The Monkey Forest, also called The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is one of Bali’s most popular tourist attractions and an absolute must-see when visiting Ubud.
While Ubud is also a touristy location and usually very crowded it’s still worth it to spend an afternoon here and get to know the area. Over 1,200 Balinese long-tailed monkeys live in the forest, which also includes three temples. The forest spans more than 12 hectares, so there is a lot to see and explore.
However, there are a few things you should know before going to make sure your expectations are adjusted.
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Why you can trust this article about the Monkey Forest in Bali
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.
I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.
Living in a beautiful place like Bali means a lot of friends and family come to visit us all the time. The Monkey Forest is one of Bali’s most famous tourist attractions, so we take most of our visitors there and end up going at least four or five times per year.
That means I’ve got much better insight into how ethical visiting the Monkey Forest is, if it’s safe, and what you should know before you go, at least compared to tourists who only come here once on their trip.
If prices, information or circumstances change, I’ll be the first to know.
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Is the Monkey Forest in Ubud a zoo?
The monkeys are to come and go as they please from the forest, so it cannot be considered a zoo. While the forest is fenced in, the monkeys can easily cross the fence, and it exists mainly to keep visitors from sneaking in without paying.
The monkeys are fed three times per day by staff, which is the main incentive for them to stay close by. The monkeys live in seven different tribes across the forest, which are closely monitored by students and employees of the local Udayana University.
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The Monkey Forest, Ubud and animal cruelty – is it ethical?
The Monkey Forest in Ubud is considered one of the “better” animal attractions in Bali. It can generally be said that you can visit this place without having to worry about animal rights or cruelty issues. The monkeys are living a fantastic life, especially compared to those living in zoos all around the world.
That being said, no tourist attraction that involves animals can be considered 100% ethical, including the Monkey Forest in Ubud. Many visitors feed the monkeys despite the rules, which can lead to permanent health problems for the animals.
However, this occurs all around South East Asia with monkeys living in the wild, so it is difficult to say whether the Monkey Forest can specifically be singled out as bad.
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Is the Monkey Forest in Ubud ethical?
Some people claim that the Monkey Forest employs people to monitor the fences and target any monkeys that aim to cross them with slingshots.
I have not seen this or have found any evidence that this is true, but it doesn’t seem completely impossible. The Monkey Forest is located in the heart of Ubud, so it is in the park’s best interest to keep the monkeys contained.
Again, it is difficult to say whether this is true, but you should consider this perspective before you decide to visit.
In the end, you’re most likely not causing any direct harm to the well-being of monkeys by visiting the Monkey Forest in Bali. Do your part by not feeding or touching them, and educate others around you to do the same.
You’ll find monkeys all over South East Asia and the majority of people don’t know how to treat them when they encounter one. At least the Monkey Forest is educating tourists on how to behave around monkeys while also supporting scientific research on the species.
Is the Monkey Forest in Ubud a religious location?
There are three temples located within the Monkey Forest, including the Holy Spring Temple, Dalem Agung Padangtegal Temple and the Prajapati Temple.
The Monkey Forest in Ubud is considered sacred and frequently the location of religious ceremonies or celebrations. Some of the temples are more than 600 years old.
Tourists are not permitted to enter the temple and should be respectful when visiting the Monkey Forest. While it is not necessary to cover your legs when visiting the Monkey Forest you should under no circumstances enter the religious areas.
These will be clearly separated so there can be no confusion. Only those belonging to the Balinese Hindu faith and wearing prayer garments are allowed to enter the temples.
Is the Monkey Forest an overcrowded tourist attraction?
A lot of Bali guides will actually tell you to avoid the Monkey Forest in Ubud entirely, as it can be quite crowded and is mainly geared towards tourists.
If you’re trying to have a meaningful cultural experience or get to know “the real Bali”, we agree the Monkey Forest might not be the place for you.
So consider what you are looking for. If you’re after a fun afternoon and some great photos, then we’d highly recommend it.
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How to get to the Monkey Forest in Bali?
The Monkey Forest is located just a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from the centre of Ubud. You can get there easily by scooter, Gojek or Grab, private driver, or even on foot if you’re staying close by.
