Visiting Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest: All You Need to Know
Ubud Monkey Forest is a sanctuary nestled in Ubud, Bali’s cultural hub. Home to over 1,000 Balinese Long Tailed Macaques, this Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bali. Ubud’s Monkey Forest is a must-visit nature escape in Bali that is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Besides the curious, cute, and sometimes terrifying monkeys here, there are ancient temples, stunning trees, and a beautiful bridge that extends over the parks river. This post details all you need to know about visiting the monkey forest in Ubud from the entrance fees to monkey characteristics and so much more.
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Located in the heart of Ubud is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Home to more then 1,000 Balinese Long Tailed Macaques, this sanctuary is one of Bali’s most famous and visited attractions.
Not only is this sanctuary famous for the entertaining monkeys that call this forest home, but there are ancient temples, majestic bridges, and beautiful trees throughout the park.
If planning on visiting the monkey forest in Ubud this post outlines all you need to know for a cultural, educational, and safe experience for both you and the monkeys.
Information About the Ubud Monkey Forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud is a forested area covering about 12.5 hectares where the famous Balinese Long Tailed Macaques can freely roam while us humans can observe and enjoy them.
The intent to visit the monkey forest in Ubud is to see the monkeys, but the park is home to ancient temples and sacred places that date back to the 14th century. The monkeys here are considered sacred.
There are nice trails that can be taken throughout the park. For the most part the walking paths are flat and well maintained. None of the walking within the park is strenuous.
Besides temples and monkeys, there are toilets and an animal clinic within the park. There are two cafes on the premises, the Wenara and Wana Cafe.
Admission and Hours
Admission Fee
Weekdays
Adult: IDR 80.000
Children: IDR 60.000
Admission Fee
Weekends
Adult: IDR 100.000
Children: IDR 80.000
Hours
Ubud’s Monkey Forest is open daily from 9:00 until 18:00.
Guidelines and Rules to Keep Both You and the Monkeys Safe
These Guidelines are from signs posted around the monkey forest and Monkey Forest Ubud website.
- The monkeys at the sanctuary are not naturally aggressive but can be unpredictable. If threatened the monkeys will defend themselves and let you know that you are to close.
- Do not look at the monkeys directly in the eyes.
- Do not bring paper bags and plastic materials in the park. The monkeys are curious and can snatch items or the items can be harmful to them.
- Do not feed the monkeys outside food. Trust me, they get plenty of delicious food through the park.
- Do not touch or harass the monkeys. I know they look cute and you might want to pet them, but they are wild animals not a house pet.
- Watch out for your personal items like phones, cameras, and sunglasses. Monkeys can take these items off your person and you may not see your favorite phone again.
- Remember, this is a sacred site. Dress appropriately!
Taking a "Selfie" with the Monkeys
One of the main draws to visiting Ubud’s monkey forest is that there are opportunities to interact with the monkeys.
Normally, I do not support paying to have your photo taken with wildlife. I am mainly talking about taking photos with tigers and elephants. This is usually unnatural for the animals and many times the animals are abused at the hands of their owner.
I paid attention to the vibe and handling of the animals and felt comfortable about paying to have a monkey sit on me and have a “selfie” of me and the monkey taken by the monkey.
There are two booths around the park that charge for wristbands. The payment was very cheap, like $1. From here, there are handlers that will take your wristband for that iconic “Monkey Selfie.”
The monkeys are not forced to take photos with visitors and are not influenced or threatened at all. The monkeys can freely come up to you and decide if you are worthy or not of a selfie.
Does the monkey actually take your picture?
Not quite, you pass your phone to the handler. They fee the monkeys seeds or nuts. The monkey reaches their hands out in front of the camera which makes it look like it’s taking a selfie.
Balinese Long Tailed Macaques
The Balinese Long Tailed Macaque or Crab-eating macaque, is a type of Macaque found throughout Southeast Asia.
If familiar with the Japanese Macaques found at places in Japan like Arashiyama, Kyoto or the famous Snow Monkeys in Nagano Prefecture, these macaques are smaller and have long tails, they also do not have bright red faces like their relatives in Japan.
