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Practicing sustainable tourism is everyone’s responsibility.

Bali has gotten some serious attention in the last decade as a top tropical travel destination. This sudden boom in tourism has been great for the country. It has also had some serious harmful effects. Unfortunately, as with many other travel destinations, there are still a lot of unethical things going on due to the tourism industry. It is important that as tourists we are aware of our effects on the country we are visiting. If there is no demand for these harmful practices, there will be no industry.

We like to travel but believe in how important it is to do so ethically. Sustainable tourism is the responsibility of both companies and consumers to focus on. We, as tourists, have a responsibility to ensure we aren’t harmfully affecting an area you visit. Supporting ethical businesses and practicing sustainability while travelling is incredibly important in ensuring that the culture, animals, and oceans prosper even after leaving.

As travelling to Bali is on the rise we have listed all the things to avoid in Bali so that you can have the best trip possible. While these industries are in no way Bali specific they do all, unfortunately, have a presence on this travel island hub.

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Myles taking photos in Kuta
1. Shark Fin Soup

As sharks are my all-time favourite animal, this is the number one thing on our list for a reason! Hollywood’s favourite villain, sharks are actually really amazing animals that have simply been misconstrued as dangerous killers. They also happen to be quite essential to the health and vitality of our oceans.

This industry is absolutely devastating and causing some serious and potentially irreversible damage to not only the species but our oceans as a whole. Even if you think there’s no harm in trying one cup of soup, you are supporting an industry that is having a completely devastating impact on the world we live in.

Warning: a graphic explanation of the shark fin industry is below. If you don’t want to read, skip to the number 2.

The practice of fishing the sharks for these soups is devastating. Sharks are caught and brought aboard a boat. While still alive fishermen use knives to slice off the shark’s fins. The shark, if it hasn’t bled out or died aboard, is thrown back into the water where it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and eventually dies.

2. Elephant Riding

While this industry has certainly gotten some seriously negative press in the last decade, it is still unfortunately a thriving industry on the island. The disappointing thing is the harsh living conditions these elephants face are in no way hidden from tourists, but that simply doesn’t seem to deter people. What is not seen is the tragic abuse that takes place in order to “break” the elephants and tame them. This horrific process is referred to as “the crush” and is what happens to break the spirit of elephants so they can be submissive and therefore domesticated.

Elephants are not meant to be ridden. Their backs are not designed for it and they are abused into submission from a young age to be “trained” into accepting riders. Beware that some elephant places are now getting smart and branding with the term “sanctuary”. Do your research as many of these places might have a savvy marketing team but their practices remain completely unethical.

As of now, there are NO KNOWN ETHICAL ELEPHANT SANCTUARIES on the island of Bali.

3. Zoos
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One of the many monkeys that call Bali home

Like all our other points, this isn’t a Bali-specific issue but is important for people to stay away from in every part of the world. Animals are not meant to be held in captivity, period. While we do understand the thrill you can get from seeing an animal you have never seen before, an hour of pleasure for you is certainly not worth a lifetime of agony for animals.

Besides the small cage sizes, the lack of natural habitats, and the improper diet zoo provides, many animals suffer mental health problems from boredom and lack of animal interaction. All in all, this is not a fun place to be. Watching animals being tortured should NOT be a fun family afternoon trip.

You may also like: A Visit To Monkey Forest

4. Street ‘kebabs’

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Trying local street food is easily one of the best parts of travelling to a new place. While we always advocate for the experience, we do need to warn you about some of the crazy things you may be getting while in certain areas. While you may like the idea of having a barbecue skewer on the beach, you may not be eating what you think.

Like many other parts of Asia, Bali has a real issue with stray dogs. So much so that the dog meat trade is alive and well in this corner of the world. What passes for chicken, we were told, is often dog meat as it is cheaper to come by.

5. Visiting The Civet Or Luwak Coffee Plantations

These coffee plantations have a strange appeal that I’ve never quite understood. These coffee plantations make their brews using the feces of local animals. Civets, a small cat-like animal native to Asia, are unethically kept in tiny cages and subject to poor living conditions. The animals are fed cherry coffee beans. Their waste is then collected and refined to be a brew of coffee.

