Sacred Monkey Forest
Six hundred long-tailed macaques roam free through ancient temple grounds in the heart of Ubud.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — officially known as Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana — is a nature reserve and Hindu temple complex in the center of Ubud, home to around 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques living freely among moss-draped trees, stone carvings, and three functioning temples. It's not a zoo or a theme park. The monkeys are wild, the temples are active, and the forest has been sacred to the local community of Padangtegal for centuries. Proceeds from entry fees go directly to village conservation and upkeep, so visiting here genuinely supports the community that maintains it.
Walking through feels like stepping into a fairy tale that occasionally turns feral. Stone pathways wind beneath enormous banyan trees hung with roots like curtains, past mossy statues of Ganesha and Rangda, while monkeys leap overhead, groom each other on temple walls, and — if you're not careful — rifle through your bag for snacks. The three temples inside (Pura Dalem Agung, Pura Beji, and Pura Prajapati) are genuinely important sites of Balinese Hinduism, still used for cremation ceremonies and religious festivals. The depth of the forest is denser and quieter than the main paths, and worth exploring.
Go early — 9am when it opens — to avoid the midday tour-group rush and to catch the monkeys at their most active. Don't bring food or anything that crinkles like food packaging. The monkeys are fearless and have mastered the zip-pocket. Bags with external pockets are their specialty. Entrance for foreigners is around 80,000–100,000 IDR, which is very reasonable for what's genuinely one of Bali's most atmospheric and layered experiences.
