The Sacred Monkey Forest is a temple sanctuary in Padangtegal, central Ubud, run by the local village. Set across shaded jungle around three 14th-century temples, it is home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques that roam freely among visitors.
The sanctuary is home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques, living in several troops across the forest. They roam freely and are used to visitors, so you'll see them grooming, playing, and carrying their young along the paths and walls. They are wild animals and quick to grab loose food, sunglasses, or dangling bags, so keep a firm hold on your belongings and move among them calmly.
The forest is a spiritual site as much as a monkey attraction, holding three temples dating from around the 14th century and still used by the Padangtegal community. Moss-covered stone guardians, dragon staircases, and weathered carvings sit among the trees. The main temple, Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, is the village temple where Padangtegal residents come to pray and hold ceremonies through the year. It stays reserved for worshippers, so visitors take it in from the paths.
Towering banyan trees, hanging roots, and a mossy ravine make the forest feel far wilder than its location, a few minutes' walk from Ubud's main street. Shaded stone paths wind past a stream and over little bridges, cool even in the midday heat. Mornings are quieter and the monkeys more active, and the entrance fee is a little higher at weekends.
Private car, driver and fuel. You pay entrance tickets at each gate as you go - handy if you like to skip a stop.
The whole day prepaid, with entrance tickets for the listed stops included. Nothing to pay at the gates.
We pick you up from your hotel or villa in the Ubud area at the time you choose. Your driver shares their details the day before.
Comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat, and some cash for entrance tickets (Standard) and lunch along the way.
Temples ask for a sarong, arranged at the gate. A few stops have stairs or a short walk. The route is flexible - linger or skip as you like.
A small deposit over WhatsApp holds your date; you settle the rest at the end of the day. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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