In the middle of Ubud, Bali's cultural hub, sits a stretch of dense tropical forest home to several hundred long-tailed macaques — the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, one of the most visited sites on the island and one of the few places to see these monkeys up close in a semi-wild setting. It's a short walk from central Ubud, making it an easy addition to a day spent in town rather than a separate excursion.

A Forest With Three Temples

The Sacred Monkey Forest isn't just a wildlife reserve — it's also a site of religious significance, home to three Hindu temples dating back to the 14th century, integrated into the forest rather than separate from it. Moss-covered stone carvings, statues, and temple gates sit among the trees, giving the forest a genuinely different atmosphere from a standard nature park. The temples remain active places of worship for the local community, and visitors are asked to dress and behave respectfully while walking through, even though the forest itself functions as a tourist attraction.

The Macaques

The forest is home to around a thousand Balinese long-tailed macaques, a species considered endangered in parts of its range, making the sanctuary an important conservation site as well as a visitor attraction. The monkeys are genuinely wild and unpredictable rather than tame — they're used to human visitors but will grab food, bags, or loose items (sunglasses, hats, water bottles) without warning, so visitors are advised not to carry food into the forest and to keep a secure hold on valuables.

Feeding the monkeys directly isn't recommended, both for visitor safety and because it disrupts their natural foraging behaviour — the sanctuary's management discourages it despite the temptation for a close-up photo.

Visiting Practically

The forest is compact enough to walk through in under an hour, though many visitors spend longer taking in the temples and forest scenery rather than moving quickly through. It's a working conservation and cultural site rather than a purely recreational one, and entrance fees go toward maintaining both the forest and its temples.

Fitting It Into a Bali Itinerary

Ubud's Monkey Forest works well alongside a day spent exploring the town's art markets, rice terrace viewpoints, and cafés — most visitors combine it with other central Ubud activities rather than making it a standalone day trip. Quintrip's Bali holiday packages typically centre on beach-area resorts, so a day trip inland to Ubud is worth flagging to a consultant in advance if it's a priority for the itinerary.

Planning the Trip

Bali has a dry season from April to September and a wetter season from November to March, with the dry months generally more comfortable for walking around the forest. Early morning visits tend to be quieter and cooler than midday, both for comfort and for a better chance of unobstructed views of the temples.

A Quintrip consultant can help build an Ubud day trip into a broader Bali itinerary, along with current pricing across the Bali package range.

FAQ

Is it safe to visit the Monkey Forest?
Generally yes, but the macaques are wild and can grab food, bags, or loose items — visitors are advised not to carry food and to hold onto valuables securely.

Should you feed the monkeys?
No — it's discouraged, both for visitor safety and because it disrupts the macaques' natural foraging behaviour.

What temples are inside the forest?
Three Hindu temples dating back to the 14th century, integrated into the forest and still used for worship by the local community.

How long does a visit take?
The forest itself can be walked through in under an hour, though many visitors spend longer taking in the temples and scenery.

Is the Monkey Forest included in a standard Bali package?
Not typically — Quintrip's Bali packages are generally beach-resort focused, so a Ubud day trip is worth discussing with a consultant in advance.

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