Monkey Feeding Attraction Boosts Tourist Numbers
A group of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) chased Hamdani, a man from Probolinggo, targeting a bag containing edamame and bananas. Despite the primates climbing onto his shoulders, the 21-year-old remained calm, noting that the monkeys are generally well-behaved because they are provided with food.
Visiting the Alas Pala Sangeh Tourist Destination for the first time, Hamdani purchased monkey food costing Rp 20,000 from the site’s management. His anxiety regarding potential bites or scratches was mitigated by the presence of forest rangers who patrol the area, some equipped with slingshots to deter aggressive primates.
Ida Bagus Gede Pujawan, Chairman of the Alas Pala Sangeh Management, stated that tourists have been permitted to feed the monkeys since January 2024. International adult tourists pay an entry fee of Rp 75,000, which includes mineral water and monkey food, while children pay Rp 50,000. Domestic tourists pay a lower rate of Rp 15,000, which does not include monkey food.
Pujawan claims that this ‘monkey feeding’ attraction prevents the primates from scavenging items from tourists, as it keeps them focused on the provided food. This attraction has become a key differentiator for the 14-hectare forest compared to other monkey forests and has effectively boosted tourism.
Data from the destination shows that visitor numbers rose from 144,733 in 2024 to 206,458 in 2025, with international tourists still predominating over domestic visitors. Furthermore, the feeding programme has reduced management’s operational costs; monthly feeding expenses for the approximately 700 monkeys have dropped from around Rp 30 million to approximately Rp 18 million.
Management typically provides food for the inhabitants twice daily, at 06:00 and 11:00 WITA, placing it in specific locations. Many tourists are seen feeding the monkeys, often resulting in primates perching on their shoulders or heads, moments which are frequently captured by photographers and sold as souvenirs.