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Always pack a sarong or scarf to show respect at temples

While this practice started with a simple collection of feces, the tourist sector came in and quickly popularized it to the point of needing mass production. This meant torture for these small cat-like animals as they quickly became captured and imprisoned in small cages where they are only fed this specific cherry. Your cup of coffee is certainly not worth the expensive price tag and tortured animal.

6. Dolphin Riding

While many people overlook the torture of this industry with the shiny notion that dolphins are social mammals they do not deserve a captive lifestyle and tiny tanks that we subject them to. Dolphins are incredibly intelligent pod mammals that deserve to swim freely in the sea. The charming nature of a bubbly dolphin has made it a favourite animal for so many people which has unfortunately caused a boom in the industry.

Many tourists in Bali take to riding these playful mammals thus contributing to their torture in captivity. Instead, try your hand at scuba diving. This is a safe and ethical way to get your fill of all things marine life.

While this list is long, there are MANY ethical and completely fulfilling ways that you can enjoy this tiny island.

Did I miss anything? What do you think of these activities that are best to avoid in Bali? Tell us about it in the comment section below.

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Travel to the small island of Bali is on the rise and is one of the hottest tourism destinations. So we wanted to give you our insider tips on all the best things to do in Bali. For being a relatively small island, there are LOTS of things to see and do while you’re here. It’s a beach lover’s paradise and this island offers much more than you may think. Bali is a great area to relax and rejuvenate with a relaxing vacation.

Staying here for at least a week is needed in order to take in all of the sights in the area. Two weeks will allow you to see and do more without feeling rushed or stressed. During your time, you will want to ensure you see the following sites:

Top things to do in Bali

Table of Contents

1. Go scuba diving

One of the best things to do in Bali is go scuba diving! Indonesia has some of the best scuba diving in the world, some of which can be found on Bali.

At the far northeast corner of Bali, you will find the tiny town of Tulamben. While this town itself may be quite sleepy, as soon as you dip below the ocean’s surface you will see a ton of life. Diving in this area is incredibly affordable and there are lots to see and do. In this area, there are 15 dive sites that have been set up for the public.

going scuba diving in bali is one of the best things to do in bali

One of these sites includes a massive WWI cargo ship: the USS Liberty Shipwreck. For those who are looking for a great wreck dive in Bali, this is it! It sits just off the coastline just waiting to be explored. It ran aground and the volcano pushed it back out to sea. It still has some of its cargo aboard along with its guns. It ranges from 25 to 100 feet deep making it able to be swam through quite easily.

There is a statue garden below the sea where you can see a cluster of about 20 statues that have since developed reefs around them.

Scuba diving in the area is the main attraction. We didn’t find a lot of activities to do so make sure your hotel has a pool to relax by. Completely immersed in the culture, this tiny town is a step back in time. You can visit the nearby villages to get a truly unique experience while staying in this area.

We stayed at a small diving hotel seconds away from the beach. When we were not diving in the sea we were soaking in the many pools. The hotel provides you with free snorkel gear, although there is not much to see when snorkeling.

Tip: Hotels, especially in this area, hate when you book through Agoda.com. The site seems to take a lot of the profits so the actual hotel is left with only a little of what you paid. You will often get less service when booking from this site. In this particular hotel, “less service” meant a separate resort where we were the only people staying at this location and had our own private pool. While we loved the private oasis, we would way rather give the money to the actual business owner than to a big corporation.

2. Visit the rice terraces

The rice terraces in Bali are lush and beautiful, a true sight to behold. While visiting can seem quite touristy, we classify it as one of the best things to do in Bali! We visited the Tegalalang terraces north of Ubud. You can get a first-hand look at this specialized farming technique while walking the endless trails through the terraces. Just remember which way you took so you don’t get too lost.

You will want to bring your camera as this is a cool spot that provides the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos. You can take tours through the fields hiking all up to the plantations. We recommend getting here early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat. Also, be sure to pay tolls depending on how far and where you want to walk.

