Bali’s Uluwatu Temple Shares Important Advice For Tourists Visiting Temple’s Monkeys

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Leaders at one of Bali’s most famous temples have issued updated advice for tourists visiting the site’s resident troop of monkeys.

Uluwatu Temple, which is one of Bali’s most famous ocean temples, is home to a troop of long-tailed macaque monkeys that have acquired worldwide fame.

Uluwatu Temple is not only one of Bali’s most famous tourist attractions but is also one of the most spiritually important sites on the island.

The temple is home to a troop of wild macaque monkeys who have become suitably accustomed to the presence of humans.

This, over the years, has led to the monkeys becoming increasingly brazen in their behaviour, which has led the team at Uluwatu Temple to issue updates and advice for visitors. 

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According to Uluwatu Temple management, one of the most common questions asked by tourists is ‘Are the monkeys dangerous?’ The answer? Yes and no.

Uluwatu Temple explains “Until now there have been no reported rabies cases from monkeys at Uluwatu Temple. The temple team keeps a close watch on their health.”

Temple Management add “Monkeys here are fed and cared for by trained temple staff. If a monkey looks sick or injured, staff respond quickly.”

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The team calls for tourists to be respectful and sensible when visiting the troop of monkeys during a tour of Uluwatu Temple. They explain, “Monkeys may come close, stay calm and respectful. Don’t touch, feed or tease them. Keep your distance and your items safe.”

While tourists visiting the temple may see other visitors directly interacting with the monkeys, it is always advisable not to encourage interactions. If a monkey does come close or make physical contact with a visitor, the best course of action is generally not to react and follow the instructions of temple staff or the monkey keepers. 

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Uluwatu Temple’s monkeys are notorious for stealing phones, glasses, cameras, and rifling through visitors’ bags. While in the moment this may seem amusing to visitors, it has negative implications for all. The monkeys have learned that they will be bribed with food if they ‘steal’ people’s belongings. 

In May 2025, Uluwatu Temple staff confirmed that they were working to relocate the monkeys within the temple grounds to help keep them safe and to ensure that they did not interfere with ceremonial proceedings.

The Head of Pecatu Village, Made Sumerta, spoke to reporters ahead of the Pidolan ceremonies at Uluwatu Temple to confirm that the monkeys were to be relocated to prevent them from raiding the large amount of fruit and other foods that were to be offered at the temple by worshippers. 

Sumerta told reporters, “We evacuated the monkeys to the east, in the new parking lot. We give them bait or food there so that they do not disturb the [worshippers] who go to the temple.”

He added, “We are very committed to the existence of these monkeys. They are part of the [natural wonders] that have been proven to provide added value to Uluwatu.”

Tourists visiting any of Bali’s monkey attractions are advised to be aware of the risk of rabies and to ensure that they have full comprehensive medical and travel insurance before visiting such attractions.

While rabies is not commonly detected in Bali’s monkeys, rabies is a very real risk in the province. Potentially rabies-carrying animals include monkeys, dogs, and bats.

Should tourists be bitten, scratched, or come into contact with the saliva of a potentially rabies-positive animal, immediate medical attention should be sought. 

In June 2025, it was confirmed that the number of rabies-positive dog bites recorded by the Province’s Health Office has been increasing. In the west of the province, 49 cases of rabies were detected between January and the end of May 2025.