REVIEW · SEMINYAK
Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary Tours and Cretya
Book on Viator →Operated by Smart Bali Tour · Bookable on Viator
Bali’s best photo stops, packed into one day. This private Ubud tour strings together Tegenungan Waterfall and Sacred Monkey Forest with smooth hotel transfers so your day feels efficient, not frantic. You also get onboard Wi‑Fi so you can post as you go.
I especially like that the pacing gives you enough time to see each place without turning it into a nonstop sprint. The itinerary mixes natural sights with a real craft stop in Celuk and then caps it with a swim option at Cretya.
One big consideration: Cretya has an age rule, and the experience notes no kids under 18. If you’re traveling with teens or younger kids, this can shut the whole “infinity pool” part of the day down.
In This Review
- Key highlights
- Tegenungan Waterfall: the cool-start photo stop
- Celuk silver village: a short culture hit that won’t swallow your day
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: great sightlines, real-life monkey behavior
- Cretya Ubud infinity pool: the Instagram shot with real rules
- The drive: private air-conditioned transport plus Wi‑Fi on board
- Price and value: what $73 buys you (and what it doesn’t)
- Photo planning tips for this exact day
- Who should book this Ubud day tour
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- How much does it cost?
- Is pickup included?
- What stops are included?
- Are entrance fees included?
- Is there Wi‑Fi on the tour?
- Can kids participate?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key highlights

- Tegenungan Waterfall: about a 15-meter drop with heavy, clear water flow and classic photo spots on the descent
- Celuk Silver Village stop: short, focused, and admission is free
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: see monkeys right on the road and around the trees in a compact forest setting
- Cretya Ubud infinity pool time: long 3-hour block with a rice-terrace background and swimming allowed (18+ rule)
- Onboard Wi‑Fi during the ride: share photos immediately and avoid roaming stress
- Hotel-to-hotel private transport: air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver-guide and included entrance fees
Tegenungan Waterfall: the cool-start photo stop

Your day begins with Tegenungan Waterfall, one of Bali’s most recognizable water drops. It’s not the tallest, but the key detail is the flow: it has a heavy discharge, and the water is described as clean and clear. That matters, because it’s the difference between a nice waterfall and one that actually looks good in photos once the mist and motion kick in.
You’ll spend about one hour here, which is a smart length. Long enough to walk, find a view, take pictures, and still not feel like you’re waiting for the light to change. You’ll also pass some common Bali photo stops on the way down, which is convenient if you want a few quick wins without spending extra time searching.
What to watch for: waterfall areas can mean slippery footing. Wear something you can move in, and keep an eye on where you step. Also, if you’re thinking you’ll be doing lots of pool-and-water time later, plan your clothes so you don’t end up wearing damp gear all day.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Seminyak.
Celuk silver village: a short culture hit that won’t swallow your day
Next comes Celuk, a village known for silver production and its craft-focused attractions. This stop is only about 30 minutes, and that’s intentional. It gives you a quick look at how the craft culture works without turning your day into a classroom lecture you can’t escape.
Even better for value: the stop includes free admission. That means your money is still going toward the “big ticket” parts of the itinerary while you get a dose of something more local than just scenic views.
If you like craft shopping, this is often where you’ll start noticing the difference between mass-produced souvenirs and pieces that look like they were made by someone who cares. And you’ll have time later to compare, rather than burning your energy early.
The trade-off: if you want a deep, slow workshop experience, 30 minutes may feel short. But for a mixed-photo day, it’s a good balance.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: great sightlines, real-life monkey behavior

Then you hit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. This part is described as a small forest, which is actually useful. You’re not trekking for hours, and you’re more likely to feel like you’re walking through a living, changing space than checking items off a list.
Expect monkeys where you can see them easily: on the road, in trees, and moving around in the forest. It’s a very direct kind of animal viewing. And since the time block is about one hour, you can usually get a lot of sightings without feeling like you’re stuck in the thick of it.
Here’s the practical side: monkey areas can be unpredictable. Keep bags zipped, avoid dangling snacks, and don’t treat monkeys like props. If you keep your distance and act like you’re a guest in their home, you’ll enjoy it more and spend less time worrying.
This stop is a strong match if you like wildlife plus a scenic walk. If you’re expecting a huge, sprawling jungle, the “small forest” note is your clue—it’s compact and concentrated.
Cretya Ubud infinity pool: the Instagram shot with real rules

