Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya

Reviewed · UBUD, MONKEY FOREST & CAMPUHAN

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews From $73 Operated by Smart Bali Tour · Bookable on Viator
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Bali in one packed, photogenic day. This private tour strings together Ubud Monkey Forest, Tegenungan Waterfall, and a swim at Cretya Ubud, with hotel pickup and onboard Wi‑Fi so you can share as you go. You also pass through Celuk, the silver-producing craft area, and you’ll get a full day’s worth of visual stops without needing to plan buses or tickets.

I like how efficient it is without turning into a speedrun. The day runs on a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver guide service, and the guidance can be practical, including bargaining tips from a guide named Jamur. I also love that the entrances are handled, so you’re not juggling multiple separate tickets for Monkey Forest and Cretya.

One thing to think about first: Cretya is age-restricted. The tour notes kids under 18 years old aren’t included, and Cretya’s swim entry is limited to a maximum of 18 years old, plus Cretya includes a minimum spend at the restaurant.

Key highlights worth caring about

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - Key highlights worth caring about

  • Onboard Wi‑Fi so you can post photos while you travel
  • Hotel pickup and return from Ubud and most of south Bali for a low-stress day
  • Tegenungan Waterfall with a 15-meter drop and heavy, clear water flow
  • Celuk crafts time in a silver-producing village area
  • Sacred Monkey Forest set in a small forest where monkeys feel close-up
  • Cretya Ubud infinity pool with rice-terrace views, plus swim and age rules

How the private day tour really plays in your day

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - How the private day tour really plays in your day
This is a private tour, meaning you won’t be squeezed into a shared van with strangers. It’s built for people who want a lot of Ubud-area highlights in one go, and it does that with a single, air-conditioned vehicle plus a guide who handles the flow.

Pickup is offered for hotels in Ubud and most of south Bali, with round-trip transfers. That matters because Bali traffic can turn a simple “let’s go somewhere” day into a log jam. Here, you’re not spending your energy figuring out routes, parking, or who to ask for what.

The other small but useful detail is the mobile ticket plus onboard Wi‑Fi. If you’re the type who likes to get your photos online quickly, having service in transit is a real convenience. And if you’re traveling with someone who gets grumpy when plans change, a vehicle-based itinerary tends to feel calmer than hop-on-hop-off transfers.

More around Ubud, from the Monkey Forest to the Campuhan ridge

Tegenungan Waterfall: 15 meters, heavy flow, and quick photo stops

The day starts at Tegenungan Waterfall, about 1 hour there, and the entry ticket is included. The waterfall is listed as 15 meters tall, which is not “giant” by waterfall standards, but it brings a strong show: the water discharge is heavy, and it’s described as clean and clear.

What you’ll feel here is that classic Bali waterfall setup where the water is powerful enough to look great on camera even from standard viewpoints. On the way down, you’ll pass a few typical Bali photo spots—just enough built-in variety to keep the walk interesting without turning into a full hike.

A practical consideration: waterfalls can get slippery, and crowds can cluster around the best angles. Plan to slow down near the water, keep an eye on where you step, and bring water-friendly footwear if you hate the “barefoot on wet surfaces” feeling.

Celuk: a silver village stop that can turn into a craft learning break

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - Celuk: a silver village stop that can turn into a craft learning break
Next up is Celuk, a 30-minute stop with admission free. Celuk is known as a village with a famous silver-producing tourist attraction, so expect a strong craft-and-shop atmosphere rather than a quiet monument.

In a lot of Bali touring, Celuk stops can become either too salesy or too short to matter. This one feels more useful because your day includes educational craft stops—traditional fabric making, jewellery, and art workshops are specifically mentioned as part of the mix. So even if you’re not shopping, you’re getting context for how the local craft industry works.

What to do with this stop: treat it like a chance to watch, not just browse. Ask questions through your guide, watch how items are made, and if you do buy anything, use the bargaining tips you’re offered rather than guessing.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: small forest vibes with close-up monkeys

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: small forest vibes with close-up monkeys
Then you move to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud for about 1 hour, with an included admission ticket. The description keeps it simple: it’s a small forest area where you can see monkeys on the road, in the trees, and throughout the forest.

Here’s why that matters for your experience: a “small forest” can feel more personal than sprawling parks. You’re more likely to see monkeys in your path or nearby, which is exciting for photos, but it also means you should keep your behavior calm and predictable.

Practical monkey-forest etiquette goes a long way:

  • Keep bags zipped and close to your body.
  • Don’t run if a monkey gets curious.
  • Avoid sudden movements around animals near you.

Also, since the visit is only about an hour, you’ll want to pick a pace early: slow enough to enjoy the forest feel and photos, fast enough that you don’t spend the whole time waiting for the next good monkey moment.

Cretya Ubud infinity pool: rice terraces, swim time, and age rules

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - Cretya Ubud infinity pool: rice terraces, swim time, and age rules
Cretya Ubud is the day’s long stop: 3 hours, with Cretya entrance tickets included. This is where the tour leans hard into that Instagram-friendly but still genuinely pretty scene: an infinity pool with rice terraces in the background.

You’re told you can swim, but with two important limits.

First, the tour notes that kids under 18 years old are not included, and Cretya’s rules are described as maximum 18 years old for the swim. Second, Cretya comes with a minimum spend at the Cretya restaurant, plus the possibility of special events that can add extra cost.

