Monkey's species in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica there are four types of monkeys: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and capuchin monkeys. We invite you to know more about them…
White – faced or Capuchin
Costa Rica 's most commonly spotted monkey is the white-faced or capuchin monkey (mono cara blanca in Spanish). Known as the most intelligent monkey in Costa Rica.These monkeys are native to the New World tropics.
The monkey's hair forms a peak on its head, reminiscent of the cowls of the Capuchin Friars, after whom it is named. Capuchins are agile, medium-size monkeys that make good use of their long, prehensile tails.
They inhabit a diverse collection of habitats, ranging from the high-altitude cloud forests of the central region to the lowland mangroves of the Osa Peninsula . Troops of these monkeys may number thirty or forty, and they often travel in single file through the trees.
You will see them specially in Manuel Antonio, where they have become a little too dependent on fruit and junk-food feedings by tourists.
Howler monkeys (Mono Congo )
The largest, and by far the loudest, of Costa Rica 's monkeys is the howler monkey (mono Congo in Spanish), named for their distinct and eerie call.
Howlers are about three feet long, not counting their even longer tails, weigh up to twenty pound and mostly black. They live in family groups of from five to twenty.
These monkeys can seem ferocious because of their physical appearance and deep, resonant howls that can carry for more than a mile, even in dense rainforest. You can hear them just after sundown, before sunrise, and at the approach of rain. Despite all their frightening growling, howler monkeys are fairly placid creatures.
In the early morning and evening they roam slowly through the tree tops, eating twigs and fruit. During the heat of the afternoon they nap. Their inactivity is due to a strictly vegetarian diet.
Howlers breed throughout the year, and the female may have relations with several males, who don't seem to mind sharing her.
They are fairly common and easy to spot in the dry tropical forests of coastal Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula .
Spider Monkeys (Mono Araña)
You will see them especially along the edges of Tortuguero's jungle canals, where howlers are also quite common.
They are dark brown to black, long and slender monkeys. Spider monkeys prefer the high canopies of primary rainforests.
They travel through the canopy with a hand-over-hand motion frequently imitated by their less graceful human cousins on playground monkey bars around the world.
Squirrel Monkey (Mono Titi)
The rarest and most endangered of Costa Rica 's monkeys is the tiny squirrel monkey (mono titi in Spanish). The squirrel monkey is by far the most colorful, with his orange-gold hands, feet and back, his olive-green shoulders and legs, and his black capped head, in Costa Rica . He is about a foot in length, not counting his tail, and has an inquisitive little face with large eyes, small ears; besides of its length it has one of the largest brains of all the monkeys.
These seemingly hyperactive monkeys are predominantly fruit eaters, insects lizards, eggs and small birds. They usually travel in large bands, so if you do see them, you'll likely see quite a few.He is also a great dad, the male often carrying his baby on his back.
You will have the fortunate to see them only in Manuel Antonio and the Osa Peninsula .
Places where you can enjoy monkey watching in Costa Rica :
Manuel Antonio National Park
This small park (1,687 acres) is rich in inhabitants with more than 100 species of animals and nearly 200 species of birds, as well as all three species of monkey found in Costa Rica: the Capuchin monkey, the squirrel monkey, and the white-faced monkey (here you can see a band of white-faced capuchin monkeys).
Cahuita, Limon
The surrounding area is noted not only for the 2700-acre Cahuita National Park, but it is part of a magnificent eco-system ranging from the forests that meet the beaches that are surrounded by coral reefs off shore. Wildlife, such as monkeys, sloths, exotic marine life, and other rainforest species abound and finding something to do is never a difficult task.
Activities (on site or nearby): Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing, Restaurants, Sightseeing, Swimming, Snorkeling/Diving, Surfing, Rafting, Bike and Surfboard Rental, Tours can be coordinated, Driver to/from San Jose and Cahuita can also be arranged.
If you are an adventurer and love to discover the local culture and get to know the people this is perfect.
Chirripó National Park
This park boasts the country's highest peak (3,820 meters/12,530 feet). No technical climbing is required to scale Chirripo, but altitude and a rugged trail make for a strenuous trek. The hike to Los Crestones base camp takes six to 12 hours. Most hikers allow two to three days to make the entire trip. Temperatures drop to 20 degrees F. at night.
Corcovado National Park
It's about 54,540 hectares on land and 2,400 hectares of seat. Corcovado National Park is considered one of the world's most biologically diverse regions. The park is home to at least 400 species of birds, 140 mammal species, 116 amphibian and reptile, 500 tree and 6,000 insect species. The park's six distinct ecosystems shelter scarlet macaws, jaguars, pumas, tapirs, poison-dart and golden frogs, the harpy eagle, and other endangered species. |
