Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, often called the Ubud Monkey Forest, is a community-managed nature reserve and Hindu temple complex in Padangtegal village, Ubud, Bali. The site covers roughly 12.5 hectares of secondary forest and is home to a large population of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

The sanctuary contains three main temples and numerous stone carvings set among dense canopy, paved paths and moss-covered walls; many of the temples date back several centuries and remain active places of worship. The monkey population roams the paths and temple grounds and is well known to visitors for its habituated behaviour.

The area is managed by the local village trust as both a spiritual site and a conservation area, combining protective measures for the forest with visitor facilities and rules to reduce conflict between people and monkeys. The sanctuary is one of Ubud’s primary attractions and a key element of the town’s cultural landscape.

The sanctuary sits in central Ubud, adjacent to Ubud Palace and within easy walking distance of the town’s main streets and markets.

• Local management: Founded and managed by the local Padangtegal village, the site combines temple complexes and a conservation area and charges a modest entrance fee to support maintenance.
• Visiting tips: Visit early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and more active wildlife; follow the sanctuary's rules about not feeding or provoking monkeys and securing loose items.

What to See #

• Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal: Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal is the main temple within the sanctuary, dating back several centuries and still used for religious ceremonies.
• Forest reserve: The forest reserve covers about 12.5 hectares of protected secondary forest crossed by paved paths, stone steps and boardwalks.
• Macaque population: A free-ranging population of long-tailed macaques numbering in the hundreds lives throughout the sanctuary and is a primary visitor attraction.