1 WEEK BALI ITINERARY: DISCOVER THE BEST OF THE ISLAND
May 29, 2024
Here is our 1 week Bali Itinerary to discover what to see in Bali in 7 days: from Hindu temples to green rice fields, from waterfalls to beaches!
One of the most enjoyable experiences on the island of Bali is a visit to the Ubud Monkey Forest which, as the name suggests, is a real tropical forest in the middle of town and home to many cute little monkeys!
Here’s what you need to know to visit Ubud Monkey Forest!
The amazing Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the most visited attractions in Bali and is definitely one of the things to see in Ubud, a village located roughly in the centre of the island. This experience is suitable for everyone, whether families with children, couples or singles, and will give you a few hours of fun! In this article we will give you some useful information and our list “5 Ubud Monkey Forest tips” on how to visit Ubud Monkey Forest!
The Ubud Monkey Forest is located in Ubud, one of Bali’s most famous locations, thanks to the terraced rice fields and numerous Hindu temples nearby. The forest is close to the centre of the village, on one of the main roads.
If your accommodation is in the centre of Ubud, we recommend that you walk to the forest. It is only a twenty minute walk from the Ubud Palace, along a street lined with shops, and is one of the most popular places for shopping.
Alternatively, as the forest is in a very busy area and traffic in Ubud is very heavy, we suggest you use a scooter to easily find parking nearby and move around more easily to avoid getting stuck between cars.
The last alternative is a car, but you will have to deal with the traffic. If you are accompanied by a driver, they will drop you off near the main entrance. On the other hand, if you are travelling in your own car, the Monkey Forest has a large car park where it is not difficult to find a spot from which to walk to the main entrance in about 5 minutes.
Monkey forest Ubud tips: Thoughtful monkey
You can buy your ticket for the Ubud Monkey Forest either on site or online at the official ticket sales site at this link.
For international visitors, the cost of the ticket varies depending on the day of the week:
Please note that the ticket you buy online is only valid for the day you choose and is non-refundable. On the other hand, if you buy your ticket on the spot, you will need to be patient and stand in line.
We recommend that you buy your ticket online the day before or on the day you want to visit Ubud Monkey Forest to avoid the queue.
The park is open every day from 9.00 to 18.00, but remember that the last admission is at 17.00.
In general, to avoid long queues or to visit Ubud Monkey Forest at the busiest times, we advise you to take advantage of the opening times, possibly at lunchtime and in the late afternoon.
The length of the visit can vary, and as you will be stopping to take photographs and taking breaks to observe the monkeys, we recommend that you allow at least a good hour for your visit.
Here is our 1 week Bali Itinerary to discover what to see in Bali in 7 days: from Hindu temples to green rice fields, from waterfalls to beaches!
The forest covers an area of more than 12 hectares and is home to a population of more than 1,200 monkeys. The entire internal tour is pedestrian and well paved, with a few steps but mainly wide paths winding through the forest.
Accessibility is good, both for people with pushchairs and those with reduced mobility.
The monkeys in the forest are called ‘Balinese long-tailed monkeys’ and are divided into groups that live in different parts of the park. These groups are extremely territorial, and clashes between the herds can sometimes occur.
Each group consists of between 100 and 200 monkeys, both males and females, as well as the cute little babies.
As you walk through the forest, you will often come across the staff responsible for feeding the monkeys: remember that they are fed around 9 times a day, mainly with sweet potatoes, but also with fruits such as bananas and coconuts.
This species of monkey has recently been placed on the Red List of Threatened Species, so the value of this forest is priceless. You can make a small donation to support this amazing place through the official Ubud Monkey Forest website, which can be found at this link.
The forest is also a sacred place, as there is a traditional Balinese cemetery and three Hindu temples, some 600-700 years old, where ceremonies are still held. These temples are not accessible and are reserved for the local population to perform Hindu rituals and ceremonies, but you can get close to the gates to take some photos.
Along the paths of the park you will find various statues representing deities sacred to the Hindu population, such as the goddess Sri, and you can walk through the Durgama cave where there are various commemorative sculptures, including those depicting the moment when guests are escorted back to their homes.
Close encounters with monkeys
Hindu statues in Ubud Monkey Forest
Moments of tenderness
The most important rules to respect in the Ubud Monkey Forest mainly concern interaction with the monkeys:
We really advise you to respect these rules, because it is not uncommon for monkeys to defend themselves if annoyed, and in the event of a bite or scratch, you will have to go through the whole cycle of vaccinations for rabies prevention and, consequently, ruin your holiday!
Monkeys studying rules!
If you are planning a holiday in magical Bali, we hope this article has made you put the Ubud Monkey Forest on your list of things to see in Ubud! Stay in touch with us via the newsletter and social channels and as usual…trip to try!
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