OnBali

Ubud Monkey Forest

Expert rating:
9 / 10

There is no way you can never have heard of Ubud Monkey Forest. Chances are, you’ve seen the monkey selfies all over your Instagram or TikTok and wondered where the location is. Well, you’ve guessed correctly if you realised they were all taken at this monkey forest Bali sanctuary in the corner of Ubud.

We will walk you through everything about the Monkey Forest Ubud so you have enough information on your hands to deal with the cheeky white-tailed macaques. Are you ready for the most fun stroll in Ubud?

Content

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  • The tourists are making the photo with monkey from Monkey Forest
  • The path for walking through Ubud Monkey Forest
  • Merchandise shop on the territory of Monkey Forest
  • Cave with the carvings in Monkey Forest in Ubud
  • One of the temples in Ubud Monkey Forest
  • The family of monkeys of the territory of Forest in Ubud
  • The parking area near Ubud Monkey Forest
  • Ubud Monkey Forest - entrance for vehicles

All You Need to Know Before Visiting Ubud Monkey Forest

How to Purchase Tickets

Purchasing entrance tickets to Monkey Forest Ubud, Bali can be achieved online and offline with no price differences. The perk of buying the tickets online is that you can skip the line at reception and the staff at the entrance gate will directly scan your tickets.

Here’s how you can buy the tickets online:

  1. Go to Monkey Forest Ubud’s official website

  2. Click Book Now

  3. Pick your date and click Continue

  4. Choose how many tickets you want to purchase and then click Continue

  5. You will be redirected to the sign-up page

  6. Choose your payment method and you’re done!

There are only two categories of tickets at Monkey Forest Ubud: adults and children. The price is also different for weekday and weekend visits.

💸 Price for adults: IDR 80K (weekdays) / IDR 100K (weekends)

💸 Price for children: IDR 60K (weekdays) / IDR 80K (weekends)

Ticketing office in Ubud Monkey Forest

What Should You Bring?

Before you head to Monkey Forest Ubud, you need to gather some essentials to make your experience more pleasant.

  • Closed bags (backpacks/shoulder bags)

  • Sunscreen

  • Hats

  • Bug repellent

  • Bottle of water

  • Sunglasses

Remember to keep everything inside your bag so the cheeky monkeys cannot snatch your belongings.

Packing the bag for walking in Monkey Forest

Facilities and Amenities

Inside the Monkey Forest Ubud, you can find facilities like toilets, souvenir shops, and a First Aid Corner. There is also an open stage for a traditional dance performance, an exhibition room, and central parking for morning or afternoon walks / runs.

Feeling hungry? Two cafés are situated within the forest’s grounds: Wenara and Wana Café. Wenara Café is located in the lobby, while Wana Café can be found right before the open stage, so perfect to find something to nibble on before seeing the performance or continuing to explore the forest.

Souvenir and clothes market inside Ubud Monkey Forest

Main Attractions at Ubud Monkey Forest

You visit to Ubud Monkey Forest for the 1,200 long-tailed macaques, of course, but do you know that there are other things to see besides observing the monkeys’ behaviours?

The Ubud Monkey Forest is also a sanctuary and holy place. Within its 12.5 hectares, you can find three temples where Balinese often perform ceremonial rituals, a cemetery, and a forest conservation area with hundreds of species of trees.

Ubud Monkey Forest - the signboard of a temple

Interactions with Monkeys

Before excitement gets the best of you when you can see the monkeys in their habitat, there are a few things to pay attention to:

DOs

  • Keep your belongings secure inside your bag.

  • Leave your valuable things, such as jewellery and passports, in your room.

  • Dress appropriately since there are temples inside the Monkey Forest, and avoid mosquitos and bugs.

  • Take photos or videos of the monkeys and don’t forget that monkey selfie!

DON’Ts

  • Don’t stare the monkeys in the eye, as they will take it as a challenge to them.

  • Do not feed them. This policy ensures that their diet is maintained.

  • Don’t bring plastic bags and food, as the monkeys will know there is food and try to find it. Plastic bags are prohibited in keeping the Monkey Forest area clean.

  • Don’t panic if they come at you. Just stay calm and don’t run, as they will chase you!

  • Don’t disturb the monkeys, especially the young ones, as the mothers can be protective and aggressive.

