Monkey Jungle

Primate lovers will be charmed by Monkey Jungle, a 30-acre wildlife park in Redlands, Florida, that really does look like a rainforest. Here, it's the 300 or so endangered monkeys who are free, and the humans who are restricted to certain walkways and areas, giving you the best possible way to observe the primates in a natural habitat.

Best and worst times to go to Monkey Jungle
The wildlife park is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but the ticket office closes at 4 p.m. Given Monkey Jungle's southern location, which requires transport from the main part of the city on several highways, it's best to avoid times when you'll have to drive during rush hour, especially returning from south to north. Keep in mind that the summertime can be very hot and humid as well, even though there's plenty of shade in this semi-natural tropical rainforest.

Must see and do at Monkey Jungle
At the Wild Monkey Swimming Pool, observe the Southeast Asian Java Macaques, comprising more than 90 individuals, who impress visitors with their diving and swimming skills. For experiences with orangutans and gorillas, check out the Hangin' with Orangs and Cameroon Gorilla Forest sections, which are always great fun. Other trails and sections include the Amazonian Rainforest, which houses three species of monkeys: squirrel, howler and black-capped capuchin. The zoological park, which stresses conservation, also houses the Golden Lion Tamarin, a Brazilian primate threatened with extinction, and the Wings of Love Foundation, a sanctuary of large, free-flight, geodesic domes for former, captive parrots who were given up by owners or who were displaced for other reasons.

Admission to Monkey Jungle
Adult tickets cost $30 each, while children (3-9) are nearly $25. Senior citizens (65+) get a slight break at $28. Children under 3 are free, as are Miami-Dade County police/fire-rescue active military personnel (family members receive a discount). Immersion tours, which include close-up feeding encounters and meet-and-greets with capuchin and/or squirrel monkeys, cost $90 per person and take place three times per day; reservations are suggested.

Parking at Monkey Jungle
Parking is onsite and free.

Public Transportation to Monkey Jungle
It's difficult to get directly to Monkey Jungle by public transportation. You can take the MetroRail from Government Station to Dadeland South Station, then transfer to MetroBus 38 – Busway Max Florida City and get off at SW 244 Street. But you still have 3.5 miles to drive or taxi to the site from there.

Food at Monkey Jungle
A small snack bar sells a variety of snack-bar type food, including treats for the monkeys (raisins and other dried fruit), which you're allowed to feed them. If you book a birthday party here, the fare – pizza or hot dogs plus soft drinks and chips -- will be included with the ticket price ($21.95 per child), and served at Safari Base Camp, which is a large tiki hut. Safari Base Camp is also available for school groups and other special events; call to inquire about bringing or catering food.

Insider tip for visitors at Monkey Jungle
Check the website for printable coupons before you go to save a little on admission; ticket prices are high because of park upkeep. A stop here takes about two hours; it's not a day-long excursion. It's best to combine with other nearby activities such as the Fruit and Spice Park, Knaus Berry Farm or Robert Is Here to break up a trip from Miami to the Keys or vice-versa.

Author's bio: Jen Karetnick has been living in and writing about Miami since 1992. Her latest books are Mango (University Press of Florida, 2014) and Brie Season (White Violet Press, 2014).