Parks & gardens
Ubud Monkey Forest
Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, also known as Ubud Monkey Forest, is a sanctuary located in Padangtegal, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. As of 2023, about 1,260 Balinese long-tailed macaque monkeys lived in the Ubud Monkey Forest.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Officially Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, this is a forested sanctuary in Padangtegal that combines a nature reserve with a Hindu temple complex. It's home to a large population of Balinese long-tailed macaques (roughly 1,260 as of 2023) that move freely through the grounds, along with stone temple gates, bridges, and carvings set among dense tree cover. Travellers come both for the monkeys themselves and for the atmosphere of the forest and temple architecture.
Getting there
The sanctuary sits at the southern edge of central Ubud, an easy walk from most guesthouses and hotels in town — around 10 to 20 minutes on foot depending on where you're staying. A short taxi or scooter ride from central Ubud takes only a few minutes.
Time to allow
Most visitors spend around 1 to 1.5 hours walking the paths and observing the monkeys and temples.
When to go
Arrive earlier in the day for cooler temperatures and calmer paths, since the forest gets more crowded as the day goes on, especially with tour groups. Keep hold of any food, drinks, sunglasses, or loose items — the macaques are accustomed to people and will grab things they can reach.
Combine it with
- Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal — the temple of the dead, located within the forest itself.
- Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) — about 0.4km away, a short walk for those interested in Balinese and Indonesian art.
- Ubud Palace and Pura Taman Saraswati — both around 1.4–1.5km away, walkable or a quick ride, and easily paired with a visit to central Ubud's markets and shops.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
