01 Why look beyond the Monkey Forest
Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest is genuinely worthwhile, but it's also one of Bali's most crowded attractions, particularly by mid-morning. If you want a quieter monkey encounter, or simply want to see a different side of Bali's forest-temple combination, several alternatives are worth knowing about.
02 Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple, on the Bukit Peninsula, also has a substantial resident macaque population — bold and known for snatching sunglasses, hats and food from visitors, similar in behaviour to Ubud's monkeys but combined with the temple's dramatic clifftop setting and ocean views rather than jungle forest. See our temples guide for the full picture.
03 Alas Kedaton
Alas Kedaton, near Tabanan, is a genuinely quieter monkey forest and temple site receiving a fraction of Ubud's Monkey Forest visitor numbers — a good option for those wanting the monkey-and-temple combination without the crowds, in exchange for a longer drive from South Bali.
04 Pura Luhur Batukaru
For a jungle temple experience with minimal monkey presence and genuine tranquility, Pura Luhur Batukaru on Mount Batukaru's slopes offers dense rainforest setting and spiritual significance without any of the monkey-related distraction — see our Tabanan regency guide for details.
05 A general note on monkey encounters
Wherever you encounter Bali's macaque populations, the same precautions apply — secure bags, remove glasses and jewellery if possible, don't make direct eye contact (interpreted as a threat), and never feed them despite what you might see other visitors doing. Monkey bites and scratches do occur and carry infection risk; if bitten, seek medical attention promptly.