkable Cities Around The World
    • Celebrate at Queer Wine Fest in Oregon
    • A Guide To LGBTQ+ Washington, DC
    • What You Need To Know About REAL ID
    • Five of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Places in the USA
    • What Is The Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
    • World’s Best Airports for 2025 Revealed
    • MSC Cruises Unveils New 22-Deck Ship in Florida
    Tuesday, May 20
    Facebook Instagram
    World Travel BlogWorld Travel Blog
    Subscribe
    • Airlines

      What You Need To Know About REAL ID

      May 7, 2025

      World’s Best Airports for 2025 Revealed

      April 25, 2025

      What You Need To Know About Japan Airlines’ Free Domestic Flight Program

      April 13, 2025

      European Union Delays New Digital Entry/Exit System

      October 27, 2024

      New Online United States Passport Renewal Program

      June 27, 2024
    • Destinations

      A Guide To LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

      May 11, 2025

      What Is The Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

      May 1, 2025

      World’s Best Airports for 2025 Revealed

      April 25, 2025

      MSC Cruises Unveils New 22-Deck Ship in Florida

      April 24, 2025

      What You Need To Know About Japan Airlines’ Free Domestic Flight Program

      April 13, 2025
    • Events

      The Key West Film Festival 2024!

      November 4, 2024

      Wonderful Wedding & Honeymoon Destinations Around The World

      August 29, 2024

      The Olympics Issues New Guidelines For Journalists Covering Trans Athletes In Paris

      June 23, 2024

      Pack Your Bags For The Malta Biennale!

      March 25, 2024

      Miami Beach Imposes New Strict Rules To Discourage Spring Breakers

      March 7, 2024
    • Hotels

      Six Best-Kept Secret Hotels to Book in 2025

      January 4, 2025

      Palm Springs Getaway!

      November 10, 2024

      The Growing Allure of Independent Accommodations

      September 14, 2024

      Your Hotel Concierge Is The Perfect Travel Guide

      April 30, 2024

      Airbnb Updates Its Cancellation Policy

      April 13, 2024
    • Restaurants

      Must-Visit Restaurants in Venice, Italy

      September 22, 2024

      The Growing Allure of Independent Accommodations

      September 14, 2024

      New ‘Everywhere is Queer’ App for LGBTQ Travelers

      July 19, 2024

      20 Top Cities for Vegans and Vegetarians

      October 5, 2023

      Apps To Help You Find The Best Restaurants

      September 22, 2023
    • Travel Deals

      MSC Cruises Unveils New 22-Deck Ship in Florida

      April 24, 2025

      What You Need To Know About Japan Airlines’ Free Domestic Flight Program

      April 13, 2025

      Easy And Affordable Digital Nomad Visas

      February 27, 2025

      Affordable Destinations For Foodies

      February 25, 2025

      Affordable Ways to Travel

      February 17, 2025
    World Travel Blog
    Home»Destinations»The 5 Best Places to See Monkeys Around the World
    Destinations

    The 5 Best Places to See Monkeys Around the World

    Keith LangstonBy Keith LangstonMay 8, 2020Updated:July 1, 20205 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Reddit Email
    A Yucutan spider monkey (Photo: Dave Primov)
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Spotting wildlife on a trip is something magical. Seeing how animals live is transformative and special and makes us realize we’re not alone on this planet. But what’s really special is seeing animals that are smart, crafty, and majestic. Many say that primates are our closest relatives…but in reality, we are primates. Think about that when you visit one of the 5 crazy places to see monkeys!

    By Keith David Langston

     

    HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA

    A spider monkey climbs a rope (Photo: ChameleonsEye)

    Florida has become an unlikely home to monkeys. Back in the day, a small “resort” along the Homosassa river decided to build a wildlife attraction to attract visitors. The area’s shallow waters have lots of manatees, so it was assumed that more wildlife would bring more visitors looking to see animals.

    Somehow, it was decided that bringing monkeys was a great idea. Little did the Floridians know, monkeys are quite smart and don’t like being held captive. Throughout their time at the resort’s zoo, the monkeys stole food from visitors and escaped regularly, breaking into cars, and causing other mischiefs. The resort had an island in the middle of the river, and a plan was hatched.

    Now, decades later, the island still has a population of monkeys that are free to roam and play as much as they want. Visitors are welcomed to kayak around the island and a pontoon circles so onlookers can see the oddity of “monkey island“. Despite the island’s sorted history, locals have come to love the monkeys.

     

    GIBRALTAR

    A monkey in Gibraltar (Photo: KK_VideoVector)

    How on earth monkeys ended up in the Straits of Gibraltar is unknown. But, somehow, a population of Barbary macaques found themselves in Gibraltar. One theory is that they were brought to the region around 1,000 years ago as pets by the Moors. Others say that they are a remnant population of a monkey species that once had a much larger habitat.

