Bali’s rice terraces were one of the experiences I was most excited about, and after visiting both Tegalalang and Jatiluwih, we had a clear favorite: Jatiluwih. Tegalalang was the more convenient, photogenic stop close to Ubud, with dramatic terraces, swing photos, dress rentals, and rice terrace hiking. Jatiluwih felt much more expansive, peaceful, and scenic, especially once we rented e-bikes and explored deeper into the terraces. If you are trying to decide which Bali rice terrace is worth your time, this guide breaks down what we liked about each and how to plan the best rice terrace day from Ubud.
💡 Tips: Making the Most of Bali’s Rice Terraces
- 🌾 Choose Rice Terrace Based on the Experience You Want: If we had to pick one, we would choose Jatiluwih for its scale, mountain views, quieter atmosphere, and e-bike experience. Tegalalang is better for a quicker, more photogenic stop near Ubud with terrace hiking, cafes, and the classic Bali swing.
- 🚲 Rent E-Bikes at Jatiluwih: Renting e-bikes was one of the best decisions we made because it let us cover more ground, stop for photos, and enjoy the views without turning the visit into a long, hot walk.
- 🍽️ Plan Lunch Near Jatiluwih in Advance: Food options around Jatiluwih are more limited than in central Ubud, especially if you need gluten-free options. We had lunch at Nadi Farm Cafe, which had several gluten-free-friendly options.
- 📸 Use Tegalalang for a Short, Active Rice Terrace Experience: Tegalalang felt more developed than Jatiluwih, but we still enjoyed climbing up and down through the terraces. It was a fun, active stop close to Ubud without committing to a full driver day.
- 🌾 Choose Tis Cafe for an Easier Bali Swing Experience: We did a lot of research before choosing a Bali swing, and Tis Cafe was convenient because it rarely has long lines, felt less chaotic than larger swing parks, and let us combine lunch, dress rental, swing photos, and a rice terrace hike in one stop.
- 🚗 Hire a Private Driver for Jatiluwih: Jatiluwih is not a quick hop from central Ubud, so a private driver makes the day much easier. We used Bali Honest Driver to combine Jatiluwih with Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Sangeh Monkey Forest.
- 🌅 Do Not Overpack Your Driver Day: It is tempting to stack Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu Beratan, Sangeh, Handara Gate, waterfalls, coffee tasting, Royal Mengwi Temple, and Tanah Lot sunset into one day, but that can quickly feel rushed. Choose two to three must-do stops and treat everything else as optional.
- 🧴 Pack for Sun, Heat, and Bugs: Rice terrace days mean sun exposure, humidity, uneven paths, and sometimes mosquitoes. Bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent, water, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to walk or bike.
🌾 Jatiluwih: Bali’s Most Expansive Rice Terrace
Jatiluwih was our favorite rice terrace experience in Bali because it was peaceful, expansive, and surrounded by stunning mountain views. Before reaching the main rice terrace area, we paid the Jatiluwih entrance fee at a roadside ticket booth as you enter the region, which was 150k IDR total for two people during our visit. Unlike the more developed terraces closer to Ubud, Jatiluwih stretched across the hills in every direction and felt more like stepping into the landscape than stopping at a photo spot. It takes more effort to reach, but if you want sweeping rice terrace scenery, lush green fields, and a more open, natural-feeling experience, this is the one I would prioritize.
📸 Centerview: Panoramic Rice Terrace Views
Centerview was our first stop after renting the e-bikes and delivered some of the best panoramic views at Jatiluwih. From here, layers of bright green rice terraces stretch toward the mountains, giving you a real sense of just how massive the landscape is. It was an easy ride from the rental area and a perfect spot for photos before heading deeper into the terraces along the white-line cycling track.
🎥 YouTube: I ❤️ Jatiluwih Viewpoint
🔄 360 Photo: Click and drag to look around
🚴♂️ E-Bike Rental: The Best Way to Explore Jatiluwih
Renting e-bikes at Jatiluwih was one of the best decisions we made because it let us cover more of the terraces without turning the visit into a long, hot walk. We rented bikes near Jl. Batu Luwih Kawan, close to the main Jatiluwih viewpoint area, for one hour at 150k IDR per hour/person. We headed to the Centerview photo spot near the Dalem Jatiluwih Temple first, which had stunning panoramic rice terrace and mountain views. From there, we rode ~5 miles on two separate out-and-back segments (see our Garmin route below). You can typically do a full loop along the white line, but part of the track was washed out during our visit. The route toward Luhur Besikalung Temple ended up being the most beautiful section, with the best mix of rice terrace views, winding paths, local vendors, and peaceful countryside scenery.
