Bali is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to and one of the main reasons for this is the endless quantities of stunning rice fields that dot the island. You can find rice fields literally everywhere, even in the densely populated areas of Seminyak and Canggu. However, the most beautiful rice fields are definitely the Jatiluwih rice fields in the Tabanan province.
Not all rice fields are created equally. I thought I had seen some of the most beautiful rice fields in Bali by visiting Ubud and Sideman but I was mistaken, Jatiluwih wins over everyone!
This is a perfect day trip while staying in other parts of Bali so make sure to read my perfect Bali travel itinerary for all trip lengths.
Where is the Jatiluwih Rice Terrace?
The Jatiluwih Rice Terrace is located 1h north of Canggu in the Tabanan province. It is about half way between Canggu/Seminyak and the northern town of Lovina. Many people stop at the Jatiluwih rice terrace on the way to Lovina.
The location on Google Maps is the correct location.
The drive through the island to Jatiluwih is scenic and beautiful. There are stretches where you will have to pass through the city of Tabanan which are not pleasant but that is short lived. You can also find routes that bypass traveling through the main city.
It is easy to visit Jatiluwih on a scooter and is my preferred method. Otherwise, you will need to find transportation like a private driver to take you here. You could take a Gojek or Grab taxi to Jatiluwih but the problem will be to get back. Jatiluwih is a bit isolated from other areas of Bali and there is not much around here.
How to get from Canggu, Seminyak, or Kuta to Jatiluwih
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Entrance Fee
You will need to pay an entrance fee to visit the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. There are ticket offices on both sides of the rice terraces where you can purchase a ticket (and where they check). I visited the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces during COVID and there were no ticket offices open which meant it was free for me!
Tourists: 40,000 IDR per person
Indonesian citizen: 15,000 IDR per person
Parking for scooter: 5,000 IDR
Jatiluwih Opening hours
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are open every day from 6am to 7pm.
Best time to visit Jatiluwih Rice Terrace?
The best times to visit the rice terraces are for the sun rise and the sunset in my opinion. The sunrise is the real winner but it’s unlikely that most people are dedicated enough to come here when the sun rises between 6 and 7am. If you are coming as a day trip from Ubud or Canggu, you’ll need to leave at 5:30-6:00am in order to make it in time.
The mornings are best because the warm sunrise makes for a stunning contrast with the deep green of the rice terraces. Sadly, I did not make it for sunrise but I promise you that this is the best time if you can make it.
I did make it to Jatiluwih around 8am which was still breathtaking. The temperatures are still enjoyable so you can walk around without sweating profusely. By the time I left around 11am, it was already getting too hot to walk around for long periods of times.
Best time of year to visit Jatiluwih Rice Terrace
The best season to visit Bali is between April and October. This is the dry season and you’ll find the most temperate weather with the least amount of rain.
In addition, the planting cycles of the rice fields is very important. If you come in January for example, the farmers will have just planted their crop for the season and the rice terraces will mostly be brown and filled with water. It is still beautiful no doubt about it, but it is not the lush green photos you might be expecting!
I visited Tegalalang in January and you can see how different the views are from when I visited Jatiluwih in April.
Explore The Jatiluwih Rice Fields
Jati means “real” and luwih means “beautiful” in the Bahasan language so Jatiluwih means “real beautiful”. It certainly accurately describes these rice fields! These rice fields are scattered through 632 hectares of land (roughly 6 square km!) and have been recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site since 2012. Jatiluwih is also located about 800m above sea level which allows for the vast expansive views. Throw in Mount Agung and Batur in the background and it doesn’t get much better.
I was here in Apr 2022 and it was just myself and the farmers working there. You can simply walk around the rice fields taking photos and soaking up the views. There are signs with directions for certain routes you can take. I didn’t follow anything in particular because once you are there, everything is amazing.
There are signposted hiking routes along the rice paddies. You can choose between 5 different routes:
Red: This is the shortest route which takes about one hour. Yellow: This track takes about 1h 10mins.
White: The white path takes you deeper down into the rice fields and gives you more perspectives. It takes about 2 hours.
Green: The green track leads you over a length of 6 kilometres along the lush rice paddies. The walk takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Blue: With 7 kilometres this is longest trekking path route and adaptable for advanced trekkers. It’s a walk about 4 hours in the untouched nature.
Lunch at the Rustic Restaurant
Once you’re done viewing and taking your beautiful photos of Jatiluwih, it’s time to relax and eat some delicious local Indonesian food. There are many restaurants with a view near to the Jatiluwih rice field. My favorite place was The Rustic Bali restaurant.
Unlike the other restaurants which are located on the main street, The Rustic is located inside the rice fields so you are much closer and more immersed in the views.
The food here is delicious. I had the Nasi Campur with chicken sambal matah and it was divine. Spicy, arromatic, and a blitz of different flavors. I accompanied it with a coconut which was perfect. Total price? 75k IDR (~$5).
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