Is Sangeh Monkey Forest the best place to see monkeys in Bali?
After navigating the chaos of Ubud Monkey Forest and dodging a few cheeky monkey grab-attacks, I was curious to see if there was a calmer, more peaceful place to observe Bali’s famous long-tailed macaques.
I’d heard whispers from locals and fellow travellers that Sangeh Monkey Forest was the real hidden gem, a quieter, and more serene spot, and home to friendlier monkeys.
Naturally, I had to see it for myself.
So off I went to explore Sangeh, in search of a more relaxed (and hopefully less mischievous) monkey encounter.
If you have found this blog you must be either in Bali, or heading there soon, and are interested in seeing the Insta famous monkeys?
I have written about my experience of Sangeh Monkey Forest, a more off the beaten track place, which is home to over 700 of the intriguing animals.
My personal experience was fun, and let me explain why!
We will start with how you can actually visit the monkey forest.
The monkeys a very friendly at Sangeh.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
How can you visit Sangeh Monkey Forest?
Total Travel Time: 30–40 minutes.
Distance: About 18 km (11 miles) northwest of Ubud.
Route: Mostly on paved roads; easy drive or ride.
🛵 Option 1: By Scooter (A fun adventure).
You can rent a scooter in many places in or around Ubud (IDR 60,000–100,000/day).
There are many small shops offering petrol on the way between Ubud and Sangeh.
Insider Tip: Leave early in the day to avoid afternoon heat and traffic.
🚖 Option 2: By Private Driver (Most comfortable).
Hire a driver via your hotel, or apps like Grab, and GoJek.
Agree on a round-trip price (around IDR 300k–500k).
Ask the driver to wait while you explore for 1–2 hours.
Great for families or travellers who want a relaxed trip.
🚐 Option 3: With a guided tour.
Many Bali tour companies offer “Hidden Bali” day tours that include Sangeh.
Look for itineraries that pair it with rice terraces or temples nearby.
This one is very popular with first time visitors, as it includes the forest, a waterfall, a temple, and some rice fields.
Arriving at the beautiful forest.
About to meet some monkey friends.
Directions to Sangeh Monkey Forest from Ubud.
Bali is quite simple to navigate in terms of directions, with long roads between Ubud and Sangeh, however, the traffic gets really bad, especially in peak seasons, so you need to allow for extra time and inconvenience.
Expect hassle and delays, and you won’t be disappointed or frustrated as you head to the forest.
Here is a step by step guide:
Head northwest on Jalan Raya Ubud.
Take Jalan Raya Sayan toward Mambal.
At the T-junction in Mambal, turn left onto Jalan Raya Sangeh.
Stay on that road and look for signs toward “Obyek Wisata Sangeh”.
You'll see a parking area near the entrance to the forest.
Park at the official lot (usually free).
Pay your entry fee and start exploring!
Sangeh Monkey Forest entrance fees and opening times.
Opening times:
8.00am until 5.00pm.
Entrance fees:
Adults - 75k IDR (£3.50).
Children - 50k IDR (£2.50).
All tickets include an entrance ticket, a bottle of water, and a bag of peanuts to feed the monkeys with.
The ticket office as you enter the forest.
Adult ticket.
An introduction to the sacred monkey forest.
Located in central Bali, Sangeh Monkey Forest is a peaceful, sacred jungle home to over 700 grey long-tailed macaques.
Although this forest is less touristy than Ubud Monkey Forest, it certainly matches it for history.
Locals believe the monkeys in Sangeh are the reincarnated warriors of a divine legend, and as such, they are protected and deeply respected.
Apparently the monkeys live in organised groups, as Bali’s own Banjar community system, with social hierarchies and territorial rituals.
As I arrived into the forest I could sense the importance of the creatures, as I observed giant monkey statues, and local guides feeding the animals bananas.
Visitors are typically guided through the forest to ensure a safe and respectful experience with the native creatures.
My new friend.
Is Sangeh Monkey Forest safe for tourists?
Yes, absolutely!
Sangeh is one of the safest places in Bali to see monkeys, as long as you follow the basic rules and respect the animals.
I found it to be much calmer, and less chaotic than Ubud Monkey Forest.
The monkeys are known to be less aggressive, and even friendly if you have nuts for them, compared to those in more tourist-heavy spots.
The monkeys can be mischievous of course, it is in their nature, however, the locals have created a very controlled and peaceful environment for them to live.
