How much does it cost to enter the Monkey Forest in Ubud and what not to do in the sanctuary

In Ubud, monkeys live not in enclosures but in an actual forest.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary covers 12.5 hectares in the city center, and about 1,030 long-tailed macaques roam the trails (as of 09/2026, sanctuary visit page). An adult ticket costs IDR 130,000, a child ticket IDR 100,000 (as of 09/2026, sanctuary price list). The forest is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last entry at 5:00 PM (according to the sanctuary schedule).

Remember the key thing before your visit: the macaques here are not tame. They grab glasses, phones, and open bags, and feeding them is prohibited. Further in the text: what to see inside, how to behave on the trails, and how to get to Ubud from coastal areas.

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What makes the monkey forest in Ubud interesting

💡 In short:

• Area: 12.5 hectares of jungle and 186 tree species (as of 09/2026, sanctuary website)
• Residents: about 1,030 long-tailed macaques in semi-wild conditions (sanctuary)
• Inside: temples, a holy spring, banyan trees, and stone sculptures along the trails
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website

© rheins · CC BYPhoto: rheins, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Sacred Monkey Forest occupies a grove that belongs to the village of Padangtegal. For locals, it is not an amusement park but a conservation and spiritual area. In Balinese Hinduism, macaques are considered sacred animals, so they are not kept in cages or tamed. A free-ranging troop occupies the entire reserve.

Inside, you enter dense jungle. Huge banyan trees with hanging roots, vines, ferns, and moss-covered stones stand right next to the paths. Macaques leap from branch to branch, swim in the pond by the temple, and sit on the stone railings. There are no nets or fences here.

Stone sculptures line the paths: macaques, elephants, bulls, dragons, and lions. Almost all of them are covered in moss, and this is the main photo motif in Ubud. Deep in the reserve are temples, a small waterfall, and a holy spring. According to legend, the monkeys guard the relics of these temples.

Park staff keep order: they explain the rules and make sure tourists do not feed the animals. The walk is safe if you follow their guidance.

• Who it's for: those who want to see wild macaques in the jungle, not in a zoo.
• Not for: those who dislike the idea of a macaque jumping onto their shoulder or head.
• The catch: the monkeys grab small items and food, so you walk around without jewelry and with a closed bag.

Rules of conduct and feeding the monkeys

The rules are posted on a board at the entrance, but it is better to read them in advance. The macaques are used to people and behave peacefully as long as you keep your distance and do not tease them.

The reserve's official rules are short and strict:

• Keep your distance: do not touch or pick up the macaques.
• Do not feed the monkeys or interact with them without a park staff member.
• Do not look a macaque in the eye; it reads direct eye contact as a threat.
• If a monkey jumps on you, do not panic or run, just keep walking slowly.
• Keep children close and do not let them reach toward the animals.
• Do not bring in food or drinks; leave snacks at your hotel.
• Put away small items: jewelry, beads, glasses, toys, phones.
• Dress modestly; this is an active temple complex (reserve rules).

Food causes the most conflicts. If you show a macaque a banana and then hide it, the animal will go after the treat by force and may bite. There is also no need to feed the monkeys because they are not hungry: park staff feed them themselves, and the primates' diet includes sweet potato.

Monkeys are curious about bright small objects. Before entering, take off earrings and watches, remove your glasses, close your backpack, and put your phone in your pocket. Otherwise, you can lose your belongings in a couple of minutes.

How to get to Ubud and the Monkey Forest

Ubud is in the center of the island, far from the beach areas of Bali. The drive takes over an hour because the mountain road is narrow and traffic is heavy. The distance from coastal resorts is about 40 km.

© mckaysavage · CC BYPhoto: mckaysavage, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Bus services from Denpasar Airport and other parts of the island are organized by local tourist offices. Book seats on these buses in advance; they sell out quickly in high season.

Jalan Monkey Forest leads to the forest itself. The reserve is close to central Ubud, so getting lost is impossible: go to the main street and follow the signs. Leave your car or scooter in the parking lot at the entrance.

Tickets and opening hours

Tickets are sold at the ticket office by the entrance and online on the reserve's website. The electronic code is scanned at a separate counter, and you enter without waiting in line.

Book Ubud tours with a guide and hotel transfers in advance if you do not want to deal with local drivers on the spot: tour options on GetYourGuide.

How much time to allow and when to go

The visit takes about two hours. If you are shooting video and going into every temple, plan for three hours. There is no need to rush here; the paths are short, but the climbs and steps take energy.

The best time to visit is in the morning, at the 9:00 opening (as of 09/2026, opening hours). By midday the main trail gets crowded, and the line for photos at the temple stretches out.

Wear closed shoes with non-slip soles. After rain the steps are wet, and damp moss remains on the stones. A hat and water will help you get through the midday heat.

Monkey Forest Ubud on the map

The sanctuary is in the center of Ubud, on Jalan Monkey Forest. Below is a map with the entry point: open it on your phone and show it to your driver.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to the Monkey Forest in Ubud cost?

Adult and child ticket prices are listed in the table above (as of 09/2026, prices on the sanctuary website). The ticket office works at the entrance, but you can buy a ticket in advance on the sanctuary website and go through a separate scanner desk. Keep cash rupiah on hand in case you want to buy something near the ticket office.

Can you feed the monkeys in the Monkey Forest?

No, feeding the macaques is prohibited, as is bringing food and drinks into the area. The monkeys instantly snatch anything edible from hands and bags, and after that they may bite. Park staff feed the animals themselves, so they don't go hungry. Leave your snacks at the hotel.

How much time do you need for a visit?

To walk all the trails, see the temples, and take photos at the sculptures, plan for the time given in the section above. If you're shooting video or going with a guide, allow three hours. In the heat, halfway through the walk you'll need a break in the shade by the pond.

When is the best time to come to the Monkey Forest?

At the 9:00 opening (as of 09/2026, hours on the official website). In the morning hours there are fewer people on the trails, and the macaques are more active: they feed, play, and swim in the pond. By midday the main trail already has a dense flow of groups.

How do you get to the Monkey Forest from Kuta or Seminyak?

By taxi, Grab, or Gojek the trip takes over an hour, a distance of about 40 km. Order a car through the app so you see the price in advance. Jalan Monkey Forest leads right to the entrance, and the taxi driver will drop you off directly at the parking lot by the ticket office.

In short: what's worth booking

The Monkey Forest in Ubud is worth two hours of your time if you're willing to follow the rules and keep your belongings secured. Tickets are cheap, and there's enough to capture in both photos and video. If you have one day in Ubud: go in the morning, buy your ticket online, and walk the main trail. If you're traveling with kids: hold their hands and don't let them reach toward the macaques. If you need a guide and hotel transfer: check out Ubud tours on GetYourGuide.