Seeing monkeys in Bali is fairly easy, as long as you pick the right spots to visit. There are some great places to see monkeys around the island, including in the famous monkey forests, Ubud town itself, Mount Batur, and more! The monkeys in Bali are known for being quite mischievous though, so make sure they don’t try and steal your belongings! This guide covers 5 of the best places to see monkeys in Bali, so you can guarantee an encounter with these playful creatures!
Looking for more wildlife encounters in Bali? Check out our guide to snorkelling with manta rays in Nusa Penida!
Where to see monkeys in Bali, Indonesia
Mount Batur
Hiking Mount Batur at sunrise is one of the most popular things to do in Bali, and it’s common to see monkeys here during your hike. As you follow the trail to the summit of the volcano, you are likely to encounter a number of mischievous macaques.
Monkeys are regularly seen at the summit of Mount Batur, and so it has a reputation as one of the best places to see monkeys in Bali. Be careful with your belongings as the monkeys are used to humans, and make sure not to feed them as they can become aggressive.
The stunning views from the summit at sunrise make hiking Mount Batur a highlight of any trip to Bali, and the chance to encounter playful monkeys only adds to this special experience!
Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud is perhaps the most famous place to see monkeys in Bali. Located near the town centre, this sacred forested area is home to a population of over 1,000 long-tailed macaques.
As you wander around Ubud’s Monkey Forest you will see playful monkeys swinging in the trees, playing with each other, and wandering the various pathways. The monkeys can be extremely cheeky and steal food, drinks, phones, and other items from unsuspecting tourists – so keep your wits about you!
If you have seen pictures of monkeys in Bali climbing on people and taking ‘selfies’ then it’s quite likely the pictures were taken in the Ubud Monkey Forest. It’s best to keep your distance from the monkeys if you can, but it’s not always possible as they are wild animals with a mind of their own!
As of 2023, the entry fee to the Ubud Monkey Forest is just 80,000 IDR per person – which is a small price to pay if you want to guarantee seeing monkeys in Bali!
Ubud
Beyond the confines of Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest, monkeys are often spotted around the town itself. As you wander the streets in Ubud it’s fairly common to see monkeys on rooftops or walking along electrical wires.
In some cases it’s even possible to see monkeys in the outdoor areas of hotels in Ubud. If you are staying in a hotel near the monkey forest then you will have a reasonable chance of spotting monkeys either from the pool or around the hotel grounds.
Having stayed in Ubud on several occasions ourselves, we have seen monkeys around the town on many occasions. In our opinion the town is one of the best places to see monkeys in Bali, so make sure to keep an eye out for these playful creatures as you walk around town.
Uluwatu Temple
Perched on the edge of a 70-metre high cliff, the Uluwatu Temple is one of the most beautiful places to see monkeys in Bali. It’s one of the must-visit temples on the island thanks to the sweeping ocean views and surrounding cliffs.
Uluwatu Temple is a particularly beautiful spot to visit during sunset, so it’s worth timing your visit to enjoy the wonderful views as night falls. Entry to the temple costs just 50,000 IDR per person.
The temple is home to a population of macaques, and like many of the other monkeys in Bali, they are quite mischievous. It’s common for them to steal tourist’s belongings (from phones to wallets) and then barter for food in order to give the belongings back.
In fact, the monkeys at Uluwatu have gained such notoriety for their thieving antics that they are the subject of an article by the Guardian detailing their exploits.
Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest
A quieter alternative to Ubud, the Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest is another great place to see monkeys in Bali. Inside the forest lies the Alas Kedaton temple, which is considered sacred – as is the forest and its resident macaques.
As well as being home to hundreds of monkeys, the forest is also home to a large fruit bat population. If you are looking for a less crowded experience, then this is one of the best places to see monkeys in Bali.
Entrance to the Alas Kedaton Temple Monkey Forest costs just 30,000 IDR per person as of 2023. Some locals do offer peanuts and bananas for sale to feed the monkeys, but we strongly recommend avoiding this as feeding them disrupts their natural behaviour.
Monkeys in Bali Q&A
What types of monkeys are in Bali? – There are two monkey species found in Bali – long-tailed macaques and Javan Langurs. The macaques are much more commonly seen, but the langurs do live in the island’s rainforests.
Are monkeys in Bali dangerous? – Monkey attacks do happen in Bali, so it’s important to keep your distance and have your wits about you. Thankfully it’s normally pretty easy to stay safe – just avoid feeding the monkeys as this can cause them to become aggressive, and never look them in the eye as they take this as a sign of aggression.
How to avoid monkeys in Bali? – The easiest way is to avoid some of the locations we have covered in this article, particularly the monkey forests. If you encounter monkeys around Ubud or other spots, they are unlikely to pay too much attention to you – so just keep your distance and move on if you don’t want to be around them.
Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!
Like this guide to the best places to see monkeys in Bali? Pin it!
