Ubud Monkey Forest lies in the 12,5-hectare area in Ubud Village. The area is surrounded by a temple wall and forest. The green lush trees and the witty monkeys made it popular among tourists. The fresh air, the temple with a thick Balinese heritage. All makes Monkey Forest as the top things to do in Ubud.
The locals believe Ubud monkey forest is the center of all the important things among them. They represent spiritual, economic, education and conservation in their village. As the center of the important things in people’s live. Preserving the temple and forest has become one of their mission.
Balinese believes in harmony. Hinduism as the majority religion on the island runs in every aspect of daily life. Balinese believes that if they respect human, nature and pray to God. They will achieve prosperity in their life. And that is also why the temple never runs out of worshipper.
Ubud Monkey Forest Entrance Fee
Visitors can purchase entrance tickets on the spot. There is plenty of parking space on the spot. For guests traveling by car or scooter. Guests will have to pay Rp80.000 and Rp60.000 for children. There is no additional fee for parking space.
Ubud Monkey Forest Entrance Fee | |
Adult | Rp80.000 |
Children | Rp60.000 |
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Sacred Ubud Monkey Forest Opening Hours
The sacred forest welcomes visitors every day. Except on Nyepi day, when all activities are prohibited on the island.
Ubud Monkey Forest Opening Hours | |
Every day except Nyepi | 08:30 AM – 06:00 PM |
Ticketing Service | 08:30 PM – 05:30 PM |
Ubud Monkey Forest Event
As the center of Ubud, the site also host several important events. One of them takes place in the temple is called Tumpek Kandang. Tumpek Kandang ritual is a ceremony held on every 210 days. This is where the locals flood the temple and worship the greatness of Shiva. The God that creates and maintains the animal.
Part of the Tumpek Kandang ritual includes asking for a blessing from God Shiva – for the prosperity and health of the animal. Locals living around the sacred forest believe the monkeys help them. Prosperity and wealth in their society are part of the animal contribution.
So there on the special occasion Tumpek Kandang. Humans and animals are celebrating. Locals will go to the forest with quite a lot of offerings. Bringing not only for God but plenty of fruits and eggs for the monkeys.
Ubud Monkey Forest Attraction & Activities
Monkey Forest is a sacred forest for Hindu people in Bali. The place is not just a home for 700 monkeys. But a place where locals pray to Hindu God. There is 3 temple in the monkey forest area. According to the ancient script from one of the temples. It has existed since the Gelgel dynasty in the 14 century.
Great Temple of Death & Beji Temple
Pura Dalem Agung or the death temple is the main temple of all. Dalem Agung lies in the southwestern part of the monkey forest. A death temple is a place where locals worship the God of Shiva. Beji is where the locals go – when they want to worship the Goddess of the river Gangga.
Before any ceremony, people will come to Beji Temple to purify their bodies. Beji is not only a place where people clean their bodies physically. It is also where they clean their soul spiritually.
Prajapati Temple
The last temple Prajapati lies is in the northeast area. Reside next to the cemetery, the temple is where the locals worship God Prajapati. The cemetery side by side with the temple is just a temporary cemetery. The grieving family uses the cemetery while waiting for the mass cremation once in 5 years.
Monkeys
Balinese Long Tailed Monkey – or macaque is the type of 700 monkeys living in this forest. Since there is a lot of monkeys. The monkeys are divided into different groups. Each group is living in a different area in the forest. Some of the groups live in front of the main temple. Some staying in the eastern and central areas.
And the last area is the cemetery. Since there are over 700 monkeys. The conflict territory between the monkeys sometimes cannot be avoided. The monkeys are active during the day and rest at night just like humans do.
Therefore, an interaction between the monkeys and people is something that common in Monkey Forest. As the forest is home-based, the visitor is expected to follow some guidelines. The monkeys are sometimes too playful and curious. Visitors allow and may feed the monkeys.
However, they will try to snatch every food from people’s hands. Don’t get panic and try to pull back any food. And for the purpose to maintain the monkey’s health. Visitors are not allowed to feed peanuts, biscuits, bread, or any other human snacks. To feed the monkeys, guests can buy a banana at the banana counter.
Monkey Forest Safety And Guidelines
The monkeys at the temples are healthy and monitored by the Primate Research Center Of Udayana University. A case of rabies so far has never been found. However, visitors may get bitten or scratched from the interaction. Such as feeding or taking a picture with monkeys.
An aid clinic facility is available in the monkey forest area with a professional nurse. In case there is an emergency. A staff from Monkey Forest is also easy to find in the area. Carrying a plastic bag or paper or plastic bottle stuff is strictly prohibited. For the purpose of the monkey’s health, visitors are not allowed to feed monkeys peanuts, biscuits, bread, or any human snacks.
Tourist is expected to be in a good manner in the sacred environment. Some part of the area is prohibited. The temple area is accessible for people who come to pray and wear proper Balinese praying dresses.
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Time Table Shuttle Bus
For visitors staying in the Ubud area. Ubud Monkey Forest provides a free shuttle bus. The bus leaves from Hanoman street, the Ubud main street with the following schedule. The timetable is the departure time from the monkey forest lobby.
Route : Monkey Forest Ubud – Monkey Forest Street – Ubud Main Street – Hanoman Street |
07:00, 07:15, 07:30, 07:45, 08:00, 08:15, 08:30, 08:45, 09:00, 09:15, 09:30, 09:45, 10:00, 10:15, 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 12:15, 12:30, 12:45, 13:00, 13:15, 13:30, 14:15, 14:30, 14:45, 15:00, 15:15, 15:30, 15:45, 16:00, 16:15, 16:30, 16:45, 17:00, 17:15, 17:30, 17:45 every 15 minutes until 21:30 |
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Address & Location
The sacred Ubud monkey forest location is at Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571.