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Traveling to Bali? Want to witness some gorgeous Bali rice terraces? Wish to see the best rice fields in Bali?
There are plenty of rice terraces in Bali.
But you want to see the most beautiful Bali rice fields, right? You don’t want the best Bali rice terrace, but ‘best of the best rice terraces in Bali’?
Ok, then please do not look any further.
Because these two rice fields Bali will fulfill all your desires, expectations, and dreams of what the most beautiful green rice fields look like!

Milijana Gabrić, the travel blogger of WorldTravelConnector.com in Tegalalang rice terrace near Ubud in Bali I Ubud rice terraces are must-see Bali rice terraces
Me in Tegalalang rice terraces near Ubud in Bali

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO. 

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BALI RICE TERRACES 

1. JATILUWIH RICE TERRACES  – The Famous UNESCO Rice Terraces in Bali

A photo of Jatiluwih Bali rice terraces


Jatiluwih rice terraces in Bali are the most extensive rice fields in Bali covering over 600 hectares (1,480 acres).

Yes, you have read it correctly: this is a 600-hectare vast Bali rice field!!
Jatiluwih rice terraces are the most impressive, scenic, photogenic, vast, and peaceful rice fields in Bali.

Jatiluwih rice terrace can be translated as ‘Really Beautiful’ since in Balinese ‘Jati’ means ‘really’ and ‘Luwih’ ‘beautiful’ or ‘good’.

Jatiluwih rice field terraces are ‘THE’ famous Bali UNESCO rice fields. UNESCO listed them as a World Heritage Site. These Really Beautiful rice fields are created only by the hands of local people (without using mechanical machines) and using a traditional subak agricultural watering system based on the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy.
The Tri Hita Karana Philosophy is an ancient Balinese concept that unites into harmony 3 worlds: the natural, spirits, and the human world.
The Tri Hita Karana Philosophy is a distinctive part of the Balinese culture. Therefore, UNESCO listed the Jatiluwah rice fields in Bali, Indonesia as a World Heritage Site.

Views of Jatiluwih Bali rice terraces

However, do you want to get lost in the silence of nature, dramatic lush greenery, and fresh air with no pollution?
Then trekking or simply wandering around Jatiluwih cascading Bali rice paddies is the answer to all your wishes.

Not surprisingly, the Obama family, former First Family of the US, have chosen to trek Jatiluwih rice fields on their visit to Bali.

Milijana Gabrić, the travel blogger form WorldTravelConnector.com walking in Jatiluwih Bali rice terraces
Me in Jatiluwih rice fields in Bali

There are 3 different marked routes to trek Jatiluwih Bali terraced rice fields. The longest Bali rice terrace route takes 4.3 mi (7 km) and the shortest is 0.8 mi (1.4 km).

The entrance ticket to Jatiluwih rice terrace Bali is 40k INR (≈ 4 USD) for foreigners or 15k INR (≈ 1,5 USD) for Indonesians. The money goes to the villager’s fund for the fields’ maintenance.

Bali rice terraces

Jatiluwih rice fields are located in West Bali, 30 mi (48 km) from Denpasar and 25 mi (40 km) from Ubud, Bali. Jatiluwih rice fields are one hour’s drive from Ubud and about 1 hour and 15 min from Denpasar. Jatiluwih rice fields are the ultimate paradise getaway from Bali’s main attractions for all nature lovers.

2-Hour E-Bike Jatiluwih Cycling Tour
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces & UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bali Tour

2. TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACES – The Popular Ubud Rice Fields 

Tegalalang rice terrace near Ubud are one of the best Bali rice terraces

Tegallalang rice terraces in Bali are one of the main tourist attractions in Bali.
Tegalalang rice terraces are more touristy and have much smaller rice fields than the Jatiluwih rice fields.

Tegalalang rice terrace are one of the most beautiful Bali rice terraces

Tegelalang rice terrace is more crowded than the Jatiluwih rice terrace.
Probably because of its location. Tegalalang Rice Terrace is located near Ubud.

These Bali rice terraces are only 20 20-minute drive from Ubud.
If you have seen photos of Ubud rice fields on social media, then probably you have seen the Tegalalang rice terrace in Bali. Hence, the Tegallalang rice terrace is known as the Ubud rice terrace.

