Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Ubud Bali
Monkey Forest & Sacred Sites
Holidays
Ubud's most visited attraction — the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, an extraordinary ancient forest of giant banyan trees, three Hindu temples and over 700 free-roaming Balinese long-tailed macaques, in the heart of Ubud Town
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Flight Time
16h to Bali + 1.5h transfer
Best Time
April to October
Country
Ubud, Bali
Suppliers
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Monkey Forest & Sacred Sites Holiday Guide
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the most visited and memorable attraction in Ubud — 700 free-roaming macaques, three ancient temples and giant banyan trees in the heart of the town make it unmissable. 10 minutes walk from the Ubud Palace.
April to October is ideal. Keep bags closed and food out of sight.
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Popular Areas in Monkey Forest & Sacred Sites
Average Temperatures
Jan
25°C
Feb
25°C
Mar
25°C
Apr
26°C
May
26°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
24°C
Aug
24°C
Sep
25°C
Oct
26°C
Nov
26°C
Dec
25°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Monkey Forest & Sacred Sites
The 700 free-roaming macaques, the three ancient temples, the giant banyan trees and the extraordinary sacred atmosphere that make the Monkey Forest the most visited and memorable attraction in Ubud.
The Monkey Forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is an extraordinary ancient forest of giant banyan trees, strangler figs and tropical vegetation covering 12.5 hectares in the heart of Ubud Town. The forest is home to over 700 free-roaming Balinese long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) — the monkeys are completely unafraid of humans and will approach visitors, climb on them and steal food and belongings. The forest has a genuinely magical and atmospheric quality, with the giant banyan trees creating a cathedral-like canopy.
The Macaques
The 700+ Balinese long-tailed macaques are the main attraction of the Monkey Forest — the monkeys are completely unafraid of humans and are fascinating to observe and photograph. They live in four social groups and have distinct territories within the forest. The monkeys are intelligent and curious — they will approach visitors, groom each other, play and occasionally steal food, sunglasses and cameras. Do not feed the monkeys (it is prohibited), do not make eye contact with dominant males and keep bags and food out of sight.
Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal
Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal is the most important of the three temples in the Monkey Forest — the temple of the dead, dedicated to the goddess Durga and the god Shiva in his destructive aspect. The temple is one of the most atmospheric and dramatic in Bali, with extraordinary carved stone demons, skulls and mythological figures. The temple is still in active use and is open to visitors (sarong required). The temple is the finest example of a Balinese pura dalem (death temple) in the Ubud area.
Pura Beji
Pura Beji is the holy spring temple in the Monkey Forest — a beautiful temple set beside a sacred spring at the bottom of the forest, with a series of carved stone figures and a peaceful, atmospheric setting. The spring is used for ritual purification by the local community. The temple is the most serene and beautiful of the three temples in the forest and is the finest place to experience the spiritual atmosphere of the Monkey Forest.
Giant Banyan Trees
The Monkey Forest has some of the most extraordinary banyan trees in Bali — ancient, multi-trunked trees with aerial roots that have grown into massive, cathedral-like structures over centuries. The largest banyan trees in the forest are hundreds of years old and have trunks several metres in diameter. The banyan trees are sacred in Balinese Hindu tradition and are believed to be the home of spirits. The trees give the forest its extraordinary and otherworldly atmosphere.
Jalan Monkey Forest
Jalan Monkey Forest is the main street leading to the Monkey Forest from the Ubud Town centre — a lively, atmospheric street lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, galleries and souvenir shops. The street is the most popular and commercial in Ubud and is the finest place for shopping, eating and people-watching. The best restaurants on Jalan Monkey Forest include the Kafe (excellent vegetarian and vegan food), the Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka (the most famous suckling pig restaurant in Bali) and the Locavore (one of the finest restaurants in Asia).
Pura Prajapati
Pura Prajapati is the third temple in the Monkey Forest — a smaller temple adjacent to the main cemetery of the Padangtegal village, dedicated to the god Brahma in his role as creator. The temple is the least visited of the three forest temples but has a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. The cemetery adjacent to the temple is the most atmospheric in Ubud and gives an extraordinary insight into Balinese Hindu funeral traditions.
Practical Tips
The Monkey Forest is at the southern end of Jalan Monkey Forest, 10 minutes walk from the Ubud Palace. Opening hours are 8:30am–6pm daily. The entrance fee is approximately £4–5 per person. Do not bring food into the forest (the monkeys will steal it). Keep bags closed and sunglasses on your head (the monkeys will take them). Do not make eye contact with dominant males. Wear a sarong if visiting the temples (available for hire at the entrance). The forest is at its most atmospheric in the early morning.
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