Bali ATV Ride & Monkey Forest: Is It Worth It? A Review

Planning a trip to Bali and thinking about squeezing in both an ATV adventure and a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest? Well, that is a classic Bali move right there. Combining these two very different activities makes for a memorable day, filled with adrenaline and a touch of Balinese culture. Yet, before you book, let’s see what you can expect, things that might be great to consider and perhaps some things you would be better off knowing so you get the perfect Bali experience for you.

Booking Your ATV Ride: What to Expect

Alright, the initial step is securing your ATV ride. There is, actually, a load of tour operators scattered around Ubud offering this experience, so take your pick. The tours very typically include hotel pickup and drop-off, that is always super convenient, safety gear (helmets, that type of thing), plus a guide. So, it is advisable to look at reviews and compare prices beforehand. You will see there is quite the range there to meet your needs. Many websites will offer promotions so it is worth that tiny little bit of research, and you’ll see that these packages can, very usually, be secured beforehand.

The ATV ride, very itself, it often lasts around two hours, that is very typically giving you plenty of time to get a feel for the machine and explore the beautiful countryside around Ubud. Don’t be shy and be ready to get dirty – really dirty. You’re almost definitely going to be splashing through muddy puddles and trails. If you’re imagining it’ll be a very clean outing, it won’t be. It’s all part of the fun! Routes might wind through rice paddies, small villages, and even jungles. This very often depends on the tour operator that you choose, obviously, so be mindful and be selective, as some routes are more challenging than others. Consider that if you’re a beginner.

ATV Ride Experiences: Rice Paddies, Tunnels, and Mud

You will definitely feel something special as you power your ATV through the rice terraces. The stunning scenery and views will, often, be a truly unforgettable sight. Picture this: you’re chugging along, the engine’s roaring, with lush, vivid greenery stretching out all around you. Very few of us see these types of views every day so this will likely to be worth taking a moment to take in, as I was saying.

Some tours actually feature tunnels and man-made tracks created so you have more of a ‘course’ or challenge. Others might cross streams and rivers. If that is something that’s more up your alley, well, then I definitely recommend trying that out, too. Muddy conditions will add another level to this, obviously, as everything then just becomes even more exciting. So make sure you factor that in too.

Safety really comes first here. You see, at the beginning, there’ll be a briefing and demonstration on how to use the ATV. Pay a good bit of attention here! The guides there very commonly know the trails very well and ensure everyone can follow. Listen to their advice and follow instructions to prevent any accidents. You want memories to keep for all the correct reasons after all. Typically, and so usually, the guides will monitor progress to make sure the group is all good and coping fine. Just enjoy.

Visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest: Dos and Don’ts

After the adrenaline rush of the ATV ride, it’s time to visit the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud. Located right in the middle of Ubud, this sanctuary houses hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques, so that’s a monkey. Very interesting to consider but there are some specific things that are useful to think of if you want to be safe and sound when seeing them.

One of the most important rules, it is that visitors do not feed the monkeys. Even if they look at you all cute, and fluffy, and their arms reach out to grab that banana. The monkeys have their diets carefully watched and maintained. Very importantly, bringing food could cause behavioral changes or spread disease, and we don’t want that now, do we? Likewise, don’t try to touch them. They may look harmless enough, but that is because these animals are well habituated to humans, however, they are still wild animals at heart, so remember to treat them with a lot of respect. I’m sure that’s, as a matter of fact, pretty good advice to live by anyway, not just in Bali.

The monkeys are comfortable enough to get close to you, yet avoid direct eye contact, which they sometimes might see as some sort of act of aggression. Remove any loose items, so jewelry, glasses and hats are included, as these curious creatures might try to grab them. Keep an eye on your belongings. Obviously, any handbags or backpacks. As I say, these things are useful to factor into your preparation, because if the monkeys do grab an item off you, sometimes there is zero chance of getting it back! Just saying…

What to Wear and Bring: Practical Tips

For the ATV ride, it’s best to wear old clothes you don’t mind getting incredibly grubby. Light, breathable fabrics, in the same vein, it’s better than thick clothing given Bali’s balmy conditions, because the heat, often, gets unbearable as the day develops. As previously said, long pants can protect your legs from scratches and sunburn.

I also found that wearing sturdy shoes or boots, instead of sandals, that protect your feet is also beneficial. Some tour operators, actually, supply boots, but if you would like to guarantee comfort and fit, that’s very valid and, typically, people will prefer their own footwear for sure. Apply sunscreen liberally before you begin your activities, and I would advise carrying a small backpack for storing items like a water bottle and a small towel. Staying hydrated is absolutely key here!

For the Monkey Forest, you should, of course, be more respectful in terms of your apparel, I always think, by wearing clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites in Bali, including this particular sanctuary, for obvious reasons of the vibe and culture. So that means being careful when getting changed, should you pack your respectable clothes!

Combining the Activities: Timing and Logistics

The most sensible logistics is that you start with the ATV ride first, particularly in the morning, when it’s actually slightly cooler and you’ve, arguably, got much more energy. These tours, I have often noticed, very usually last from 2 to 3 hours, inclusive of pickup and drop-off. Then, head over to the Sacred Monkey Forest. If you actually coordinate transport to drive you from A to B it will obviously save you bags of time too.

It is quite possible you will feel a little fatigued, as I would imagine, from the earlier, exhilarating experience you have just undertaken so leave, actually, around 1-2 hours so you have some adequate time to fully explore the Monkey Forest. It’s pretty useful for photos and all that, yet remember what was mentioned previously and keep an eye on those possessions!

Factor in travel time between the ATV location, that typically is on the outskirts of Ubud, as a matter of fact, and the Monkey Forest. As the traffic can, actually, be pretty heavy in that area, mainly around the town center, mostly especially during peak hours. Book your ATV tour well in advance, too, and try booking a joint deal if you can negotiate a cheaper entry price if you get everything at once.

The Cost Factor: Is it Budget-Friendly?

Of course, these experiences are very much budget-friendly depending on your budget! It is not expensive compared to, for instance, visiting similar attractions and carrying out similar things to do, so please rest assured that the island is quite affordable if planned correctly.

Prices for ATV rides, generally, start at around $30-$50 per person, as an estimate, yet will then largely depend on the tour operator and how long that journey lasts, obviously. Entry fees for the Sacred Monkey Forest, it’s that too – generally a few bucks – so keep that factored into your considerations and preparations as you get those items organized for your day ahead. Prices are, as I was saying, more or less, always up for negotiation. But I’d recommend booking these excursions on your very first days to secure them, as tickets are likely to be sold and you’re also likely to change your itinerary based on feedback from others. So there’s something to remember.

The value it delivers can actually, I think, be really worth considering. So it is probably worth remembering that there will likely be hidden expenses too such as things to buy so you do not get anything dirty. Such as the clothes. A travel towel is often purchased, and you will want some good insect repellent. If you keep that tucked into your backpack or small bag and remember all I have advised in this travel review, it is entirely realistic that you have a totally memorable Bali adventure!

So that is my advice, I mean that in itself, is down to you of course, as everything I have said, obviously. So hopefully all of my hints, tips and guides are really going to stand you in fantastic stead to go out there and totally experience it all. To create very remarkable memories. Which is obviously key!