If you are searching for the best monkey forest in Bali, three dedicated forest destinations stand out: Ubud Monkey Forest, Sangeh Monkey Forest and Alas Kedaton. Each works best with a different route.
There is also one important extra option: Uluwatu Temple. Uluwatu is not a monkey forest, but free-roaming macaques live around the temple complex. That makes Uluwatu especially useful for travelers who want monkeys + sunset + Kecak Dance instead of a daytime forest sanctuary.
Choose Ubud for the easiest first-time monkey-forest experience. Choose Sangeh for a quieter forest and temple atmosphere. Choose Alas Kedaton for a Bedugul–Tabanan–Tanah Lot day. Choose Uluwatu if monkeys are a bonus and your main priorities are cliff views, sunset and the Kecak Dance.
Quick Comparison: 3 Monkey Forests + Uluwatu
Best for first-time visitors, central Ubud and a classic sanctuary experience.
Best for a quieter forest, temple atmosphere and a Tanah Lot sunset route.
Best for Bedugul, Tabanan and Tanah Lot itineraries.
Not a monkey forest; best if you want macaques together with sunset and Kecak Dance.
1. Ubud Monkey Forest — Best for First-Time Visitors
Ubud Monkey Forest is the most famous dedicated monkey sanctuary in Bali and the easiest choice if your itinerary already includes central Ubud. The forest combines macaques, temple areas, stone paths and tropical vegetation.
It is easy to combine with Ubud Palace, Ubud Market, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul or Tegenungan Waterfall.
Ubud: Waterfall, Monkey Forest, Temple, and Rice Terrace
Tegenungan Waterfall · Ubud Monkey Forest · Ubud Palace & Market · Tegalalang · Tirta Empul
2. Sangeh Monkey Forest — Quieter Forest & Temple Atmosphere
Sangeh Monkey Forest is in Sangeh Village, Abiansemal, Badung. The sanctuary is known for tall forest trees, macaques and Pura Bukit Sari.
Its location works particularly well with Taman Ayun Temple and Tanah Lot, which is why the matching Kura-Kura route is much more efficient than visiting Sangeh as a standalone trip from South Bali.
Taman Ayun Temple, Sangeh Monkey Forest & Tanah Lot Temple
Taman Ayun · Sangeh Monkey Forest · Tanah Lot Sunset
3. Alas Kedaton — Best for Bedugul & Tanah Lot Routes
Alas Kedaton is located in Tabanan and combines a forest, macaques and a sacred temple setting. It fits naturally into a day that also includes the Bedugul highlands and Tanah Lot.
Full Day Bedugul Highland and Tanah Lot Temple
Taman Ayun · Ulun Danu Beratan · Alas Kedaton · Tanah Lot Sunset
4. Uluwatu Temple — Monkeys, Sunset & Kecak Dance
Uluwatu is not a monkey forest. It is a sacred sea temple on a cliff in South Bali, but macaques roam freely around the temple grounds. For many travelers, that makes it a more complete evening experience: monkeys during the temple walk, Indian Ocean sunset views, then the famous Kecak Dance.
This option is especially good if your priority is not a long forest walk. Instead, the monkeys become one part of a wider cultural evening.
Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance & Jimbaran Seafood Dinner
Uluwatu Temple & monkeys · Sunset · Kecak Dance · Jimbaran lobster seafood dinner
Monkey Safety Tips — Important at All Four Places
Which Monkey Experience Should You Choose?
You want the most famous dedicated monkey forest and a full Ubud sightseeing day.
You prefer a quieter forest and want Taman Ayun + Tanah Lot in the same route.
You are planning Bedugul and Tanah Lot and want a monkey stop on the way.
You want monkeys as part of an evening focused on sunset, Kecak Dance and Jimbaran dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best-known monkey forest destinations in Bali?
This guide covers Ubud Monkey Forest, Sangeh Monkey Forest and Alas Kedaton as three dedicated monkey-forest destinations. It also includes Uluwatu Temple because free-roaming macaques are a major part of the visitor experience there.
Is Uluwatu Temple a monkey forest?
No. Uluwatu is a sacred clifftop sea temple, not a dedicated monkey forest. However, macaques live around the temple complex, so visitors should secure sunglasses, phones, hats and other loose belongings.
Which tour visits Ubud Monkey Forest?
Kura-Kura Bus currently offers Ubud: Waterfall, Monkey Forest, Temple, and Rice Terrace, which explicitly includes the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
Which tour visits Sangeh Monkey Forest?
Taman Ayun Temple, Sangeh Monkey Forest & Tanah Lot Temple includes a one-hour Sangeh Monkey Forest stop and ends at Tanah Lot for sunset.
Which tour visits Alas Kedaton?
The current Full Day Bedugul Highland and Tanah Lot Temple itinerary explicitly lists Alas Kedaton between Ulun Danu Beratan and Tanah Lot.
Which tour combines monkeys with Uluwatu Kecak Dance?
Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance & Jimbaran Seafood Dinner visits Uluwatu Temple, where macaques live around the complex, then continues with the sunset Kecak performance and Jimbaran dinner.
What should I do around monkeys in Bali?
Keep food hidden, secure sunglasses and phones, avoid touching or teasing monkeys, do not chase them, and follow staff or guide instructions.
Want help choosing the right monkey route?
Send us your travel date, hotel and number of guests. We can help you choose between Ubud, Sangeh, Alas Kedaton or Uluwatu based on the rest of your Bali itinerary.