So the “value question” becomes: if you’re eligible to swim, Cretya is a big payoff because you’re getting time in a pool setting with views that are hard to recreate anywhere else. If you’re not eligible, you might still be there for the scenery, but you should know the pool experience itself may not be available in the same way.

My practical tip: treat the pool time like a mini reset. Bring what you need for a comfortable swim (and a way to dry off), plan a photo schedule that doesn’t rush you, and use your guide’s timing advice so you’re not stuck waiting around when the best light changes.

The craft stops and the guide factor: why Jamur-style touring feels better

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - The craft stops and the guide factor: why Jamur-style touring feels better
This tour is guided, and the guide role is part of why people rate the day so highly. English-speaking driver guide service is included, and the vibe described is friendly, with real conversation rather than a “point and drive” approach.

One guide named Jamur is specifically called out for being kind and for sharing good plans for visiting Bali’s impressive places. In the same vein, bargaining tips are mentioned as something he’ll help with, which is a big deal in markets and craft areas where prices can vary.

There’s also a small language bonus from one experience: a guide who speaks a few words in French. That doesn’t change the route, but it does make you feel more taken care of, especially if you’re not confident in English.

And because the tour includes onboard Wi‑Fi, it reduces the usual stress: you’re not waiting until night to sort out photos or crossing your fingers for service. You can share right away, get feedback from friends and family, and keep the day feeling social, not just observational.

Price and value: is $73 per person a good deal?

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - Price and value: is $73 per person a good deal?
At $73 per person, this tour sits in that common midrange category where value depends on what’s included—and here, several important parts are.

You get:

  • Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • An English-speaking driver guide
  • All entrance fees
  • Cretya tickets
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from Ubud and most of south Bali
  • Onboard Wi‑Fi
  • A day organized around multiple headline sites (waterfall, monkey forest, craft stop, and Cretya)

If you tried to stitch these together on your own, you’d quickly feel the cost of entrances, plus the mental load of arranging transport between areas. Even if prices vary by day and season, the “one vehicle, one plan, entrances handled” setup often saves more than money—it saves time and frustration.

The biggest value checks for you:

  • Do you care about Cretya’s pool views enough to prioritize the longer stop?
  • Are you okay with an itinerary that mixes nature (waterfall, monkeys) and craft/culture stops?
  • If you’ll have to pay a Cretya restaurant minimum spend, are you comfortable meeting it?

If your answer is yes, $73 is easier to justify. If you’d rather spend fewer places and linger longer at a single site, you may find the day full.

What the schedule feels like: efficient, not overwhelming

Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya - What the schedule feels like: efficient, not overwhelming
The flow is designed to keep you seeing a lot, but it isn’t supposed to be a frantic, stop-at-everything buffet. The stops are spaced with intent: waterfall first, then Celuk for craft time, then monkey forest, and finally the longer Cretya pool slot.

Because it’s private, your guide can often manage your pace. If you want photos, you usually have space for them. If you want shorter time and more driving, that can also work, as long as everyone stays aligned.

The only catch is that you’ll spend a meaningful chunk of the day in transit. For most people, that tradeoff is worth it because you’re skipping the hassle of arranging separate journeys.

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

  • Want a romantic photo day built around Ubud highlights
  • Like having multiple “headline” stops—waterfall, monkeys, and a pool with rice terraces
  • Prefer a private, guided plan with hotel pickup
  • Appreciate practical guidance, including bargaining tips (especially in craft areas)

You might skip or rethink it if:

  • Cretya’s age limits affect you or your group
  • You strongly prefer slow travel with long stays in just one place
  • You dislike itineraries that mix nature + animal encounters + shopping/craft culture

If you’re traveling with someone who gets overwhelmed by too many separate tickets and transport changes, this is the kind of day that reduces that friction.

Final call: should you book this Ubud Monkey Forest and Cretya day?

I’d book this when your goal is a high-payoff day with on-the-ground highlights and a plan that’s easy to follow. The mix of Tegenungan Waterfall, Sacred Monkey Forest, and Cretya Ubud gives you three very different photo worlds, and the Celuk stop adds craft culture so the day isn’t just scenic.

Before you hit reserve, check the two “make or break” items for your group: the Cretya age rules and the restaurant minimum spend. If those fit, you’re getting a lot of included value for the price, plus the comfort of a private vehicle and an English-speaking guide.

If you’re eligible for the swim at Cretya and you want hotel pickup plus handled entrances, this is a smart way to spend one day in Bali without turning your itinerary into a project.

FAQ

What is the price and duration of this private tour?

It costs $73.00 per person and runs about 8 hours (approx.).

What stops are included in the itinerary?

The tour includes Tegenungan Waterfall, Celuk, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and Cretya Ubud.

Does the tour offer hotel pickup and return?

Yes. Two-way transfers are offered from hotels in Ubud and most of south Bali.

Is Wi‑Fi included during the trip?

Yes. There is onboard Wi‑Fi, and you get a mobile ticket.

What’s included in the tour price?

Private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver guide service, all entrance fees, and Cretya entrance tickets are included.

Is swimming at Cretya Ubud allowed for all ages?

No. Kids under 18 years old are not included, and Cretya entry is limited to a maximum of 18 years old.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.