Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana) is located in the heart of Ubud — a 12.5-hectare jungle of ancient banyan trees, moss-covered stone figures, and three Hindu temples, home to over 1,260 long-tailed macaques in five groups. The forest is not a zoo but a sacred place: The Balinese believe that the monkeys protect the temple, and the three Pura (temples) in the forest are actively used for ceremonies.

The Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal (Temple of Death) in the center is the most impressive: moss-covered stone steps, demon sculptures with grim faces, and giant banyan roots winding around the temple walls like the tentacles of an octopus. The atmosphere is cinematic — Peter Jackson could have filmed here. At the southern end of the forest, a stone bridge leads over a jungle gorge to a bathing area with a small waterfall.

The macaques are semi-wild and accustomed to humans, making them both fascinating and unpredictable. They steal sunglasses, hats, water bottles, and phones with surgical precision. Park staff (in green uniforms) are trained to retrieve stolen items — usually in exchange for a few bananas as barter. Some monkeys have learned that they get more food for more valuable items, leading to a quirky negotiation economy.

The park is also an important research center: Primatologists from Udayana University have been studying the social behavior of the macaques here for decades. The animals are accustomed to human presence, allowing for rare behavioral observations. Signs in the park explain the hierarchy of the five monkey groups and their territories.