There are lots of shops in this area that provide some excellent shopping. The items sold are a boho-inspired dream including handmade quilts, dream catchers, lace bags, and more. There are also many restaurants in this area that offer delicious food with an outstanding view.

Visiting the Bali rice terraces are one of the best things to do in Bali

3. Visit a neighbouring island

While we’re busy telling you about all the best things to do in Bali, it’s worth mentioning the many islands surrounding Bali. The two most visited are the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida.

The Gili Islands are actually located off of the east coast of Lombok (the island just west of Bali) But are worth a shout-out. If you have the time to spare taking the boat ride to the Gili Islands is something you will not regret. The white sandy coastlines are a beach bum’s dream. This laid-back lifestyle is the place to go if you are looking for some snorkeling with sea turtles, scuba diving, and refreshing seaside cocktails. It’s also a great place to learn to surf.

Nusa Penida, to the south east of Bali, is another great island in Indonesia to visit. Here you will find amazing scuba diving, snorkeling with manta rays and an authentic Indonesia vibe. You have probably seen the photos of the treehouse hotels that overlook the beautiful Indian Ocean, well you can see all that here. This is a must visit tropical destination for adventurers who enjoy hiking in a lush jungle and lazing on beautiful white sand beaches.

4. See the monkeys that live at Monkey Forest

You may have read about our experiences at Monkey Forest when Myles got punched in the face by a monkey. This was a rare case and in general, these are the only RELATIVELY friendly monkeys on the island. Even though Samara is scared of monkeys, we still consider visiting Monkey Forest one of the best things to do in Bali.

Hundreds of monkeys congregate in this area due to an abundance of food and attention from tourists. These are wild monkeys so it is important to treat them as such when visiting. They can be vicious if provoked so ensure that you are only there to observe but allow them to jump all over you.

NOTE: If you are like us, you may be worried about the ethical practices in this area. Rest assured that we did our research before going and it is actually OK. The monkeys are not in cages or in any way restricted to the area. They are however overfed by lots of tourists so be sure to avoid buying too many bananas when there.

Visiting monkey forest is one of the most fun things to do in Bali

Also, leave your backpack in your car. These monkeys know that you are helpless at fending them off so they will open your bag and go through it. If you have to bring a bag make sure it doesn’t have a water bottle or hand sanitizer. The monkeys actually drink the hand sanitizer and get drunk off the alcohol.

5. Enjoy the local Bali cuisine

One of the best things to do in Bali is EAT! Tasting the local cuisine is one of the best parts of traveling and you will be quite pleasantly surprised with the food in Indonesia. We are huge lovers of all things Ubud. This town is a hippie’s paradise. It has many vegan and vegetarian restaurants set in a lush jungle town. You won’t want to miss this experience as it lives up to its reputation. If you have seen those beautiful resorts tucked amongst the trees in Bali, they were likely taken in this area.

We recommend trying out a different spot every night so you get a full taste of the island. You will not be disappointed. The food in this area is incredibly health-focused so it is a dream for those opting for a gluten, dairy, and meat-free diet.

6. Try surfing some waves

Bali is a surfers paradise and learning to surf is one of the best things to do in Bali. Both Myles and I love swimming so it is a wonder we never tried surfing before. When we were in Kuta that quickly changed as we hopped in the water, board in hand and took on the waves. There are lifeguards on duty within specifically designated areas where you can surf. During our first time out we got pushed to the side and stuck in a rip tide. Luckily we knew what to do to get ourselves out of the situation quickly.

Surfing in this area is incredibly rewarding as you step off of the white sandy beach into the warm water. There are tons of surfing classes that you can take that are perfect for beginners. Surf lessons are incredibly affordable in Bali. While there are surfboards available for rent on the beach, more advanced surfers can rent the best ones when you walk away from the beach to local surf shops.

visiting a beach and going surfing is one of the best things to do in Bali

7. Go snorkeling

The snorkeling in Bali is some of the best in the world. With crystal clear tropical waters that are full of life, you can expect some epic snorkeling. Colorful fish, thriving coral reef systems, turtles, sharks, dolphins and whales are all found off the coast of Bali making this one of the best places to go snorkeling in the world. Going snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon is one of the best things to do in Bali.

