The short answer
Ubud Monkey Forest: what visitors should know first
Yes, for the forest and temples as much as the monkeys. It is shaded, close to the centre and easy for most ages, but the macaques can be bold. Keep food and loose items hidden, do not touch them, and give it about an hour in the morning.
History and context
The story behind Ubud Monkey Forest
According to Wikipedia, the three temples inside the forest, Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, Pura Beji and Pura Prajapati, were apparently built around 1350. The forest covers about 10 hectares and holds at least 115 tree species.
The village council manages the forest under the Hindu principle of tri hita karana, harmony between people, nature and the divine. Wikipedia reports about 1,260 monkeys as of 2023, in five groups.
Useful facts
Ubud Monkey Forest facts at a glance
- Location
- Padangtegal, Ubud, at the end of Monkey Forest Road
- Experience type
- Forest walk with temples and macaques
- Known for
- Crab-eating macaques and three Hindu temples
- Built
- Temples apparently from about 1350
- Time or schedule
- Daily visiting hours; check the official site
Why it matters
Why Ubud Monkey Forest is worth your time
The forest is owned and run by the village of Padangtegal, and it is a working religious and ecological site as well as an attraction. Its three temples are tied to the community's rituals, including the purification and cremation cycle. Seeing it as a village forest, rather than a zoo, explains the rules about dress and access.
It also gives a rare look at old tree cover close to town. Ubud's lanes are lined with guesthouses and shops, and the forest holds more than 100 species of trees and a living monkey population in a few hectares. Visit with respect and the monkeys become part of the setting rather than the whole point.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Banyan-shaded paths
Old trees, stone statues and moss-covered bridges line the main routes.
- 02
Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal
The main temple, dedicated to Shiva, sits in the south-west of the forest.
- 03
Pura Beji
A holy-spring bathing temple used for cleansing before ceremonies.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Enter early, when the forest is cooler and quieter, and walk slowly. The paths wind through large trees, past carved stone bridges and moss-covered statues to three temples inside the forest. Sacred areas are only for worshippers in proper attire, so view them from the permitted edges. Keep a steady pace and avoid staring at the monkeys, since eye contact can be read as a challenge.
The macaques are crab-eating macaques. Staff feed them sweet potatoes at set times, and visitors are asked not to feed them snacks. Keep bags zipped, leave plastic bottles and food out of sight, and do not carry sunglasses or a hat loosely. If a monkey climbs on you, stay calm, do not pull away, and call a staff member. Bites do happen, so ask about local medical advice if you are scratched.
Combine the forest with lunch on Monkey Forest Road or a rest at your hotel, since it is warm and damp by midday.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Hide food, plastic bottles and loose items
- Do not touch or stare at the monkeys
- Wear modest clothes for temple areas
- Go early before the heat and crowds
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Padangtegal, southern end of Monkey Forest Road
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Morning, when it is cooler and the monkeys are calmer
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Shaded paths with some stone steps and uneven stretches; damp after rain. Benches are limited, and the monkeys make some visitors anxious.
- Tickets and access
- Entry is ticketed; check the current fee and hours with the official site. Some temple areas are open only to people praying in Balinese attire.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Ubud Monkey Forest
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Shaded paths with some stone steps and uneven stretches; damp after rain. Benches are limited, and the monkeys make some visitors anxious.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Are the monkeys dangerous?
They can be bold and do bite. Do not feed, touch or tease them, and keep food and loose items out of sight.
Can I enter the temples?
Sacred areas are for worshippers in Balinese attire. Visitors normally see them from the permitted areas.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Mostly yes, with care on stone steps and damp paths. Go early, wear grippy shoes and take a rest break.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
