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BALI RICE FIELDS BLOG – The 11 Best Rice Fields in Bali

The beautiful rice fields in Bali are one of the main tourist attractions of the island. Therefore a visit to the Bali rice terraces can’t be missed on your Bali itinerary. The two most famous rice paddies are the UNESCO World Heritage Jatiluwih rice terrace and the Tegallalang rice terrace in Ubud. But there are way more beautiful rice terraces in Bali, so in this blog post you will find the 10 most beautiful rice fields in Bali. You will also learn some history about rice production in Indonesia and the rice cycle of planting and harvesting.

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Best Bali ricefield tours

If you want to explore the best Bali rice fields then it’s highly recommended to book a tour. Below I recommend the best tours that will guide you to the best rice fields in Bali to explore. All of these tours include air conditioned transport with hotel pick up and drop off, certified guides and sometimes also lunch and the entrance fees. You can reserve now and pay later, with cancellation up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.

General travel must haves for Bali

Before we dive into the things you have to know about the Bali rice fields, let’s check a few things to make your travels in Bali easy and safe.

Have you thought about how to get around in Bali? A scooter is the easiest way if you’re comfortable driving one yourself.

  • Book your scooter or motorbike here to get around in Bali. This is the most convenient way to arrange your rental motorbike, especially because it gets delivered and picked up for free to your accommodation within Ubud, Canggu, Kuta, Nusa Dua, Denpasar, Seminyak, Uluwatu, Kerobokan, Jimbaran, Sanur. Requirements: 20 years old; international car (B) drivers license for scooters (or moto (A) license for motorcycles); copies of passport and drivers license.

Do you prefer a private driver for the day and the freedom to create your own itinerary?

Did you already book your accommodation? 

Are you insured during your travels?

  • Buy your travel insurance here. Safetywing not only includes coverage for travel delay, lost checked luggage, emergency response, natural disasters and personal liability. But also covers all your medical expenses for hospitalisation.

History about rice production in Bali

The Bali rice fields are famous for its terraced layout which is a traditional Balinese irrigation system known as Subak Irrigration system. This traditional water management dates back to the 9th century. Subak is also a social organization of Balinese people.

Rice production inIndonesia is a very important part of the national economy and is part of the people’s heritage. It has been part of the Balinese culture for at least two thousand years. Indonesia is the third-largest producer of rice in the world and everywhere you go in Indonesia, rice fields shapes the landscape.

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The rice cycle is a process which takes in total 5 months. Just before planting the new rice, the fields have to be fertilised which is done by flooding them with water and cows or machines plowing the land. The fields then look like reflecting mirrors and are ready for planting. This is done by hand over several days. The little seeds are reflecting in the silvery water and are ready to grow. This takes two months after planting the rice before they have grown taller into green rice and are ready to harvest. After harvesting, the stubble in the fields are burnt or flooded, so that the old rice stalks slowly decompose under the water and the ground is being prepared for the next rice.

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Best time to visit the Bali rice fields

The wet season from October to March turns the Balinese countryside into a lush landscape of greenery. But because the process of rice production is a cycle of 5 months and every rice field has different times of harvesting, you’re bound to see a green field whenever you visit. To make sure you won’t be disappointed when visiting one of the rice terraces in Bali, check the status of the rice with locals or the Tourist Information Centre.

Sidemen rice fields

Karangasem, East Bali

Sidemen village is located in East Bali in the Karangasem Regency along the Klungkung and Besakih Temple route. It’s a beautiful and more off the beaten path spot for viewing beautiful local Bali rice fields. Driving along the rural roads is an adventure in itself. You can enjoy the impressive but soothing views from the beautiful rice terraces with the Mount Agung volcano in the distance. If you like hiking, there are various rice paddy trekking tours available in Sidemen. During some of the hikes over lush hillsides you will also cross rivers to different farmlands, where you can learn about the local organic produce. Sidemenoffers great local souvenirs to take home, including traditional dye weavings known as songket and endek. They’re praised for their intricate motifs and use of colourful hand-loomed cotton and silk threads.

Location: Sidemen Village, Jalan Semarapura-Karangasem, Karangasem, Bali 80864, Indonesia

How to get there: From Kuta, it takes about 90-minutes driving through winding roads.

