Coati Invasion in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Have you ever seen a coati before? How about 100?!
Coati’s are little creatures that look like a cross between a raccoon, monkey and an anteater. They are common in Central and South America, comparable to raccoons in Canada, but they’re much more friendly (at least the ones we saw).
We first saw a family of coatis roaming in the gardens behind our room at the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar (which is one of our favourite all inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya, Mexico). They were digging frantically, searching for bugs and berries. Unfortunately, they left big holes and dirt piles in their wake.
Our toddler’s curiousity kicked into overdrive. He pointed and giggled and smiled with his big eyes.
Then, that small family turned into a dozen coatis. Followed by another dozen… and another! It was quite the site.
This group of coatis moved in a disorganized manner, climbing trees, digging up plants and playfully chasing after one another. They’re funny to watch.
Watch the video below to see hundreds of coati in Mexico.
Having trouble viewing? Watch directly on YouTube here – Coati Invasion
Fortunately, we had our camera handy and were able to capture this coati invasion. Just when we thought we had seen them all, another dozen would come crawling through the gardens.
They just kept coming and coming!
Have you seen a Coati?
What did you think? Cute or annoying?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
I stayed at a resort in Costa Rica that was swarming with coati. I had no clue what they were at the time, but I thought they were so adorable.
They have made my holiday, they are adorable, stayed at sandos caracol, so upset about leaving them
I can’t believe people think they’re adorable I think I would have a heart attack if I encountered these I was going to plan trip to riviera maya til I saw this; seeing a pack if these would scare me and I’m surprised resorts don’t see them as a risk to guests; I’m sure Hagen have ferile temperament; they do/will knaw at you and they would require a rabie shot, I don’t know these seem like an infestation like stray cats.
They’re super cute and don’t bother anyone at the resort we’re at in Playa Del Carmen. Just had a mom and baby walk down the path to the beach with me. #totsadorbs
I think you need to relax more. You’re way over thinking it. They don’t swarm you everywhere you walk and don’t normally bother you unless maybe you’re trying to feed them. You don’t have to run scared your whole life. Relax a little would ya
I never knew what they were but I was fascinated by their antics as they played together and searched for food, such playful little creatures, I don’t understand how anyone can feel threatened by them.
We’ve been delighted to meet them. They’re so adorable. All our resort in Playa del carmen.
Yes we have been guilty of feeding them. But we are all Gods creatures and a little love and compassion doesn’t hurt.
Enjoy their company. X
They might look cute but they’re super destructive. I live in a small pueblo north of Acapulco. Part of my living quarters are outside. They will tear apart refrigerators garbage bins anything that’s in the way of them getting at food..
My thoughts exactly! I went there with my 21 year daughter and we were traumatized! The were all outdoors, buffet area, jumping on tables grabbing food. And what’s worse the signs every where saying dont feed them and you have people and their kids feeding them which makes the are swarmed with these creatures!! They completely ruined our vacation- for that reason alone I will never again travel to RIVIERA MAYA!
I totally agree they are a pain we were on the beach they were pinching bags running off with them pinching food out of peoples hands /children not at all relaxing on the beach with them about . What areas in Mexico don’t have them ?
In the two years since the last comment I’m sure that the Coati are now a proper nuisance. They likely are of the same genus as the Racoon. They should be kept out of resorts and cities because this is not their natural habitat. Their faeces may carry the same diseases as that of the racoon. If so then that is quite harmful to humans.
it actually IS their natural habitat. many of the resorts in Riviera Maya are built into the jungles with no walls, fences or other enclosures. this is done specifically so that the wildlife can continue their lives without being forced out of their natural habitats by humans. as it should be.
Well said. I think it’s beautiful to see wild life roaming free in their native home.
Love coatis ! Think they’re just like the wild iguanas , part of the experience. At the RIU Tequila they were extremely tame . I had one under my chez lounge as I tanned. They love when we all leave a little food from the buffet on our plates around the resort.
100% with you on this !
I meant 100% with Rosie
My partner and I loved every day’s interaction with the coatis on the beach at the Paradisus Playa del Carmen resort. Gorgeous little things.
But the racoons made our evenings – often bowling up for pieces of our steak or chicken in the open restaurant. Simply wonderful.
I’m in Cancun Mexico on vacation with my family . I had no idea about coati but I will never come back just had 20 of them on my deck almost had the big one . I will never come back to this jungle
Wow you sound like a real pussy
No doubt! This person is probably afraid of squirrels too and birds, hell likely trees! I watched this guy apparently have a bag of bananas, 10 of them tried jumping in it, he pulled out a couple and tossed them on the ground, these things went crazy for them! Pulled out a couple more, one was trying to crawl up his bare leg (he was like AYYYEEEE!!! ) then it chased the last banana he threw. None attacked or even seemed to be aggressive except for the little claw marks he had on his leg, which was his bad. That day though, there were dozens hanging out in the trees/jungle behind our resort, just a few feet from our 3rd floor balcony. It was amazing to watch them interact, play, fight, protect each other….then the next day they were gone. Haven’t seen them in 4 days. I think they sprayed a deterrent because there were so many. Sad, gonna miss these little animals.
Really Sir….you don’t know anyone’s fears! This person could have been 80 years. Just because you are cool with it doesn’t mean the world is… Be nice and accept someone else’s reality, not just your own!! You could have kept this comment to yourself.
Haha. Love it.
Well said
I truly have no idea what these people expect.
They are travelling to a JUNGLE.
Do they expect the Mexican government to exterminate the entire wildlife population. All to make Steve feel better about his visit there.
What’s next, maybe kill all the sharks and large scary fish in all the oceans that Steve wants to swim in?
If life scares you, STAY HOME!
At the Grand Sunset Princess in Riviera Maya and many people have commented that the coati do not poop anywhere we can see it. It seems that they do their business in the treed areas; so not a problem!
We ate staying here right now the animals do pop out but not a pest or a nuisance at all they will come to you if you feed them otherwise they leave you alone I personally love seeing them around
Yeah, I was superficially bitten and scratched a couple days ago by one that tried scampering up my leg. It was sort of a pet at a cenote we spent the day at. The thing had a hyper energey and felt like …lol a devil Am fine from having cleaned it well and doctored. But, sure do not want that experience ever again. Teeth are like baby sharks or even paranas. Yikes! Claws just as sharp. Her name waes… Betty.
We saw one on our balcony at the El Cid Marina in Riviera Maya when we were just trying to get a picture of our jacuzzi. He photo bombed us! It didn’t bother us at all. This is their land so we’ll just keep our eyes open and keep the food inside.
Many years ago my husband and I were vacationing in Cista Rica / at a certain point we were stopped in our car and before else knew what was happening we were surrounded by these strange animals – at the time we had no idea what a cisti was – I rolled up the window from fear but we were afraid to take off in fear of harming them when a car came up from the other side of the road with a couple of French tourists – “questque c’est que cela « shouted thé driver. . « » Je ne sais pas” responded my husband – we were laughing and Ihad a great desire to get out and play with these happy looking creatures but, fortunately, my husband caught the opportunity and we were able to inch our way forward and get on with our trip only to learn later who had ambushed us !
At The Fives Hotel & Beach Resort you will see them on property, they are not afraid of humans. If you don’t lock your door, they will come into your room looking for food. Many have reported having seen them in their room eating at the table. Also said they were super cute and friendly. You can also see tons of monkeys at this resort, super cool and a unique experience. We have returned many times.
I’m at the Fives Beach resort right now. They are so cute. I’m looking forward to seeing the monkey’s too. I love all the wildlife here.
They may seem cute but they carry diseases, feces on their feet, etc.; personally, I’d rather not see them scrounging for food and climbing on dining tables that are used by guests at various resorts. Just my opinion!
Sounds just like my mother in law…
So who do think was here first? You or them? Circumstances dictate their lives.
Enjoy the wildlife and bring along lysol wipes!
I’m staying at the ocean riviera paradise resort and I’ve been observing the monkeys and Coaties interaction it’s sad to see people feeding them crap like sugar cereal and donuts and feeding period I wonder what will happen when a child gets bitten badly as this almost happened the other day many appear tame but still wild animals signs everywhere not to feed them but try monitoring 1000s of tourists be interested to know what research has been done on this.
We saw one today at our deck, it came right up to us, thought well not to feed it as we’ve seen them in numbers of about half a dozen here at Vidanta in Riviera Maya. It was cute, inquisitive, very much like a raccoon, but there was just one today. I think they also resemble lemurs, but there is no connection as those are in Africa.
Trying living with them way worse than raccoons getting in trash and make a much bigger mess. They are a nuisance that needs to be kept down. Otherwise they go hungry. We have seen a huge growth spurt in Playa del Carmen in our second home. It’s scary how many there are now. Was a pair. Now there are 20-30 every night. I catch them on my cameras. But I’m in the US most the time. It sucks dealing with. They are cute, but it when they crap and cause problems everywhere.
These things have now completley taken over one of the best resets in playa del carmen. They are at the pools at the restaurants and at the beach. They will take your entire bag with phones wallet and aanything into the mangrove forest and then get at the food. One crawled on to my table and started grabbing at my food. If you think raccoons are a problem in the states these things are on a completely different t level. This morning anciuolemofnthem. Took all the kids cereal boxes out of the buffet and ran off.
Yes, we are at a great all inclusive., but they have taken over the path to the beach and the beach area. It’s because tourists are feeding them. However, they’ve now become super aggressive – one jumped up on the beach picnic table and grabbed the burger off my plate and ran away, right in front of me. Not fun, not friendly, swarms of them trying to get any food you have in your hands. They are scouring among the beach chairs searching for food (even though people are sitting in them.). Why people let their children feed them and get that close is beyond me. We will no longer go to the beach here with food or for food. Trips to the beach at all will be kept to a minimum.
I went to Mexico in 2018 and was amazed at the wildlife roaming the hotel complex coati and monkeys especially.
One coati seamed to follow me around and by the pool he went into my bag and stole my glasses then ran off. Shame that was the last time he followed me. Others were seen steeling food right out of the mouths of people. They are so sweet otherwise.
I have been.in Mayan Riviera for a week,going home tomorrow.
I actually got bit by one of these coatis today. Unprovoked, food on the table we were going to eat and a swarm of them jumped on the table and I tried to just shoo them away when one bit my hand and wrist.
Ruined my last day on the resort, had to see their doctor,then taxi to off site hospital.
Thankfully not a big line.
Beware of these little critters.
Hotel had no extra compensation and said it happens more than you think.