Just south of Tulamben you will find the beautiful Amed beach. This is a great place to go for those who are looking to get off the beaten track and head to the more rustic corners of the island. Heading into the water you will find that the clarity in this area is unbeatable compared to other parts of the island. This makes it a snorkeler’s dream. More a group of villages rather than a full town, this is a great place to go to immerse yourself in the culture and everyday life.

8. Embrace Bali culture and local traditions

This island is full of culture. The moment you land you will notice the offering baskets laid in front of every business and home. There is also impressive architecture and temples throughout the island. We love to experience the traditions and cultures of the places we visit. Soaking up the Bali culture at some of the temples around Ubud is one of the best things to do in Bali. It’s best to check the policies of the site you’re going to visit. Some will require both men and women to wear a sarong as a show of respect.

visiting temples is one of the best things to do in Bali

Visit the temples, help to make the offering baskets, and witness traditional shows are just some of the many activities you’ll find on the island. There are many ways that you can be a part of this fantastic culture all of which will undoubtedly better your experience. All of these places are scattered throughout the island and are usually well publicized.

9. Do some yoga

This island is a yogi’s paradise. With many healthy food options, a boho vibe and tons of yoga retreats scattered around the island, finding a yoga class is one of the best things to do in Bali. This tropical climate will make you feel like you’re in a hot yoga class. It’s no wonder this area is especially popular with international digital nomads.

If you are interested in Yoga this is the place to be. There are classes that range from introductory for people new to the practice to expert Yoga teaching retreats. Not a step out of place, yogis from all over the world congregate on this island to take part in these practices.

visiting the volcano of mount batur is one of the best things to do in bali

10. Marvel at Mount Batur

Mount Batur is a dormant volcano that you will often find is one of the most popularly talked about places on the island. You can hike up the mountain in about 2 hours and have a picnic at the top with views that will blow your mind. We stopped in at a local restaurant to sip a nice cocktail with a world class view – one of our favourite things to do in Bali. There is a string of restaurants overlooking the stunning volcano allowing for a picture-perfect lunch location.

Visiting the volcano of Mount Batur is one of the best things to do in Bali

11. Take a dip in a waterfall

If you’re heading inland you will find many waterfalls that are all ready to be explored. Small hikes will take you down to the water where you can jump in for a refreshing swim. Some of these waterfalls are quite touristy but if you find yourself off the beaten track you will find stunning more private waterfalls. The Munduk waterfalls house amazing falls that are far less touristy giving you a unique opportunity to explore this beautiful country.

Visiting the waterfalls in Bali are one of the best things to do in Bali

Thanks for stopping by!

Bali was one of our favourite places in South East Asia. There are so many fun things to do in Bali, you will have no trouble filling your time on the island. Whether you are looking to embrace the local culture visitng temples in Bali, learn how to surf or do some yoga, this is the place to do it. Bali is also home to some of the best scuba diving in the world and is a great place to explore the underwater world. Whether you’re visiting for a week or a month, you will love all the amazing things to do in Bali.

Have you been to this island? What are your favourite things to do in Bali? Let us know in the comment section below.

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The rice terraces in Ubud are one of the best things to do in Bali Indonesia
best things to do in bali is visit temples, trek through rice terraces, learn to surf, snorkel with turtles and more

Ever since the movie came out in 2007 people everywhere have been putting together lists of what they want to do before they die. Early into our relationship, we started talking about our list never putting anything formal together. I had a journal beside my bed and about six months into our relationship we started to casually write down ideas we loved, places we wanted to visit, and things that really sounded cool to us.

Unfortunately during the downsizing process of turning to a minimalist life, the journal got lost. With most of the ideas still fresh in our heads, we created a formal list while sitting in the airport about to depart on our honeymoon.

