After a full morning of birding at Coba, my guide Steven turned to me and asked, “Do you want more birds… or monkeys?”

No hesitation: Monkeys.

So off we went to Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, a protected area about 20 minutes from Coba that somehow manages to feel even wilder. I came for birds, but once I got to Punta Laguna, it was all about the monkeys. Spider monkeys and howler monkeys, to be exact — swinging through the trees, lounging in the canopy, and occasionally pelting things from above with impressive accuracy.

I also learned where the phrase “monkey on your back” comes from — spoiler: it’s not just an expression. These little acrobats have zero concept of personal space and absolutely no hesitation about hopping on for a ride if they’re feeling curious.

The reserve, officially named Otoch Ma’ax Yetel Kooh (which means “Home of the Spider Monkey and the Puma” in Maya), is around 5,000 hectares of jungle, lake, and limestone terrain — and it’s absolutely teeming with wildlife. Over 600 species call it home, but the stars of the show are definitely the monkeys.

What makes Punta Laguna even more special is that it’s not run by a big corporation or the government — it’s managed by the Najil Tucha cooperative, made up of local Mayan families who’ve lived here for generations. Since 2002, they’ve been running the show: guiding tours, managing conservation efforts, and sharing their knowledge of the forest. All of the tourism income goes straight back to the community, supporting families and helping protect the land.

Besides monkey-spotting, the reserve offers all kinds of activities for visitors:

• Canoeing on the lagoon
• Zip-lining through the jungle canopy
• Rappelling into a cenote (for those with stronger knees than mine)
• Participating in traditional Mayan ceremonies
• Exploring small archaeological ruins hidden in the forest
• Or just buying handmade crafts and souvenirs from locals — no mass-produced trinkets here

The best part? Everything is done in a way that respects the forest and supports the people who live there.

It was the perfect follow-up to a bird-filled morning — a chance to shift gears, hang out with some very expressive primates, and support a place that’s doing conservation right. Photos below, because spider monkeys mid-swing deserve their own spotlight.