While some vacationers are content with the possibility of seeing monkeys and other wildlife while staying at their resort, others may want to intentionally schedule a visit to a wildlife sanctuary in order to ensure such encounters and learn a bit more about the animals they encounter on their travels.  There are only a handful of animal sanctuaries in the Riviera Maya for vacationers to see–here is some info in case you want to include a visit during your resort stay.

• Akumal Monkey Sanctuary and Rescued Animals.  This is the most popular animal sanctuary in the Riviera Maya. Its main purpose is to provide for the greater welfare of animals which have been turned over to them by PROFEPA (the Federal Office of Environmental Protection) which may include rehabilitation, relocation, and reintroduction of animals to their natural environment if possible. The sanctuary is also involved in research projects in coordination with various universities, provides species education to local rural and urban schools, and provides the opportunity for local Mayans to display their crafts. Monkeys, zebras, ostriches, snakes, deer, goats, boars, exotic birds, and lemurs round out various species available to observe at this sanctuary.  There are sanctuary tours available (sanctuary tours involve direct contact with animals at the end of the tour), sanctuary plus a cenote swim tours, and sanctuary plus ATV ride and cenote swim tours available. While walk-ins are accepted, it is advised to contact the sanctuary ahead of time to see if there are tour spots available during the day you plan to visit.  This sanctuary is located across the highway (west) from the town of Akumal and Akumal Bay.
• The Jungle Place Spider Monkey Sanctuary.  This sanctuary is specifically for the safety, education, and preservation of spider monkeys.  The monkeys on-site are rescue animals which were subjected to poaching, habitat destruction, or the illegal pet trade.  Sanctuary monkeys are allowed to live and play as a family or colony; interaction with these animals is NOT guaranteed on their tours.  The Jungle Place is not open to the general public for walk-ins; reservations must be made in advance.  Due to COVID, this sanctuary has been closed to the public for an extended period of time.  From what I understand, they are only open right now on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This sanctuary is located south of Akumal by the town of Chemuyil.
• Punta Laguna Nature Reserve.  This nature reserve is off the beaten track in Quintana Roo and is best seen if you want to visit the Coba ruins.  Walking with a tour guide through the reserve allows visitors to see spider and howler monkeys (the website says late afternoon around 3 p.m. is the best time to see monkeys).  Other activities to be enjoyed at this reserve includes canoeing, rappelling into a cenote, and enjoying a zipline.  Many vacationers combine seeing the monkeys in the trees (no direct interaction with them on tours) and enjoying the ruins at Coba (keep in mind that Coba has one of the last climbable pyramids in Mexico!)

What do you think?  If you are interested in any of these animal sanctuaries/nature reserve, you can find videos of them on YouTube.  I have a separate post on which resorts you are most likely to encounter monkeys while on vacation in the Riviera Maya.