Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, known in Balinese as Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, is a protected forest and Hindu temple complex on the southern edge of central Ubud, home to a large troop of long-tailed macaques. It is both a genuine nature reserve and an active place of worship, owned and managed by the local village of Padangtegal, which uses it to conserve the forest and uphold the spiritual harmony of Tri Hita Karana.

Inside roughly 12 to 13 hectares of dense forest live several hundred grey long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), split across multiple social groups. The sanctuary is also a research and conservation site, and the monkeys here are wild and free-roaming, not caged, which is a large part of what makes a visit feel so immersive.

The forest contains three sacred temples, built around the 14th century during the Pegulingan dynasty, that remain in use by the surrounding community. The main Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal is the principal temple of death, associated with the Hindu god Shiva. There is also a Holy Bathing Temple (Pura Beji) by the stream, dedicated to the goddess Gangga and used for purification, and the Pura Prajapati, a temple linked to funeral rites.

Walking the paved and stepped pathways, you pass towering nutmeg and banyan trees, moss-covered guardian statues, a dragon bridge, and a dramatic ravine with a stream running through it. Many of the great banyan trees are considered holy, and their roots and the carved stonework give the whole forest an atmospheric, almost cinematic feel. Note that the temple inner sanctums are reserved for worshippers, so visitors view the courtyards and gates rather than entering the most sacred areas.

Entrance is approximately 80,000 IDR for adults and around 60,000 IDR for children on weekdays in 2026, with slightly higher weekend pricing; check current rates at the ticket counter as fees change. The sanctuary is generally open daily from about 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry shortly before closing.

Plan on roughly one to one-and-a-half hours to walk the loop comfortably, stop at the temples, watch the monkeys, and take photos. It is an easy, family-friendly walk on mostly paved paths, though there are steps and some uneven sections near the ravine.

The monkeys are wild, clever, and very used to people, so the single most important rule is to avoid giving them any reason to grab you. They will snatch loose items, climb on visitors, and take food, and bites and scratches do happen when people tease them or hold food. A calm, respectful approach keeps almost everyone trouble-free.

Arrive right at opening, around 9:00 am, for cooler temperatures, more active monkeys, and the smallest crowds; late afternoon is a calmer alternative before the 5:00 pm close. Midday tends to be hottest and busiest, and the monkeys often rest in the shade.

For photography, a zoom lens lets you capture expressions and behaviour without crowding the animals, which is both safer and more respectful. The dragon staircase, mossy statues, and banyan roots are wonderful subjects in their own right. Keep your camera strapped to you and be ready, as the monkeys move fast and the best moments are fleeting.

Because this is a living temple, dress and behave respectfully: modest clothing is appreciated, voices should stay low near the shrines, and you should not climb on temple structures or enter areas marked for worshippers only. Treating the site as sacred, not just a zoo, is part of visiting well.

The sanctuary suits almost everyone, from families and first-time visitors to nature lovers and photographers, as long as you are comfortable being near free-roaming wildlife. On a private-driver day around Ubud, the Monkey Forest pairs naturally with the rice terraces, a village temple, and a nearby waterfall; a guide like Awan from Black Pepper Bali Tours can drop you near the entrance, point you to the right ticket gate, and brief you on the safety rules before you go in.