A Small Moment That Became a Family Legend
The Costa Rican jungle is famous for its diverse wildlife—from venomous snakes to sleepy sloths and everything in between. Amid all this variety, one white-faced monkey stood out. Not just for his one-handed uniqueness… but for his love of ketchup.
Little did I know, the one we called “Ketchup Monkey” would go on to hold a very special place in my heart.
A Monkey with a Taste for Ketchup
Manuel Antonio National Park is home to the highest concentration of wildlife within the smallest national park in Costa Rica. For ten years, my family has stayed at a favorite hotel that borders the national park, where wildlife regularly spills over into the lush outdoor gardens.
One morning, we stepped outside and spotted a monkey sneaking items from the trash bin. He was pulling out packet after packet of ketchup with his only hand, savoring each one like it was a gourmet delicacy. Over the next few days, we found ourselves seeking him out—maybe it was his commanding presence, maybe his playful personality or the way he easily moved from limb to limb without ever seeming hindered by his missing hand—but he became our family’s favorite after the trip. And back home, we found ourselves thinking about Ketchup Monkey far more than expected.
Searching for Ketchup Monkey
The following year, there was no sign of him.
We asked the hotel staff and locals if they’d seen him. It didn’t take long—they immediately understood who we meant: “el mono con una mano.”
We learned he had belonged to a troop up until he lost his hand from a power line accident. After that, the others in his troop abandoned him. We didn’t see him on that trip, and we left with fingers crossed that he was still out there somewhere, surviving in the jungle.
A Familiar Face Returns
The next year, we learned he had been spotted often near the hotel, especially around balconies and walkways—still on the lookout for his favorite treats. When we finally saw him again, he was perched on the railing right outside our hotel door.
Our excitement at seeing him again was mixed with concern that he still seemed to be navigating life solo and taking more risks around humans in his search for food.
From Outcast to Alpha
Then came the biggest surprise.
On our next visit a year later, Ketchup Monkey wasn’t alone anymore. He was part of a large troop. Not only that—he was the alpha male!
We stood there, watching in awe as he confidently led the group through the trees that surrounded the hotel. He moved first, then the others following his path—after all those years, he had worked his way up to the top.
We couldn’t believe it. This one-handed monkey, once shunned from the troop and left behind, was now their leader. And it felt exactly the way it should be.
Why We’ll Never Forget Him
We never set out to form an emotional connection with a monkey in Costa Rica. But something about Ketchup Monkey—his quirks, his resilience, and his rise from outcast to leader—captured us.
And every time we return to Manuel Antonio, we’ll be keeping an eye out for him—hoping to see him still out there, leading his troop through the treetops, no longer having to search alone though trash for scraps…but with his troop foraging through the trees living the life he always deserved.
Planning a Trip to Manuel Antonio?
Want to stay in a hotel where monkeys might swing by your balcony? Get in touch—I’ll help you plan a meaningful, wildlife-filled vacation to Costa Rica with insider tips and hidden gems you won’t find in guidebooks.
