Monkey Forests

Ubud Monkey Forest

The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, Bali. It houses approximately 340 monkeys which are known as long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis). There are four groups of monkeys each occupying different territories in the park. The Sacred Monkey Forest is a popular tourist attraction in Ubud and is often visited by over 10,000 tourists a month.

In the Monkey Forest, you can walk around and enjoy the serene atmosphere. The forest comprises approximately a tenth of a square kilometer (approximately 27 acres) and contains at least 115 different species of trees. The Monkey Forest contains the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple as well as a "Holy Spring" bathing temple and another temple used for cremation ceremonies.

The Monkey Forest street also provides many choices of restaurants, from Western cuisine to Balinese dishes. Remember to visit Bebek Bengil about 500 meters from there. It's a popular restaurant at Jalan Hanoman, known for its specialties: fried/roasted ducks. Do also try the ribs. They'll leave you wanting more. Shops at Monkey Ubud Forest alone offer a wide variety of beads, baskets, wooden carvings, ikat textiles, paintings, and silver jewelry.

Distance from Ngurah Rai Airport: 37 Km / 90-Minute Drive

Distance from Ubud Center: 2.2 Km / 10-Minute Drive

Sangeh Monkey Forest

This area is one of the tourist attractions in Bali that is interesting to visit because apart from traveling, you can also get to know the surrounding natural environment which is a protected forest area. So, what can we enjoy when visiting Sangeh Monkey Forest?

For animal lovers, visiting Sangeh Monkey Forest is certainly exciting. Here, you can see adorable long-tailed monkeys in the forest area where the monkeys live. This forest is known as a homogeneous forest which has an area of around 10 hectares. Apart from the many nutmeg plants, in this forest, there are also 54 types of flora plants such as sandpaper, pule, buni, yellow cempaka, pohpoh, and many more.

Here, you can interact directly with the monkeys, such as taking photos and feeding them. For this activity, it's best to be accompanied by a guide. If you want to feed it, don't forget to prepare food such as bananas or cassava which can be bought at stalls around the parking area of the Sangeh tourist attraction.

Many tour guides are ready to help tourists explore the Sangeh Monkey Forest tourist area. However, you also need to be alert and always pay attention to your belongings such as glasses, hats, jewelry, bags, and others. Because visitors' luggage can become the center of the monkeys' attention. 

Apart from being a habitat for monkeys, Sangeh Monkey Forest is also a sacred place for the Balinese people. Right in the middle of the forest, you will find two temples. The smaller temple is called Pura Melanting and the wider temple is called Pura Bukit Sari.

It is not surprising that the temple has become a sacred place for residents. This temple in the Sangeh area is a relic from the 17th century. According to history, Pura Bukit Sari is historical evidence that has a very strong connection with the glorious history of the Mengwi Kingdom at that time.

Distance from Ngurah Rai Airport: 37 Km / 90-Minute Drive

Distance from Ubud Center: 16 Km / 30-Minute Drive