Cretya Ubud is where the day shifts from watching to doing. You get about 3 hours at Cretya, and the big feature is the infinity pool with a rice-terrace background. That combination is why it’s popular for photos: you can frame water in the foreground and terraces behind it without needing to hunt for viewpoints all afternoon.
Swimming is allowed here, and that’s a major reason this stop earns its place in the itinerary. It turns your day from just sightseeing into a “we actually had fun” memory.
But here’s the important part: the experience notes a hard age rule—maximum 18 years old and kids under 18 are listed as not included. If your group includes younger kids or you’re hoping to bring teens, you’ll need to check how the rule applies to your exact ages before you book.
Also watch for costs that aren’t included in the base price: it mentions a minimum spend at the Cretya restaurant, and special events with extra costs in to the Cretya pool. Those don’t show up as a line-item in the tour price, so plan your budget like you’ll likely need to eat there.
Who this stop is best for: couples, friend groups, and anyone who wants a relaxing pool break after waterfalls and forest walks. If you’re not a swimmer, you might still enjoy the views, but the value is strongest when you actually use the water time.
The drive: private air-conditioned transport plus Wi‑Fi on board

One reason this tour can feel so smooth is the logistics. You get private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus an English-speaking driver-guide. The day runs about 8 hours, which is long enough to cover multiple highlights but not so long that everyone turns into a sleepy zombie by mid-afternoon.
Pickup is offered from hotels in Ubud and most of south Bali, and transfers are round-trip. This matters more than it sounds. In Bali, travel time can eat your schedule. Door-to-door pickup reduces the mental work of figuring out meeting points and transport, and it helps you keep the day moving.
A small detail that’s surprisingly helpful: onboard Wi‑Fi. That means you can upload and share photos right away, instead of saving everything for later and dealing with spotty signal stress. It also helps with navigation and messaging if you want to coordinate with friends or confirm dinner plans after.
Also, this is set up as a private tour, meaning only your group participates. If you hate being squeezed into a larger group’s timeline, that’s a real quality-of-life upgrade.
Price and value: what $73 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $73 per person, you’re paying for a day that includes a lot of the stuff that usually costs extra: all entrance fees plus Cretya entrance tickets. You also get private AC transport and an English-speaking guide service.
That’s the value story: the price isn’t just for driving you around. It covers the friction points—ticket lines, entry fees, and the hassle of figuring out transport between distant stops. When entrance fees and private transfers are included, you can budget faster and relax sooner.
What you should keep in mind: the tour notes items not included, including restaurant minimum spend at Cretya and extra costs for special events in the pool. So while $73 is a strong baseline, you should still plan for meal spending during your Cretya time.
And timing matters for value. The tour is commonly booked about 26 days in advance on average, which suggests it’s a popular slot. If you’re traveling in a busy stretch, booking earlier can help you lock in the day you want.
Photo planning tips for this exact day

This itinerary has a strong photo rhythm: waterfall descent views, craft-and-silver visuals, monkey forest wildlife moments, and finally the pool-and-terraces frames.
To make it work well:
- Bring swim-ready clothes for Cretya. Since you’re swimming there, plan a quick change so you don’t carry dampness all afternoon.
- For Monkey Forest, keep your hands free and your bag secured. Clean, safe behavior helps you focus on the animals and the trees.
- For Tegenungan, expect classic photo spots on the way down. If you’re short on time, prioritize stable, well-lit angles rather than chasing every ledge.
If you care about photos more than shopping, you’ll still get enough time at Celuk to enjoy the silver craft visuals without losing the day’s main flow.
Who should book this Ubud day tour

This is a great fit if you want a mixed day: waterfall views, a real cultural stop, wildlife, and then a swim finish. It’s also a good choice for people who like to move efficiently and don’t want to coordinate multiple separate tickets.
It’s especially appealing if you’re traveling with someone and want a day that feels built for couples and photo lovers—waterfall couple shots, monkey forest “we got lucky” moments, and then the pool background for the classic infinity-water look.
If you’re bringing kids under 18, or you don’t want the Cretya age restrictions, then this might not suit your group.
Should you book it?
I’d book this tour if you want a single private day that hits major Ubud-area highlights without making you do the planning math. The included entrances, AC transport, and onboard Wi‑Fi make it feel like someone handled the annoying parts for you.
Skip or reconsider if Cretya doesn’t work for your ages, or if you’d rather spend the whole day slowly in one place instead of collecting several distinct experiences in one run.
If your group matches the 18+ Cretya rules and you want a day with built-in stops and included fees, this is a strong value way to see a lot of Bali in one go.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 8 hours.
How much does it cost?
It costs $73.00 per person.
Is pickup included?
Pickup is offered, and the tour includes 2-way transfers from hotels in Ubud and most of south Bali.
What stops are included?
You’ll visit Tegenungan Waterfall, Celuk, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and Cretya Ubud.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes. All entrance fees are included, and Cretya entrance tickets are included as well.
Is there Wi‑Fi on the tour?
Yes, there is onboard Wi‑Fi.
Can kids participate?
Kids under 18 are not included, and the Cretya experience has an age limit listed as maximum 18 years old.
What if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

























