Sacred Monkey Forest – Ubud Activities
Sacred Monkey Forest Tips
Keep these important things in mind before entering the Monkey Forest.
- Don’t bring sunglasses
- Have a strap for your camera
- Don’t bring anything you don’t have to
- Follow the paths
- Buy Bananas at your own risk
- Wear your hair tied back
- Don’t chase or act aggressively towards the monkeys
- Don’t panic if they run after you
- Be prepared to take a shower afterwards
OK, don’t freak out. I know this all sounds a little foreboding, but the monkeys are pretty harmless (unless they have rabies.) One of the things our doctors all told us before going to Indonesia was not to touch the monkeys or dogs. Rabies is a problem in Indonesia, and the world is short in supply of Rabies Vaccines so you can only get the vaccination if you’ve been exposed through a bite or scratch. This is why we don’t recommend you bring things that they might be interested in, especially food!
We did NOT want to have monkeys on us, but it happened anyway. I had a bottle of water hidden in my pocket, and they knew it. They wanted it, and they immediately jumped on me for it. Once I was sitting on a short wall while my wife was shooting photos. I was in a monkey’s way, so he walked over me. I freaked out and stood up, so that’s how we ended up with the picture above.
It seems it’s the teenage monkeys that are the most aggressive. The old ones are mostly relaxed and the babies rarely leave their mother’s side. If you buy bananas, you’ll be swarmed. We think most people buy them right away thinking that will be the only way to get their attention, but just being in the forest is enough.
It’s a lot of fun, so be prepared and bring a camera with a strap. We had a really great time!
Check out our page on the Komaneka Monkey Forest Resort. This is the best place to stay in Ubud, but it’s also one of the most expensive. Stay here for a real treat in Bali. Also, while in Ubud, See the Legong Dance Show.
More photos of the Sacred Monkey Forest – Ubud, Bali