Indonesian woman is making a photograph with a monkey

Food and Drink Near Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest - the dinner in the restaurant nearby

Community & Environmental Efforts

The Ubud Monkey Forest is more than just a tourist attraction as it also plays an integral role in the local community. The temples inside the forest serve as places for spirituality, where ceremonies are held to maintain the balance between nature and humans.

The Monkey Forest is also a conservation and research centre, in particular to preserve the monkey’s habitat. The Balinese see monkeys as sacred animals that represent both protection and mischief.

Local Conservation Projects

At Udayana University, 115 trees have been identified, some of which are significant in Balinese culture. Their conservation project aims to protect these tree species from extinction, as some are used to make masks for ceremonial purposes and others are used to build shrines.

Various local and worldwide institutions have also conducted research to study monkeys’ behaviours and social interactions with the surrounding environment since it has become a tourist attraction with people coming every day.

Monkey from Ubud Monkey Forest

Events at Ubud Monkey Forest

Monkey Forest Ubud also features some events, especially during the weekend. The good news is that you don’t need to buy additional tickets for these performances!

Lubdhaka Dance

Lubdhaka Dance costume in Ubud Monkey Forest

This traditional dance is inspired by the epic Mahabharata and originates from one of the villages in Ubud.

📅 Every Saturday

🕙 11 AM and 4 PM

Frog Dance

Frog dance show in Ubud Monkey Forest

A unique dance that shows the graceful movement and characteristics of frogs.

📅 Every Sunday

🕙 11 AM and 4 PM

Ngaben

Ngaben traditional ceremony in Ubud

If you’re lucky enough to witness the cremation ceremony, don’t miss out because it only happens once every five years!

📅 Every five years

What We Like and What We Don’t About Ubud Monkey Forest

What We Like

  • Undoubtedly one of the best sanctuaries in Ubud and a perfect place for a casual stroll.

  • The monkeys! Playful and funny, observing their behaviours is truly a joy to behold!

  • One-stop spot. At Monkey Forest, you can walk in the forest, witness the monkey’s bold nature, learn about the trees, visit the temples, and watch the performances all within the same ground!

  • The guide on interacting with the monkeys is strategically placed as a reminder for visitors.

  • The First Aid corner is something we don’t see often and, considering the risks, this is a great facility to have!

What We Don't

  • It can be extremely crowded with visitors. As it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ubud, the crowds can be overwhelming.

  • The monkey’s behaviours can be unpredictable. If you’re not into surprise acts, then this place is not for you.

  • Despite the policy, some visitors still bring plastic water bottles or food, which can be annoying when it ends up on the ground.

Ubud Monkey Forest Location + Opening Hours

Monkey Forest Opening Hours

  • Monday: 9 AM – 5 PM

  • Tuesday: 9 AM – 5 PM

  • Wednesday: 9 AM – 5 PM

  • Thursday: 9 AM – 5 PM

  • Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM

  • Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM

  • Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM

Ubud Monkey Forest entrance signboard

There are a few ways to get to Ubud Monkey Forest:

  • By car. The easiest way is to rent a car and have a driver drop you off and pick you up once you’re finished. There is also a spacious parking lot if you want to drive a car yourself.

  • By motorbike. If you want to have freedom explore the surrounding areas afterward.

  • By Grab/Gojek. It’s more convenient if you’re staying close to Ubud and cheaper.

  • Walking! If you’re staying close by, walking is certainly a more eco-friendly option and the best way to enjoy what Ubud has to offer.

Expert Opinion about Ubud Monkey Forest

This Sacred Bali Monkey Forest in Ubud is an interesting place to visit as you can observe the monkeys in their natural habitat, as well as being a great spot to walk around since it is basically a forest! Despite the crowd, this is still a must-visit since there are only two monkey sanctuaries in Bali, the other one being Sangeh Monkey Forest.

As long as you follow the guidelines, there is no reason for you to be alarmed by the monkeys’ behaviours. So, what are you waiting for? Ubud Monkey Forest can be one of the highlights of your trip to Bali!

portrait of the writer on Bali
Catur Herawanto
The author of the project ONBALI
77 articles

Hi everyone! My name is Catur, and I was born and raised in Central Java. I moved to Bali in 2011 but left the island in 2016 before returning in 2018. Bali feels more than a home to me, and maybe that’s why my name feels like a premonition. Catur means four, both in the Balinese and Javanese languages. It is spoken like ‘c’ in chess, which is also the meaning of my name in Indonesian.

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