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Tegalalang rice fields

Ubud, Central Bali

The Tegalalang rice fields in Ubud are easily the most famous rice terraces across Bali. Simply because of its accessibility to the main areas and its renowned beauty. The Tegallalang rice terraces are impressively cut out into walls of the valley with up to 10 tiered levels of rice paddies and cascading water throughout.  You will see the local farmers doing their daily routine harvesting the rice and maintaining the valley which makes it very enjoyable and picturesque for visitors.  

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The palm trees (some with hanging coconuts!), luscious bushes, and large bananas leaves, paint an almost indescribable picture of nature here.

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You can combine a visit to these Ubud rice fields with the Tegalalang rice terrace swing. The price to use the swing is 250,000 IDR which I think is quite expensive for what it is. But it is a once in a lifetime experience for some and a perfect photo opportunity. There are lots of restaurants around the rice terraces of Tegalalang. Definitely check them out, because you can have lunch with one of the most beautiful views you will ever see! Besides visiting the rice fields in Ubud, many tourists also go to the nearby Monkey Forest where you can interact with tame (but cheeky) monkeys.

You can’t miss a visit to the Ubud rice terraces! Read everything about the Tegalalang rice terraces in this blog post

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Jatiluwih rice fields

Penebel, Central Bali

The Jatiluwih rice fields are the largest and most picturesque of all of the rice terraces in Bali. Once a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site candidate, the rice fields cover over 600 hectares, which follow the cascading hillside of the highlands and are well-maintained by the local village’s subak cooperative.

Entrance fee to the main area requires a 40,000 IDR payment per person. Besides that you pay an extra 5,000 IDR for the car park. The fee goes to the local village cooperative fund and maintenance of the trekking paths.

But you don’t have to hike far to see the impressive 180-degree ‘sea of green’. Just halfway up along the paddy roadside, you will find a platform from where you will have an incredible view on the layers of rice. And if you’re lucky, you can see the Mount Agung volcano in the background!

Location: Jalan Jatiluwih No No.Desa, Jatiluwih, Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82152, Indonesia

How to get there: Located 90-minutes away from Ubud and less than 2 hours away from Kuta, Jatiluwih rice terraces are located in central Bali near Gunung Batukaru.

Read everything about the Jatiluwih rice fields in this blog post

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Rendang rice fields

Karangasam, East Bali

Rendang is a mountain village in East Bali’s Karangasem regency, with scenic countryside views.  It’s dominated by rice fields and rivers. The rice paddy-filled valleys share the countryside with one of Bali’s favourite white water rapids, Telaga Waja. On a clear day you can see the Mount Agung volcano is the background.

Location: Rendang Village, Jalan Raya Besakih, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

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Pererenan rice fields

Canggu, West Bali

Pererenan is one of the several farm villages in Canggu that offers a pleasant drive along its main road with expanses of rice fields on both sides. Canggu is the bohemian heart of Bali. A surfer’s playground, hippie’s paradise and Digital Nomad home. But, also home to one of the most gorgeous rice terraces in Bali!

Pererenan and the neighbouring Seseh are favourite locations for horse riding tours, thanks to their extensive paddies and exotically uncrowded black-sand beaches. Especially Jalan Pantai Pererenan offers a scenic ride down to the beach. You can pull over anytime to see the local farmers tending their crops. If you stay in the Canggu area, it’s a great day trip if you combine a visit to Tanah Lot temple which is just 20 minutes north from Pererenan. On a clear day, you can even see the Mount Agung volcano and Mount Batur volcano in the distance. A beautiful sight and typical Bali in our opinion! 

Location:Jalan Raya Seseh, Munggu, Mengwi, Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia

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Pupuan rice fields

Tabanan, West Bali

The farmer village of Pupuan in West Bali has beautiful rice terraces. It’s close by the more famous rice terraces of Jatiluwih, but near Pupuan you can also see how the farmers grow cocoa, clove and coffee. You can even see groves of rare tropical fruits, such as mangosteen and durian. Head off in the early mornings and you can catch a glimpse of the farmers tending their crops or laying out cloves to dry along the roadsides. Off the beaten path, you’ll find tropical forests with hidden waterfalls and streams.

Location: Pupuan, Selemadeg, Tabanan, Bali 82163, Indonesia

How to get there: Drive along Jalan Gilimanuk Denpasar highway for around 75-minutes.

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Payangan rice fields 

Ubud, Central Bali

Payangan is another one of Ubud’s neighbouring villages known for its extraordinary lush rice terraces that follow the hillsides down to the river Ayung below. You can find beautiful rice fields around the villages of Pujung, Penestanan and Pengosekan. The Campuhan Ridge Walk in the village of Campuhan is a popular trail taking you along a beautiful valley with beautiful views on the surrounding rice fields, jungle and rivers. Definitely a hike to put on your Bali itinerary!