Ubud sits in the heart of Bali, around one hour north of the airport in Denpasar. You can visit the Monkey Forest on a day trip or choose to stay in Ubud for a few days, as there is plenty to see and explore nearby.
Monkey Forest entrance fee
Tickets for the Monkey Forest in Bali cost IDR 80,000 (~ €4.70) for adults and IDR 60,000 (~ €3.50) for children. Visitors with valid KITAS (residence permit) are paying IDR 60,000 (~ €3.50) and their children IDR 40,000 (~ €2.40).
Locals get an even higher discount.
This is very affordable by Western standards, although when it comes to tourist attractions in Bali these prices are actually comparably high.
Best places to stay in Ubud, Bali
If you are considering staying a couple of days to explore the rest of Ubud and its surrounding areas, it is best to stay near The Sacred Monkey Forest because of its central location.
Depending on your budget, you can find some amazing private villas or shared guesthouses in Ubud.
Prices, of course, vary during the high and low seasons, which is why you should book your accommodation as soon as possible to secure the best deal.
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The best luxury getaway in Ubud
Ubud is the perfect place to treat yourself and take a break from the hustle and bustle of travelling around the Island of Gods. One of the best luxury resorts in Ubud is Uma Kalai, located only a short ride from the city’s centre.
We’ve stayed here multiple times, and it’s always an unforgettable experience.
The best mid-price accommodation in Ubud, Bali
If you want to stay in a nice place but don’t want to spend a fortune on accommodation, Ubud has plenty of mid-price options to choose from. Located between Ubud Centre and The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, The Sender Pool Suites offer great value for your money, and our stay here was fantastic.
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the best budget-friendly options in Ubud
For any traveller with a smaller budget per night, Ubud has also something to offer. Jati 3 Bungalows and Spa is also strategically located between the Monkey Forest and the city centre in Ubud.
The hotel offers different types of rooms, starting at only IDR 300,000 (~ €20.00) per night.
Social and affordable stays in Ubud
Of course, it can get even more affordable than €20 per night if you stay in a hostel. Poshtel Hostel starts at IDR 100,000 (~ €6.60) and offers a great social experience as well as a complimentary breakfast.
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Monkey Forest opening hours
The Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali is open to visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets are sold from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Remember to check the Balinese public holidays and religious festivals, as the Monkey Forest might be closed.
Monkey attacks
If you look up the Monkey Forest in Ubud online you’ll find several horror stories of monkey attacks happening to tourists. If you’ve spent some time in South East Asia you’ll have encountered monkeys before and will know that they can definitely be aggressive.
Almost all of these attacks stem from provocation or, more commonly, the search for food. Monkeys will very rarely attack visitors without a reason, so if you aren’t carrying any food or plastic bags or waving around small items like sunglasses, water bottles or phones, you should be fine.
Don’t get too close to the monkeys, and do not look them in the eyes directly. Try to keep an eye out for monkeys that are on the lookout for food, and keep your distance.
All this being said, there are definitely occurrences of tourists being scratched or bitten by monkeys in Bali. Luckily, the staff at the forest are very experienced in this happening, and there are multiple little clinics around the property, which will treat you.
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While it’s hard to eliminate any chances of infection or diseases like rabies completely, remember that the Sacred Monkey Forest has treated hundreds of bites and scratches (most likely thousands), and there hasn’t been one case of rabies or other diseases.
The monkeys are monitored carefully by the Udayana University and are said to be in excellent health. The Notre Dame University in the United States has monitored Balinese monkeys for 14 years and has also never encountered a case of rabies.
Still, getting bitten is never fun, so keep your belongings close and be sensible about how you behave around the monkeys.
If you’re bitten, consider going to a clinic or hospital that offers rabies shots just to put your mind at ease.
What to bring to the Monkey Forest in Bali
Only bring a small bag with you when visiting the Monkey Forest, ideally, one that can be zipped and closed tightly. Bring water and a camera if you want.
Keep everything in your bag or your camera secured with a strap across your chest. Don’t dangle it from your hand or set it down somewhere. Keep your bag in front of you or secured with both straps on your bag if it’s a backpack.