Tegalalang rice terrace are Bali rice terraces near Ubud

Exploring Tegallalang rice terraces is one of the top 10 things to do in Ubud! Hiking down and walking up to the other side of Tegallang rice valley can take from 30 min – 1,5 hours. There is no entrance fee for Tegallalang rice terraces in Bali but donations are welcome. Yes, entrance to this Bali rice field Bali is free. But, be respectful and generous to people who take care of it.

Tegalalang rice terrace are Bali rice terraces near Ubud

Tegalalang rice paddy, Bali looks like a true patchwork art. And finally, you should rest assured: walking around the Bali Tegalalang rice terrace will reward you with many photo opportunities!

Electric Bike Tour to Tegallalang Rice Terraces from Ubud
Ubud Rice Terraces, Temples & Volcano

Jatiluwih vs Tegalalang? What are the most beautiful rice terraces in Bali? Which rice terrace in Bali should you see?

If you ask me to visit Jatiluwih or Tegalalang, my answer would be both! But if you choose to visit only one of these two best Bali rice terraces, you can’t get wrong with any of them!

MAYBE YOU ALSO WOULD LIKE TO READ: Tasting Authentic Kopi Luwak in Bali

WHERE TO STAY IN UBUD 

Ubud is a must-see in Bali, a cultural mecca of Bali, and a great base to explore Bali and visit rice fields in Bali.

Tegalalang rice terraces are 10 km away from Ubud and Jatiluwih rice fields are 40 km away from Ubud.

It means, 20 min drive takes from Ubud to Tegalalang rice terrace, or an hour and a half drive from Ubud to Jatiluwih rice terrace.

Recommended Ubud Bali hotels, Ubud villas, and Ubud guesthouses:

UPSCALE: Villa Sindu Ubud,Green Field Resort Ubud
MID-RANGE: Joglo Campuhan Village, 
BUDGET: Tanggal Merah Guest House, Umayuri Inn

BEST TIME TO VISIT BALI RICE TERRACES

Bali is close to the equator. Thus, Bali has warm weather all year round with average temperatures around 26-27ºC  (79-81ºF) with around 85% air humidity.

There are two seasons in Bali: dry and wet. The dry season in Bali goes from May to October, and the wet season goes from November to May.

The rainiest months in Bali are December, January, and February.
But, still, the average temperature in Bali in December is 27ºC (81ºF), while the temperatures in January and February are similar averaging around 26ºC (79ºF). Although the rain showers can be strong in December, the high season in Bali is December with the peak for the holidays from December 23 to January 6.

On account of two seasons, Bali has two rice planting and harvesting seasons. The rice is planted in Bali from January to February and July to August. The rice is harvested from April to May and from October to November.

If you want to see the most beautiful, green, and lush Bali rice terraces, go to Bali during the wet season from October to March.

March would arguably be the best month to see lush green rice fields in Bali. March is the transition period from the wet to the dry season, and just before the start of the rice harvest season in April.

I visited Bali in March. So, if you want to see green Bali rice terraces like in the above photos, visit Bali in March!

MAP OF JATILUWAH AND TEGALALANG RICE TERRACES IN BALI

Location of the rice paddies Bali: rice terrace Tegalalang (Ubud rice terraces) and Jatiluwih terrace (UNESCO rice fields Bali)

MAYBE YOU ALSO WOULD LIKE TO READ: Borobudur and Prambanan temples in Indonesia

Bali rice terraces
Bali rice terraces Jatiluwih and Tegallalang

Are you traveling to Bali for the first time? Check here everything (visa, flights, weather, internet, travel insurance, currency exchange, etc) you need to know before you go.

Need help with an itinerary? Don’t worry! Backpacking or not, it doesn’t matter. This Bali itinerary for first-timers has some great suggestions.

Want to see more than rice terraces Bali? You might be interested in chasing waterfalls in Bali?! Take a look at this Bali Waterfall Guide.

Need some more suggestions?! What about some sea time and gorgeous beaches of nearby Nusa Lembongan island? Read more in the Nusa Lembongan travel guide.

