- Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
- Phone: +62 361 971304
- Fax: +62 361 972774
- E-mail: info@monkeyforestubud.com
- Website: www.monkeyforestubud.com
- Area: 0.1 square meters. km
- Working time: 8.30-18.00
- The cost of visiting: adult - 3.75 USD, child (3-12 years) - 3 USD.
In the central part of Bali , just one hour north of the main airport , one of the most beautiful cities in the world is located - the magical Ubud. From other noisy resorts of the island this place is characterized by relative silence and tranquility, which makes it ideal for family holidays . Among the many cultural monuments and other attractions of the city, the most famous in Bali is the Monkey Forest (Ubud Monkey Forest).
Interesting Facts
The monkey forest in Ubud (Bali) today is one of Indonesia 's most popular attractions with a attendance of up to 15,000 people a month. This unique place is located in the small village of Padangtegal in the south of the island , and the locals consider the park not as a tourist center, but as an important spiritual, economic, educational and environmental institution.
The basic concept of creating the Monkey Forest in Bali is the doctrine of "Three hits of karan", which means "three ways to achieve spiritual and physical well-being". According to this teaching, to achieve harmony in life, people need to maintain the right relationship with other people, the environment and God.
What to see?
The monkey forest covers an area of 0.1 square meters. km. Despite such a modest size, the park is the focus of important shrines and home to many species of plants and animals:
- Trees. 115 species, some of which are considered holy and used in various Balinese spiritual practices. So, for example, majegan is used exclusively for the construction of temples and shrines, the leaves of berigin are necessary for the cremation ceremony, and the Pule Bandak tree at all embodies the spirit of the forest and is used to create powerful masks.
- Monkey. Incredible, but on the territory of this amazing place lives more than 600 primates. All of them are conditionally divided into 5 groups, each of 100-120 individuals. The largest number of local inhabitants can be seen in front of the main temple and the central cemetery. According to the rules of the Forest, animals can only be fed with bananas purchased in the park, any other products can harm their health.
- Temples . According to the analysis of the holy book of the Pura Purana, all the 3 temples on the territory of the Monkey Forest in Bali date back to the mid-14th century:
- the main sanctuary in the south-western part of the park is called "Pura Dalem Agung" (here pilgrims worship the god Shiva);
- Another temple "Pura Beji" is located in the north-west and is a place of worship for the goddess Ganga .;
- The last temple is named after the god Prajapati and is located near the cemetery in the north-east.
Useful information for tourists
Visit the Monkey Forest in Ubud in Bali is possible both independently and as part of the tour group. Since public transport in Bali is almost non-existent, the best solution for a tourist is to rent a car or book a tour around the island, which, of course, includes visiting the Monkey Forest. The price for entry to the shrine is small: a children's ticket (3-12 years) costs 3 cu, an adult a bit more expensive - 3.75 cu. You can buy tickets at the box office at the entrance, where you can immediately buy bananas for gluttonous monkeys.
Going to the Monkey Forest, be sure to read the local rules and recommendations:
- Before entering the park, take off all jewelry, accessories, hide food and money, because long-tailed macaques, inhabiting the forest, are very clever and cunning: do not have time to look back - and your glasses are already in the paws of a smiling monkey.
- Do not tease the animals with food. If you want to treat a monkey a banana - just give it when it comes closer. Remember that other foods (bread, peanuts, cookies, etc.) are forbidden to feed them.
- Monkey forest is a region that is consecrated by the local community. There are sites that are inaccessible to all people. For example, a sacred place in the temple. Entry is allowed only for those who wear traditional Balinese clothes and will pray.
- If the monkey bit you or scratched, as well as on all questions interesting you, contact the park staff, which is easy to see in the crowd of tourists: workers of the monkey forest are dressed in a special form of bright green color.