Top Villas Blog

Primates are some of our favorite animals which is why the monkey enclosures at zoos are always popular. Monkeys definitely look cute and cuddly as they swing through the trees. They are also very entertaining.

A forerunner of many modern zoos is Monkey Jungle in South Dade near Miami, Florida. It’s just as popular as any zoo, tempting visitors to see their 400 primates. What you’ll love about this attraction though is that the monkeys have the complete run of the 30 acre preserve whilst visitors are enclosed. You’ll also love the fact that it’s not a million miles from your Miami villa. In fact it’s just over half an hour to the south of Miami.

So when you’re done with people watching on South Beach and the kids need to be entertained, wander over to Monkey Jungle where you can watch the monkeys hanging around instead.

Howler Monkeys

What will you see?
What a lot there are to watch too. More than 30 species call Monkey Jungle home so you are bound to hear the noisy Howler Monkeys and see cute Red Handed Tamarins who look as if they have gloves on.

There are Squirrel Monkeys, White Handed Gibbons, Black Capped Capuchins, Diana Monkeys, Java Monkeys and many more including Gorillas.

What will they be getting up to?
Most of the monkeys will just be hanging around watching you! You’ll love the Java Monkeys showing off their skills by diving into the monkey swimming pool. This comes very naturally to these monkeys as they dive for crabs in the wild. Here at Monkey Jungle their keepers get them to dive for fruit treats rather than crabs.

You can meet the Orangutans and watch their trainer take them through a session. Be prepared for surprises from these cheeky chaps though.

Red Handed Tamarin

Don’t miss the Rainforest
Monkey Jungle has its own Amazonian Rainforest where you can see hundreds of species of plants, trees and palms collected from the rainforests in South America. This is also where the Howler Monkeys, Black Capped Capuchins and Squirrel Monkeys live. There’s a 45 minute guided tour you can take for an additional fee. You can also enjoy feeding times in the rainforest for the 3 species that call it home.

Parrots Galore
In the aviary you’ll find a colourful range of parrots. It was set up by Monkey Jungle and the Wings of Love Foundation to care for birds that can no longer be looked after by their owners.

Discovering Fossils
Head for the Fossil Discovery Area to see if you can find any ‘hidden treasures’. 10,000 year old fossils, bones of sabre tooth tigers and human teeth have been found at Monkey Jungle.

Feeding time
You too can grab a snack whilst you’re here. All the favourites are available from hot dogs and pizza to ice cream washed down with soda. Then it’s on to the gift shop from those must-have souvenirs of your visit.

General Information

• Monkey Jungle is a protected habitat for endangered primates
• Open daily from 9.30am – 5.00pm
• Cost of admission (excluding tax):
• Adults $29.95, Children 3-9 $23.95, Seniors $27.95
• Under 3’s go free
• Feeding times in the rainforest are 11:30 am, 1:45 pm, 4:00 pm
• Free parking
• Address: 14805 Southwest 216th St. Miami, FL 33170

We’re sure you’ll agree this trip out of your luxury Miami vacation rental is well worth it. Don’t forget to book your hire car with Top Villas when you book your villa.