'/%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3Cuse%20href='%23c'%20transform='matrix(-1%200%200%201%20720%200)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve lies in the state of Quintana Roo, on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, about 20 kilometres from Coba. When we got in touch with Martine Dufour, a local guide, to visit the Sian Ka’an reserve, she told us about Punta Laguna: its spider monkeys, the nature reserve itself, and the chance to meet a Mayan family. We hadn’t planned to spend so much time around Tulum, but her description won us over in no time… and we’re so glad it did, because we had an unforgettable day! Here’s our account of this intense day and of a more community-based way to travel.
✤✤✤
Our day at Punta Laguna
We meet Anna at 10 am – Martine’s colleague and our guide for the day. It’s just the three of us, perfect! Anna explains that the reserve is run entirely by locals, with a strong focus on preserving their heritage. The morning will be all about food, and the afternoon rather more “active”.
Meeting a Mayan family
We drive into a small forest, park the car and carry on on foot. Our guide, Victor, is waiting for us. Dressed in white, barefoot, with a weathered face, his huge smile tells us how happy he is to welcome us. He lives here with his whole family: brothers, sisters, his mum, nieces and nephews. One of his little nieces, full of mischief, follows us around all morning – we could have stayed and played with her all day!
Farming & beekeeping
Victor shows us around the property: the various buildings, but above all their huge vegetable garden. The family grows as much as they can to be self-sufficient: fruit, vegetables and the staple of their diet, maize for tortillas. They also keep a few chickens and turkeys, and plenty of dogs. And no, they don’t eat the dogs! They’re there to warn the family of intruders… A week before our visit, their dog barked non-stop… before being eaten by a jaguar… Terrifying!
He also shows us the “beekeeping” corner, where stingless Melipona bees are busy at work. We’re lucky enough to taste their rare honey – delicious! To make a living, the family sells some of its honey along with crafts made by the women. Tourist visits are another source of income: they’re delighted to share their way of life and are determined not to let their heritage disappear. One of Victor’s brothers even plans to set up a kind of school or learning centre to teach Mayan culture.
Lunch break
Then it’s time to eat: the family has prepared a delicious meal for us. Rice, chicken, tamales and fresh fruit juice, all served on home-made plates. What a treat! Over lunch, Victor chats with us a lot: about his way of life, studying, and his wish to keep Mayan traditions alive… He even shows us how to make cigarette papers from a tree leaf!! He really is resourceful!
After lunch, a stop in the kitchen is a must: Victor’s mum tries to teach us how to make tortillas… Let’s just say it’s a lot harder than it looks!
Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Spotting spider monkeys
The reserve is managed entirely by people from the village. As soon as we arrive, we set off in search of spider monkeys. It doesn’t take long to spot several of them, and even a howler monkey, which seems rather sleepy. The spider monkeys, on the other hand, are incredibly playful – one of them even tries to pee on us! They’re so agile, and we spend ages watching them swing about and grip the branches with their tails, which really act as a fifth limb! We’re as fascinated as children!
Howler monkeys are usually very vocal, but the one we come across has no intention of showing off its call. We’re a little disappointed at the time, as it’s the animal with the most powerful voice in the world! What we don’t know yet is that we’ll be lucky enough to see and hear some two days later in Calakmul!
After these lovely encounters, we find ourselves on a sort of small platform, and within two minutes I’m strapped into a harness for the zip line! We knew it was on the programme, but everything happens so fast! Anna follows close behind, while Alcino… his fear of heights gets the better of him! To cross back over the lake, a canoe is waiting for us!
The sacred cenote
The last part of the visit takes place in a very special cenote… We hadn’t read anything about the reserve beforehand, so as to be surprised and make the most of the moment. Anna explains that human bones have been found in this cenote… No one knows whether they were offerings, burials or ritual remains… Either way, we’re about to enter a truly unusual place. Before going in, we take part in a Mayan purification ritual that grants us access to the cenote.
Next, we’re faced with a rope ladder going down some twenty metres… At that point, the descent feels like great fun. Inside, it’s quite overwhelming and a little scary… Getting out, however… Let’s not talk about the effort of climbing back up 20 metres of slippery ladder on arm strength alone! Sorry, but we don’t have a single decent photo of the cenote entrance or of our time inside!
Visiting Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve: practical tips
Getting to the reserve
We drove there in a hire car from Tulum, where we were based. If you don’t have a car, you can still visit the reserve with Anna – she’ll find a solution for you. Bring mosquito repellent or long clothes, and plenty of water.
➺ You can contact Martine by email: martinedufour.excursions@hotmail.com. She’ll put together a quote based on what you’d like to do – for example, you can choose to visit only the monkey reserve. She’ll also advise you on what to wear for the day.
➺ We highly recommend contacting Martine if you’re looking for a French-speaking guide. As we explained in our article on the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Martine is a fascinating and passionate guide. Her tours focus on responsible, eco-friendly travel that respects nature and goes a little off the beaten track. She now works with guides who share her philosophy of travel and respect for nature, like Anna. We had a wonderful time with her: just like Martine, she’s incredibly kind and hugely knowledgeable.
Where to stay
We were based in Tulum and stayed at the Jabin boutique hotel, our favourite hotel of this Yucatán road trip. Update, August 2025: I’ve just seen that the hotel has closed for good… such a shame!
Where to eat
Lunch with the Mayan family was included in the day, and Anna brings a few snacks, so all you need is water!
✤✤✤
We loved this day! I couldn’t tell you what we enjoyed most – meeting this lovely family or watching the monkeys… It was a thrilling day full of truly intense moments. Don’t hesitate to visit Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve!
FAQ
Frequently asked questions are right here!
Can you visit Punta Laguna without a guide?
Not really: visits to Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve are led by a local guide from the community. And that’s a good thing! Without ours, we’d have missed most of the spider monkeys… The guides know the trails, know where to find the monkey troops and tell you all about the history of the reserve.
How much does it cost to visit Punta Laguna?
Prices aren’t officially published and change often. In 2026, local guided tours are advertised at around 600 to 1,200 Mexican pesos per person depending on group size (the bigger the group, the cheaper it is). Activities such as the zip line, canoeing or the cenote cost extra. It’s best to check the price on site or when booking.
How do you get to Punta Laguna from Tulum or Coba?
The reserve is about 20 km north of Coba and roughly an hour’s drive from Tulum. The easiest way is by hire car, which lets you combine your visit with the Coba ruins on the same day. Otherwise, many tours from Tulum or Playa del Carmen include Punta Laguna.
When is the best time to see the monkeys at Punta Laguna?
Spider monkeys are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when the heat dies down. Arriving at opening time improves your chances of spotting them… and helps you avoid the tour groups coming from the coast.