When we got married, we vowed to one another to never live a normal, boring life. We promised each other a life of thrill seeking adventure and with what I am sure will be an ever growing bucket list we know just how to make it happen.

Be a part of our adventure as we work towards crossing (and adding) things to the list.

Our Ultimate Bucket List

  • Try kite surfing
  • Go to Munich for Oktoberfest
  • Ride in a hot air balloon
  • Get good at rock climbing and climb somewhere exotic
  • Attend a music festival
  • Be a beach bum in southern France
  • Go heli snowboarding
  • Sleep in a castle in Scotland
  • Write a book
  • Release baby turtles into the ocean
  • Road trip through Iceland
  • Scuba dive the Mediterranean Sea
  • Party in Las Vegas
  • Float in the dead sea
  • Scuba dive in Iceland while touching both continental plates
  • Visit all 7 continents
  • Dive the Great Barrier Reef
  • Go on a scuba diving cruise
  • See the penguins in Chile
  • Witness the northern lights
  • Fly while going hang gliding
  • Try canyoning in New Zealand
  • Walk through Petra
  • Paddleboard in the Maldives
  • Dive with sharks
  • Tour through Portugal
  • Indoor skydive
  • Get a tattoo
  • Climb Machu Picchu
  • Visit Antelope Canyon
  • Buy and renovate a school bus
  • Stay in a tree house hotel
  • Get the full New York City experience
  • Visit the Egyptian Pyramids
  • Tour through the Greek islands
  • Attend a yoga retreat
  • Visit Sri Lanka
  • Road trip through Australia
  • Dance at a rave
  • Raft down the Nile river
  • Visit Morocco
  • Scuba dive the blue hole in Belize
  • Boat ride down the Amazon
  • Experience the grand canyon
  • Drive down the Florida Keys
  • Go base jumping in Rio de Janeiro
  • Party in Ibiza
  • Jump out of a plane
  • Camp in the desert in Morocco
  • Camp overnight on the Great Wall Of China
  • Scuba dive the Mediterranean Sea
  • See the penguins in Chile and Cape Town
  • Party in Las Vegas
  • Learn to scuba dive (In Koh Tao, Thailand)
  • Swim with a sea turtle
  • Scuba Dive through a shipwreck (In Bali)
  • Visit Moab, Utah
  • Explore a Mayan ruin
  • Do a polar bear swim
  • Swim with sting rays
  • Climb through the rice terraces (in Vietnam and Bali)
  • Try surfing (In Bali)
  • Visit Glasgow, Scotland
  • Swim through an underwater cave
  • Explore a castle in Scotland
  • Get a tattoo (Samara)
  • Visit Stonehenge

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Indonesia is a laid back country made up of more than 17,000 islands. Of all these islands the most popular amongst tourists is the large island of Bali. Surrounded by water and full of a boho vibe this island is full to the brim with surfers and yogis. The islands are dotted with stunning white sandy beaches that have large waves that are perfect for surfing. Some calmer areas are heavily used for snorkeling and diving where you will see a plethora of colourful tropical fishes.

The island’s center, an area called Ubud, is where you will find the many hippie/yogi types and the city carries a very earthy vibe. With some world class restaurants and hotels, rich green rice fields and many temples to visit this is a super unique area.

The north of the island is more reserved for locals with no huge touristy areas. Rock lined beaches lead way to some of the most spectacular dive sites in all of Southeast Asia. With shipwrecks, walls of coral and gardens of sunken Buddha statues there is lots to be explored below the sea.

This island is one of many in Indonesia but with a rich culture and such vastly different landscapes it can easily leave you with countless stories. We know we left with many. Read them below.

If you are anything like me you make some pretty ridiculous purchases when traveling through Bali. Those purple elephant pants that looked so cute on the streets of Kuta don’t carry the same appeal now that I am walking through downtown Vancouver. While I pride myself in practicing minimalism and love that everything important to me fits in one tiny van it is easy to get swept up in the cheap prices of Bali.