    Monkeys in Gibraltar (Photo: kamnacestach)

    The monkeys are relatively harmless and for the most part, live in peace with the locals and tourists. However, due to the selfishness and stupidity of many tourists, problems do arise. Monkeys are smart; they know what a backpack is, and they know how to unzip them. Monkeys also know what food and water look like, and will swipe it if they see it. Sadly, in the age of social media and clickbait, many videos circulate of monkeys stealing backpacks or swiping at a tourist who won’t leave them alone… But just like people, every monkey has a different personality. If one doesn’t want to be bothered… don’t bother them. Luckily, conservation efforts are determined to keep the monkey population safe and prevent conflicts with humans.

     

    HAINAN, CHINA

    Hainan, China (Photo: HUANG Zheng)

    In Hainan lives the rarest ape species on the entire planet. The entire remaining species lives on one mountain. There are only about 20 left in the wild. This is the Hainan Gibbon. Fortunately, Hainan has created a nature sanctuary, the Bawangling National Nature Reserve, for the gibbons, in the hopes of helping the population rebound.

    Strangely, this could be a scenario where tourism could actually help save the species. The gibbons are losing their home due to habitat loss because of things like logging and clearing way for city development. In essence, the population is being killed in order to make money. But if the gibbons can become a source of income, something that draws tourists, then perhaps the government will take greater steps in preserving their habitat.

     

    JAPAN

    Japan’s snow monkeys (Photo: onemu)

    The Japanese macaque is the world’s northernmost wild monkey species, hence giving them their nickname “snow monkeys.” The monkeys inhabit a wide area of the country and are loved by locals and tourists alike. In fact, they’re one of the few primate species in the world that aren’t considered endangered. With Japan’s heavy development, it’s a great example of how human and animal habitats can live side-by-side.

    A macaque sits on a roof (Photo: Daniel Andis)

    Even better, you can visit the Snow Monkey Resort, where you can watch the monkeys roam the grounds, play, and even take a dip in a thermal bath.

     

    YUCATAN, MEXICO

    A spider monkey in Mexico (Photo: Laura Kathleen Lewis)

    Many don’t know it, but there are actually two monkey species in Mexico. They can be found in many places like the Yucatan, Chiapas, Tobasco, and more. The Mexican black howler monkey and the Yucatan spider money are the northernmost monkey species in the Americas. And the coolest places to spot one is in Palenque.

    Ruins of Palenque (Photo: Maximilian Wenzel)

    Howler monkeys are known to roam the ruins of Palenque, the ancient Mayan city that’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What could be cooler than exploring an ancient city that’s now filled with monkeys?

     

    animals apes eco-travel Gibraltar Hainan Hainan gibbon Homosassa Homosassa florida Howler Monkey japan Mexico Monkey Monkey Island Monkeys nature primates snow monkey spider monkey travel wildlife Yucatan
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleCan Nicotine Help Fight the COVID-19 Disease?
    Next Article Celebrate a Virtual Toast with Sonoma County
    Keith Langston

    Related Posts

    Six Of The Best Walkable Cities Around The World

    May 15, 2025

    Celebrate at Queer Wine Fest in Oregon

    May 12, 2025

    A Guide To LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

    May 11, 2025
      
     
    Don't Miss It!

    Six Of The Best Walkable Cities Around The World

    By Lauren MulveyMay 15, 2025

    There are many factors that make for a great city, including culture and diversity, delectable…

    Celebrate at Queer Wine Fest in Oregon

    By Lauren MulveyMay 12, 2025

    Join the celebration at Queer Wine Fest featuring 20 LGBTQ+ winemakers and a diverse selection…

    A Guide To LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

    By Lauren MulveyMay 11, 2025

    If you’re planning to visit D.C. for WorldPride Washington DC 2025 (May 17 – June…

    Our Latest

    Six Of The Best Walkable Cities Around The World

    May 15, 2025

    Celebrate at Queer Wine Fest in Oregon

    May 12, 2025

    A Guide To LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

    May 11, 2025

    What You Need To Know About REAL ID

    May 7, 2025
    Editor's Pick!

    South African Airways is Offering $350 Flights!

    By Keith LangstonJanuary 30, 2020

    The world-renowned South African Airways is celebrating their new Airbus A350 by offering $350 fares…

    United Airlines Signs Deal for Supersonic Aircraft

    June 6, 2021
    For You

    What’s Happening in Vegas this Summer?

    By Keith LangstonJune 25, 2020

    The news that Las Vegas is reopening has caused a boom in the travel world.…

    Saving Money With Travel Discount Passes

    By Lauren MulveyMarch 30, 2024

    Traveling can be pricey when you add up all you spend on accommodations, transportation, meals,…

    © 2025 The World Travel Blog — USA
    • Destinations
    • Events
    • Health
    • Travel
    • Global Cocktails Blog

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.