Some travelers are merely lucky enough to see and/or encounter monkeys while on vacation; others plan their vacation with seeing monkeys in mind as one of their primary reasons for staying at particular areas or resorts.

For those of you more familiar with the topography of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, you will know that Cancun’s Hotel Zone offers zero opportunities to encounter or even see monkeys in the wild.  There is no jungle flora around since resorts and businesses have dominated the area for quite some time now.  I’ve stayed at several resorts north of downtown Cancun in the Playa Mujeres and Costa Mujeres areas over the years and those too do not have the ideal flora to promote the kind of wildlife you are more likely to encounter in the Riviera Maya.  So, if you are serious about seeing monkeys in the wild, head to the Riviera Maya.

That doesn’t mean that you will be guaranteed a sighting or encounter with monkeys no matter what resort you may choose.  There are certain resorts in the Riviera Maya that are more well known for their monkey sightings and encounters, and those are the ones I’m going to highlight in this blog post.  If you know of others or have seen monkeys at other resorts, please comment below and let us all know so that we can check out that resort ourselves!

There are several all-inclusive resorts where you have the highest probability of seeing and encountering monkeys in the wild; note that two of the top resorts are Sandos resorts:

• Sandos Caracol.  This is one of the best places to stay if your vacation goal is to see and/or encounter monkeys.  They can be seen in the trees and walking along pathways all over this resort.  I’ve already repeatedly posted my favorite resort video with monkeys which occurred at this resort–you can click here if you want to see it again…
• Sandos Playacar.  The south end of Playacar (a gated community just south of Playa del Carmen) tends to have many howler and spider monkeys.  One of the best resorts in the area to see and encounter monkeys is Sandos Playacar–you are more likely to have early morning encounters (6-7 a.m.) and sightings in Building #1 in the adults-only section on the 4th floor (top floor).  There is a large space up there next to the treetops and the monkeys are more likely to come down if they think you have some goodies for them like bananas or apples.  I’m not advocating feeding wildlife while at a resort, but you can make up your own mind about what you feel comfortable with when in these types of situations.
• Iberostar Tucan and Quetzal.  I stayed at the Tucan in the Playacar area a couple of years ago with the intention of seeing monkeys in the wild.  I got a free upgrade to a top floor room on the north side which the check-in staff said increased my chances of seeing and potentially encountering monkeys from my balcony.  I heard howler monkeys every late afternoon, could occasionally see them deep in the flora, and just missed a balcony encounter which my naked neighbors enjoyed instead of myself…grrr.  Ask the front desk where the monkeys are currently congregating and see if you too can get a free room upgrade in order to enjoy them.
• Riu Yucatan.  Again, another resort in Playacar’s south end.  The monkeys tend to be seen most frequently along the main pathway to the lobby as well as along the wooden bridge at the resort.
• Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess.  I just got back from my last vacation and was meandering around the main pathway at this mega-resort when I encountered several monkeys sitting on loungers/scampering in surrounding trees.

There are several additional resorts at which you may see monkeys, but sightings are not as frequent as the above mentioned:

• Hotel Xcaret Mexico.  Monkeys have been occasionally spotted by the guest room building which has the spa.  That makes sense since that building is the very end one at the back of the resort closest to jungle flora.
• Ocean Riviera Paradise.  This is kind of a newer place to spot monkeys in the trees; check out tree areas between the kid’s water park and the steak house restaurant.
• The Fives Beach.  This used to be a Karisma resort (Fives Azul) just in case you don’t recognize this new name.  Monkeys used to proliferate when it was under Karisma but you don’t hear so much about them anymore.  I’ve seen videos which were posted a year ago with monkey encounters but no recent ones.  That doesn’t mean there aren’t frequent encounters, just that no one may be posting anything about them.
• Grand Riviera Princess.  There have been monkey sightings and encounters at very public areas such as near restaurant doors…I suppose that makes sense if they have received food directly from a buffet or other restaurant…
• Occidental Xcaret.  There have been sightings all around this property.
• Hard Rock Riviera Maya.  Sightings have occurred by the jogging trail on the outskirts of the property behind the convention center.
• Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resorts and Spa.  Sightings have occurred at various places around the resort–check with the main desk to see where they tend to be congregating when you arrive at the resort.

If you book a resort with the intention of seeing monkeys in the wild, know that you are more likely to see them first thing in the a.m. (think around 6 a.m.), or perhaps in the late afternoon when it is cooler.  Book top floor rooms with balconies facing jungle areas–if monkeys are there they will be more likely to either jump from the treetops over to the balcony or rooftop if the resort is near enough.

If your resort doesn’t offer monkey sightings or encounters you can always pay a visit to the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary–you can take a tour ($) of their sanctuary which houses various rescue animals including monkeys and at the end get a chance to “bond” with them (the monkeys will sit on your shoulder or arm so it’s more of an actual encounter).

Do you know of other Riviera Maya resorts where you can see/encounter monkeys?  Please comment below and let us all know!

Here’s a quick video of why it’s never a good idea to let monkeys in your room from your balcony, lol…