What not to bring to the Monkey Forest in Bali
Under no circumstances should you bring any food to the Monkey Forest in Bali. Even if it’s hidden away at the bottom of your backpack. The monkeys somehow always know and won’t leave you alone until you give it to them.
Monkeys are very smart when it comes to finding food, but they’re also very optimistic about what counts as food.
They’ll try to steal pretty much anything that’s in your hands or not secured to your person. This includes sunglasses, hats, phones, cameras and water bottles.
They’re also obsessed with paper or plastic bags, so don’t carry anything in your hands if possible.
Monkey Forest rules and things you should know
The Monkey Forest provides visitors with strict rules when it comes to interacting with the monkeys. Monkeys should not be fed or touched, which are probably the most important rules to know. Running or shouting is also prohibited as it could frighten the monkeys.
Plastic or paper bags are not allowed in the forest and can be stored safely at the ticket sales office.
If you’re scared of being attacked by a monkey and are considering not visiting the forest for this reason, then let me put your mind at ease. In most places of the forest, you’ll be surrounded by other tourists, so the chances of a monkey picking exactly you to attack are very slim.
Don’t look them in the eye, and keep your distance, and you’ll be absolutely fine. Leave your sunglasses at home or store them in your bag, and keep your phone away as much as possible as well.
Carrying a camera is absolutely fine if it has a strap. If you want to get something out of your bag make sure to go to a quiet spot without many monkeys around or somewhere with employees present.
Find out more information on the rules for the monkey forest here.
Taking the famous monkey selfie
You’ve probably seen the popular monkey selfies that people take at the Monkey Forest in Bali. It looks as though the monkey is taking the photo or even stealing the camera. This is achieved by a member of staff holding the phone and feeding the monkey at the same time to make it reach out its hand while the people pose in the background.
Monkey Forest employees sometimes do this free of charge if you ask them nicely, although usually a crowd forms with lots of tourists wanting their photo taken, so you need to be persistent.
There are also official stands where you can get your photo done for IDR 50.000 (~ €3.30).
Be aware that some people in the Monkey Forest act like they are working there to make money with these monkey pictures. Visitors can identify the employees of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary by their official shirts.
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How long should you spend at the Monkey Forest in Ubud?
Expect to spend at least 1.5 hours at the Monkey Forest and a maximum of around 3 hours. During busy times, you might have to wait in line for a while to buy tickets. although this rarely takes more than 20 minutes.
When is the best time to visit the Monkey Forest?
You can visit the Ubud Monkey Forest year-round, although you’ll have the best experience when the weather is nice. A great time to visit is on a sunny day during the rainy season, which will mean fewer other tourists.
The forest is most crowded during the high season from June to September. Come early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
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What else to see close to the Monkey Forest in Ubud?
Check out our complete Ubud itinerary for inspiration on other activities near the Monkey Forest. We highly recommend the Campuhan Ridge Walk, the Ubud Palace, the Ubud Market and Goa Gajah, a nearby cave.
If you’re overwhelmed by planning everything yourself, this
Monkey Forest Bali FAQ
The entrance fee for the Ubud Monkey Forest is IDR 80,000 per person on weekdays and IDR 100,000 on weekends.
Over 1,200 monkeys live in the sanctuary in Ubud.
If you’re bitten by a monkey in Bali seek immediate medical attention and consider getting a rabies shot depending on the advice given by doctors.
Many natural locations are sacred in the Balinese religion. The Monkey Forest is home to several temples, making it a holy place.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a place where tourists can see thousands of monkeys in the wild and enjoy the beauty of Balinese temples.
Visiting the Monkey Forest in Bali is definitely worth it for tourists who want to see animals in an ethical way.
The Monkey Forest is located in the heart of Ubud.
Visiting the Monkey Forest is perfectly safe if you follow the rules and don’t touch or feed the monkeys.
No animal attraction is 100% ethical, but the Monkey Forest is generally okay to visit as the monkeys are not caged.
Before you go…
You’re ready to go on your trip to the Monkey Forest in Ubud, so we thought you might like some of our other Bali guides.
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