Enjoying With Bali Monkeys At The Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Seeing the cheeky Bali monkeys must be someplace close to the highest of your Indonesia bucket checklist, and the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the most well-liked place to do it.
Nearly 1,000 monkeys reside on the Bali monkey forest! This can be a 12 hectare (30 acre) jungle space surrounding an outdated 14th century Hindu temple, situated within the coronary heart of Ubud.
It’s enjoyable, household pleasant, and inexpensive, and also you get to work together with the animals in a extra pure setting than a zoo. What’s to not like?
This journey information will clarify how you can get to the Ubud monkey forest, present entrance charges, and all the things else it’s essential know earlier than you go!
The place To Keep
What To Anticipate – Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
It might sound bizarre, however the Instagram well-known monkey forest was one of many greatest inspirations for my first journey to Bali years in the past.
I noticed all of the moss coated statues within the jungle, and the photographs of individuals posing with monkeys in Ubud, and it seemed actually enjoyable to me. Opinions of the monkey forest are all over. Some like it, some hate it.
Lots of people are terrified of monkeys, so that they’d quite keep distant from this place. I like monkeys, so going right here appeared like a extremely enjoyable and genuine expertise you can’t have wherever else.
Now that my spouse and I reside in Bali, we’ve gone again to the monkey forest many instances, with and with out pals, and it’s at all times humorous to observe the monkeys’ ridiculous antics.
Irrespective of who you might be, you’re assured to have some memorable experiences at this place!
Monkey Enterprise – Issues To Know
The Bali monkey forest could be a bit wild. You’ve been warned!
I’ve seen the monkeys in Ubud crawl on peoples’ faces, pull down girls’s tops and carry up their attire, chew on peoples’ hair like a snack, drink from water bottles, steal sun shades, and simply flop down and take naps in the midst of the strolling path.
By some means I’ve miraculously escaped being peed on, despite the fact that I’ve let numerous Bali monkeys climb on my shoulders over time.
With that mentioned, it is a place the place you will have a reasonably good probability of being peed on, robbed, and even bitten. For those who don’t like cheeky monkeys, then keep distant!
I’ve gotten a couple of bites, however nothing severe, and the Bali monkeys don’t actually have any ailments to fret about (see the security dialogue later on this information).
There are about 1,000 monkeys dwelling right here on the jungle sanctuary in additional than 6 completely different teams, so it’s fairly a celebration.
The Ubud monkey forest is a bit completely different from a zoo, as a result of the monkeys are free to come back and go as they please.
That is their pure habitat. The monkeys reside right here, and sleep within the banyan bushes. You’re going into their cherished monkey dwelling quarters. Their jungle palace, if you’ll.
Nonetheless, you may assist feed the monkeys or take photos with them. They’re straightforward to work together with, partly due to the useful employees on the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
The monkeys in Ubud are fed 3 times a day, primarily with a mixture of candy potatoes and bananas, together with the occasional papaya leaves and seasonal fruit.
This monkey species is known as the Balinese long-tailed macaque, or crab-eating macaque. The scientific title is Macaca fascicularis.
Child monkeys stick with their moms till they’re about 10 months outdated, steadily studying the methods of the jungle, and so they’re simply as cute as you may count on.
Taking photos with the Bali monkeys is at all times numerous enjoyable.
The employees can use a snack to lure the monkeys onto your shoulder, and so they may even do humorous trick pictures for you the place it seems just like the monkey is holding your cellphone and taking a selfie picture with you. You possibly can see the pic above for an instance.
The amusing ‘monkey selfie’ viral photos at Ubud are completed by the employees holding a sunflower seed or different small deal with behind your cellphone, after which when the monkey reaches for it, they snap a photograph. Voilà, you’ve acquired your monkey selfie!
When taking photos with the monkeys, we attempt to keep away from the older ones with their massive fangs, and buddy up with the docile youthful monkeys as a substitute. They’re cuter anyhow, and fewer probably to offer a nasty chunk in the event that they get upset with you for some cause.
Simply watch out to not method one of many little child monkeys too carefully or all of a sudden, as a result of the moms could also be protecting!
The employees on the monkey forest additionally carry slingshots to maintain the dangerous monkeys in line in the event that they assault one another or steal one thing from a customer.
They don’t damage the monkeys. Normally all they need to do is pull out the slingshot and any troublemaking monkeys head for the hills.
The Ubud Monkey Forest does get a bit crowded these days, particularly later within the morning and early afternoon. Nevertheless, it’s really not the one monkey forest Bali has to supply.
If the crowds at Ubud trouble you, you then may wish to take a look at the Sangeh Monkey Forest as a substitute. It’s one other good monkey place in Bali that’s not too removed from Ubud, and it’s method much less busy.
