A natural reserve with over 900 macaques: between thefts, chases, and postcard-perfect scenery, an experience that will leave you speechless (and maybe without your sunglasses)
You know those postcard-perfect places where you expect to find peace, harmony, and maybe even a little zen? Well, forget them.
The Ubud Monkey Forest in Indonesia is none of that.
OK, there are some incredibly cool temples and sanctuaries, but here it’s you against a horde of thieving monkeys, ready to turn you into a moving target.
Thefts? Guaranteed. Aggression? Possible. Bites? Only if you’re unlucky. But at least you’ll have an incredible story to tell.
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A monkey paradise (and hell for your shiny belongings!)
The Ubud Monkey Forest, or Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary for friends, is a 10-hectare nature reserve home to more than 900 long-tailed macaques.
“Oh, how cute!” you might think. Not a chance!
These adorable little troublemakers are basically four-legged robbery gangs, ready to turn your jungle afternoon into total chaos.
Sunglasses? Gone. Backpack? Raided. Bananas? You might as well offer them right away before they expertly snatch them from you.
First rule of the game: don’t wear anything they can steal. Second rule, just as important: don’t look them in the eyes! To them, it’s basically a challenge, and they might jump right at your face—no joke!
Not just kleptomaniac monkeys, but amazing temples too!
You should know that the forest covers 12.5 hectares and, according to Balinese Hinduism, is considered a true open-air sanctuary.
In short, the Monkey Forest is not just the kingdom of kleptomaniac monkeys, but also a sacred and fascinating place. Here you’ll find ancient temples dating back to 1350, bridges wrapped in giant roots, and a mystical atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world.
There’s Pura Dalem Agung, dedicated to Shiva, where they say that even the little monkeys stop for a tiny prayer. The area in front of the temple, by the way, is the exclusive territory of a group of macaques known for their bizarre gourmet passion: they eat the forest’s crabs!
Then there’s Pura Beji, the Holy Water temple, and Pura Prajapati, where cremation rites are held. Too bad these places are reserved for worshippers.
For us visitors, there’s only the monkey zone. What can you do? Deal with it.
Planet of the Apes is real: “the banana or your life!”
Ubud’s monkeys are organized into five gangs, each with its own territory, like a jungle crime drama. But don’t think they respect boundaries. Between scuffles among themselves and thefts from tourists, they always find a way to make the day more exciting.
Their diet is theoretically under control: the park staff feeds them three times a day with sweet potatoes (maybe to keep them calm), but you can still buy them bananas. And only bananas—no peanuts, cookies, or bread.
Why? Because the monkeys are treated well here.
And now for the best part: these monkeys have absolutely no idea what the word NO means. If they see food, they want it. If you try to hide it, they’ll find it. If you don’t give it to them, they’ll search you!
For this reason, don’t bring food with you (unless you’re willing to lose it). The monkeys here have the nose of a truffle dog and the reflexes of a ninja. Spoiler: they always win.
“It didn’t bite me, it just tasted me”
OK, let’s talk about one small, negligible detail: monkeys bite.
Not all of them, of course. Only the ones that decide you’re a threat—or worse, that you’re hiding something tasty.
The sanctuary staff, armed with slingshots (yes, you read that right), tries to keep order by intimidating the more aggressive monkeys. But if one of them decides that today it wants to sample a human wrist, it might already be too late.
In case of bites or scratches, don’t panic: the park has a medical center for first aid.
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An unforgettable adventure among ancient temples and mischievous monkeys
Visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest is something you won’t forget easily. Maybe it’ll be because of the ancient temples, the breathtaking jungle, or more likely because a monkey stole your shoes. In any case, you’ll go home with stories no one will ever believe!
Pack your bag, hold tight to your belongings, and get ready for a close encounter with Bali’s wildest (and craziest) side. Planet of the Apes is waiting for you. Don’t forget the bananas.
Indonesia is waiting for you with an amazing 13-day itinerary by Sto Gran Tour. Check out the program and, when you’re ready, give us a shout: let’s go!
