Ubud Monkey Forest
The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, Bali. If this is your first time in Bali, specifically Ubud, The Monkey Forest is a must see. Lush greenery and, as the name suggests, monkeys, roam the enclave of serenity. Sounds like paradise, huh? Sure it’s peaceful, but after your second visit, it’s really just the same old park. Nothing else, apart from our relatives, sets this park apart from others, and there’s the risk of possibly traumatizing monkey attacks!
Be Aware of Crazy Monkeys!
Monkey forest is the right place to visit if you want to see the monkeys interact with each other and the humans. There are approximately 600 monkeys of different age, who spend their time eating bananas, sweet potatoes, swimming in the fountain, climbing the trees, playing, jumping around and just living their normal life in the free.
All of the monkeys might look adorable, especially those small ones. Don’t be fool! The moment you buy those bananas from vendors to feed them, all the huge ones will gather around you. I threw the bananas on the floor because I saw a extremely huge one above the pillar aiming to jump onto me! A fellow traveler’s glasses were nearly snatched by the little monkey, such a smart fellow!
One thing to remember when visiting this place is to be respectful of monkeys and their habitat, and they will generally treat you nicely. They are very smart, so keep your cameras, airings, necklaces, sunglasses, purses put away or tied tightly to you. We watched at least 10 of them snatch something from someone and run to the entrance to give it to the banana sellers as trade for a snack.
Luckily, there are few local guards in the forest, who make sure people do not cross the line by trying to touch the monkeys, but if you want a picture with a monkey sitting on your shoulders, they will also help you to make it in a safe way.
Would you ever trust these monkeys?
55 thoughts on “Crazy Monkeys In Bali”
Yes, Yes I would trust those cute monkeys hahah
Crazy!!
I’m not sure I could trust the monkey’s after reading what antics they get up to.. Although it must be pretty amusing to watch what they do for a chance to trade items for a banana!
Hahahah! I wouldn’t trust them either, Adam.
I don’t know if this makes me sound like a horrible person or not – but I HATE monkeys. They’re mean! I prefer to see them at a nice safe distance, but I would still love to go to Bali
Monkeys are usually cheeky!
I love monkeys but I would absolutely terrified of having one jump on me /snatch something from me. From your description of the Monkey Forest I would be too scared to visit.
True, Racheael!
The mum with her baby is so cute!!
True!!
Agness, I’ve been to Bali and Ubud twice and I wonder if your photos are of another “Monkey Forest”. Ubud is nowhere near the ocean. You can’t even see the ocean from Ubud. The monkeys I saw were at the southern end of Monkey Forest Road in Ubud. I remember seeing lots of monkeys at other locations, and like the ones in India, none of them are to be trusted.
That’s interesting that they would steel sunglasses from tourists, then trade them in for bananas from the venders. Do the venders give them back to the tourists, or do they sell them back? haha I sense a conspiracy.
I’m wondering too where’s this one! As just like Steve, I’ve been at the Forest at the end of Monkey Forest Road in Ubud.
Actually, some fellows there were pretty cute and didn’t rip me off…but ended sitting up at my shoulder for good 15 min till I figured out how I could shove it off gently :D
Hahahahaha!
Hi Steve! That’s actually possible I confused these two places. I gotta double check it. It was over a year ago! :)
Hey Agness, I guess this monkey forest is in Uluwatu where ocean is the backdrop. By the way your photos are amazing. Love them all. Will start blogging about Bali next July when we move there.
Those monkeys are NAUGHTY. I always make sure I don’t have any loose items on me and keep my distance. Don’t forget to bring your zoom lens if you want to take photos!
I totally agree, Deia!
trust monkeys?????? Agness, be careful!
Hahahaha, true!!
You’re right, they look funny, but one doesn’t feel very safe when they’re around you! I’ve had the same experience in Malaysia.
Thanks for sharing, Rahman. That is so true, actually!
I couldn’t stop laughing at this post, but I don’t know if I will trust those monkeys lol. Thanks for this post, it made me smile
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LOL! I see you had very similar experience :-).
I was taken here by a couple of friends while I was in Bali a few weeks ago. I was never a fan of monkeys before I went there… and now I’m even less of one! I get how people think they’re cute and eeverything… but I just… can’t!
Hahahahha! :D That’s good, Tim!
I have an awful experience with Balinese monkeys once. See, I wear glasses and without them I’m practically blind, so I didn’t take it off when there were monkeys around. I was just walking and in a split of second a naughty monkey snatched my glasses and chew them! I was mad, but thankfully I could go to a mall to buy contact lenses. Better watch out next time!
They are SO CUTE! I’d totally be a trusting sucker;-)
I agree with you, those cheeky little monkeys! :) You shouldn’t be fooled by their innocent look. They’re little devils :) We saw them climbing on peoples backpacks, heads etc. :)
I heard that they can easily bite you in case you’re holding bananas and not willing to give it to them.
There are some really good photo opportunities in Monkey forest though.
I went to the Monkey Forest a couple of months ago in Ubud and I completely agree – although they look adorable, you have to be so careful as we saw them jumping on people, trying to grab things etc – basically, I just made sure I had no bananas anywhere near me or anything that smells edible!! But they do look sweet when they are cuddling their babies like that lovely photo you’ve taken :)
I was there a couple years ago and was forced to ‘donate’ my sunglasses to the money gods. hahaha
They definitely are some tricky little fellas!
Sounds like you had a great day! I haven’t been to Bali but I have been up the rock in Gibraltar and the cheeky rock apes up their sound very similar to these guys. They look cute but will be off with all your stuff if you turn your back even for a second!
When I was 10-years-old, I went to India for the first time and opened a bag of peanuts in front of a group of monkeys. Big mistake.
Hi Agnes, from the photos it looked like you were at Uluwatu, a place infested with monkeys. My guide asked me to keep my spectacles and cameras away as the monkeys there were very aggressive :-)
Hi Agness,
I’m from Indonesia. You better come to another cities in here, we have so much gems, than just being in Bali. You can go to another beaches in Lombok, another crazy culinary experiences in Medan (North Sumatra) and Bandung. Seriously, you need to explore more about our country. Trust me, you’re gonna love being here :)
I loved Bali a lot, but I would also want to see the rest of the country <3!
Those monkeys are cute – but scary! I’ve heard of people getting bit by them in Bali and then needing rabies shots. I think I’ll keep a safe distance!
Yes, so true!