If you are on a day trip in Ubud, don’t miss out on the nearby attraction of the Tegalalang Rice Terraces (sometimes also written as Tegallalang rice terraces). Ever since instagrammers have made this spot popular, it has become quite the tourist magnet. But these photos prove that it’s still worthy of a visit – and how to have them all to yourself.
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What Is there to see?
No matter where you are driving in Bali, you will see gorgeous terraced rice fields lining the country roads. They are stunning in the South and West but if you really want the breathtaking Bali rice fields, head East. Here, the mountains allow for terraced rice paddies that make the experience feel so much more immersive.
Coming from the road, you will make your way down a lot of stairs past the many restaurants, cafes and bars that have been built on the slopes. The paths are winding, intercede but then merge at the crossing of a small stream. From there, you can meander back up to get another view over the rice fields in Tegallalang Bali.
If you are wonderinf whether there is a Tegalalang rice terrace entrance fee, there is none. On the way around you will see many locals advertising their selfie spots businesses (such as a Tegalalang rice terrace swing or birds nest) or asking for donations to keep the rice fields intact. None of this is obligatory.
Also, there are no official tegalalang rice terrace opening hours as this is a kinda public place and there are no guards or entrance gates. You can walk around here before sunrise in the dark to position yourself for the best shot. Just be careful. And please respect the rice field owners. Don’t destroy or step onto their crops for pictures!
Rice Terraces Location
Coming from Ubud, you take the Jl. Raya Tegallalang and Jl. Raya Pujung Kaja straight North. It’s only a 10-15 minute drive up until you see the first Tegalalang rice terrace.
There are plenty of Balinese rice fields on the way but those are more flat. (But still make for epic sunrise photos o, especially since it takes a while for the light to illuminate the valley.)
From Lovina Beach, you drive east along the coast and down down on Jl. Gn. Batur towards Ubud. Tegallalang is on the way. Coming from Munduk, you have to drive down to Ubud and then up again. Either trip take between 2 and three hours to accomplish.
When Best to Visit
The best light is during golden hour. This means, you have to be prepared to get up super early for sunrise and then also come back for sunset. Check the weather forecast to help predict whether the skies will be clear enough to let the sunlight in. But don’t count on it. The weather in Bali is ever changing.
The light that breaks through the palm trees shines like a beam down across the sheaths of the rice plants. And it totally helps to bring a polarising filter with you to play with the contrast, bring out or mute the sky’s blues.
By the way, Bali has two seasons dry season (which is high season) and rainy season. Naturally, the greens will be more lush during rainy season but your chances of non cloudy or non rainy pictures are less.
Typically, it doesn’t rain in the mornings so you can most likely take sunrise pictures. I recommend staying in your Tegalalang accommodation for a few nights and trying multiple mornings if you really want that picture.
Rice crops are typically three times a year but it’s not across the board. So you often will see all stages of rice being grown or harvested at most times of the year. When I visited Tegalalang in December for instance, half of the Ubud rice fields were being regrown and the others had just been replanted. Some parts were still golden brown and ready to be cut down.
Did you know? You can buy my photos as prints
Best Ubud Terrace Hotel
If you want to stay as close to the rice fields in Bali Ubud as possible (maybe you don’t want long sunrise drives), you can easily get a Tegalalang hotel. And for as little as $22 per night!
For an affordable hotel in Tegalalang, try the Bali Jungle Huts. From the terrace and pool you will have wonderful views over the Ubud forests and the rice terraces are only 3.1km away. There even is a thermal pool onsite. Check availability here.
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Another low budget but still fancy option is Umah Hoshi. It’s held in the typical Balinese wooden style and comes with a pool and garden. There is a restaurant onsite and breakfast is continental. Then Ceking rice field is only 5km away. Check availability here.
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Umah Hoshi
For a more mid range budget, the Kampung Resort Ubud is ideal. You will be only 20 minutes away from the city’s markets and the monkey forest and right by the rice terraces in Tegalalang. It includes access to a wellness area, free parking facilities and its suits have pretty garden views. Check availability here.
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The Kampung Resort Ubud
Have you always wanted to have your own thatched Balinese cottage all to yourself? You can get that easily at Uma Nandhi Ubud Natural Cottage. Made from whitewashed natural wood and palm tree decked roof, you have your very own private living space. Downstairs is the living area and upstairs your sleeping quarter. You are only 16 minutes away from Tegalalang Ubud. Check availability here.
