Rice cultivation in Bali is an age-old tradition. One of the most unique things to do in Bali is to visit one of these rice fields yourself. Just after the rains, the fields are green and blooming. I visited the rice fields in Tegalalang and Canggu and found them to be very soothing and great for pictures. The trek through the fields was very interesting. It started to rain while I was trying to take a drone shot so I had to save myself and the drone at the same time. The people there were very nice though and we had a guy that let us sit in his bamboo hut and take pictures for free. He seemed very happy to have the company. This article highlights the top rice fields in all regions of Bali that you can visit.
History of rice cultivation in Bali
Rice cultivation has been an intrinsic part of Balinese culture for centuries. The origins of rice cultivation in Bali date back to the 9th century when Hindu priests from neighboring Java introduced the art of paddy farming to the island. Over time, through meticulous agricultural practices and the construction of intricate irrigation systems known as “Subak,” the Balinese perfected the art of growing rice. This sustainable and communal method of farming has not only sustained the island’s population but also contributed to the preservation of its unique cultural heritage.
Tour to rice fields in Bali
There are lots of tours that take you around the island’s most famous rice fields. I would recommend the tours that go to Tegalalang rice fields because there are lots of swings and bamboo structures here to click pictures at.
How to get to Bali rice fields
Scooter
If you’re comfortable riding a scooter, this can be a fun and affordable way to get to Bali rice fields. You can rent a scooter from various rental shops in Bali for around IDR 60,000 – IDR 80,000 per day (approximately USD 4 – USD 6). Be sure to wear a helmet, and make sure your scooter is in good condition before you hit the road.
Local taxi
Taxis are widely available in Bali, and you can easily hire one to take you anywhere. Gojek and Grab are two apps that are like Ubers for Bali. They can easily take you to the rice fields.
Rent a car
Renting a car can be a comfortable and convenient option, especially if you’re traveling with a group. You can rent a car for around IDR 800,000 – IDR 1,200,000 (approximately USD 55 – USD 85) for a full day. This will include pick up and drop off at your accommodation.
Best time to visit Bali rice fields
The most ideal time to explore Bali’s rice fields is during the planting and harvesting seasons, which typically occur between April and September. During this period, the fields are transformed into a vibrant palette of various shades of green. I visited the fields during October when some of them had already been harvested so some areas were green while the rest of the areas were barren and waiting for next season.
Rice fields in Bali
North Bali
- Jatiluwih
- Pupuan
- Munduk
- Belimbing
East Bali
- Sidemen
- Rendang
- Tirta Gangga
West Bali
- Pererenan
- Soka
Ubud
- Tegallalang
- Payangan
North Bali
Jatiluwih
Jatiluwih is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for the traditional Subak irrigation system that the locals use to water the paddy fields. The rice fields at Jatiluwih are huge and you can walk for kilometers through them. Since the fields are enormous you have the option of doing one of the hikes or going on a bicycle ride. There are multiple routes for the trekking market in Jatiluwih. You can choose them depending on how far you want to walk.
The rice fields look especially picturesque since they are situated in the shadow of Mount Batukaru. These rice fields are less frequented than those ones closer to the cities so there are less people here. The best way to visit these rice fields is on the way to Munduk if you are going to northern Bali. Another option is to do a tour that includes the rice fields in Jatiluwih.
Pupuan
Pupuan’s rice fields have a sprawling area with rice fields rolling over hills in every direction. You will only find the locals here because very few people know of this area. There are some beautiful waterfalls and viewpoints in this area. You should make a point to trek through the rice fields to the waterfalls for a truly surreal experience. There aren’t many hotels in this area so it’s best to start early in the day, get here by mid morning for the trek and head back to your hotel at the end of the day. A day trip to the Pupuan rice fields will give you enough time to explore the area.
Munduk
Munduk is a very well known destination for the huge number of waterfalls surrounding it. Lots of people have begun to come here in recent years to trek and swim in all the waterfalls near here. This has also made the rice fields in Munduk popular. Lots of companies do treks near the village of Munduk that take you through the four waterfalls and the rice fields. Since the Ulun Danu Bratan temple and Lake Bratan are also next door it’s a good choice to spend a few days in Munduk to visit all these places. There are lots of resorts in Munduk that are right in the middle of the rice fields. You will feel like you are in a different world when you wake up with the rice fields outside your door.
Belimbing
Belimbing is 30 minutes away from Pupuan also in the west part of Bali. It isn’t too far from Canggu so it’s an interesting place to explore for a day trip. The area in Belimbing is very fertile and crops such as mangosteen, coffee and clove are also grown along with rice. What makes this area especially picturesque is that on clear days you can see Mount Batukaru in the near distance. If you are making your way to this area then don’t forget to also hike the Sing Sing Waterfall.
