A morning surrounded by monkeys? In the heart of Ubud you will find one of Bali’s most famous sights: the Sacred Monkey Forest. We visited it ourselves and yes, at times it was a little exciting, but above all very special. In this blog, I share everything about our experience, give you practical tips and explain why this forest is so much more than just a tourist attraction.
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What is the Ubud Monkey Forest?
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a protected natural area and spiritual centre in the village of Padangtegal, Ubud. The park consists of dense rainforest with more than 1,000 trees, three temples and… hundreds of cheeky Balinese long-tailed macaques. The best part: you literally walk right among the monkeys!
The local community regards the forest as a place of balance between humans and nature. They call this concept “Tri Hita Karana”, which refers to harmony between people, nature and the divine.
There are three temples in the forest:
- Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal – dedicated to the god Shiva
- Pura Beji – used for purification rituals
- Pura Prajapati – associated with funeral rituals
Not all temples are accessible to tourists, but the atmosphere around the shrines is tangible. The temples are still used daily by the local community. During a ceremony, parts of the park can be temporarily closed.
Our experience: between respect and monkey mischief
We visited the Monkey Forest early in the morning. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and the first monkeys were already curiously sitting on the paths. After our driver dropped us off at the entrance of Ubud Monkey Forest, the school of fish in a pond first caught my attention – of course I had to feed them. You can buy the food at the entrance. And believe me: those fish were almost fighting harder for the food than the monkeys!
We had stored our belongings safely away, and that turned out to be anything but unnecessary. Right in front of us, a macaque grabbed into an open bag of a tourist and ran off with a pair of sunglasses. We saw it happen more often – honestly, zip up your bag, be careful with things in your pockets and do not hold food in your hands.
What you need to know about the monkey forest in Bali
Entrance fee: around 80,000 IDR (about 5 euros)
Opening hours: daily from 08:30 to 18:00
Location: Jalan Monkey Forest, Padangtegal, Ubud (easily reached on foot from the centre or by taxi/Grab)
Best time to visit: before 10:00 in the morning (cooler and quieter)
Dress code: Modest and respectful, especially if you are looking around near the temples
How to get to the Monkey Forest in Ubud
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located on Jalan Monkey Forest, right in the centre of Ubud. It is easy to walk there if you are staying in Ubud, but it is also easily reached by scooter or taxi. We took a Grab from our accommodation – ideal, because parking can be tricky at Ubud’s monkey forest. From other parts of Bali, such as Seminyak or Canggu, the journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
The monkeys: cute and cunning
More than 1,200 monkeys live in the forest, divided into several groups. They are used to people and come very close, but they are not tame in the sense of “cute cuddly animals”. They climb onto your shoulder, try to open bags and can react fiercely if they think you have food.
Our tip: Leave the monkeys alone. Do not make eye contact, do not offer food and stay calm if one jumps on you. The staff will kindly help you out if something goes wrong. If you keep your distance, you will be fine. But do be careful with young children. We saw tourists who really wanted a photo with a monkey on their lap end up regretting it.
Clear rules are displayed at the entrance of the monkey forest in Bali, and they are there for a reason. Do not carry plastic bags, do not make eye contact with the monkeys and do not smile at them – this is seen as a threat. We saw someone smile at a monkey and a second later that animal was hanging off his bag. Fortunately, the staff intervenes quickly, but preventing is better.
Is the Monkey Forest in Ubud suitable for children?
Yes, but only with proper preparation. Children usually love seeing the monkeys up close, but the macaques can also react unexpectedly. Explain clearly in advance that they must not pet or feed the monkeys. Make sure you have no loose items and always keep an eye on them. There were more than enough children in the monkey forest when we were there!
What animals will you see besides monkeys in Bali’s Monkey Forest?
The forest is of course all about the monkeys, but take a moment to notice the nature around you as well. We spotted tropical birds and even a few monitor lizards. You will also see rare plants and trees that are considered sacred. The Sacred Monkey Forest is therefore not just a zoo, but a spiritual jungle in the middle of Ubud. Although the monkeys will definitely dominate your attention there.
What else can you do there?
The monkey forest contains more than 115 species of trees, including sacred banyan trees and the Pule Bandak, which may only be touched by priests. The area is hilly and criss-crossed with bridges, paths and streams – a lovely change from busy Ubud.
Besides monkeys, you can also come across bats, butterflies, lizards and tropical birds. If you love nature, there is plenty to see.
- Take photos of the moss-covered temples – they look truly fairy-tale like
- Walk across the suspension bridges over the small rivers
- Admire the tropical trees – some of them are centuries old and sacred
- Read the information boards – there is a lot of explanation about flora, fauna and religion
Of course, you can easily combine Ubud Monkey Forest with a full day in Ubud. You can read all about the best things to do in Ubud, such as the Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud Palace and the Tegalalang rice terraces, in my blog 7x best things to do in Ubud!
