Monkeying Around in the Ubud Monkey Forest, Bali
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A lot of monkey business goes on at the Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali!
We spent a whole morning watching and photographing them – playing, eating, jumping on people and stealing sunglasses and other items from surprised tourists.
Visiting the monkey forest is one of the most fun things to do on Bali for couples, families, friends and solo travelers.
But be forewarned. Those monkeys are wily.
Here’s what you need to know when visiting this Bali monkey forest.
What is the Ubud Monkey Forest?
The 27-acre monkey forest is a nature reserve and Hindu temple complex in Ubud, Bali.
Monkeys are important in Balinese culture, portrayed in Balinese dances (like the Hindu-based “Ramayana” dance epic and the “Kecak” dance), carvings and other art.
And the monkey forest isn’t just a popular tourist attraction – it’s actually a sacred site. Technically, it’s called the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
It’s the jungle home to three centuries-old holy temples and some 1,200 cheeky long-tailed macaque monkeys.
It was nice to see that the monkeys, which have the run of the place, are well looked after in the reserve.
Temple attendants ensure you aren’t too bothered when the monkeys jump on you, which they do.
Every now and then, we’d hear screams (then gales of laughter) from hapless tourists when a monkey would clamber up on them or pull at their skirts.
Where is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary?
The shady forest is located in the village of Padangtegal in Ubud.
It’s a 30-minute walk downhill from the Ubud town center cross-roads (at the end of the Monkey Forest Road).
What’s it like to visit the Ubud Monkey Forest?
We removed our watches and jewelry before visiting.
We’d been warned the monkeys try to pull off your earrings or other jewelry, thinking it’s food or something fun to play with.
But the little green hand sanitizer bottle hanging from Janice’s backpack was like catnip (monkeynip?) for them. They kept trying to yank it off, and would climb up Janice’s pants leg and hang on to her backpack to grab it.
It was difficult sometimes to shoo them off!
We particularly enjoyed watching the monkeys play.
One kept rattling a coke can with a stone inside it.
Another rolled a marble on the ground with a leaf, and a third had grabbed someone’s camera lens cap and was playing with it.
And the babies! They stole our hearts.
The scrawny and hairless black babies clinging to their moms and suckling were so adorable.
Temples in the Sacred Monkey Forest
The grounds themselves are a cool respite from the sweltering heat – a dark shady forest with huge banyan trees.
The three stone temples found within the grounds are the Dalem Agung Padangtegal Temple, Holy Spring Temple and Prajapati Temple, all built around the 14th century.
The Holy Spring Temple is down a long flight of steps next to a stream in the jungle forest.
To reach it, you walk across a moss-covered stone bridge high across the stream; long banyan vines hang down above you and below.
We almost felt like we were on the movie set of a Raiders of the Lost Ark remake.
Veer off down some slippery steps and you also see two large Komodo dragon statues there.
But the monkeys are the star attraction.
From the languages spoken, we noticed that people from all around the world – Japanese, European, Indonesian, a few North Americans – were visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest.
Ubud has definitely been discovered!
And like us, all were enthralled by the monkeys.
6 Tips for visiting the Bali monkey forest
1) Treat the monkeys with respect – they are wild creatures and could bite.
2) Don’t run away or panic.
3) Keep your camera close to you and hang on to your things.
4) Don’t wear jewelry, watches or anything you’d regret losing.
5) Don’t wear sunglasses. The monkeys will steal them off your face or head if given a chance.
6) You can buy bananas at the entrance gates to feed the monkeys. But beware if you do. They will jump on you to get at the bananas; they can smell them even if hidden in your backpack.
Practical information if you visit
What is the Ubud Monkey Forest entry fee?
During the week, the cost to enter is 80,000 IDR (about $6.00 USD) per adult.
On weekends, the cost is 100,000 IDR (about $7.50 USD).
When is the monkey forest open?
It’s open every day from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.
More information
See the official website for the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest.
More Bali travel information
See our other Bali travel blog guides:
- 23 Most Romantic Things to Do in Bali for Couples
- Most Romantic Hotels in Bali
- Seeking Bliss in Bali: Hotel Tugu Bali Review
- Is Alila Villas Uluwatu the Most Luxurious Hotel in Bali?
- In Bali, Luxury Pool Villas in Seminyak All The Rage
- Four Seasons Sayan Review
- Ayung Resort Ubud Review: Tropical Luxury and Art
- Jimbaran Beach is One of Bali’s Best
- Kayumanis Villas Make a Splash in Bali
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Photo credits: 1, 3, 4, 6 to 8, 10, 12, 13 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase
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