The Jungle Place

Wow, I never thought I would be able to get so close to monkeys! We’ve been to other places, and were afraid to get near them. These monkeys are sooo cute and friendly! One would even grab your arm to wrap around themselves for hugs and cuddles. It was the highlight of our trip without a question. Heidi and Joel do an amazing job taking care of the monkeys, and the experience was much better than going to a zoo. We hope to visit them again in the near future! (:

Heidi and Joel are some of the kindest people I've ever met. I couldn't recommend this experience enough. At this time there is construction happening near the sanctuary and it's causing a lot of signal issues for them. Keep emailing and calling and they will get back to you. I'm so glad we did because it was the best thing we've ever done. Do NOT support the animal "sanctuary" in Akumal! It is nothing like Heidi and Joel's and is entirely a tourist cash grab where the animals are treated like attractions to be profited off of. The Jungle Place is the experience you want and is so incredibly worth it. The monkey's here are clearly very loved and rescued from other tourist traps like the one in Akumal. Also, don't be hesitant to take a colectivo into Chemuyil - it drops you off right at a taxi stand with dozens of taxi's who will take you the rest of the way for 1/10th the price it would cost from a resort.

Had the most amazing experience given by Heidi, Joel and the monkeys. My husband daughter and I were treated like family from the moment we walked in till the moment we left! It's truly an unforgettable experience. The spider monkeys are wonderful and so well cared for. This sanctuary is beautiful and truly a home for both the monkeys and humans. Thank you so much Heidi, Joel and our new monkey friends 🧡 we will be back!

Heidi and Joel gave us the experience of a lifetime and treated us like family! It was the highlight of our trip to Mexico. We had the pleasure of being able to interact with the rescued Spider Monkeys for two hours and have come back with core memories. We are so grateful to Heidi, Joel and David for their hospitality and for an incredible time.

We will be back.

A unique and beautiful experience. We came with our 5 year old and a baby and had a wonderful time. Almost 2 hours we talked to Heidi and Joel and were allowed to spend time with some of their babies, the monkeys. They love cuddles, hugs and food 😁

Running this place is a giant operation. Currently they have 109 rescued monkeys and their species is endangered. Please be patient when you don’t get a hold of them right away to schedule your visit. It is worth calling again. And maybe again. Because coming here you are supporting a family owned sanctuary with your money. In return you will get a very genuine experience which has the monkeys best at interest at all times. Thank you for a memorable time in your place 🫶🏼

The most incredible experience EVER. Heidi and Joel are truly incredible human beings, and the love they have for the Monkeys is palpable. Their work is breathtaking. We were able to snuggle and cuddle with the monkeys and share all the love they have to offer!! Will be back next time!

Heidi and Joel have to be the nicest people I’ve ever met on our México trip. They made us feel right at home. Heidi has told us her full background on how she saved these monkeys. How the sanctuary has made a safe place for the poached, illegally traded and beaten spider monkeys. This place is all you could ever imagine and then some. They talk to the monkeys as family. They have names for every one. Once we made it into the enclosure with 1 of many monkey communities we were warmly welcomed with monkeys of all personalities. Soon to have cuddle buddies for the rest of our time there. This was the most incredible time I’ve ever had especially knowing the monkey are in a true sanctuary. And not a zoo or what other “sanctuaries” are. Heidi and Joel and absolutely amazing and I recommend anybody that cares for monkeys and wants to see truly happy animals. Come to The Jungle Place for such an amazing experience

Amazing experience with the monkeys. This is a very intimate experience and the Joel and Heidi are super nice. I recommend calling as they may not respond otherwise.

I looked at some of the 1 star reviews on google and TripAdvisor just out of curiosity. Most appeared to be because of miscommunication or a misunderstanding of what Heidi and Joel have been doing for more than 20 years.

13 one star reviews and 985 five star reviews on TripAdvisor speaks volumes.

We had today, like so many other people, an unforgettable day. The kind that stays with you your entire life.

Heidi and Joel are like a pair of beautiful, quirky, old spider monkeys in human form. We adored them. It’s not a polished setting, there’s work that could be done, but for me it was real. Over polished has the odor of money, of having the wool pulled over your eyes, but not here.