East Bali
Sidemen
Sidemen is one of the most underrated places in Bali. The whole village is surrounded on all sides by lush green rice fields. You can walk out of the town in any direction and find rice fields. For a more sorted experience, there are lots of hiking trails that go through the rice fields. The rice fields are a big source of attraction here so there are local guides that you can hire to take you to all the viewpoints. These rice fields had a really raw feel in my opinion. The area has very little tourist influence and you get a feel of how the local people live and how much impact the rice harvesting has on their lives.
Rendang
This is a very beautiful and interesting part of Bali that is rarely visited by tourists. Tourists visit the nearby Sidemen valley but don’t venture far enough into Rendang unless it’s to visit Besakih temple. Rendang retains its beautiful raw feel of Bali. The rice fields are gorgeous and green in the month of September. From the rice fields in Rendang you can see Mount Agung which is the highest peak in Bali. Rendang is much quieter than Sidemen so it has a more authentic feel than other areas in East Bali. The Telaga Waja river also flows through this region. There are many companies that organize river rafting tours in this area.
Tirta Gangga
Most people visit the east side of the island to go to the Tirta Gangga water palace but did you know that the palace is surrounded by beautiful rice fields? You can do both of these on the same trip. There are a few short hikes that you can do on your own. Tirta Gangga is a tourist place so if you want you can also hire a guide to take you on one of the longer hikes in the area. The longest hike takes you through 4 local villages and is 6 hours long. I would recommend getting here early to visit the water palace before the crowds arrive and then once it starts getting crowded, take a guide and do a one hour tour of the rice fields.
Snorkel with Manta Rays Tour
Nusa Penida has some of the most amazing snorkeling with Manta Rays. Tours go to Manta Bay and Crystal Bay to swim with manta rays that come right up to you. Manta Rays are huge 5 meter long marine animals that gently glide along in the water. Swimming with them is one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
If you are in Bali you can do the manta ray tour from Bali on a speedboat or you can do the manta rays tour from Nusa Penida if you are already on the island.
West Bali
Pererenan/Canggu
If you are going to Bali chances are you will visit Canggu. It is the hub of all foreigners and influencers in Bali. If you do not have the time to go visit one of the further rice fields than the rice fields in Canggu and Pererenan are a good option for a quick hike in nature. If you go north of Canggu you will find the more local and laid back area of Pererenan that is dotted with rice fields. You can take some great pictures here.
Please be considerate of the rice fields as lots of people recently have been trampling on the rice fields in Canggu to get good pictures. It is very easy to find these rice fields, just ask a local where you can find them and they will point you in the right direction. Jalan Babadan and Jalan Sempol are two places where there are rice fields in Pererenan.
Soka
With the Tanah Lot Temple nearby and being quite close to Canggu and Kuta its surprising that Soka rice fields arent more popular. But this is a good thing for those people that want to visit rice fields closer to home and still feel like they are surrounded by nature. Soka rice fields in Bali are a huge area with lots of adjacent rice fields rolling over the hills. If you get here early in the morning the light is perfect for some great shots. The rice fields are very close to the beach and you can walk to the beach for sunset. You can easily rent a scooter and drive to these rice fields yourself from Canggu or Kuta for a day trip.
Central Bali/Ubud
Tegalalang
Tegalalang is the most famous of the rice fields in Bali because it’s so close to Ubud. Ubud used to have a lot of rice fields in past years but now you have to travel a little further to Tegalalang to see the really beautiful untouched rice fields. The rice fields have become very popular so expect to see a few people there. You can park your scooter at any one of the parking lots and then walk into the rice fields. There are no official entrance fees to go to the rice fields but some of the farmers charge a fee to walk through their land.
Since Tegalalang is the most commercialized, you will also find a lot of swings and bamboo structures here where you can take pictures. Most of the pictures on Instagram in front of the rice fields have been taken on these swings. Tegalalang is about 1 hour away from Ubud by scooter and the road is fairly straightforward. One of the best places to visit is Tis Cafe which has an infinity pool overlooking the rice fields.
Payangan/Kelusa
These rice fields are even closer to Ubud than Tegalalang rice fields. It will take you just 20-30 minutes to get to them. They are a great alternative if you don’t want to drive for an hour to the rice fields further away. The Ayung River flows through here and a beautiful forest surrounds the area. There are lots of local villages here and you can go and explore the rice fields at any one of them. The Campuhan Ridge Walk in the outskirts of Ubud is a beautiful short hike from where you can see the rice fields far away.
Conclusion
Exploring the rice fields of Bali is an opportunity to connect with nature, immerse yourself in the island’s rich heritage, and witness the labor of love that sustains the Balinese people. From the expansive terraces of Jatiluwih to the serene beauty of Sidemen, Bali’s rice fields have the perfect blend of nature and peace.
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