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Uma Nandhi Ubud Natural Cottage
Cafes and Restaurants
If you have time and really want to soak in the view, you should totally get yourself a chair at a Tegalalang rice terrace café. Sit closest to the edge if you can, then you have the best views. There are many places to eat and drink. Even if you just want a small milkshake, there are smaller huts by the trails down to the rice paddies.
Just don’t come with foodie expectations, you are in a major tourist hotspot. You can try the Rice Terrace Café for extraordinary views. You can get cockatils and pizza, for instance. Another recommended spot is Kampung Café for local Balinese food, such as Gado Gado or Mie Goreng Mamak.
If you crave good vegan food, stop by By Café. Everything here is 100% and the salads are amazingly yummy. There even is vegan ice cream and you can buy vegan beauty products as well. For an amazing buffet of only $5, dine at The Daily Buffet.
Coffee lovers will need to step into Bali Geo, where you can sample various brews. The place is surrounded by various fruit trees, including durian, mangosteen and cinnamon. You can even learn about Luwak Coffee, the one that is „pooped out“ by the Asian palm civet. (Though I don’t support that at all.)
Local Art at Tegalalang
If you visit, don’t just come for the Tegalalang rice terrace view. The village Pakadui itself has wonderful souvenirs and artist items to offer. Ubud itself is already very artsy but if you can’t decide, the street leading up from Ubud to Tegalalang is packed with local stores.
You can even get wooden Christmas decorations. A lot of the items on offer are wooden carvings, interior decorations, beautiful frames but also paintings, accessories and fashion. Don’t be afraid to stop and check out what’s on offer.
Which Tegallalang Rice Terraces Tour Should You Take?
If you want to make the most of your Ubud trip and fill your day by visiting many other nearby sites, then a tour is a good way to go.
There are plenty of stores around that will advertise day tours but if you only have a short trip to Bali and want everything set up in advance, here are a few affordable tours I found for you:
For a trip to the most wonderful natural sites in central Bali, check out the Heart of Bali Tour. You will get to see the Jatiluwih rice terraces as well, then bathe in the natural volcanic hot spring Angseri and visit ancient temples. Check availability for this private tour here.
Many people are doing a sunrise hike on Mount Batur but what if you could start the day with that AND make the most of seeing the nearby area too? You can stroll around the Singaraja rice fields and then swim at Sekumpul Waterfall. (Here’s my personal review of Sekumpul waterfall.) Save your spot here.
In case you really don’t want to drive around too far, stay close to Ubud with the Tegalalang Rice Field and Monkey Forest Full Day Tour. You get to see both these locations as well asGao Gajah (the Elephant Temple), get on a Bali Swing and sample freshly brewed coffee at Pulina Coffee Plantation. Check available dates here and make sure you check for the option of an English speaking guide.
If it’s all about photography for you but you want to be in the spotlight, the tour should really be catered to that. There is a Rice Paddies Photography Tour where you will be shot by a professional photographer in the best light. You get up to 100 photos and 5 USD from the proceeds go to teaching photography to local kids! That helps so much when you travel solo! Select your preferred date here.
Nearby Tegallalang rice fieldsAlternative Rice Terraces in Bali
If you have visited the Tegallalang rice terraces but want to get similar shots, fear not. There are alternative Ubud Rice Fields. Try the Campuhan ridge walk for a glorious morning walk. At its Northern end you can see more (albeit smaller) terraces.
More rice paddies near Ubud are located at Pejeng. Further North in Munduk, you can also admire stunning mountain views and lush green rice fields in Bali. In East Bali, the rice fields of Sidemen and Rendang in Karangasem are super picturesque.
For UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site rice field in Bali, visit the Jatiluwih rice terraces near Jatiluwih village. They span over 600 hectares, making it the largest and prettiest rice paddies in Bali.
If you are in the area of Canggu, check out the rice fields of Pererenan. Nearby and close to Sing Sing Waterfall Tabanan, try the rice terraces of Pupuan in Selemadeg.A little further by Soka Beach, check out Soka rice fields.
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Did you know? There are seriously amazing beaches around Canggu
Is a Visit To Tegalalang Rice Terrace Worth It?
Absolutely! Just come with the expectation that it is a major tourist magnet. Don’t expect it to look all deserted like you see on instagram. Those took some early morning rising and a lot of waiting. If you are in the area, definitely don’t miss Tegalalang Ubud!
Read next:
Don’t Make This Major Mistake at Uluwatu Temple
Why I Didn‘t Join a Lovina Dolphin Tour – Lovina Beach
Best Beaches in Canggu and Surrounds for Photographers
The Top 25 Bali Waterfalls and How to Find Them
Where to See an Abandoned Plane in Bali + Free Map Download
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