There are monkeys in Costa Rica, with four species native to the country: the Central American squirrel monkey, the mantled howler, the Panamanian white-faced capuchin, and Geoffroy’s spider monkey. All four species are classified as New World monkeys. They can be seen in Costa Rica’s national parks.
The Four Native Species of Monkeys in Costa Rica
The Central American squirrel monkey is an endangered species of monkey. It is the smallest of the Costa Rican monkey species, with adults weighing around 600 to 950 grams and standing 10 to 11 inches tall. The species can only be found naturally on the Pacific coasts of Costa Rica and Panama. They require low and mid-level forests with abundant vegetation that are accessible to them.
The mantled howler monkey is another native species found in Costa Rica. It is a larger species, with males weighing up to 9 kilograms and females weighing up to 6 kilograms. They are known for their loud and distinct howls, which can be heard up to three miles away. The mantled howler monkey can be found in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, cloud forests, and dry forests, throughout the country.
The white-headed capuchin, also known as the white-faced monkey, is one of the most commonly seen monkey species in Costa Rica. They are medium-sized primates, with adults weighing around 2.5 to 4 kg and standing up to 22 inches tall. They are easily recognizable by their white faces and black bodies. White-headed capuchins are highly intelligent animals, as they have been observed using tools to extract food from hard-to-reach places.
Finally, the spider monkey is the largest of the Costa Rican monkey species, with males weighing up to 9 kilograms and females weighing up to 7 kilograms. They are known for their long, slender limbs and prehensile tails, which they use to move quickly through the forest canopy. They can be found in a variety of forest habitats throughout the country and are highly arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees.