Issues NOT To Do
The next is an inventory of issues it’s best to NOT do on the monkey forest Ubud:
- Don’t deliver any form of valuables. Earrings, jewellery, and different equipment aren’t a good suggestion. The Bali monkeys may steal them. Large earrings are particularly dangerous as a result of they’re tempting to yank.
- Don’t put on glasses or sun shades. The monkeys in Ubud will attempt to seize them off of your face. I’ve seen somebody lose an costly pair of glasses right here.
- Don’t deliver outdoors meals or cover it in your pockets. The monkeys may discover it, and they won’t be comfortable about you hiding it.
- Don’t feed the monkeys outdoors snacks or drinks. Peanuts, cookies, sweet, and different snacks are dangerous for his or her monkey bellies.
- Don’t deliver plastic or paper baggage. The monkeys in Ubud affiliate these baggage with meals, so that they’ll steal them after which toss them within the forest, like litter bugs.
- Don’t panic or run from the monkeys. They know what this implies. For those who can keep calm, the monkeys usually tend to do the identical.
- Don’t look the monkeys within the eye and grin at them. The Bali monkeys hate when you do that; particularly the larger ones. They take bared tooth and eye contact as an indication of aggression.
- Don’t contact or seize the Bali monkeys. They received’t let anybody decide them up, and so they hate being touched. Allow them to do the touching, and so they’ll additionally climb onto you if they need.
Youngsters At Ubud Monkey Forest
Youngsters can undoubtedly go to the Ubud monkey forest, and I at all times see households having a blast right here.
Nevertheless, I’d suggest you keep away from the older monkeys as a result of they’re greater and extra aggressive. A few of them weigh as much as 10 kilos or 22 kilos!
The youthful monkeys are simpler and safer to work together with, and so they’re extra cute for pictures anyhow. They could be shy at first, however they’ll heat as much as you.
The Ubud Jungle & Temples
A part of the rationale to go to the Bali monkey forest is to see some good jungles, full with historical statues and Balinese temples (therefore why it’s referred to as the ‘sacred monkey forest sanctuary’).
There’s an enormous banyan tree right here that’s identified to be no less than 100 years outdated, and presumably a lot older. The locals aren’t even positive of the precise age, however the monkeys in Ubud like to climb on it.
There are additionally three Hindu temples right here. The principle one is known as Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal and it’s thought to have been constructed round 1350 AD.
Vacationers typically can’t go inside this Bali monkey temple, nevertheless it’s straightforward to snap some good photos from proper outdoors the gate.
The Dragon Statues
For those who observe the strolling path deeper into the jungle, there are outdated mossy statues of Komodo dragons and different creatures.
It’s an unbelievable Indiana Jones-y surroundings that I nonetheless get pleasure from strolling by way of even after many visits to this place.
Among the best picture spots is an enormous concrete bridge over a ravine, which is guarded on the entrance by two stone dragon statues.
Do The Bali Monkeys Have Rabies?
Quick reply — NO, the Bali monkeys would not have rabies.
The Bali Monkey Forest is visited by greater than 10,000 vacationers per thirty days, and plenty of of those individuals, together with myself, have gotten monkey bites and didn’t go for any form of therapy. Years later, we’re simply wonderful.
If rabies was right here, you’d realize it by now. We’d be listening to horror tales on the information about that man who died from a monkey chunk on his tropical trip in Bali, Indonesia. Nevertheless, there has by no means been a recorded case of a monkey right here having rabies.
The monkeys in Ubud (and at Sangeh) have been studied and examined by scientists from the US and Australia yearly, and given a clear invoice of well being for many years now. In 2023, the Bali authorities even began mass vaccinating the monkeys for rabies as a precaution.
What about Herpesvirus B? That additionally appears to be a non-issue. Though it may be carried by macaques, together with those in Bali, a U.S. research in 2002 discovered that “no case of human CeHV-1 an infection has been reported in Bali, both in affiliation with monkey forests or in another non-laboratory context” regardless of numerous bites over time.
A speculation from this research was that the virus pressure carried by the macaques is a non-pathogenic pressure, that means it doesn’t trigger illness in people.
On web boards there’s numerous worrying and hand wringing about rabies and different viruses, and among the concern is comprehensible, however the easy reality is that these viruses have fortunately NEVER been contracted at any Bali monkey forest.
With that mentioned, when you do get a monkey chunk then it’s most likely a good suggestion to sanitize it. Monkeys aren’t the cleanest animals!
There’s a small first support workplace on the Ubud monkey forest the place the employees can repair you up with alcohol or antiseptic cream when you get a chunk.
