Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest showing rainforest
Enter a dense rain forest full of banyan trees and flowing streams to visit ancient Hindu temples and baths and see agile macaques swing in the treetops.

The Ubud Monkey Forest is a site for Balinese Hindu worship and every aspect of the grounds has sacred meaning, from its trees and temples, to its long-tail macaques. This site is also a research centre where you can learn more about the monkeys and some 115 species of trees. The site is also known as the Padangtegal Monkey Forest because it is owned by the village of Padangtegal, one of Ubud’s communities.

Enter the tropical Monkey Forest to explore the temple complex. The original pagodas, pavilions and shrines are thought to date back to the mid-14th century, but many have eroded over time and some of the current structures are replicas. The biggest structure, the Dalem Agung Temple, is the main temple and used for everyday rituals. The Prajapati Temple is used for cremation ceremonies and the Holy Bathing Temple, almost hidden from view near the stream, is used for cleansing rituals.  

Meet some of the macaques who call this jungle home. There are more than 600 of them, living in four troops. In Balinese Hinduism, which incorporates elements of animism, Buddhism and ancestor worship, the monkeys are considered as sacred as the buildings. The monkeys are cheeky don’t feed them and guard any items they can grab.

Watch the locals give offerings and use certain trees for religious purposes. The leaves of the banyan tree, also known as the beringin tree, are used in cremation ceremonies and the wood of the pule bandak tree is used for masks.

Ubud Monkey Forest is open daily. The admission fee helps maintain the site you can make additional donations at the main entrance. It’s easy to get to the site on foot if you are staying in Ubud. Free parking is available for vehicles.

When accessing this active place of worship, rent or bring a sarong and cover your legs. Women need to cover their shoulders too. Anyone who has a child under 4 years old, is menstruating or wounded, or has buried or cremated a relative in the past week, is not allowed to enter the main temple.

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Reviews of Ubud Monkey Forest

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
167
" "5 - Excellent 52.1875%
4 - Good
117
" "4 - Good 36.5625%
3 - Okay
31
" "3 - Okay 9.6875%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 1.25%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.3125%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Oct 2019

Found it useful to keep mobile. Monkeys can decide to sit on your shoulder. Except the one that landed on my husband decide to nibble through his shirt, elbow had some teeth pressure marks, but luckily skin not broken/blood draw, Stay calm, keep moving and it will leave. Reassuring that quite a number of local "monkey handlers" around who are quite vigilant if any visitor is harassed or uncomfortable. Don't take food into the forest: asking for trouble: follow their guidelines and enjoy your visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Oct 2019

Be careful, they may jump on you and steal your possessions!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Sep 2019

Don't take anything with you if you can avoid it. Especially water bottles. These.monkeys.love to open everything and will get things out if pockets or backpacks. Pay attention as they can get aggressive. We saw two people chased by monkeys with teeth bared. One guy had his show bitten while the monkey clung to his leg. If they are playing or touching something dont get too close as they see that as a threat to their property and will chase you. I went to see Nelson (A blind monkey who cannot be rehabed) and got to hold his hand (So soft and tiny little fingers) gave him a back scratch which he loved.

5/5 - Excellent

Damian
4 Jul 2019

Keep your glasses safe. Monkeys will steal it if not keep in pockets.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Jul 2019

Go in the afternoon after the monkeys have been fed so that they don't pester you. Allow up to 2 hours as it covers quite an area.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
11 Jun 2019

Hold on to your water bottles, the monkeys seemed to like those the most. There is a free shuttle from the Monkey forest to the Ubud market. Ask at the desk about it

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