Travel · Bali · Ubud
Sangeh Monkey Forest and Nungnung Waterfall: Our Day Trip, Tickets and Tips
Sangeh Monkey Forest and Nungnung Waterfall make a good pair for one day out of Ubud: a quiet forest with monkeys, then a tall waterfall at the end of a long walk down. We did both in one day, in the rain, on a rented scooter with friends.
This is how the day went: what Sangeh was like compared with the Monkey Forest in Ubud, how the walk down to Nungnung felt, what the tickets cost according to current guides, and how I’d plan it.
Sangeh Monkey Forest: quiet, green and a little mystical
We had coffee at Section 9 near our villa and set off at about 12:15. Sangeh is a ten-minute drive from the villa, and it felt authentic, beautiful and peaceful under the tall trees, with a slightly mystical air.
Compared with the Monkey Forest in Ubud, the atmosphere is less touristy, and the monkeys are not as aggressive or pushy. There were fewer people and more space to walk and feel surrounded by wild nature. Even without monkeys the forest was beautiful, and it was lovely to get lost in so much green. We wandered for about an hour past carved stone gateways and along shaded paths, and I’d happily have stayed longer if it hadn’t been raining and we hadn’t wanted to reach the waterfall.
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Even without the monkeys, the forest was beautiful to get lost in.
The monkeys: one on my head, then my shoulder
A small bag of peanuts came with our ticket. Of course a monkey climbed on us. One climbed onto the head of my friend, and another climbed onto me, first onto my head and then onto my shoulder, where it sat as if it belonged there. It was funny and unique, and I liked this park much more than the famous Monkey Forest in Ubud.
I enjoyed just watching them, too, so carefree, like this mother with her baby. Nobody warned us about anything. Staff walk around the park, keep an eye on visitors and monkeys, and are happy to help: they take photos, show you how to feed the monkeys, and lift a monkey off your head or shoulder if needed.
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From Sangeh to Nungnung Waterfall
Nungnung is about 20 km from the monkey forest, roughly 30 minutes by scooter. The route has many narrow roads, so ride carefully and don’t rush. Our rented Yamaha NMAX 155 was steady on the narrow roads and the climbs, even in very heavy rain, and I wasn’t scared at all. Here are our scooter and licence tips. I love riding with my husband, so even a wet ride like this one felt like part of the trip.
It was raining and cloudy. We wore shorts, tank tops, raincoats and slippers.
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The walk down: more steps than we expected
From where we parked it was a further 15 to 20 minutes on foot, with ups and downs. There were a lot of steps, and with every flight down we were surprised there was still more to go. Guides count more than 500. It didn’t feel like a hard walk, though. We were more worried about catching a cold and slipping, because it was raining and some steps were wet. There are railings you can hold on to.
The path is concrete steps with bamboo railings, a bridge through the trees and, at one point, a river running over the rocks beside the stairs.
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At the falls: worth the effort
The nature around Nungnung was stunning, and the view was worth every step. Because of the cloudy, rainy weather there weren’t many people: about ten at the bottom, and only three besides us right by the falls. Nobody was in the water, so we could enjoy the view fully. Guides say to be careful in the water because the falls are powerful.
My friend and I took our photos at the bottom in swimsuits, with raincoats over them so our clothes wouldn’t get wet. There is a very modest little house with a toilet right by the falls where you can change, but it is quite open, so we waited until we reached the top, where there is a modest toilet with changing rooms.
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Sangeh and Nungnung entrance fees, hours and costs
A Bali travel blog updated in September 2026 lists Sangeh at IDR 30,000 for foreigners, open 8:00 to 18:00. For Nungnung, a guide lists IDR 20,000 plus IDR 5,000 for parking, with figures from 2025 and a ticket booth open 9:00 to 16:00. Check the amounts on the day, because they change.
Sangeh, foreignersIDR 30,000
Nungnung, foreignersIDR 20,000
Nungnung parkingIDR 5,000
Listed prices per person, not what we remember paying. Nungnung’s figures date from 2025.
How I’d plan the day
We left at about 12:15, spent roughly an hour in Sangeh, and by 16:05 we were taking photos at the bottom of the falls. Everything at Nungnung took about two hours, and we ate at Taco Casa in Ubud that day.
The climb back up was fine; it only felt cold because our bodies were wet. At the top we changed and put sweaters under our raincoats for the ride back. It isn’t cold outside in this weather, but on a scooter the wind is strong and cold, and you can easily catch a cold. So take a warm layer for afterwards, and shoes with grip for the wet steps.
This day is for scooter lovers, groups of friends and couples, because you ride a lot and you have to enjoy it. Food usually comes to about $50–60 a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner with drinks and taxes, and petrol was small. If I did it again, I would plan where to eat in advance instead of searching on the spot.
For a calmer, greener day, read about Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and tea at D’Wan, or see where we stayed in Bali.