They love the monkeys and the monkeys respect them. You get a chance to be part of that.

You will leave wanting more. 100%

Our visit here was definitely the highlight of our trip! Not only were Heidi and Joel very welcoming and kind, the monkeys were sooo sweet and cuddly! Truly a once in a lifetime experience and must do for monkey lovers 🐒

A truly amazing experience while in Mexico! Heidi and Joel were incredible hosts. As an animal lover, the experience with the monkeys could not have been better! They hug you and cuddle with you and it was the sweetest thing ever!! They have internet issues so I recommend calling to book a reservation! Worth it!!

What a lifelong dream was it to have the opportunity to be with this monkey's cuddled up as if they were little babies in my arms. It was the most endearing experience. I am a huge animal lover and having this upclose and personal experience with these spider monkeys was literally a dream come true. This place has exceeded my expectations and I'm beyond grateful to have shared this with my husband!

My husband and I made a visit to the Jungle Place while on vacation in Tulum. Heidi, Joel, and all of the workers were so kind, accommodating, and informative during our visit. We were able to interact with a few of the monkeys and Joel made sure to get more than enough photos for all of us in the group. You can really tell how much they all care about all of the monkeys under their care. I highly recommend this sanctuary if you are in the area!

Amaizing experience, we spend 1h30 with the monkey, the time wasn't an issue. Joel and Heidï were so kind and generous of there time. I did a lot of Monkey sanctuary( africa, asia, south america) it was te best by far. We will come back.

This place is amazing. Please please go here!!!!
The owners are so sweet and rescued 120 monkeys or more from poachers.

My wife and I had a wonderful time and got to hold so many monkeys and feed them and hold them and love on them! We were there for over 3 hours.

The wife and husband do an amazing job rescuing these beautiful little creatures.
We had a wonderful and loving time with the monkeys and the husband and wife and their close friend.

We had an unforgettable experience at The Jungle Place! As a monkey sanctuary, it was truly a unique and special place. The family-owned business was run by Heidi, who had an incredible love and passion for the monkeys. Her dedication and care was evident in everything she did.

The staff was also outstanding - they were warm, friendly, and went out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. We were blown away by their personal touch and attention to detail.

Overall, we had such an amazing time that we're already planning our next visit. We can't wait to bring our kids along to experience the magic of The Jungle Place for themselves. Thank you for an unforgettable adventure!

Where do I begin!!! Firstly Heidi, Joel and their son David are the nicest people in the world, and the love and care they give the monkeys is incredible!!

Because of my poor timing skills we arrived 45 mins early, and they couldn't have been more accommodating. You can see they love the monkeys more than anything and treat them as if they were their own children.

Myself and my partner were able to sit in with the monkeys for ages and as it was just the two of us it was such a great experience. We especially loved Maya and Lady (Maya LOVED my boyfriend and myself and Lady were the best of friends).

It is honestly a once in a lifetime experience, to be that close and cuddle with monkeys (in a place where they are happy and not commercialised) was AMAZING! I recommend this place to anyone visiting Mexico and we'll definitely be back.

Amazing experience! We were welcomed in by Heidi and her husband and spent 2 hours with the monkeys! The monkeys love cuddles and rubs and snacks. Truly unforgettable! It is a large undertaking to care for all the monkeys and every dollar helps so if you can visit (or volunteer - they always need people to help cut fruit etc), it is well worth it! It was my favorite part of our week long trip in the area.

Joel and Heidi are amazing! They treated us like family for the whole time we were there. You can tell that they're in it for the monkeys, not the money. The monkeys have huge enclosures with tons of climbing areas. Joel and Heidi have devoted their lives to their animals, which is amazing. I would highly recommend The Jungle Place to anybody who wants to see animals treated right. And anybody who wants to hug a monkey. That part was awesome.

Calling all monkey lovers! This is an incredible once in a lifetime experience to engage with, cuddle and pet adorable, well mannered spider monkeys! Memorable, authentic, must-see!