Rated 4.9 stars by travelers, this full-day safari pairs the Dominican Republic's famous Monkeyland sanctuary with an open-air ride through the countryside, with pickup from Juan Dolio hotels. If you are staying on the Juan Dolio or La Romana coast, it is the one-day way to get the island's best animal encounter plus a genuine look at rural Dominican life.
The day's centerpiece is Monkeyland. Your guide hands out fruit and the sanctuary's free-roaming squirrel monkeys do the rest, climbing onto shoulders and arms for photos you will actually keep. The troop is habituated and staff-supervised, so the encounter stays calm, safe and genuinely fun for kids and adults alike.
Getting there is half the experience. The safari truck rolls east through sugar cane country and small villages, the working landscape most resort guests never see. Your bilingual guide narrates as you go, from how cane is harvested to what grows in the plantations you pass, and the route includes countryside stops that break up the drive and fill your camera roll.
It is a full day, roughly seven hours door to door, and the pacing is comfortable: riding, stopping, feeding monkeys, and rolling home. Wear closed shoes, bring bug spray, and leave the shiny jewelry at the hotel because the monkeys will inspect everything you wear.
Groups are capped to keep the monkey encounter relaxed, and peak-season dates fill early. Check availability for your date.
Pickup is included from Juan Dolio area hotels. Your exact pickup point and time are confirmed on your voucher.
How long is the full day?
Plan on about 7 hours door to door, including the countryside drive each way, plantation stops and roughly an hour and a half at Monkeyland.
What happens at Monkeyland?
You feed free-roaming squirrel monkeys from guide-provided fruit while they climb on you for photos. The encounter is staff-supervised and the troop is well habituated.
Is this tour good for kids?
Yes. The monkey encounter is a family favorite and the safari truck ride feels like an adventure in itself. Children should be comfortable with a long day out.
What is included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, the safari truck ride, the Monkeyland entrance and feeding, and a bilingual guide are included.
How much does it cost?
Tickets start at around $95 per adult with a reduced child rate, and infants ride free. Check availability for current pricing.
What should I bring?
Closed shoes, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat and a camera. Leave loose jewelry and sunglasses-on-head at the hotel; the monkeys grab shiny things.
What does the plantation safari part look like?
You ride an open-air safari truck through sugar cane country and small villages east of Juan Dolio, with narrated countryside stops along the way.
Is the ride bumpy?
Parts of it, pleasantly so. The safari truck rides country roads, which is the point. Travelers with back problems or pregnant guests should sit this one out.
What is the cancellation policy?
This tour follows our standard policy: free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Know Before You Book
Minimum Age: There is no minimum age to join this tour
Full day out; plan around 7 hours door to door
Not recommended for pregnant travelers or guests with back problems (country roads)
Monkeys will climb on you during the feeding
Infants ride free on a parent's lap
Your tour costs are refundable if canceled 24 hours before the tour departure. If booking using the Book Now, Pay Later option, the 5% deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances.