Even though I made some questionable purchases while abroad I also made one really great one. While taking a car around town we started chatting with the driver about the popular sites around Bali. He offered to take us for a tourist trip all around the island. For 600,000 IDR (around $55 CAD) we would get a private driver for an eight hour period that would take us anywhere we wanted to go. Did I mention that this car ride was air conditioned? I told you it’s a good buy!

Eager to see the island Myles and I rushed to a coffee shop to acquire WiFi and plan our big day. Planning all the big sites while placing a large priority on heading north to find the best places to scuba dive we had our route planned.

When our driver came to pick us up we threw our bags in the back of his car and handed him a map with a bunch of circles over the places we wanted to visit. All smiles we headed north to Ubud.

 

Temples

The culture in Bali is amazing to experience. In Indonesia 90% of the population recognizes as Muslims with 10% other denomination. On the island of Bali 80% of the population is Hindu. This makes for a rich culture that can be seen in almost every aspect of their life. A visit to the any of the many temples is not to be missed. Doing so with a driver/tour guide is even better.

From getting to sit and help make one of the daily offerings to learning some of the customs and practices made the experience truly unforgettable. Bali is known for wood and stone carvings and even if you are not interested in being a part of the religion the architecture is an experience in itself.

 

Waterfall

While there are waterfalls everywhere there is nothing quite like splashing in one in the middle of a hot and humid 40℃ day. A beautiful sight we found these waterfalls to be incredibly busy and touristy with a ton of street vendors lined up. While the refreshing dip was well worth it, this was something we would have been fine with missing.

Monkey Forest

I have written about all our crazy adventures with this scary forest before. As scary as it was, it is definitely an unforgettable experience that everyone should do ONCE. Seriously, I would NOT go back a second time.

Rice Terraces

The real reason we decided to hire the car was the lush rice farms. After trekking through rice paddies in Vietnam I knew how cool of an experience it was and had to show Myles. No where else do you get to experience such a deep and pure green. Full of life, climbing through these wet rice terraces was a true experience. With endless beautiful views there are tons of restaurants and coffee shops where you can relax and take in all the beautiful views of this area.

Mount Kintamani

Nearing the end of our day we passed by the famous volcano on the island. With not a ton of time left for our day we only stopped to snap a few photos and stand in awe for a few moments before continuing our long and windy drive north.

Tulamben

We ended our eight hour day being dropped off in the northern town of Tulamben. This small town is far away from the tourist district but has some of the best dive sites in Indonesia. Being recently scuba certified Myles and I couldn’t wait to further explore this city.

Needless to say it was an action packed day and one will be remembered for a while. Eight hours of having a tour guide, driver and get a tour of the entire island, now that was a win! Did I mention the air conditioning?

Been to any of the places that we visited? Let us know your favourite below.

Hundreds of monkeys call Bali’s famous Monkey Forest home. This forest sanctuary is located in the island’s Instagram famous town: Ubud. A boom in tourism has led to some devastating realities to the wildlife in Bali. Overhunting and increased agricultural demand (particularly coconut and coffee industries) have led to extreme declines, and even extinctions, to the population of some species. This forest provides about 30 acres of protected jungle for the animals to live.

In this article:

  • What to expect at Monkey Forest?
  • How much does Monkey forest cost and when to go?
  • What do the monkeys eat?
  • What should I bring to Monkey Forest?
  • Are monkeys safe to be around?
  • Can you touch the baby monkeys?
  • How to get to monkey forest?
  • Where to stay in Ubud?
  • Other places to see monkeys?

What to expect at monkey forest

Over 600 Balinese long-tailed Macaque monkeys call this sanctuary home. As soon as you enter the park you can expect to see these primates climbing through trees, swinging from branches, splashing in the water and even sleeping right in the middle of the pathway.

Monkeys are curious, playful and mischievous animals. With consistent human encounters this park brings, they may be wild but they certainly aren’t scared of humans. In fact, they will not hesitate to jump and crawl all over you.

Heading to Indonesia? Check out our top things to do in Bali.

Monkey forest is a family-friendly activity – with the proper precautions. It’s important to teach your kids how to respect wild animals properly. It’s also recommended to try to limit interactions to only younger monkeys. Older monkeys can grow to a relatively large size that will rival your child. There are a lot of families that visit this forest every day.

