One of the top things to do in Ubud is to visit the famous Balinese rice terraces. While beautiful rice terraces can be found all around the island of Bali, the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are by far the most famous and quite possibly the best rice terraces in Bali, and is a must visit place on your Bali itinerary.
Here is everything you need to know before visiting the Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Ubud, Bali
The Best Time to Visit Tegalalang Rice Terraces
The Tegalalang Rice Terrace opening hours are flexible, and they can be visited year-round. They are open 24-hours.
It's best to visit before the rice is harvested, which happens three times per year, as this is when the rice terraces will be at their greenest. March/April and September/October is the best time of year. December/January is also beautiful, but as it is the wet season, there's a high likelihood that it will be raining throughout the day.
If you arrive at Tegalalang before first light, you will get to see the sun rays pour through the palm trees, which is a spectacular sight. Sunrise is also the best time to avoid the crowds. The tour buses begin to arrive around 10 am, and the sun starts to get hot by this time. After 4 pm is also a great time to visit.
The Best Tegalalang Rice Terraces View
It’s hard to pick one spot for the best view of the rice terraces. The most popular viewpoint is on the main road. However, I would highly recommend taking a walk down into the rice paddies. Be aware that during the wet season, the rice paddies can get very muddy, so wear appropriate shoes.
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces Swing and Bali Love sign is a popular spot for photos. There is usually a line-up of people waiting here, and you have to pay around 10,000 IDR (around $1) to get a picture with the sign.
There are several restaurants and cafes along the main road overlooking the rice terraces. Most offer cheap, traditional Indonesian cuisine. Although, the price is a little higher than most places in Bali due to its popularity. Look for a restaurant with balcony seating so you can enjoy the view while eating your meal. Click here for a list of restaurants near Tegalalang Rice Terraces.
Looking for somewhere to eat around Ubud?
Check out our guide on the best places to eat in Ubud.
How to Get to Tegalalang Rice Terraces from Ubud
Getting from Ubud to Tegalalang is relatively quick and easy. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the centre of Ubud town.
It’s possible to hire a motorbike and make your own way there. Hiring a motorbike will cost around 80,000 IDR ($5-6) per day. Be aware that riding a motorbike in Bali doesn't come without risk. I highly recommend you familiarise yourself with the possible dangers before renting one.
However, it is much more comfortable hiring a private air-conditioned car with a driver to get you to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. The cost to hire a car plus driver is around 500,000 IDR per day, and they can take you anywhere you want to go. Create your own itinerary including some waterfalls and Tirta Empul Water Palace. Click here to book a private car with driver for up to 10 hours. Be aware that the driver will probably try to take you to silversmith factories and artwork shops. They are incentivised to do this as they get a commission for anything you buy. You just have to be assertive and tell them you don't want to go, and they are usually ok with it.
Alternatively, pre-book a Central Bali full-day tour here, and you'll get a private tour with English-speaking guide and visit additional places around Ubud, including the Sacred Monkey Forest, Elephant Cave and Bali Swing.
READ MORE: 5 Things to Avoid in Bali
Rice Terraces Entrance Fee
The price to visit the rice terraces has gone up in recent years. It used to be free to visit, but now you have the pay a small entrance fee, 10,000 IDR per person.
As with most things in Bali, the entrance fee doesn't cover full access to the rice terraces. The farmers that work in the fields earn very little money and require you to make a small donation to access the different parts of the terraces. This is usually no more than 5,000 IDR (around 50 cents), so be sure to bring small notes with you, as it is difficult to find change.
There is a car park across the road from the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, all cars and motorbikes are required to park here. You can no longer park along the road. The cost at the time of writing is 5,000 IDR per car and 2,000 IDR per motorbike.
READ MORE: COMO Uma Ubud: A Luxury Hotel in Bali
Additional Tips for Visiting Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Other Nearby Attractions– The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are located near the Luwak Coffee Plantation, but I don’t recommend visiting this as the Civet (cats) are not housed in the most humane conditions.
What to Bring – a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. You will need to do a lot of walking in the sun to explore the rice terraces. It can get scorching during the day, and the hills are quite steep.
How Much Time to Allow – I once visited the rice terraces with only one hour available and it felt really rushed. You'll need to allow at least 2 hours if you plan on exploring the other side of the terraces, where there are fewer tourists.
Tours – it’s possible to join a tour group to visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, but not essential. It’s very easy to explore on your own if you would prefer to explore independently. I would, however, recommend hiring a private vehicle to take you there.
Can you recommend any other great tips for visiting the Tegalalang Rice Terraces? Let our readers know about them in the comments below.
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