🔄 360 Photo: Click and drag to look around
🧑🌾 Nadi Farm Cafe: Gluten-Free Lunch Near Jatiluwih
Nadi Farm Cafe was one of our best food stops near Jatiluwih and especially helpful for gluten-free dining. Scott had the Balinese Opor Curry with Jatiluwih red rice and a latte, while I had the Rajasthani Chicken Curry, a smoothie, and a sweet crêpe-style dessert. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented, and the staff surprised me with a free birthday cake and singing. With fewer dining options around Jatiluwih, I would definitely plan lunch here in advance rather than winging it.
⛩️ Ulun Danu Beratan: A Temple Detour Worth Making
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple was an easy add-on after Jatiluwih, only about 30 minutes from the rice terraces, and somehow turned into one of the funniest stops of the day. Beyond the gorgeous floating temple setting, Scott got to hold Mickey the binturong before we met the actual kopi luwak “producers,” the Asian palm civets, snoozing nearby. He then tried kopi luwak, the famously expensive coffee made from beans collected after passing through the civets, and promptly gave it a firm “one and done.” Meanwhile, I apparently became a minor local celebrity when several people asked to take selfies with me, presumably because a tall blonde tourist was more exciting than the temple. Between the floating temple, binturong encounter, sleepy civets, poop coffee, and my unexpected five minutes of fame, this stop delivered way more entertainment than we expected.
🎥 Ulun Danu Beratan Temple 360 Walkthrough
Sangeh is also nearby and a great stop. For more on this, check out our blog for Best Monkey Sanctuaries in Bali: Sangeh vs. Sacred Monkey Forest.
🌾 Tegalalang: Iconic Views, Terraces & Photo Stops
Tegalalang was a completely different rice terrace experience from Jatiluwih, but still worth visiting if you are staying near Ubud. It felt more developed and touristy, with cafes, swings, dress rentals, and photo spots, but the terraces themselves are dramatic and beautiful. I would think of Tegalalang as the better option for a quick, active, photogenic stop rather than your main peaceful rice terrace experience.
🥾 Rice Terrace Hike: Climbing Through Tegalalang
One thing we really enjoyed about Tegalalang was being able to climb up and down through the rice terraces. Even though the area felt more commercial, the short hike made the stop feel more active and worthwhile instead of just being a place for photos. It is a good option if you want dramatic terrace views close to Ubud. From Tis Cafe, we were able to hike through the terraces all the way to Alam Bali Swing, making it easy to explore the landscape beyond the viewpoints.
🔄 360 Photo: Click and drag to look around
🍚 Tis Cafe: Lunch with a Rice Terrace View
Tis Cafe gave us one of the prettiest lunch settings of the trip, with an open-air terrace overlooking the Tegalalang Rice Terraces and infinity pool below. I ordered their Indonesian sampler platter, which came with steamed rice surrounded by small portions of Balinese chicken satay, braised fish in turmeric sauce, stir-fried prawns with sweet chili tomato sauce, mixed vegetables, peanuts, and sambals, and I loved it. Scott had a much tougher time with gluten-free options. Despite reviews suggesting they could accommodate GF diners, we did not feel confident in the choices, so he ended up with plain rice, fresh coconut water, and a latte. The staff surprised me with a molten lava birthday cake accompanied by singing, which made the stop feel extra special and turned lunch into a much more memorable part of our Tegalalang visit.
🔄 360 Photo: Click and drag to look around
❤️ Bali Swing: The Classic Tegalalang Photo
The Bali swing was touristy but fun, and I’m glad we did it once. After a lot of research, we chose Tis Cafe because it rarely has long lines, felt less chaotic than the larger swing parks, and let us combine lunch, dress rental, swing photos, and the rice terrace hike in one stop. The 200k IDR price included the swing and dress rental. Just tell your waiter, they’ll add it to your bill, and you can choose a dress from the selection in the women’s bathroom. Best of all, there was no pressure to buy a photo package. Scott was able to take our own photos and videos, and the swing instructor also took pictures of us at no extra charge. If you want the iconic Bali swing photo without making it a whole production, Tis Cafe is a great option.
🏯 Central Ubud: Palaces, Markets & Monkey Business
After Tegalalang and lunch at Tis Cafe, we headed into central Ubud for a stroll around the Ubud Palace, Ubud Water Palace, and nearby markets before walking to Sacred Monkey Forest. The compact town center makes these easy cultural stops to combine without dedicating a separate day to them, and the ornate Balinese architecture, lotus-filled Water Palace, shops, and bustling streets were a fun contrast to the morning’s rice terraces. From there, Sacred Monkey Forest is close enough to continue exploring on foot, making Tegalalang, central Ubud, and Sacred Monkey Forest a great full-day combination. For more on this, check out our blog for Best Monkey Sanctuaries in Bali: Sangeh vs. Sacred Monkey Forest.
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