01What it actually is
Formally the Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, the Monkey Forest is a Hindu temple complex and protected forest sanctuary right in central Ubud, home to several hundred long-tailed macaques living across three temples and the surrounding jungle. It functions as an active place of worship, not just a tourist attraction — the temples inside are used for regular ceremonies, and the forest itself is considered spiritually significant, not merely a wildlife park with monkeys added on.
02The temples inside
Three main temples sit within the forest: Pura Dalem Agung, dedicated to death and cremation rituals; a bathing temple; and a smaller temple further into the forest. The carved stone architecture, moss-covered and shaded by huge banyan and nutmeg trees, is worth slowing down for even if you're mainly there for the wildlife.
03The monkeys: what to actually know
These are wild animals used to human proximity, not tame pets, and they can and do grab bags, sunglasses, water bottles and food without much warning. Keep loose items zipped away, don't make direct prolonged eye contact (macaques can read it as a challenge), and never feed them anything beyond what's sold at official stations inside — human food causes real health problems for the troops.
04Practical visiting tips
- Go early or later in the afternoon — mid-day heat makes both you and the monkeys less comfortable, and crowds peak around midday tour bus arrivals.
- Wear closed shoes; the forest floor is uneven and occasionally slippery near the water features.
- It's walkable from most central Ubud accommodation, so this is one of the rare Ubud attractions you likely don't need a driver for.
05What's nearby
The Monkey Forest sits close to central Ubud's main streets, the art market, and a short walk from the start of the Campuhan Ridge Walk — easy to fold into a single Ubud day without much backtracking. See our Ubud & Central Bali guide for how to sequence a full day here.