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Kekeran rice fields

Mengwi, West Bali

Kekeran is not the place where visitors in Bali usually go to watch Bali rice fields. However, that makes it the perfect opportunity to go to a place in Bali that’s not overrun by tourists (yet..)!

From a small food cart in the village of Kekeran you will be able to see up to 10km in front of you. An impressive view across the wide expanse of lined rice terraces all the way to the jungle and beyond. If you look below, there is a river which winds its way through the rice fields, and a constant light breeze will provide you with fresh air.

Have a chat with the owner of the stall, purchase some food, and time will stand still when you’re enjoying the rice fields view while munching on some fresh fruit. The exact location of this spot is linked when you click on the address.

Address:Kekeran, Mengwi, Badung Regency, Bali 80351, Indonesia

How to get there: Head to the small village of Kekeran. At the side of the road is a small warung (food stall) owned by Nyoman and his wife. Purchase some freshly cut fruit and head on over to appreciate the beautiful rice field view behind the warung. 

Munduk rice fields

Munduk, North Bali

Located in the highlands of North Bali you will find Munduk which has a wonderful expanse of rice paddies. Massive trees tower over the Munduk rice fields with views on the wide expanse of the forests in the distance. Particularly around the villages of Gobleg and Gesing you will find these beautiful rice fields. Because this area is located higher in the mountains, you will also find lots of beautiful Bali waterfalls. This area is also a popular destination for nature walks and village cycling tours, thanks to its varied nature and cool, lush atmosphere. The farms here produce several local fruits like strawberry and durian, which you’ll often see sold at roadside stalls throughout the area.

Location: Jalan Gesing, Gobleg village, Banyuatis, Buleleng, Bali 81152, Indonesia

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Abang rice fields

Karangasem, East Bali

Hidden on Bali’s quieter East Coast, there is an area that offers what could possibly be the most stunning and beautiful panoramic view of rice fields of the entire island… From high above where the land, trees and the sky all meet together with the looming misty mountains in the background paint a perfect picture of Mother Nature.

If you’re traveling to Amlapura on the east coast, head further north until you reach the small village of Abang. There is a small lookout near that area where you will find the most exquisite view of the fields. Click on the address below to see the location on Google Maps. 

LocationAmlapura, Karangasem Sub-District, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia

How to get there: If you’re traveling east to Amlapura, head further north just a little towards Abang. You will pass a sharp bend in the road. Follow this bend and you will come straight to the viewpoint for the terrace fields.

Soka rice fields

Tabanan, West Bali

The Bali rice fields of Soka village, close to the coast of West Bali, are among the island’s few that are low-lying and close to the beach. You can easily find the Soka rice fields on most tours to the west. Particularly along the very busy Denpasar-Gilimanuk route (which leads you to Menjangan Island and Bali’s National Park in the west).

Location: Jalan Denpasar-Gilimanuk Km.45, Soka, Selemadeg, Antap, Tabanan, Bali 82162, Indonesia

How to get there: From Soka, it is a 90-minute car ride via Jalan Raya Denpasar-Gilimanuk.

Tips for visiting the Bali rice fields

  • Go as early as possible because of the tourist crowds and heat. Because there is no shade, it can get really hot!
  • Bring lots of water because it can get really hot walking around the Bali rice fields.
  • Wear good walking shoes. Because most of the rice fields in Bali are located in a valley, you have to walk up and down a path or stairs. This is doable with flipflops, but not ideal. I would rather recommend to wear sneakers or comfortable shoes.
  • Take only photos and leave only footprints.
  • Wear sunscreen and a hat if your skin burns easily.
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More Bali travel inspiration

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post about the best Bali rice fields.

For more Bali travel guides and inspiration, read these blogs:

Bali best things to do

Best Bali waterfalls

Amazing viewpoints in Bali

Best sunset spots in Bali

Best sunrise spots in Bali

Uluwatu beaches – the best beaches in Uluwatu

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2 Comments

  1. Hi thank you so much for your comment! We are coming back to Indonesia this year and Flores is definitely on our list to visit! Let’s keep in touch, would be awesome to do an adventure together so I can add your company in future blog post about Flores!
    Best wishes, Ilse & Atiba

  2. Hi Ilse, so interesting to learn more about the history of the Bali rice fields. And again your photo’s are more then beautiful !

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