There are so many reasons to travel to another country, from visiting family to checking an item off your travel bucket list. No matter why you’re somewhere new, seeing the local animals is always an added bonus. Whether you visit animals in a zoo or have an unexpected wildlife encounter, these moments are often among the most unforgettable.

For one traveler named Julie, it was a cheeky spider monkey who made her Mexican vacation memorable. Monkeys are a common sight in Xcaret, a resort on the Mayan Riviera, but it’s not every day that one makes itself right at home in a guest’s hotel room. However, that’s exactly what happened in the video Julie shared on social media on January 23.

What a cheeky monkey! He had no concerns about walking right inside, even if someone was watching him, but the way he sat down on the pillow, just like a person on a chair, was absolutely priceless.

“He really said, ‘Oh, this is nice,'” @sunnydaize21 commented. Once he’s experienced this kind of luxury, he’ll never want to leave. Some eagle-eyed viewers even noticed him trying to steal a souvenir from off the bed!

Related: 3 Rescued Baby Spider Monkeys Find a New Home at the San Diego Zoo

This unbothered monkey couldn’t care less if someone has to sleep on the pillow he just sat on or wear the thing he wanted to steal, but that just adds to his charm. He made this short but sweet animal encounter truly unforgettable, even if @juliew1111 may have had to request new sheets afterward.

“We love Xcaret!” wrote @wynns1996. “We were standing on the balcony one time, and a monkey came up, jumped on my daughter’s shoulder, and then jumped to me. It was a wild time! We love it there!”

Monkeys in Mexico

Xcaret, Mexico, is home to spider and howler monkeys, which are both endangered species. That being said, they’re not hard to find if you know where to look or listen! They are active in the trees during the daytime, though it’s not unusual for them to spend afternoons napping, too.

Clearly, seeing a monkey is always a possibility for travelers who leave their balcony doors open, as Julie did. Some wild animals get used to finding food around resorts just like Xcaret, which is why they’re so comfortable walking up to people or leaping into their hotel rooms.

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.