Spider monkeys have a very wide geographical distribution, being found from southern Mexico through most tropical regions of Central and South America. They live mostly up in the trees but this does not mean that they cannot move about on the ground like other New World primates. Typically they are found swinging and feeding in the tallest and largest forest trees. There is some debate as to how many spider monkey species there are–some authorities want to place all spider monkeys in a single species whereas others recognize 5 species.

The Central American Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) predominates on the Costa Maya and throughout Central America. It is one of the larger species, weighing around 15 pounds with the males and females about equal in size. Spider Monkeys are characterized by their very long thin limbs, small head and long prehensile tail. Their coloring usually consists of a mainly black body with some brown or orange on their lower sides and rump with cream white belly and under parts. All Spider Monkeys have distinctive facial markings, usually white and pink patches, which makes it possible for human observers to identify individual monkeys.

Spider monkeys have an unusual social structure. They live in relatively closed social units called “communities”, which are composed of some 18-30 members but, unlike howler monkeys, spider monkeys do not travel through the forest and feed as a cohesive social unit. On the Costa Maya only a few spider monkeys move about the forest together at any one time, then the entire group may come together late in the day, and are often all seen playing, grooming, or fighting in the early evening.

Spider monkeys are dietary specialists in that the great majority of their food is ripe fruits. Because ripe fruits tend to be distributed on relatively few trees in the forest, spider monkeys are forced to break up into subgroups each day to feed–each subgroup moving to a certain number of fruiting trees within the home range area of the total community each day. Spider monkeys eat a wide array of different plant species, consuming foods from over 125 different plant species per year. They will eat large quantities of food over a relatively short period of time and tend to feed while hanging, climbing or moving.

Like human infants, young spider monkeys have a very long period of maternal dependence. Spider monkey infants are black when born and tend to have large naked pink areas around the eyes; they remain tiny and fairly helpless until they are almost a year old. Infants are carried by the mother until two years of age and continue to associate and travel with the mother for at least 3.5 years. Spider Monkeys reach sexually maturity between the ages of 4 and 5 with females migrating to other groups more often than males. In the wild of the Costa Maya Spider Monkeys are under more pressure to survive and therefore may not live as long as their counter parts in captivity whose lifespan ranges from 30-40 years.

Spider monkeys are the acrobats of New World primates. Unlike other New World monkeys, they rarely travel about on all fours but rather move by brachiating, swinging the body down and around the grasping hand and using their prehensile tail as a fifth hand. This quick and agile type of locomotion allows Spider Monkeys to maneuver easily through the trees on Costa Maya.

Help keep the Spider Monkey population on the Costa Maya alive and well. Don’t chase or capture any animals that you happen to see. Feel free to take a lot of pictures and send us a few to put up on our website!

The ship comes to a stop and docks with the pier.

We have arrived on Costa Maya. We had heard about this place, researched it for months and carefully planned our trip.

Now, finally reaching Port Costa Maya early in the morning, we leave the ship and walk down the pier towards the arched entrance to the Great Plaza. The anticipation builds as we realize that we are entering a place that few have ever experienced. Our arrival is heralded by two Mayan greeters attired in full ancient ritual dress sounding conch shells as we enter into the plaza.

Once through the archway we walk down the causeway past tall, carved stone pillars surrounded by ancient-dressed Mayans there to welcome us. There is celebration at our coming, reflective of the first coming of visitors as they discovered this beautiful land. We feel as if we have walked into the pages of history; in fact, we are now a part of history as we too discover the splendor of this amazing place.

The plaza is alive with activity. Everywhere you turn there is a new sight to see and a new wonder to behold. Between the various shops along the perimeter: Diamonds International, clothiers, drug stores and a Duty Free Shop; the great places to eat: Banditos, pool bar, and many snack kiosks; the activities: wave runners, snorkeling, swimming in the pool or at the beach club; and the attractions: shows in the open theatre and numerous tours of the area; it is next to impossible to see it all in only a day.

We make our way to the open air for the morning show glad to have gotten there early as the spots are quickly taken. We are dazzled by a display of Prehispanic history, dances that relate the ancient culture of the Maya: the dance of fire, sacrifice, and rituals to the Gods.

We wander through the shops picking out trinkets and mementos of our trip to this tropical paradise, every turn holding something new and more exotic. As we move through the area we see what could be, dreams unfolding with every step on the pristine and never-ending beach. What had started as a small tingle of curiosity has matured into full and blooming romance as we realize that we have fallen in love with what Costa Maya has to offer.

We see signs and posters advertising the opportunity to invest in Costa Maya, a chance to make it a permanent fixture in our lives, something that we would never have to leave behind. We walk in the door with an air of hesitation; investing in property is not something we had expected when we had first heard of Costa Maya.

We find out that the property is not far from the port; a short 20 minute drive later and we arrive at beach front property that could possibly be ours. As we make our way past the lush jungle, we see the beach through the tall palm trees. Standing on soft white sand the crystal clear emerald waters gently lap at our feet, the sun bright in the calm sky as a breeze dances in from the ocean. The serene splendor of the view and surroundings begin to take hold.

This is an undiscovered paradise. We and our Trans Caribbean agent, Ted Myers, fall silent. Here, in the morning light, we encounter a thing of uncompromising beauty. Face to face. Our words are inadequate, our senses reel.

Reluctantly, we ride back to the port to board the ship. Our thoughts are alive with what we have experienced and what we have seen. Not only have the enchanting beaches, untouched environment, hospitable people and beautiful culture given us a short escape from everyday life, but also the promise of dreams to come.

We will be returning soon, to enjoy our new beach front lot, on Costa Maya.

Jim and Nancy Watkins