There are safety guides throughout the forest.
What are the monkeys like at Sangeh? friendly or feisty?
Friendly is the resounding answer to this question, from my personal experience.
I was chatting to a local in Sangeh about why they are more chill, following my more chaotic trip to Ubud the day before.
Feeding another fella.
This is why he said the Sangeh monkeys are more chill:
✅ They’re well fed, and not as food-obsessed as in Ubud.
✅ Tourist numbers are lower, so they’re less overstimulated.
✅ Locals treat them as sacred beings, which adds to the respectful vibe.
✅ They live in peaceful family groups with structured social dynamics.
This cool dude was already full.
Chilling in the Bali heat.
Over 700 grey long-tailed macaques in the area.
Sangeh Forest is home to over 700 grey long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), making it one of Bali’s most peaceful and enchanting places to see monkeys in the wild.
Their large population is no accident — the forest is considered sacred by the local Balinese community, who believe the monkeys are the transformed warriors of a legendary princess. Because of this, the macaques are respected and never harmed, allowing them to live peacefully and reproduce freely across generations.
So many monkeys!
With abundant food sources, natural water from the jungle pond, and no threat from poachers or predators, the forest has become a safe haven.
As I wandered around the place, I could tell that the monkeys felt very safe and comfortable at Sangeh.
After their swim.
Sangeh vs Ubud Monkey Forest: Which is better?
When I was planning my Bali trip, Ubud Monkey Forest was one of the first things on my itinerary, and rightly so, as it is a great experience, however, I was so glad when I got recommended the quieter Sangeh Forest by a local.
I visited Sangeh the day after Ubud, and it offered a quieter, more authentic alternative.
Here's my side-by-side breakdown:
Sangeh Monkey Forest
Crowd Levels - Peaceful, low foot traffic.
Monkey Behaviour - Calm, less aggressive.
Family Friendly? - Yes – quiet & spacious.
Location - 30 mins from Ubud.
Entrance Fee - Lower price.
Overall Vibe - Hidden gem.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Crowd Levels - Very busy, especially mid-day.
Monkey Behaviour - Bolder, more mischievous.
Family Friendly? - Can be overwhelming for small kids.
Location - In centre of Ubud.
Entrance Fee - Higher, and more regulated.
Overall Vibe - Popular hotspot.
Whichever forest you choose, you are going to see some very cool monkeys.
If you have time, money, and a means of transport, I recommend visiting both!
This selfie at Ubud is undefeated.
Feeding time at Sangeh.
Is Sangeh a hidden gem or just another tourist trap?
I found Sangeh Monkey Forest to be a hidden gem rather than a tourist trap.
I didn’t find that the locals were trying to ask for tips, or sell things to visitors.
The staff were also very generous with providing tourists food to feed the monkeys, which led to the opportunity to capture some awesome shots of the animals.
The ratio of monkeys to human visitors is incredible.
I was walking through the forest for a while and didn’t see another human for around 10 minutes, and in that time I interacted with loads of monkeys.
A mother and her baby.
There are several Hindu monkey statues.
Pura Bukit Sari, a 17th century Hindu temple inside the forest.
As I wandered around the forest I could sense the spiritual heart of Sangeh, especially in and around the hindhu temple.
With its location being right inside the forest, the nature surrounding the temple adds to its atmosphere, and makes for an awesome backdrop for photos.
The temple also showcases traditional Balinese stone carvings, which I spotted across the island at various religious sites.
Despite its age and history, the temple still maintains its authenticity with religious ceremonies still taking place, and it being an active place of worship.
This means you can’t enter inside the temple, however, observing the local culture from afar is still a worthwhile activity while at Sangeh.
The ancient temple.
Some stunning nature.
Before any of the cheeky monkeys caught my eye, the beautiful nature blew me away!
As soon as I stepped into Sangeh, I was wrapped in its lush canopy of towering nutmeg trees, some of which are over 40 metres tall, and hundreds of years old according to one of the local guides.
The glow of the sunshine manages to squeeze through some of the small gaps in the trees, creating some unique shadows.
Birds, butterflies, and forest sounds complete the immersive tropical vibe, which the monkeys call home!
A natural paradise.
Another friendly guy.
Is the forest suitable for families or kids?
Sangeh Forest is an ideal spot for a family day trip for several reasons:
Tame & friendly monkeys.
Less tourists and professional guides ensure that the monkeys on site are very approachable, for kids and adults.
