Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali- A Complete Guide

The Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Monkey Sanctuary, is in the village of Padangtegal, just a short drive from the famed town of Ubud. This sanctuary, which covers roughly 12 hectares (30 acres), is a sacred spot that is home to a diversified population of long-tailed macaques, a species native to Indonesia.  Over 800 monkeys live at the Bali Monkey Sanctuary, surrounding an old 14th-century Hindu temple. There are over 100 species of trees in the forest, that are significant to the Balinese culture.  The Forest is home to three temples that were constructed around 1350.

 There are three temples in the Ubud Monkey Forest, each dedicated to different gods.

• Delaem Agung Padangtegal Temple, also known as the main temple, lies in the southwestern part of the park. The temple is used for worshipping the god, Hyang Widhi.

• Holy Spring Temple, also known as The Pura Beji, located in the northwestern part of the park, is used for the worship of Hyang Widhi, the personification of the goddess Gangga.

• Prajapati Temple, located in the northeastern part of the park, is used to worship Hyang Widhi in the personification of Prajapati.

How To Get To Monkey Forest Ubud?

The Sanctuary is located near the town center of Ubud, in central Bali, Indonesia. It is easy to visit if you’re staying in the Ubud area, or you can make it a day trip from any other area of Bali like Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta.

Location: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

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Best way to get there.

The best way to get there is to either hire a private car and driver or rent a scooter.   During my visit, I went with a group of four, so we hired a private car for the day.  Which was nice; he waited for us, and we just called him when we were ready to leave. 

How Long To Stay

I would give you one to two hours if you are sightseeing or doing other things on the same day. However, you could spend a whole day in the sanctuary exploring nature and the primates. Time flies when you’re hanging out with the monkey and taking photos.  I think there’s a lot to see, like the old architecture and temples within the sanctuary.

How Much Is Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary?

Listed Below are the current 2023 entrance fees for the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.  You can pay the entrance fee in IDR (Rupiah) Cash, international credit cards, or bank cards.  With the entrance fee, you’re allowed to explore the entire Bali sanctuary for as long as you like including the old temples, and bridges, within the grounds.

During Your Visit

As I enter the Monkey Sanctuary, you will be welcomed by many sounds of monkey chatter and nature. Even in the parking lot, there were monkeys roaming between trees and cars. As you enter the park, visitors are advised to approach the monkeys with caution, and strict procedures are in place to safeguard the safety of both people and primates.

These mischievous critters can be seen in their native environment, swinging from tree to tree, grooming each other, and playing in the water. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch their social behavior and the delicate balance between nature and human interaction.

The Monkey Sanctuary is important for biodiversity conservation in addition to its cultural and religious value.  You can tell the Sanctuary actively tries to conserve the natural environment of the sanctuary’s long-tailed macaques and other flora and animals.

Regular educational sessions on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly practices are held to promote awareness about the region’s delicate ecological balance and the necessity of maintaining it for future generations.

Is the Scared Monkey Dangerous?  

The monkeys have been known to bite people if they have food or if someone retracts an offer for food. They can carry viruses such as Rabies and hepatitis, but overall, the monkeys are not dangerous.  If you are attacked by a monkey, it can pose a serious risk. It is recommended by staff during the visit that you do not have any type of food in your bags because the Monkey will try to take it. I know that during my visit; the monkeys were very friendly. They even played with a water bottle. My suggestion is that a monkey who takes something off your stop calls over to a staff member who is trained to retrieve the item.  The sanctuary is generally safe to visit as long as you, as a visitor, follow the rules and guidelines set by the sanctuary management