Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Site in North Bali.
They’re the largest and most picturesque rice paddies in potentially all of Indonesia and definitely not to be missed when visiting the Island Of Gods.
Jatiluwih Bali is far less crowded and unspoiled compared to the more popular Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Ubud and I highly recommend adding this unique cultural site to your list of places to see in Bali.
I have put together this ultimate guide to visiting Jatiluwih including how to get there, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you arrive.
Table of Contents
WHERE ARE JATILUWIH RICE TERRACES?
Jatiluwih is located at the foot of Mount Batukaru in the Tabanan Regency, North Bali.
It’s approximately a 1.5-hour drive north of the main tourist hubs of Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta.
You can simply use Google maps to guide you to these beautiful rice terraces, here is the exact pin location.
HOW TO GET TO JATILUWIH BALI
The best way to get to Jatiluwih Rice Fields is by car or by scooter.
You can rent a scooter online in advance and the drive takes around 1.5 hours from the main tourist areas of Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Ubud.
If you are staying in Ubud and plan on visiting Jatiluwih Bali from here, the drive is a little shorter and takes only 1-hour.
Don’t feel confident riding a scooter? Another great option for getting around Bali is to hire a private car and a driver for the day and experience all that the island has to offer.
Includes:
- Experienced driver & guide
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Mineral water
- Petrol
BOOK NOW → PRIVATE CAR WITH DRIVER
Exploring Jatiluwih Bali
JATILUWIH RICE TERRACE TOUR
Another alternative to visiting the Jatiluwih UNESCO Cultural Site is to book a full-day tour to see the highlights in North Bali.
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Tour is the most top-rated tour with great reviews and hundreds of bookings.
This tour covers some of the best spots in North Bali including Jatiluwih Rice Fields, Taman Ayu Temple, Bali Coffee Plantation, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, and Tanah Lot Temple for sunset.
BOOK NOW → Jatiluwih Rice Terrace Tour
JATILUWIH RICE TERRACES ENTRANCE FEE
The entrance fee is absolutely FREE and visitors are free to roam around these magnificent rice fields at their own pace.
There is plenty of space for parking a car or a scooter in the parking lot near the main entrance to the rice terraces, and from here it’s a short walk down the paved path and into the rice fields.
Upon arriving, the local rice farmers are overly friendly and very quick to give you a big smile and a wave which will surely make your day!
Related Article → Best Bali Waterfalls
The main parking lot
Follow this paved path
Visitor information
A friendly rice farmer
BEST TIME TO VISIT JATILUWIH RICE TERRACE
The best time to visit Jatiluwih rice fields, in my opinion, is at sunrise or as early in the morning as possible.
Due to its east-facing location, you’ll get to witness a memorable sunrise as it comes up over the horizon and fills the terraces with its golden light.
If you’re not a morning person, it’s still possible to visit the rice terraces at any time during the day.
Please bear in mind that there is a lack of shade down in the rice fields which poses a risk of dehydration if you plan on wandering around under the midday sun. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water.
Sunrise at Jatiluwih UNESCO Site
WHAT TO EXPECT
The landscapes around the Jatiluwih UNESCO Cultural Site are both dramatic and exotic.
These magnificent terraces cover over 600 hectares of incredibly well-maintained rice paddies that date back as early as the 9th century.
Must Read → 2 Week Bali Itinerary
You’ll find the air temperatures up here in the Batukaru mountains to be much cooler and it’s the perfect place to get away from Bali’s hot and crowded south.
Experience the local farmers at work in the rice fields and they also make for great photo opportunities when wandering around the Jatiluwih UNESCO Site.
An aerial perspective
Local farmer planting the rice
A haze of clouds over the terraces
Have you got travel insurance for Bali? We all know accidents can happen and having World Nomads Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
You could easily spend a couple of hours roaming around the Jatiluwih UNESCO Site and most likely not see another tourist in sight.
Jatiluwih rice fields comprise natural beauty which makes it a very unique location in North Bali and definitely not to be missed on your itinerary.
There are also a number of small restaurants and cafes that line the side of the road at the entrance to the rice terraces. You can stop here for breakfast or lunch once you have finished exploring the beautiful Jatiluwih UNESCO Site.
Should you need to use the bathroom before or after your visit, you can find the toilet amenities located next to Bhuana Agung Coffee Shop.
Sunrise in the rice fields
Jatiluwih Rice Fields
Roadside cafe
JATILUWIH HARVEST SEASON
The harvest season at Jatliuwih is every few months, so if you want to see the rice paddies fully grown before the harvest, be sure to visit between the months of February – May and also between September – November.
MUST READ: BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR ANY TRIP
If you visit between the months of June – August, chances are the paddies will be filled with mud, and they won’t be as aesthetic for photos.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
The northern region of Bali is an adventurer’s wonderland that has so much to offer! Be sure to read my other blog posts to discover more popular locations in the region.
Click on the links below to see other related posts:
- Handara Gates
- Sekumpul Waterfall
- Nungnung Waterfall
- Leke Leke Waterfall
- Aling Aling Waterfall
- Wanagiri Hidden Hills Viewpoint
- Banyuwana Amertha Waterfall
Wanagiri Hidden Hill
WHERE TO STAY
Bedugul is the nearest town to the magnificent Jatiluwih rice fields which has dozens of accommodation options to choose from. I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Bedugul to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Saranam Resort & Spa Bedugul
Saranam Resort is the best 5-star accommodation in Bedugul. Featuring a swimming pool, fitness center, spa and restaurant, beautiful gardens, and free wifi. The rooms are modern and spacious with air conditioning, flat-screen tv, a private bathroom, and mountain views. A continental breakfast or English breakfast is included.
Mid Range: Handara Golf & Resort
Handara Golf & Resort is more than just a golf course. The entrance to this accommodation is the most Instagrammed location in Bali. This 3-star resort is set in the beautiful mountains of Bedugul featuring a Japanese restaurant and bar, tennis court, and spa. It’s also very close to waterfalls and temples. The rooms are large with a seating area, minibar, free wifi, flat-screen tv, and lake views. Perfect place to stay for families, friends, and couples.
Budget: Pondok Nyoman
Pondok Nyoman is the best budget accommodation in Bedugul for solo travelers or couples on a budget. Featuring a shared lounge, rice terrace views, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and free wifi. They have double rooms available with a spacious living and a private bathroom. Breakfast is included for all guests.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR BALI
When visiting Bali, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Balinese sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
BEST TOURS IN BALI
MORE BALI TRAVEL GUIDES
- Bali Guide: 2 Week Bali Itinerary
- Bali Waterfalls: Best Bali Waterfalls
- Bali Beaches: Best Beaches In Uluwatu
- Nusa Penida: Things To Do In Nusa Penida
- Nusa Lembongan: Things To Do In Lembongan
- Nusa Ceningan: Things To Do In Nusa Ceningan
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this post and if you have any questions please leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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