The Balinese Long Tailed Macaque is known for their brownish/grayish hair and long skinny tails.
Below you can learn more about their characteristics and the Balinese Long Tailed Macaques that call the Monkey Forest in Ubud home.
Behavior and Characteristics
There are several species of Macaques, the monkeys specific to the Monkey Forest in Ubud are known as Balinese Long Tail Macaques or Crab-eating Macaques. The name, Crab-eating Macaques is given to this species of monkey because they are known to forage for crabs on beaches.
According to information signs posted throughout the park, the Balinese Long Tail Macaques have a life span of around 15-20 years. There have been monkeys in captivity that have succeeded the normal life expectancy. Adults males can weigh anywhere from 3.5 – 8 kg, whereas females are smaller weighing in at 2.5-5.7 kg.
The monkeys are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
Like other monkey species, the Balinese Long Tailed Macaques can have large canine teeth.
The macaques tails are longer then their body, hence the name, long tail macaque. The tails are used for many purposes, including balance and believe it or not, hanging from trees.
In the wild, the long tailed macaques can be found throughout Southeast Asia. Their environment ranges from tropical rainforests to urban environments. In many parts of Southeast Asia, the long tailed macaques live within close proximity of human beings.
About the Monkeys at Ubud's Monkey Forest
According to the Monkey Forest Ubud website, there are an estimate 1,260 monkeys that call this sanctuary home and they are divided into 10 different groups. According to the website, the groups are made up of 110 – 230 individuals that include baby monkeys, juveniles, and adults.
While walking around Ubud’s monkey forest, you will notice many of the monkeys stay in groups, pairs, or can even be solitary.
In general, the monkeys here are friendly toward humans or at least not bothered by our presence. But when irritated, provoked, or threatened, they can display aggressive behaviors. It’s best to keep your distance and follow the rules above to keep both yourself and the monkeys safe.
Monkeys can be mean toward one another, you might notice many of them have old scars or fresh gashes. It is my understanding that the park does provide care for sick and injured monkeys.
Rehabilitated Monkeys at the Sanctuary
When visiting the monkey forest in Ubud, in the forest there is a large cage that houses 4 monkeys who have been rehabilitated due to injuries. They are kept in an enclosure for their safety as they cannot survive in the wild.
I couldn’t help but notice that three of the monkeys here were blind and two of them due to snake venom. I know there are cobras in Bali, so that was my initial thought.
The four monkeys are named Bapang, Lanan, Nelson, and Tumsist. Although they have severe injuries, they appeared to be in relatively good health, happy, and well cared for.
Common Questions About Ubud Monkey Forest
Is Ubud’s Monkey Forest Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest was an incredible experience. You get to see these wild monkeys up close and get to learn more about the monkeys, their behavior, and conservation efforts.
How many monkeys are there at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary?
According to an information sign, there are around 1,260 monkeys.
Is Ubud’s Monkey Forest ethical?
The monkeys that live here are wild. They can come and go as they please. The monkey forest does a lot for research and conservation. Humans can walk amongst the monkeys and the monkeys are not forced to do anything. Even the monkeys that take photos can leave when they want and are not forced into anything. That being said, this is a tourist attraction and many times people cannot behave themselves and can harass the wildlife.
Conclusion
The Ubud Monkey Forest is a must visit attraction in Bali, especially if planning on visiting Ubud. Visitors get a chance to admire and learn about the Balinese Long Tailed Macaques and walk in their environment to see how they live and interact with one another. Besides watching the entertaining monkeys, you can view the temples and other cultural sites within the park. Visiting Ubud’s Monkey Forest was definitely one of the highlights and most memorable days from my trip to Bali, Indonesia.
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2 Comments
Jenny Cotten
I learned so much about these monkeys and the pictures are adorable! Now I want to go see them in person. Thanks for sharing!
zimminaround
Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed the photos! It was a fantastic experience. I hope you get a chance to go.