Throughout the park, there are 3 temples that date back to the 14th century. Tourists are not granted access to these areas as they are kept as sacred places of worship for the locals. These stunningly built temples still allow for amazing Instagram photos on the outside.

The forest also houses many beautiful sculptures that the monkeys climb on. This combined with the lush jungle makes for some amazing photo opportunities.

How much does Monkey forest cost and When to go

The entrance to this sacred sanctuary is 80,000IDR (Indonesian Rupiah). For Canadians, that’s about $7. Kids are priced at a discounted rate of 60,000IDR (just over $5 CAD). Once in the park, you will be instantly met by monkeys running all around you. The park is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm with the ticket office closing at 5 pm. We recommend heading there in the early morning to beat the crowds and get more one-on-one interaction with the primates.

What do the monkeys eat?

The monkeys are fed daily by the park staff a diet of papaya, bananas and other fruits. Sometimes, the staff will allow you to help feed the monkeys bananas. We did this only to have the entire stash grabbed from our hands within seconds. Myles even got punched in the face by one when he tried to regulate only one banana each. Lesson learned, don’t limit monkeys!

What should I bring to monkey forest?

It is important to pack light for your trip, and by light I mean your phone, camera and wallet are ideally all you should bring with you. As these mischievous monkeys are known thieves, it is important to not bring anything you don’t want stolen with you. This includes wearing big pieces of jewelry, hair clips and even keys with long lanyards.

Food and drinks are not to be brought into the park, even water bottles, as they are sure to be stolen. Due to the plastic crisis in the world, the park also asks that no plastic bags are brought into the forest. These smart devils have perfected the art of stealing and will not hesitate to open backpacks and purses, or steal the whole thing all together.

The monkeys have a fascination with hand sanitizer. During our pre-covid visit, they urged us not to bring it into the park as the monkeys steal it and get drunk off drinking it. We brought nothing but our cameras and cellphones with us and still had monkeys jumping all over us.

Are monkeys safe to be around?

After a dangerous encounter with monkeys on a trip to the popular Thai island of Koh Phi Phi, we were very nervous to visit. A lot of people are scared of monkeys, and for good reason. These are wild intelligent animals that are heavily exploited in our world and they know they need to protect themselves. As we never visit zoos, we love to get as many natural animal encounters as we can so we thought this would be a must see experience.

Read about the 6 things to avoid in Bali to help you plan your vacation.

Before entering the park there will be a list of precautions that are important to read and remember during your visit. While it is difficult, you cannot make any loud or threatening motions or noises when this happens. To avoid any misconstrued attempts at aggression, it is important you do not make eye contact, run or touch the monkeys.

While most people have positive experiences here, the wild animals’ demeanors can be unpredictable. Naturally monkeys sometimes fight one another over territory or mating. They can also misconstrue actions for threats that can lead to them biting or scratching humans.

The monkeys do not have diseases. They are all monitored by the Primate Research Center of Udayana University to ensure they are in good health. This means you don’t have to worry about rabies or any other diseases commonly found in wild animals.

Can you touch the baby monkeys?

Baby monkeys stick with their mom for the first 10 months of their life. During this time, the mom is naturally quite protective of her young. She is teaching them how to get food, protect themselves and other useful survival skills. Staying away from the babies, unless of course they come to you, is the best course of action to avoid stressing mom.

How to get to Monkey Forest?

Monkey forest is located in the middle of the tourism hot spot: Ubud. If staying in the city, getting to the forest is really easy! There is ample parking on site so we recommend renting a scooter to get here.

If you are coming from other major cities, hiring a local driver to take you to Ubud is a great option. These drivers are hired for the day which means that you can stop at a few tourist destinations as well.

Other places to see monkeys

If you are looking to see some monkeys in the wild but want to skip the lines, there is another smaller forest that can be found not too far from Ubud at the Sangeh Monkey Forest instead.

Have you ever visited Monkey Forest? Let us know your experience below in the comments.