There are so many things to do and see while visiting Ubud. One place you can’t miss while you are there is a trip to the Sacred Monkey Forest. The sanctuary is a gorgeous 29-acre nature reserve with monkeys roaming about freely. I’ve outlined five things that are nice to know before you go.
- Bring IDR for the entry fee and monkey pictures.
They do have an ATM on site, but it was broken when we visited. Entry fees are 100,000 IDR for an adult on the weekend, which equates to a little over $6 USD. Its slightly less on weekdays and for children. There are some helpers on site that will facilitate you getting a fun photo with a monkey. For a tip they will bribe the monkeys with treats so they’ll sit with you for a photo op and they’ll take the picture on your phone.
2. There is a small snack bar
You are strongly advised not to bring any food or even plastic bottles in the sanctuary because it could trigger the monkeys, but there is a small snack bar at the entrance to the reserve. When we visited it was a lot of walking and exploring. It can get quite hot in Bali, so it was nice to grab an ice-cold water on the way out. They even have Bintang!
3. Its beautiful
The monkey forest is stunning with lush greenery and large trees with hanging vines. There are bridges and streams of water running through. There are many statues and three temples on site as well. Even if you aren’t interested in taking a picture with a monkey its still a beautiful place to explore.
4. Bug spray
Might seem like a no brainer, but you’ll be happy that you did. I actually packed a travel sized bug spray for the trip to Bali, but I forgot to apply it before heading into the monkey sanctuary. The mosquitoes are giant, and boy are they hungry.
5. Things to be cautious of around the monkeys
The monkeys are cute, but they are wild animals. We were told that the monkeys can touch you, but you cannot touch them. So, no petting the monkeys even though it’s tempting. It’s also recommended that you do not bring loose items that can be easily grabbed, like sunglasses or shiny jewelry like necklaces. They also know how to unzip a bags or purses. We brought my phone in a small crossbody bag and that worked out fine.
If by chance you are bit or scratched there are trained staff who available to assist. There is a first aid unit on site and the staff will get you medical aid.