Well-maintained hiking trails.
The forest paths are well planned with sturdy ground, making plenty of family friendly walking routes to observe the monkeys in the forest.
Some educational activities.
In the forest, the temple, nature, animals, and information boards make the forest a great spot for children and adults to learn in a fun way.
There were many kids feeding the monkeys.
A relaxed experience.
Due to less crowds at Sangeh, children can interact with the monkeys without worrying about battling with crowds of tourists.
This is much more reassuring for parents to allow their children to feed the monkeys etc.
Another big lad chilling.
Is this a good place to capture monkey photos?
Sangeh Monkey Forest is one of the best places in Bali to capture natural, up-close photos of monkeys, no question about it.
The monkeys at Sangeh are less aggressive and not constantly expecting food, so you can capture more authentic behaviours, such as grooming, swimming, climbing, and interacting naturally.
I loved just standing back from the creatures, and observing them from a distance!
This one has found a friend.
Two great spots to capture some authentic monkey pictures.
If you have your camera handy, and are ready, you can capture some unique monkey shots anywhere in Sangeh Forest!
Due to the sheer amount of animals on site, there is always monkey business going on (literally!).
During my visit though, I found these two places to be the best photo spots.
The pond area (Monkey playground) for fun candid shots.
Why it's great: This is where the monkeys go wild, by splashing, swimming, chasing each other, and even dunking their heads under the water. Soaked monkeys look very funny!
Perfect for: Capturing candid and dynamic, playful shots of the macaques in action.
Personal tip: Visit mid-morning when the light is soft and the monkeys are most active.
Another fun one.
Pura Bukit Sari (The sacred temple complex) for an awesome backdrop.
Why it’s special: This 17th-century temple, shrouded in moss and vines, gives off a mystical vibe. Monkeys often perch on the stone carvings or temple gates, adding an ancient-jungle aesthetic. If you can also capture a local guide in traditional attire, it adds to the effect.
Perfect for: Atmospheric, cinematic photos with a cultural edge.
Personal tip: You can capture wide shots of the temple framed by towering nutmeg trees, offering a spiritual dynamic to your photos.
This one was in a huff with me.
Rules of Sangeh Monkey Forest: what you need to know before you visit.
It is always important to respect local traditions and cultures when visiting tourist sites, especially ones with a religious background.
Sangeh Forest is steeped in tradition and spiritual significance, so make sure you stick to these rules as you explore:
You will find the rules displayed in different places throughout the forest, but it is wise to get clued up on them before visiting.
At a glance:
Don’t feed the monkeys other than provided nuts.
Don’t touch or tease the monkeys.
Keep your belongings secure.
No loud music or disruptive behaviour.
Don’t litter.
Stay respectful around the temple area.
Rules are displayed.
Don’t feed the monkeys other than the provided nuts.
Visitors are not allowed to feed the monkeys random food at Sangeh, as it can disrupt the animals natural diet and behaviours. You get injured and swarmed if you bring certain foods.
All visitors are provided with nuts to feed the animals, which are included with entrance tickets.
Don’t touch or tease the monkeys.
This one goes without saying, teasing wild animals will end badly often.
You should avoid sudden movements, or trying to pet them.
If you want some interaction, there are guides present who can calmly coerce the animals onto your shoulders for a picture. For a tip of course!
Keep your belongings secure.
Monkeys love to steal and grab, as they are very cheeky!
One of the animals stole my water bottle, and somehow managed to open it, and drink from it.
You should use a zipped bag, and keep items close, and avoid anything shiny or dangling (like earrings or necklaces).
Be respectful around the temple area.
Pura Bukit Sari is still an active Hindu temple, and the locals use it to worship, so you should wear modest clothing (a sarong if entering near the temple), and keep the noise quiet and respectful.
You should also not enter during ceremonies unless invited or properly guided.
No loud music or disruptive behaviour.
Keep the vibe calm, as the forest is a sacred and serene environment.
I could feel the calmness of the towering nature as I entered, so made sure my behaviour was inline with such an environment.
Loud music, shouting, or aggressive photography is discouraged.
Don’t litter.
Sangeh is a protected forest, and very clean, so make sure you dispose of all rubbish properly, or take it with you.
Respecting these guidelines helps preserve the safety of both tourists and the monkeys. It also supports the local community's efforts to keep Sangeh ethical, peaceful, and environmentally sustainable for generations to come.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.