The monkeys At Ocean Riviera Paradise can roam freely about the resort. It’s something I hadn’t anticipated on our long weekend getaway to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. But there they were, mostly containing themselves to a carved-out piece of jungle in the center of the grounds.

This particular morning, I caught them crossing the roof of one of the buildings, climbing down palm trees, and making their way back to their jungle playground. I assume they had spent the night roaming another holdover patch of jungle. Cancun was almost entirely jungle just 50 years ago, and Playa Del Carmen as recently as 29 years ago. I must say, it was more than just a bit wonderful.