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Sandiftworth
My husband and I enjoyed seeing the monkeys and the caretakers of the research center which we got to see last year. However, it was shared with us that they no longer have it open to tourists and so this time was unable to take my sister to see it. Was really sad about that, was a highlight for me.
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SWB_Academy
The Students Without Borders Academy has just returned home after 37 days in Panama. A highlight for all of us was our five day visit to Alouatta Sanctuary. The Outstanding leadership - impassioned and competent - infused our group with optimism and a sense of responsibility. If not us, WHO? if not now, WHEN? We look forward to keeping in touch with their outstanding work. Students Without Borders Academy LOVES Alouatta.
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ridlys
A hard place to find or even get a hold of on the telephone, but a great way to spend an afternoon surrounded by howler monkeys, beautiful plants and well informed staff. It is a good cause. And what a view all the way to the pacific!
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Gizmo555666
Alouatta sanctuary is such a nice place! I was a volonteer for 5 days and lived in the jungle hut, it was a great experience! You follow a schedule with a rotation of the different tasks with the others volonteers/interns ( feeding the monkeys, rehab of the monkeys, conservation and wildlife activities and other projects) The people there are very friendly and helpful. I will never forget this experience!If you like nature and animals, you should try it!
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333rebeccau
I volunteered at Alouatta for 12 days and absolutely loved it! It was a spectacular experience! Living is communal style, and makes for a very cool experience, for you get to meet so many new people who are often from different countries. Unlike most volunteer jobs involving animals, I was not simply relegated to cleaning and construction. Seth, Jolie, and the various interns taught me how to care for monkeys, run behavioral and cognitive studies, and conduct transects. Every day I was given a different task, and I ultimately got to experience the ins and outs of monkey rehabilitation.If you are visiting for the day, lunch is $10, and it is absolutely worth it. Jolie is a fabulous cook! I would definitely recommend taking multiple hikes around the sanctuary. The property is extensive and absolutely gorgeous, and the interns know so much about the monkeys and the local plant life. While there, remember this is a conservation project, NOT a zoo. You can touch the monkeys if they happen to climb on you, but they are there for recovery and release into the wild, not play time. But don't worry. You'll see plenty of monkeys while you're there. The resident troupe is very friendly and often comes up to the sanctuary for monkey cuddles and bananas. The work Seth and Jolie are doing is so inspiring, and I wish them the very best! Right now they are building new enclosures for a tamarin troupe they hope to foster. If you're visiting Panama, stopping by Alouatta is a must.
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livethedream_8
Sharing a few hours at this sanctuary gave us an opportunity to learn more about the challenges, successes and vision held by this dedicated group. The drive up the road was an adventure in itself - 4x4 only! The hike through the property would not be considered 'easy' as the damp floor and some elevations made trekking a bit tricky - our new intern guide Millie was a real delight to talk with sharing a wealth of information/experience. All of the staff were very most welcoming and we especially enjoyed the little anecdotes that they shared regarding the individual monkeys. Although we didn't see the troupes on the property we did hear the howlers before nap time. We look forward to updates on FB page in the future. Wishing them much luck with the sanctuary and future projects on plan!
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Ally2011haiti
I visited in September 2011 - nearly 2 years ago and it really is one of the highlights of my life to go and visit this place. I looked this place up to see who'd bought it as Steve and Michelle were selling and hoping the new people would continue their work. They most certainly seem to have done and certainly developed its full potential. It's not hard to get to so don't let that put you off. The website says they'll collect and the hostel I stayed in in David made arrangements for my transport - I just spent a day there. It was the hostel who recommended this place to me and they weren't wrong. Just don't try getting there without speaking to someone first and it will be easy. So glad this reserve is going strong and that the new owners are working with the community - after all the babies are sometimes orphaned because the locals kill the lactating mother as it is as its most juiciest post birth. Horrific no? Oh I just remember one thing - men , the monkeys could be a little bit aggresive towards you. They like the ladies for hanging out on - literally!
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ValerieGW
This was an amazing trip for us. We had to leave our car at the bottom of the mountain, and we caught a ride up with some of the interns who had a 4x4 (100% necessary). It's also a possible 30-45 minute hike if you're up for it. We were greeted by two monkey friends who wanted to play with us immediately.We only took a tour of the facilities (not an actual hike), and also got to interact with some howler monkeys who were not in their inclosures.There were many monkeys in inclosures who we were not able to interact with, but our guide (Tiffany is great!) explained the reasons for each animal being there, how they were being treated to facilitated re-integration into the wild, and how we could interact with them.Being able to actually play with the monkeys is NOT guaranteed, and it's easier to get the opportunity if you time your visit with their schedule. We were there at about 11:30 am, before the went to nap.Also could hear howlers monkeys in the distance. We then walked back down the hill to our car (about a 25 minute walk).This was a good experience not only because we got to play with the monkeys, but because the guide was very knowledgeable, explained the research projects they have going on, and was able to answer all of our questions.Definitely take some time to see this if you're in the area! It was NICE to see animals treated with respect. This is NOT a zoo in any way, but a place for them learn the skills they need to join a troop and go back into the wild.
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R0nR812
One of the most difficult places to find but perhaps the most educational and fun Panama visits was to Alouatta Lodge. The mountainous reserve works with orphaned and ill monkeys to prepare them for reentry into the primate population. This was my wife's favorite stop and she held and played with the monkeys. We hired a driver, Rolando, who took us the mountain road in his 4 wheel drive vehicle.
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NYCskydive
We stayed for 2 nights at Alouatta Sanctuary and had an amazing time. We were the only guests there, which meant that we were able to spend quite a bit of time with the researchers there. The entire team is so friendly, helpful and thoughtful. Each researcher took time to explain to us what they were doing and why they were doing it. It was a great glimpse into life at a functioning research station.Jolie is an amazing cook (and she tells great stories), and we ate incredibly well during our stay. We were woken up each morning by howlers right outside our cabin. There are plenty of hiking trails to take during the day and a platform with a beautiful view of the hills and ocean. The monkeys are the main attraction, of course, and they were amazing. It was great to meet them all and play with them. Please be respectful of them - they're not pets, they are animals that are being rehabilitated to be returned to the wild. Ask permission before you touch them, and know that permission may be denied if the monkey isn't up for handling by a stranger. Monkeys aren't dogs - they won't necessarily love everyone or want to be roughhoused with. We loved this place and everything about it, but it's not intended for everyone (I think this is a great thing). There is no electricity in the cabin we stayed in and the bathroom and shower are down the hill. Again, we LOVED this about the sanctuary and wouldn't change a thing. Just be forewarned lest you think this is a fancier place than it is. The other cabin has a private bathroom. Both cabins are set in the jungle. This is a research station, not a hotel (though they do allow a small number of guests). You won't find a pool or a bar and you absolutely cannot smoke on the property, so don't even think about it. The jungle has bugs, and during the day, when the generator is turned off, there is no electricity or hot water. You might get wet, you might see a spider by the toilet, and you might step in monkey poo. If you can deal with that, then you should be fine to stay at the sanctuary. ;)I applaud the folks at Alouatta Sanctuary for rehabilitating animals and working with the local indigenous population to promote conservation and fair trade. I'm so glad we were able to spend two nights with them!
