Ubud Monkey Forest: on your own, with a guide or as part of an Ubud day
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a forest with temples right in Ubud, home to macaques living in a semi-wild environment. Decide in advance whether a walk on your own is enough, whether you want a guide's commentary, or whether the forest should be part of a bigger plan.
AMANI Journeys editorial teamPublished 4 Nov 20263 min read
Short answer
If you are staying in or near Ubud, a dedicated visit to the forest is enough, with or without a guide. If you are coming from the south of the island and also want to see rice terraces or a waterfall, a full-day tour where the forest is one of the stops makes more sense.
We cover how to combine the forest with other places in Ubud in Ubud in one day. Here we focus on the visit to the sanctuary itself.
What you will see in the forest
The sanctuary is a protected forest with paths, bridges, statues and huge trees. Besides the macaques, there are three temples: the main temple, the holy spring temple and a temple linked to cremation. The temples are places of prayer, and visitors see them from the outside.
Some parts of the forest are sacred and closed to visitors. Respect the signs and the staff's instructions, even if a path looks open.
On your own, with a guide or as part of a day
| Option | Good if | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Entry on your own | you are staying in Ubud and want to go at your own pace | opening hours and entry fee on the sanctuary's official website |
| Entry with a guide | you want commentary on the temples and on monkey behaviour | duration, meeting point and whether a transfer is included |
| Full-day Ubud tour | you want to combine the forest with terraces and a waterfall | how much time is spent in the forest and whether your option includes entry fees |
With the guided option in our selection, admission, a guide and water are included. A transfer is only included with the option that lists it, and the duration varies by option. The guide speaks English or Indonesian.
The full-day Ubud tour with the Monkey Forest, rice terraces and a waterfall is a private trip with a driver-guide. The forest is one of several stops, so you have less time for the walk than on a dedicated visit. Entry fees are only included with the entrance-fee option.
Ubud: Rice Terraces, Monkey Forest & Waterfall Private Tour
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How much time to allow
The forest is not a park for a whole day. Plan for an unhurried walk plus some time for the queue at the entrance. Last entry is before closing time, so do not arrive at the last minute. Check the current opening hours on the sanctuary's official website.
You can buy a ticket at the entrance or in advance online on the official website. If you are coming from the south of Bali, factor the journey there and back in traffic into your day.
With children
Keep children close and do not let them play with the monkeys or run towards them. Toys and small items should stay in a bag. If a monkey comes close, stand calmly or walk away slowly.
For the guided option, conditions for children depend on the option you choose. The full-day tour is not suitable for pregnant women or for people with back problems, medical conditions or high blood pressure.
Before you go in
- Belongings: keep jewellery, glasses and small items out of sight, as monkeys grab them easily. Do not bring plastic bags into the forest; there are lockers at the entrance.
- Behaviour: do not look monkeys directly in the eye, do not run and do not panic. If a monkey jumps on your shoulder, stay calm and keep walking slowly.
- Clothing: the forest is a sacred place, so dress respectfully and not too revealingly.
- Health: if a monkey scratches or bites you, go to the first aid clinic on site and follow the medical staff's instructions.
If you would like someone to explain the forest and take care of your ticket, see the Monkey Forest guided visit.
Ubud Monkey Forest: ticket and guided walk
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Not sure what to choose?
Tell us when you'll be in Bali and what you enjoy, and we'll suggest tours or transfers that fit.