Known for its dreamy landscapes,cultural-insight, and its still wild side, Bali will seduce you. Set off to discover the island, its beaches with turquoise waters, green rice fields, and tropical forests populated by mischievous beings.
Not only is Bali the island of the gods, but it is also the island of the monkeys. Near every temple, you will come across dozens of monkeys, a proximity that has inspired many legends. The most common species is the long-tailed crab-eating macaque, but there are several species of monyet ("monkey" in Indonesian) on the island.
Discover these clever and adorable animals on a must-see excursion. Villanovo invites you to visit the temples and forests where they live to learn all about this fascinating species.
Ideal for children, you're sure to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Must-See: Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud village is famous for its idyllic scenery that cuts you off from the world for a moment. The village is also home to the famous "Monkey Forest", the ultimate monkey watching spot in Bali.
More than 600 monkeys live there, divided into 6 distinct tribes: each has its own leader, territory, etc. The monkeys are not shy and do not hesitate to visit hotels, restaurants and shops in the area.
The forest is also home to one of the oldest temples on the island. Built in the 14th century, before Bali became part of Indonesia, it is still unclear when the temple was built due to lack of documentation.
The temple is composed of 3 temples, each dedicated to a deity: the main one honours Shiva, the main "destroyer and transformer" god, and the other two honour Gangga and Brahma Prajapati respectively.
The place is open every day from 8:30am to 6pm, and entrance costs 50,000 rupees per adult, or just over 3€.
The legendary Sangeh Monkey Forest
Located only a few kilometres from Ubud, Sangeh Forest is probably the forest with the most legends.
One of them says that the forest originated as a result of a chance encounter: some nutmeg trees were travelling through the country on their way to a temple, but were seen by some villagers. They stopped there and the villagers were transformed into monkeys to protect the forest. "Sangeh" means "the one who sees".
According to other legends, a god once raised a mountain where monkeys lived and a piece of it fell, creating the place.
Ulawatu Temple: the den of robber monkeys
According to legend, this temple was built by a very powerful Hindu priest, who had soldiers at his service. When he died, the soldiers were changed into monkeys to guard the place forever.
Today, it is said that the most powerful families in the city still visit the temple to pray to the gods for power. At night, the monkeys become soldiers again to protect these families from evil spirits.
This temple is probably the place where monkey pickpockets are most rampant, but be careful everywhere! A study conducted by the journal Primates looked into the case of monkeys stealing personal belongings (glasses, phones, flip-flops) from tourists. The animals have realised that they can take advantage of their agility and will only return personal belongings in exchange for something to eat.
Take precautions: put away cameras, glasses and valuable personal belongings and do not provoke the animals. Note that looking them in the eye is an affront to them, which will probably make them aggressive. Beware of bites, seek medical attention immediately if this happens to you as rabies is very common on the island.
In short, monkeys are an integral part of Balinese cultural and traditional life: children are told stories of fallen soldiers and a visit to the temple involves crossing their path. Don't miss the chance to meet them!
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