Monkey Island
Amazon Colombia Region
Monkey Island, also known as Isla de los Micos or Isla Santa Sofía, is a natural river island situated approximately 20 kilometers upriver from Leticia, in Colombia's Amazonas department. Covering around 450 hectares, the island serves as a protected natural reserve primarily inhabited by thousands of squirrel monkeys. In the 1960s, American Mike Tsalikys established a breeding station on the island for monkeys and other wildlife, which ceased operations in the 1990s. Since then, Monkey Island has become a prominent ecotourism destination offering boat trips from Leticia, typically about an hour long. Visitors can explore the island's rich biodiversity and observe the monkeys in their natural habitat, with facilities including a visitor station and docking area at the island's northern tip. Located near the tri-border area where Colombia, Peru, and Brazil meet, the island is part of a unique Amazonian ecosystem, contributing to the region's cultural and ecological significance.
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Consejo: The best time to visit Monkey Island is during the dry season when boat trips are more comfortable and wildlife is easier to spot. It is advisable to book guided tours from Leticia in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Visitors should bring insect repellent and wear appropriate clothing for rainforest conditions. Some tours offer discounts for groups or students. The visitor station on the island provides docking facilities and caretakers who can guide small groups around the island to interact with the monkeys safely.
Datos interesantes
- •Monkey Island hosts several thousand squirrel monkeys, making it a unique sanctuary for this species.
- •The island covers approximately 450 hectares and is located about 20 kilometers from Leticia along the Amazon River.
- •The original breeding station was established by an American, Mike Tsalikys, in the 1960s.
- •Monkey Island is near the tri-border area where Colombia, Peru, and Brazil meet, known as Tres Fronteras.
- •The island's territorial status was confirmed by the 1929 Act No. 4, in the context of the Salomón–Lozano Treaty between Colombia and Peru.
Historia
Monkey Island's development began in the 1960s when Mike Tsalikys established a breeding station for monkeys and other animals, which operated until the 1990s.
The island was later transformed into a natural reserve and ecotourism site.
Its legal status and territorial belonging were clarified by the 1929 Act No.
4, which assigned the island to Colombia as part of border demarcations between Colombia and Peru following the Salomón–Lozano Treaty of 1922.
The island now serves as a symbol of Colombia's Amazonian biodiversity and cross-border cultural heritage.
Guía del lugar
Visitor Station and Docking Area
Located at the northern tip of Monkey Island, this station provides facilities for boats to dock and serves as the main access point for visitors. Caretakers here guide visitors in interacting safely with the island's monkey population.
Squirrel Monkey Habitat
The island is home to thousands of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), living freely in the forested areas. Visitors can observe their social behavior and natural interactions in a protected reserve environment.