TIPS FOR VISITING MONKEY FOREST UBUD BALI

Monkey Forest Ubud Bali is a captivating sanctuary where nature, culture, and wildlife come together in perfect harmony. Home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques and shaded by ancient trees, this sacred forest invites visitors to explore its peaceful pathways and historic temples. The serene atmosphere, combined with the playful behavior of the monkeys, makes it an unforgettable destination for travelers seeking a deeper connection with Bali’s natural and spiritual beauty.

Tips for Visiting Monkey Forest Ubud Bali

As I mentioned in my previous article, there are many activities to do in Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali, but to truly enjoy your journey, it's essential to know the tips before visiting this place. 

In addition to knowing the activities you can do while visiting Monkey Forest Ubud Bali, there are also some tips you should know to ensure your vacation remains safe, comfortable, and happy.

1. Wear modest and covered clothing

Wear modest and covered clothing when visiting this tourist destination. Keep in mind that there is also a sacred temple that you can visit here.

Moreover, it serves as a precaution against the aggressiveness of these monkeys. This includes avoiding being scratched if you are chased. It's safer to wear modest clothing, as I experienced when a monkey suddenly jumped onto my lap while I was sitting.

2. Visit after 2 p.m.

Visit after the monkeys have been fed, which is around 2 or 3 p.m. local time. After 2 or 3 p.m., the monkeys are full because they have been fed, so they are less aggressive than they are in the morning.

3. Keep an eye on your children

Keep an eye on your children, do not let them walk alone or out of your sight. This is especially important in the morning when the monkeys are still very active.

4. Do not bring or feed food

Never bring food to this tourist site if you do not want to be chased or followed by the monkeys. Their instincts will tell them if a visitor is carrying food. Moreover, never feed these long-tailed monkeys.

5. Keep your valuables safe

If you bring a vehicle, it is best to keep your valuables in the vehicle. However, if you are concerned about them getting lost, consider keeping them in a secure location, such as your bag, where they will be easily accessible, like your cell phone or glasses. These monkeys can take them, and there have been several cases of this happening. 

Moreover, make sure that the bag you carry is safe and cannot be easily taken or pulled by the monkeys. Do not carry it by hand, because the monkeys will snatch it from your hands.

6. Keep your camera safe

If you want to take pictures, make sure your camera is held securely, for example, around your neck so that it cannot be easily taken or snatched by the monkeys. Alternatively, if you are using a selfie stick or cell phone, ensure that it is held securely.

7. Do not litter

As responsible travelers, let us refrain from littering in this place, including items such as tissues, plastic, and similar waste. This includes not damaging the plants there.

8. Walk along the path

Walk along the path provided, not only for your own safety but also so as not to disturb the monkeys.

9. Avoid direct eye contact and physical contact

For those who wish to take pictures with these monkeys, please ensure that you do not touch them directly without the supervision of the officers present. Not only do we not know how clean these monkeys are, but there is also a concern that they will act aggressively and could hurt you.

Therefore, ensure that when you wish to interact with them, it is done under the supervision of the officers. This includes cute baby monkeys—please do not touch them, as this may anger their parents.

10. Do not harm the monkeys

Do not interact with them directly or harm them, such as by hitting or kicking them when they follow you. Stay calm and call a staff member. If you are aggressive toward them, their friends will likely retaliate against you. So be aware. Also, do not stare directly at the monkeys.

11. Stay calm

If something happens, such as being followed by monkeys, having your belongings snatched, or other incidents, stay calm and do not attack or hit them. Call the staff and let the experts handle it. At points close to each other, trained staff are usually on standby to ensure the safety of visitors.

The photo above is one of my experiences. I only intended to take a photo next to these monkeys. Suddenly, this monkey jumped onto my lap, which of course startled me. I had rarely come into contact with furry animals because I had a trauma when I was little. I froze, and the staff there tried to calm me down, telling me not to move.

Fortunately, I managed to control myself and stay still, even though I was anxious and afraid of being bitten, and the thought of its feces sticking to my hands or clothes made me cringe. I had to endure the pain as the monkey held my finger tightly, leaving it red afterward. Only after the staff gave it food did the monkey finally let go, but it took a long time for the food to be gone.

Stay calm, even though my face was already blurry from wanting to cry and holding back fear. However, it became a unique memory because I got a photo with this mischievous monkey.

There were also other tourists whose bags, glasses, or phones were taken. The incidents were amusing, but they can be traumatic if you rarely interact with animals, especially if you have childhood trauma related to animals.

No hard feelings, and do not judge. For animal lovers, I am happy to see people interacting with or keeping animals, but not for me. Having experienced some unpleasant and even disgusting incidents with certain types of animals, I find it difficult to touch or interact with certain types of animals, unless I have to.

Location and How to Get to Monkey Forest Ubud Bali

It is located in Padangtegal Ubud Village, Gianyar Regency, Bali. It is approximately 24.2 kilometers from the center of Denpasar City, a one-hour drive away. The road to this tourist area is in good condition. If you depart from Ngurah Rai Airport, it takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover a distance of around 36 kilometers.

You can use a two-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle. A large parking area is available for visitors to this tourist spot.

Entrance Ticket Prices

When I visited, the ticket price was IDR 100,000 for adults and IDR 80,000 for children aged 3-12 years. These tickets are specifically for domestic tourists and KITAS (Limited Stay Permit Card) holders and are valid on weekends. On weekdays, the price is IDR 80,000 for adults and IDR 60,000 for children.

For foreign tourists on weekends, the price is IDR 120,000 for adults and IDR 100,000 for children (3-12 years old). On weekdays, the price is IDR 100,000 for adults and IDR 80,000 for children. Meanwhile, Balinese residents who can prove their identity with a Balinese ID card are given a special price of IDR 30,000 for adults and IDR 20,000 for children.

Operating Hours

Monkey Forest Ubud Bali is open every day from 08:30 to 18:00 WITA. However, ticket sales are only open until 17:00 WITA. I visited this place in the morning because we were going to watch the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu in the afternoon.

That was my exciting experience at Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali. For those who love animals and nature, this tourist destination is perfect for a visit. It also serves as an educational opportunity for those bringing children to learn about monkeys and their habitat, as well as nature, since the forest is filled with large trees.

Best time to visit  

According to the staff I spoke with, the monkeys have a feeding schedule. Before feeding time, the monkeys can be pretty aggressive. During my walk, I saw many monkeys chasing tourists, causing them to panic, and the staff had to calm the monkeys down to prevent them from disturbing visitors.

When I took photos, the staff advised me to visit them after they had been fed, specifically after 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. local time. After eating, the monkeys are calmer.