Hours & Entrance Charges
- Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (tickets shut at 5 PM)
- Adults (Weekdays): 80k IDR (~$5 USD)
- Adults (Weekends): 100k IDR
- KITAS / KITAP Holders: 60k IDR
- Youngsters 3-12 (Weekdays): 60k IDR
- Youngsters 3-12 (Weekends): 80k IDR
- Youngsters 0-3: Free
These are the present entrance charges for the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary as of 2024, though the ticket costs appear to go up no less than every year because it’s a extremely popular attraction in Bali.
You possibly can pay the doorway charge with money Rupiah, worldwide bank cards, or financial institution playing cards. For foreigners with KITAS / KITAP, we pay the identical entrance charge as home Indonesian vacationers.
This entrance ticket enables you to discover the entire Bali monkey sanctuary for so long as you want, together with among the outdated temples, statues, bridges, and a quiet cemetery that holds among the Balinese locals from the close by village.
The employees on the monkey forest in Ubud may also aid you take photos with the monkeys (together with ‘monkey selfies’). The additional cost for that’s 50k Rupiah.
How To Get To Monkey Forest Ubud
The Ubud monkey forest is situated close to the city heart of Ubud, in central Bali, Indonesia.
It’s very straightforward to go to when you’re staying within the Ubud space, or you can too go to it on a day journey from any of the opposite touristy areas of Bali like Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, and Sanur.
You should utilize the Google map beneath for navigation on to the doorway, which has numerous parking for vehicles and motorbikes, in addition to public restrooms.
One of the simplest ways to get there’s to lease a scooter or rent a personal automobile and driver (each of those will be booked on-line).
There are additionally Ubud tour packages that embody the Bali Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary as a part of their itinerary.
Greatest Time To Go to
Any month is sweet for visiting the Ubud monkey forest. The monkeys are energetic all yr spherical, and even the wet season received’t have an effect on your go to an excessive amount of. The rain is normally within the evenings and at night time.
It’s a good suggestion to go to early within the morning (ideally close to opening time at 8:30 AM) or else late within the afternoon, as a result of the monkey forest is a extremely popular vacationer vacation spot and it does get crowded, particularly in Bali’s excessive season, which is July to August.
Additionally, bear in mind this isn’t the one monkey forest Bali has to supply. In actual fact, there are no less than three monkey forests in Bali the place you may see jungles, temples, and wildlife.
If the crowds are an excessive amount of for you at Ubud, you may wish to take a look at the Sangeh Monkey Forest, which is one other fascinating monkey place in Bali with much less vacationers.
A 3rd monkey place in Bali is the Alas Kedaton monkey forest, which additionally doubles as a bat sanctuary the place you may see big fruit bats (aka flying foxes) — they’re among the greatest bats on the earth!
How Lengthy To Keep
You possibly can see the entire Bali monkey sanctuary at Ubud in 1 or 2 hours, however when you’re a photographer otherwise you simply occur to be an enormous fan of primates and outdated structure, then you could possibly simply keep longer.
Time flies if you’re hanging out with the Ubud monkeys and taking numerous pictures. For those who’re like me, you may wish to keep all day right here!
Are There Monkeys In Ubud City?
Sure, generally you’ll see monkeys in Ubud city, particularly on the principle street close to the forest, which occurs to be named Jalan Monkey Forest (i.e. ‘monkey forest road’).
In keeping with the locals, when a monkey leaves the jungle, the opposite monkeys received’t permit them to come back again. I’m unsure if that’s true or not, however in any case I wouldn’t attempt to work together with monkeys in Ubud city (or wherever outdoors of the forest), as they’re most likely simply hoping to scavenge for meals and could also be extra aggressive than regular.
One time whereas consuming at a restaurant in Ubud, we heard somebody scream and noticed an enormous monkey leap onto their plate and steal their meals! It was an enormous shock, and I believe they’ll be extra cautious subsequent time.
At your Ubud resort, you’re not more likely to have any monkey issues, though sometimes they could come round to take a look on the grounds from outdoors, and a few resorts could ask you to maintain your footwear and belongings contained in the room at night time so the monkeys don’t seize them.
Total, it’s not an issue. For many individuals, together with myself, it’s a part of the appeal of Ubud to see a couple of monkeys round city. It reminds us we’re in Bali!
Extra Ubud Journey Ideas
Thanks for trying! I hope you loved this information for the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia.
We at all times have enjoyable visiting the monkeys in Ubud and seeing the outdated temples and statues within the jungle. We’ve been again right here numerous instances.
Don’t neglect to take a look at my full Ubud Journey Information for extra issues to see and do within the space!
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