Everyone deserves the relaxation and pampering of a vacation every now and then, but who said that humans are the only ones who enjoy luxury resorts? As the staff and guests at one Mexican hotel have learned, even wild animals like to take advantage of resorts’ perks!
On April 2, basketball trainer Michael Underwood witnessed a hilarious interaction between a cheeky spider monkey and hotel staff in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It was only his first day at the resort, but clearly, the unbothered monkey has been around for a while. He knew exactly where he was going, and he swaggered in like he owned the joint!
What a little sneak! This smart monkey opened the door himself and sauntered in just like a person, and one commenter noticed, “He even waved hi to the worker when entering.” At least he has manners while stealing a snack! Over 62 million people have enjoyed the monkey’s antics, but the resort workers aren’t as thrilled to see their hungriest guest.
“The woman pointing him to the exit is sending me,” wrote @xoch_is_here. Most wild animals won’t understand human gestures like pointing, but primates are more likely to make the connection. Whether or not they listen is an entirely different story!
Related: Unbothered Cow Lets Himself Into His Mom’s House Like He Owns the Joint and Total Cuteness Ensues
The naughty monkey’s upright stance and gentle run remind me of a little kid, but he’s probably fully grown. His sidekick, who waited at the door, was even smaller! Besides, spider monkeys are long and thin to help them climb and swing through the trees, or in this case, to climb the drawers and reach the cookie.
Just as @broderick.sanders said, “The interaction between him and the workers shows he’s a regular at the snack bar,” so why not embrace it? This would be a great opportunity for the lobby to have fresh fruit, both for their guests and for their monkey visitors!
Mexico Monkeys
The Mayan Riviera, including Playa del Carmen, is home to three species of primates: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and humans! Spider monkeys, like the ones seen in this hilarious video, are agile and social creatures who use their prehensile tail as a fifth limb, whether they’re swinging from branch to branch or stealing snacks from a hotel lobby. They can grow to 9 kilograms (that’s over 19 pounds) when fully grown, and their diet consists mostly of fruit, insects, and eggs.
As their name implies, howler monkeys are best known for their loud howls. The sound can carry for miles, and tourists often mistake it for a jaguar roar. They spend their days being active and looking for food—mainly leaves, nuts, and berries—and their nights resting high in the trees.
The Mayan Peninsula can be an incredible place to spot wildlife like monkeys, though it can also be a wonderful area to learn about local culture, try delicious food, or relax in the tropical sun. Besides, anywhere where people are this kind to animals must be a wonderful place to stay!
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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.