Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Steph
Spending four weeks exploring Bali was such a treat. The first two weeks in Ubud were a mixture of relaxation and learning more about the Balinese culture and traditions. One spot that we walked by every day, but didn’t visit until the end of our two-week stay, was the Sacred Monkey Forest.
It was exactly what we hoped it would be, and we wanted to share our favorite pictures as well as some tips if you ever find yourself visiting this magical place. I would highly recommend it if you are in Bali.
Everything You need to know about bali’s sacred monkey forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary – What is it?
Officially named Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana, this small protected forest area houses about 900 Balinese macaques and three different temples. There isn’t much information about who built the temples inside the Monkey Forest; the temples date back to the 14th century. Now, this area is not only one of the best tourist spots in Ubud, but it is also a spot for conservation efforts and research.
Get more info on their website here.
It’s also important to know that there is simply a wall and some basic fencing around the outside. That is to keep people out when the forest is closed. The monkeys come and go whenever they please, so if you’re nearby (like our little hotel stay was), you’ll want to watch out for any looking to cause trouble.
Logistics for the Sacred Monkey Forest
The forest is open from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM with the last tickets sold at 5:30 PM. I would recommend spending at least 90 minutes there so you can slowly walk around all the paths and spend time just watching the monkeys.
It costs 100,000 Rupiah to get in (about $6.00 US dollars) on weekdays and a bit more on weekends. There are three different gates, and each one has a small parking area if you are coming on a scooter.
Important to Know Before You Go
The rules are important. The monkeys are not pets, they are wild animals. If you don’t follow the posted rules, there is a good chance you will have an unwelcome incident. We saw a few while we were there. They are hilarious to witness, but they don’t seem fun for the person that the monkey is harassing.
I would also avoid backpacks or purses if you don’t want the monkey to interact with you. They are famous for stealing water bottles, so I would suggest leaving those outside.
If you want the famous selfie where it looks like the monkey is holding the phone, please do not attempt it. There are wonderful guys working who actually set those up for people for a small fee.
And now the Pictures…
And I’ll end this with Nelson. He is a blind monkey that they worked to rehabilitate with the group, but he is older and they haven’t had any luck. So, now he has his own area to live within the forest. Because he has no friends and these animals are social, the guys that work there take turns spending time with him and allow some visitors to do the same. We sat for a while just holding his hands and both trying to figure out how we could get the job of being Nelson’s friends.
This is definitely a spot we would recommend visiting while in Bali. Definitely pick this over any of the zoos or “safari experiences” – I’m begging you and so is Nelson.
And if you’re looking for more of our favorite Bali experiences, don’t miss our favorite snorkeling spot or this magical underrated destination on Bali.
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