Of Monkeys and Men – Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali
The monkeys of Monkey Forest in Ubud in Bali know exactly how the cat jumps. And no, it’s not a good idea to bring food with you. They look at you as if they would never ever hurt a fly. Look at me, how cute I am. Yes, monkeys know how to use their puppy-eyes and pretend to be completely innocent. But they can also be real beasts. When it comes down to food you can’t stop them. And yes, there are some horror stories about the monkeys there and macaques in Asia.
The question is yet, if it’s generally a good idea to sell monkeys in their natural habitat as a tourist attraction. I mean, let’s be honest, if I would be a tourist attraction all at once and people would come visit me in my living room, I probably would get aggressive too. No, I would for sure get aggressive, not only probably. But sure, the monkey forest in Ubud are used to tourists and if you don’t act like a complete idiot they won’t harm you. And with the entrance fee you help to fund projects associated with the conservation of the Monkey Forest’s natural and cultural resources. So that’s good.
Seriousness aside, let’s feel like a kid in the puppy store and drool over the monkey forest in Ubud:
A penny for their thoughts!
How to get to Monkey Forest in Ubud:
Best thing would be to stay in Ubud for a few days, then it’s easy and explore things to do in Ubud. Just follow Monkey Forest Road and there you go. If you’re not staying in Ubud or still planning your Bali Travel Itinerary, you can also do a day trip with a guided tour.
When is the best time to go to the Monkey Forest in Ubud?
You definitely should go there early in the morning. You’ll need at least one hour to see all the monkeys and temples. And get the hell out of there at around 10am, that’s when the tourist buses will arrive. There are also other locations that are ethical and safe to visit Monkeys in Bali.
Oh nope, just tired!
Where to stay in Ubud:
We’ve stayed in Artini 1, loved it there! It feels like sleeping in a temple, you get breakfast served on your own terrace and a bungalow is available.
I can’t decide. Which picture is cuter? The one above or the one below?
What else?
You definitely should see the sunset in Petulu! For more tips for Bali and Ubud check out my friend Theodora’s blog Escape Artistes!
