Bali's Monkey Forest: A Must-Visit

The Sacred Monkey Forest will be one of the most unusual places you'll visit in Bali and all of Indonesia. It's an Indiana Jones-style adventure. At least, it'll look very much like the movie. Since Bali is a fairly large island, consider Ubud as your starting point. The forest is located in this region. Incidentally, Ubud is considered the island's cultural capital – it boasts a huge number of attractions, none of which resemble traditional European or American ones. In short, the Monkey Forest in Bali is a must-see.

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Where is the Monkey Forest?

In the southern part of Bali, about an hour's drive from the coast, lies the city of Ubud. The famous resort of Seminyak is about an hour and a half away by car.

• The address of the Monkey Forest is: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia. Search engine maps easily locate the Monkey Forest. Finding a route and getting there by rented transport is easy.
• Ubud Monkey Forest opening hours: from 9am to 6pm, but the last visitors are admitted at 5pm.
• Entrance fee: adult - 80 000 Indonesian rupiah, child (3-12 years) - 60 000 Indonesian rupiah, which is about 5 and 4 dollars, respectively. Children under 3 are admitted free.

As mentioned earlier, you can get here independently (the most popular and cost-effective way is by rented scooter) or as part of a tour group. Your hotelier will be happy to recommend a guide and group if needed.

Spend a few days exploring this city. In addition to the monkey sanctuary, the Royal Palace of Puri Saren Agung Ubud, the Art Market, a must-see for art lovers, incredible walking trails, and Hindu temples are all nearby.

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What is Monkey Forest and what is so interesting about it?

Over a thousand monkeys roam freely within the forest. It is a nature reserve, opened to tourists in 1960. In Bali, it is known as the Sacred Monkey Forest. As early as the 14th century, pagodas existed here, whose clergy adhered to the philosophical teaching of "Tri Hita Karana," which literally means "Three Sources of Wealth." This teaching refers to the development of harmonious relationships between humans and nature, other people, and the spiritual self. The Monkey Forest, like nothing else, is one embodiment of this philosophical teaching.

Today, the authenticity of Ubud's Monkey Forest is increasingly revered and preserved as a cultural landmark, as well as a key location for research and conservation programs in Bali.

In addition to free-roaming Balinese long-tailed monkeys, the reserve is home to over 180 species of exotic plants. In places, the park resembles a truly impenetrable forest from an adventure film.

The forest stretches across 12 hectares, and you can wander here all day. Besides the vegetation and the monkeys themselves, the reserve also boasts ancient temples worthy of your attention: Dalem Agung Padangtegal Temple (called the main temple and dating back to the 14th century), Prajapati Temple, and Pura Beji Temple. Tourists can admire these sacred sites from the outside, but only Buddhists are allowed inside for prayer.

The highlight of the local vegetation is the banyan tree. Some of its roots are above ground. The trees often twine around buildings, which, combined with their dense canopy, creates a mysterious, sometimes mystical atmosphere. Wooden bridges and paths wind through the forest. As you walk, playful monkeys will hang overhead.

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Rules of conduct in the Monkey Forest

It's no secret that monkeys are both playful and cunning. They can easily steal things from your bag if you're even slightly off-guard. Also, keep in mind mating season, when attracting attention can provoke aggressive behavior.

To avoid unpleasant situations, you should know a few basic rules of conduct in the forest:

• Avoid direct eye contact with the monkeys. This can be a sign of aggression.
• Avoid taking paper or plastic items into the forest. They immediately attract monkeys' attention, and they can easily snatch them from your hand or bag.
• You shouldn't touch monkeys, especially babies - their mothers can be quite aggressive when protecting their offspring.
• There is no need to bring your own food and feed the monkeys.
• If a monkey suddenly jumps on you, do not panic and remain calm - it will move on without harming you.

The best time to visit the Monkey Forest is summer. The reserve has a cafe, parking, and restrooms. This unique place is definitely worth a visit in Bali.

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