Milijana
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Milijana is an independent female solo traveler from Croatia. She enjoys nature, history, art, culture, and spiritual pursuits. Milijana is a foodie who enjoys sampling cultural food around the world, and a hiking enthusiast who did numerous trail around the globe. She greeted sunrise from the top of Mount Sinai in Egypt after a night hike and said hello to the Atlantic Ocean from Finisterre in Spain on one-month-long hike. However, she is not reluctant to rent a car and embark on a spectacular road trip. She believes that some scenic destinations like Tuscany in Italy and Andalucia in Spain are best enjoyed by car.

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46 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness, you really did find the most beautiful rice fields! Bali has been on my list for so long and seeing the rice fields are definitely a part of the reason why! I’m pinning your post so that I can refer to it when my dream trip finally happens!

    Reply

  4. These are such beautiful photos! I like that one of the names translates to really beautiful. It’s definitely true. I would love to be able to go there and see the rice terraces in person.

    Reply

  5. Hi Mila,

    Beautiful images. Tegelalang are gorgeous terraces. We spent a month in a village about 3 minutes from these terraces so showed up at 6 AM one day, well before the tourist rush. We had the place to ourselves. Foggy day too. Mysterious looking. Loved it.

    Ryan

    Reply

    1. Hi, Ryan

      Thanks! I can only imagine how beautiful your month in the village has been! Lucky you! 🍀
      Btw, I like mysterious days and places. 😉

      Milijana

      Reply

  7. These terraces remind me of Sikkim in India, which is hilly, but whose people have an almost unnatural hankering for rice, which does not usually grow in hilly terrain. The photographs look breathtaking.

    Reply

  9. Wow. I never thought of Bali like this. I mean you gave me a reason to visit Bali. I always avoided visiting the place because of the honeymooning crowds but this is something I need to do.

    Reply

    1. Hey there!

      If you want to avoid the crowds m, my suggestion would be to go the Jatiluwih rice fields. 600 hectares are more than enough to get lost in ! 😄

      Xoxo

      Reply

  10. These rice terraces are such a sight to sore eyes. I loved them all and I happened to visit some after rains. They just look so fresh and inviting. Glad to know the prices for a tour of them

    Reply

  11. I’ve always adored the rice terraces in bali during my many visits there. I must agree that the Jatiluwah rice fields are more beautiful and peaceful than the Tegalalang ones. Both places are a treat to visit during early morning when the air is still cool and fresh.

    Reply

  13. I can`t believe how green this place is… Can`t wait to visit it with my camera!
    I pinned this post to my Indonesia board on Pinterest! Dreamy place!!!

    Reply

  14. I can’t wait to go to Bali one day and your beautiful photos are making me want to book a flight right now! Great post!

    Reply

  15. Aw, I missed both of these when I was in Bali last summer because I was too nervous to rent a motorbike. I did a couple of the rice field walks near Ubud (like right in town), but they were pretty commercialized. The Jatiluwah rice terraces seem much more beautiful.

    Reply

  16. It’s all so beautiful and green! I can’t wait for summer to arrive but I know everything will turn brown pretty quickly. It’s nice to see such a lush, green spot!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Katherine.

      I hope the summer heat won’t be so strong to ‘destroy’ the beauty of greenery . 😉

      Reply

  19. I have to admit Bali is high on my list of places to go just for photographing the rice fields. And now I have an amazing guide to find the best ones. Thanks so much, pinned for future reference.

    Reply

  21. This reminds me so much of the rice terraces in Banaue, Philippines. So cool to know that Bali also has its own amazing rice terraces. 🙂 It’s so great to know that these where created without mechanical machines. People can really be creative and innovative when needed!

    Reply

  22. Love it, especially the Jatiluwih. Just got back a few weeks ago, and do need to warn/advise visitors that Nov/March is rainy season. The rice fields are much greener then, the colors really POP, but blue skies may be harder to find and there WILL be some rain pretty much every day…

    Reply

    1. Thanks for a good advice. 😘 Yes, March is the end of rainy season and still can be some rain. I had also partially rainy and partially sunny day there . But, no rain – no rice. 😉

      Reply

  23. This looks absolutely gorgeous. Dying to go now that we can travel again. is that were people take the swing photo in Bali?

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      There are several popular swings in Bali. And two of them are at Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

      However, there’s no Bali swing at Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.

      So, if you wish to swing above beautiful Bali rice terraces, head to Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

      Milijana

      Reply

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