Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia

Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana or Ubud Monkey Forest or Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali, is a place where nature meets civilization. There is a sort of mysticism here where the wild and the religious collide. Home to the Balinese long-tailed monkey or long-tailed macaques, this place is a true sanctuary for them. Set on nearly 30 acres of land, the sanctuary is home to anywhere from five hundred to one thousand monkeys. On the site are also temples and a cemetery for the local folks. The monkeys are fed regularly, and the staff ensure that tourists don’t abuse the animals. There are no cages, fences, or walls and the monkeys come as they please. Elsewhere, these monkeys are seen as pests, not unlike pigeons or seagulls or raccoons. Here, they’re the star attraction. Not for the faint of heart, some monkeys will scream or attack if provoked and others can feel familiar enough with humans to climb on tourists and even pickpocket them. Stick around for feeding time and you’ll see hordes of monkeys scamper from the trees, brushing by your legs for a taste of corn or whatever treats the handler has ready for them. While interaction is not strictly monitored, visitors must keep in mind that these are wild animals and can carry with them a host of diseases. Encounters are at your own peril.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Travel
Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Coordinates: 8.5188° S, 115.2586° E

Cost & Admission
40000 IDR Adults
Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Food
Food nearby. Caution to eat near the site as the monkeys might interact with you.

Activities
Walking, exploring, wildlife

Tips
I’m a little scared of the monkeys but mostly they left me alone. My closest encounter was when I was snapping a photo of a monkey, and then the temple. Second later, the monkey disappeared from my lens view, and appeared right in front of me shrieking. I jumped and shrieked too (rules of the forest says don’t do this) and scared myself. If you don’t want a close monkey encounter, do not sit. They will climb on you and pick pocket you or attempt to. Also, don’t bring anything too valuable. They are very handsy and like shiny objects.