If you’re heading to Indonesia you may have heard about the notorious monkeys in Bali. While often playful, Balinese monkeys are always up to no good! Here’s our experience with Bali monkeys from the Uluwatu Temple to the jungle, and beaches of this famous island.
Monkeys in Bali Are Literally Everywhere
The first thing you should know about monkeys in Bali is that they’re everywhere you look! Even in the more populated towns like Kuta and Canggu, a day doesn’t usually go by where you won’t see at least one Bali monkey.
Typically, they congregate more in the dense jungle areas than in the cities or towns. However, we’ve seen them everywhere from Padang Padang Beach to the towering cliffs of Uluwatu.
As you’ll see in this article about monkeys in Bali, you will need to watch your valuables around them. They’re not just looking for food, but really anything they can get their hands on!
→ What is the Best and Worst Time to Visit Bali?
First the Bali Monkeys Stole My Shorts…
After many visits to Bali, we grew to love the Uluwatu area. One of our favorite parts of town is located near Suluban Beach. It has some of the best cliffside restaurants and where you can watch the surfers all day.
We had so many good times here, but there was one day here we’ll never forget! As people do after the beach, I left my bathing suit out on the balcony to dry off.
Right after I came out of the shower I went outside to hang my towel, and boom! There was one of those Bali monkeys sitting right there.
He took one look and must’ve seen me eying my bright colored bathing suit. Before I could even blink, he grabbed my bathing suit and started toying with it.
At this moment, I knew I was probably never getting my bathing suit back. I then watched him jump off the balcony and my swimming trunks would never be seen again. The monkeys in Bali’s are outright thieves!
Monkeys in Bali Trashed my Brothers Hotel Room
After that funny experience with monkeys in Bali, there was another unexpected one. We had family visiting the island for a couple of weeks and were staying at a resort in Uluwatu.
One day my brother rented a motorbike and headed out to hit some of the best beaches in the area. Unfortunately, when he came back, he was in for a huge surprise!
He must have left the sliding door open to his room because it looked like a bomb went off. His clothes and belongings were everywhere, the mini-bar was open, and all the snack bags were torn to shreds.
Even though the room was on a higher floor, the monkeys in Bali had no problem swinging through the trees and gaining access. Moral of the story is to make sure to lock your doors your accommodation!
→ 18 Best Uluwatu Hotels For a Dreamy Bali Holiday
Watching Bali Temple Monkeys Throw a Women’s Cell Phone Off a Cliff
This is where the stories go from funny, to not so hilarious. One of the most popular activities in Bali is to visit the famous Uluwatu Temple for sunset. Every night, the amazing Kecak fire show and dance takes place, and hundreds of tourists come to take in the views from the cliffs.
Uluwatu Temple is also where hundreds of Bali monkeys call home. They can be seen wondering around in packs which is quite the spectacle to onlookers.
Many tourists here also choose to feed them or pose for selfies. Unfortunately for them, this is also when disaster commonly strikes!
One night was saw an unsuspecting woman holding her phone to take a picture when a Balinese monkey grabbed it right from her hands. It then looked at the phone for a second, and chucked it right off the cliff.
Sometimes the security guards will offer the monkeys in Bali food in exchange for sunglasses, phones, and backpacks that they steal. As you can see though, there usually won’t be nearly enough time for that. Here’s 8 more Uluwatu Temple tips to know before your visit.
We Got Chased By A Gang of Monkeys in Bali
After watching the Uluwatu Temple monkeys destroy a woman’s cell phone, what could be next? We honestly had no idea what we were in store for.
We ended up speaking with a security guard that was armed with a baton looking ready for battle. He said he regularly has to chase the monkeys in Bali away from tourists as they congregate in large gangs.
It was a little startling to hear him describe these lovable animals like this… Gangs we thought? Well, as we would find out they actually do run in large groups. In fact, he went on to tell us there are six different gangs of Bali temple monkeys that frequent this place of worship alone!
When they’re not terrorizing tourists, they will even fight each other for superiority on the Uluwatu Temple grounds. He warned us that we should leave before the sun goes down to avoid any issues.
With that, we left for the parking lot, but it was already starting to get dark. As the sun descended, we noticed the Balinese monkeys were everywhere. They were jumping down from the trees, chasing people to motorbikes, and grabbing whatever they could get their hands on.
We quickly ran to our bike as we noticed we were being followed. The first thing I did was take my backpack and put it under the bike seat. I then started up my scooter and we were out of there!
While this story may seem unbelievable, we can assure you this happens every evening at the Uluwatu Temple.
5 Tips for Surviving the Bali Monkeys
Avoid Eating Food Around Them: Do not take food out around the monkeys in Bali. We’ve noticed they are particularly fond of fruit and sandwiches. Also, be sure to take a look around first if you’re having a picnic at a beach or viewpoint.
Don’t Get Too Close to the Monkeys in Bali: Don’t feed the Bali monkeys, take selfies, or pictures within a few feet. Although they look harmless, you don’t want to get your valuables stolen or worse.
Watch Your Bags and Belongings: Keep an eye on personal items such as backpacks, purses, and jewelry. This would be the most devastating thing to have taken!
Never Try to Fight Back: If the monkeys in Bali steal something from you it’s probably gone forever. It is never wise to try and fight back as you can risk bites or scratches. Your best option is to hope that they get bored with your things and leave them on the ground.
Go to the Hospital ASAP: This is obviously worst case scenario, but know that Bali monkey bites do happen. We actually know someone got bitten, and were forced to to stay in Bali for an additional few weeks. This was to be evaluated for dangerous diseases like rabies which you need shots for.
This is a very important reason to get travel insurance before your trip! We’ve been using Safetywing for years and they are always there when we need them. Honestly it’s not just for the monkeys but we wouldn’t travel abroad without being covered! They also launched a global health insurance, which is huge for nomads and remote workers like us.
Are the Monkeys in Bali Friendly?
We know our stories may seem slightly off-putting about the Bali monkeys. Yet, just know they are a part of the island’s ecosystem. Remember that you’re actually invading their habitat as a tourist and not the other way around.
Despite our bizarre experiences, the monkeys in Bali can be friendly. On top of that, they are super entertaining to watch in their natural habitat.
If you want to see the Bali Monkeys in a more controlled environment, it may be worth stopping into the Ubud Monkey Forest. This sanctuary is a temple complex and nature reserve that over 1,200 long-tailed macaques call home.
Be aware that the same rules apply here for Balinese monkeys. We’ve seen so many travelers try to hold or feed them and have it end poorly. It’s best to keep a safe distance and admire these special animals from afar.
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own experiences with the monkeys in Bali? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
What a fun article! We’re planning a trip to Bali and I was doing some research but I had no idea about the monkeys! Thanks for the tips!
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Haha! The monkeys in Bali are definitely something to know about for your visit 🙊