If you’ve been in Ubud for more than five minutes, someone will eventually say, “You have to visit the Monkey Forest.” And they’re right. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of those places that feels both magical and slightly chaotic at the same time, and in the best possible way.
Hundreds of long-tailed macaques call this protected patch of forest home. They’ve been here for generations, long before Instagram, selfie sticks, or tourists with pockets full of bananas (please don’t feed them, by the way). This is their territory. We are the temporary guests who keep wandering in with cameras and snacks.
The monkeys are smart, curious, and completely unimpressed by human technology. Leave your sunglasses on your head for half a second, and they become their fashion accessory. Hold a phone too low, and you may find a small grey hand reaching for it with surprising determination. I’ve watched more than one visitor negotiate the return of a phone with a very self-satisfied monkey.
One simple rule that will keep your visit fun rather than stressful is to treat the monkeys with respect. Don’t try to touch them, don’t wave food around, and give them space when they’re moving through. They’re not pets, and they’re not performers - they’re wild animals living in a place that has been theirs for a very long time. Most scratches happen when people get too close or try to take something back from a monkey who has already decided it belongs to them.
So go, enjoy the forest paths, the ancient temples, and the endless entertainment of watching monkeys go about their day. Laugh when one poses perfectly for a photo. Laugh harder when another tries to steal the phone. Just remember you’re in their living room.
Take the pictures, enjoy the moment, and leave with all your belongings (and skin) intact. The monkeys will still be there long after we’ve gone home, and that is really how it should be.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a 10-minute walk down JL. Bisma and onto Monkey Forest Road. You'll likely start seeing monkeys at the end of JL. Bisma.
Link to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary website