Bali’s Famous Rice Terraces Are Super Busy This Month – Here’s Where To Go Instead!

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Bali’s world-famous Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are seeing record visitor numbers this month, and the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are feeling busy too!

With an average of 1,750 tourists exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Landscape every day, tourists who want to dodge the crowds will need to go a little off-path. 

The Jatiliwih Rice Terraces are one of Bali’s most important landscapes, which is why they have been granted UNESCO World Heritage Site protected status.

The landscape is a working agricultural production zone and plays a vital role in the ecology of the island as a whole. 

For those who have their heart set on visiting Jatiluwih Rice Terraces this is far from a call to avoid the attraction entirely, merely be a little more strategic with the timing of a visit.

Either arrive at the rice terraces as the reception opens or later in the afternoon, when the tourist buses have already set off for home. 

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The Jatiluwih Tourism Village Management Team is working to improve services and implement sustainable and regenerative tourism principles. The operations manager at Jatiluwih, Jhon Purna, told reporters about easy ways that tourists can make the most of their visit to the iconic landscape.

Purna said tourists must “comply with regulations and keep the environment clean. Use the services of a local guide to get more complete information about Jatiluwih. Buy local products as a form of support for local communities [and] respect local culture and traditions.”

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Visiting the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is an affordable and accessible day trip for Bali tourists. The site can be reached within a 60-80 minute drive from the Seminyak and Canggu area, or a 90-minute drive from Ubud. The entry fee is IDR 50,000 for international adult tourists and IDR 40,000 for children. Domestic tourists are charged IDR 15,000, and children IDR 5,000. 

It is also now possible to make the most of the new complimentary electric shuttle bus service that is on offer. Speaking earlier this month Purna confirmed that the buses can hold up to 14 people and are available for anyone, and are not reserved only for visitors with additional accessibility needs.

The shuttle bus service is currently on a trial run, but if it deemed a success will be made a permanent offering in the future. 

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It is not only the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces that are attracting the crowds this high season but also the Tegalalang Rice Terraces.

Located a 20-30 minute drive from central Ubud, the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are often even busier than Jatiluwih due to their proximity to the arts and cultural capital. 

Tegalalang Rice Terraces are magical. Unlike Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, they are home to more of the Bali Swing experiences and are a little more built up.

Day clubs like Cretya Ubud have been created along the outskirts of the paddies and offer tourists the beach club experience with a jungle and rice paddle view. 

There are some alternatives out there for tourists looking to beat the rice paddy crowds this season.

For those seeking a real culture immersion, to learn more about the culture of rice farming in Bali and the Balinese people’s relationship with the land, be sure to book a farm tour experience with Astungkara Way. 

During a half-day tour of the Astungkara Way farm in Tabanan Regency, guests can take a hands-on approach to learn about rice cultivation, which also helps combat climate change; guests can also feed ducks, plant seeds, pull weeds, and give the team a hand with the project of the day. 

Tourists seeking a more self-led exploration should visit the rice terraces at Sideman Village.

Tourists are always reminded that while the rice paddies are incredibly photogenic, all rice paddies are, first and foremost, a farmer’s crop and livelihood.

Tourists should be mindful of where they walk, stick to trails, and take photos in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner.