Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

The basics

There’s a charge to enter the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces area, payable in cash at checkpoints on the way into the villages. If you’re staying a few days, keep your ticket as proof you’ve paid. Photography and hiking are the main activities here, with a network of well-made, clearly marked trails offering routes from 30-minute strolls to half-day adventures—plus the chance to venture further afield. Besides some small waterfalls, coffee plantations, and the Angseri Hot Spring, attractions include gorgeous and uncrowded temples, with the Besi Kalung Temple a standout. A range of eateries offer staggering views.

As there’s no public transit to Jatiluwih, many travelers opt to visit on a tour, often as part of a day trip that takes in other west Bali attractions, such as nearby Batukaru Temple or coastal Tanah Lot Temple.

Things to know before you go

• The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are a must for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers.

• Landslides can be an issue in Jatiluwih during the rainy season, and travelers have died because they ignored local advice. If you are asked to leave your villa or avoid specific areas, please do so.

• While the shortest trail is fine in flip-flops, most travelers will want to wear sandals or sneakers for the longer trails and bring a rain jacket.

• Check your home country’s food importation rules before buying rice as a souvenir.

• Jatiluwih isn’t a wheelchair-friendly hiking destination. Most paths are steep and involve steps. Parents will want to use slings or back carriers, not strollers.

How to get there

The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces sit in west-central Bali, about a 6-mile (10-kilometer) drive from Batukaru Temple. There’s no public transit, and rideshares don’t operate here (although there are plenty of freelance taxi drivers), so you can join a tour, book a private driver, or self-drive. Only ride a motorcycle in Bali if you are an experienced rider with a license in your home country, full travel medical insurance, and the paperwork required to render your license valid in Indonesia.

When to get there

The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are beautiful all year round, and there’s no specific best season to visit for photography as the subak system means plantings are staggered. It’s generally cooler and rainier than south and coastal Bali, so if you like to stay dry while hiking, visiting during the dry season (roughly May to mid-October) is a good idea—although you may well get wet even then.

Enjoying Jatiluwih rice

Jatiluwih’s organic, sustainable, mineral-rich rice comes in various colors—from red and white to rich chocolate and even black—and you can purchase it at bargain prices at stalls along the main hiking trails, which also helps support small farmers. Warung Bubur Betutu Beras Merah Jatiluwih is a great place to try a local delicacy. A plate of red rice porridge paired with smoky, spicy betu chicken plus a range of sides will cost under US$3.