Hacienda Pinilla’s Howler Monkeys – Our Most Adorable Noisy Neighbors

Hacienda Pinilla’s Howler Monkeys – Our Most Adorable Noisy Neighbors

If you’ve ever traveled to Costa Rica and visited Hacienda Pinilla, there is one creature that you are likely to hear before you ever see it. Howler Monkeys are one of Costa Rica’s most popular wildlife species, and at Hacienda Pinilla they are a favorite member of our diverse wildlife family. This picture, taken by a Hacienda Club Owner, shows the spectacular site of a mother Howler Monkey and her baby. As one of our favorite attractions, you can find Howler Monkeys lazily lounging in the tree tops of Hacienda Pinilla, but don’t be surprised if they are much farther away than they sound. Howler Monkeys are actually some of the loudest animals on earth.

Listen to the Sounds and Experience the Sights of Costa Rica’s Howler Monkeys in Hacienda Pinilla

The only creature reported to make a louder sound than the Howler Monkey is the blue whale. If you’ve ever come across a Howler up close then you are well aware of this fact.

Howler monkeys are also one of the largest monkeys found in Central America. Their size can range from between 56 to 92 centimeters excluding their tails and their coats are often fairly long and black. Their tails are long and strong and are sometimes used to hold themselves up. The average Howler may live between 15 and 20 years and they generally live in large family groups of up to eighteen individuals. They are found across South and Central America and are commonly seen in Costa Rica.

Howler Monkeys feed on fruit, nuts, flowers, buds and the leaves from tree canopies. The first two fingers of each hand are set apart from the other three and are opposable, which enables them to spend most of their lives in the treetops.

There are nine different species of Howler Monkeys. Pictured above is a Mantled Howler Monkey, referred to as “mongo congo” in Costa Rica. This species of Howlers differs most visibly from others in that their backs and shoulders are covered with long brownish fur.

Howler Monkeys spend about 80% of their time resting, so they are one of the least active monkeys in the world. To that we say “Pura Vida, mongo congo”. Hacienda Pinilla is the perfect place to relax, even for a monkey.