Ubud Monkey Forest: What to Know Before You Visit
A guide to the temples, trails, and resident macaques of Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, plus how to visit safely.
The Ubud Monkey Forest
Officially the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, this 12-hectare nature reserve in central Ubud is home to roughly 1,200 long-tailed macaques living freely across three ancient temples and dense forest. It's simultaneously a working Hindu temple complex, a conservation area, and one of Ubud's most visited attractions — a combination that makes it feel distinct from a typical zoo or wildlife park.
What's Inside
| Feature | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal | The main temple, dedicated to Hindu death rituals |
| Holy Spring Temple | A bathing temple used for ritual purification |
| Cremation Temple | A temple specifically associated with cremation ceremonies |
| Forest trails | Walking paths through dense forest where most monkey sightings happen |
Visiting Safely
The macaques are used to visitors but are still wild animals, and grabbing food, sunglasses, or loose bags is common — the sanctuary sells bananas for feeding, but holding food openly (rather than following staff guidance) is the single biggest cause of monkeys jumping on visitors. Staff throughout the forest can help if a monkey does grab something, so it's worth locating one rather than trying to retrieve items yourself.
Don't make direct eye contact with the macaques or smile with visible teeth — both can be read as aggressive gestures. Keep bags zipped and avoid carrying food openly.
