Sadly that also means the place is getting more and more crowded and it’s turned into a bit of a tourist trap, but it’s easy to see why it was partly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s still one of the most interesting rice paddies Bali has to offer, and if you come here in the right month, it’s one of the brightest shades of green you’ll ever see!
This travel guide will explain how to get to Tegalalang, and everything you need to know before you go!
Where To Stay
Visiting The Tegalalang Rice Terrace
The Tegallalang rice terraces (also known as the Ceking terrace, or Tegallalang) uses Bali’s ancient Subak irrigation system, with rice paddies arranged in descending layers.
After taking pictures from above, there’s a path where you can walk down into the valley and see the terraces up close.
The trail is steeper and tougher than it looks, and in my opinion the best photos are at the top anyway. So you don’t need to bother with hiking if you aren’t in the mood.
Still, I would plan to spend at least 1 hour looking around here, or longer if you really want to explore.
Jungle Swings
The Tegalalang rice terrace has a bunch of swings you can pay to use, and some of them have nice backgrounds for pictures.
Personally I’m not a fan of the tacky swings and props, and I think they ruin the natural landscape. One swing is fine, but there are tons of them now! I think it’s crazy.
This place is becoming very overdeveloped, and it’s a shame (more on that later).
Hours & Entrance Fees
- Hours: 7 AM – 6 PM
- Entry:* 10k IDR (~$1)
- Swings: 50k-200k IDR (haggle)
*There’s no formal entrance fee at Tegalalang, but some of the farmers may ask for a small donation to pass through their fields. Just keep some small money handy, and don’t give more than like 10k Rupiah.
Best Time To Visit
The Tegalalang rice terrace is greenest right before the harvest.
In my experience, this seems to be the months of Mach/April and September/October, among others. February is nice too, because you can see the newly planted rice paddies filled with water.
The best time of day to visit is early in the morning, especially before sunrise when the morning light shines through the palm trees. You’ll also beat the heat and crowds like this.
Are There Snakes At Tegalalang?
It’s possible there may be snakes at the Tegalalang rice terrace, but they try to avoid humans so you’re unlikely to ever run into them.
In many visits to Tegalalang over the years, I’ve never seen a snake, and I’ve definitely never heard of a tourist being bitten by a snake here, even though lots of tourists walk through the rice terraces every day.
It’s not really something to worry about. Just keep an eye on where you’re walking, and you shouldn’t have any issues. If you do see a snake in Bali, give it plenty of space and treat it with caution. Bali snakes are not to be messed with.
Read More: Snakes In Bali
Overdevelopment
Let’s talk for a minute about overdevelopment. Tegalalang is quickly becoming a cluttered tourist trap.
My pictures don’t really show this, but it’s getting harder and harder to take decent pics here without the many tree swings, sidewalks, shops and gaudy props in the way.
The Ceking rice field looks nothing like it did when I first came here in 2017. Back then, Tegalalang really did look like the postcards. Nowadays? No way.
What was formerly a scenic and iconic place in nature, has turned into almost a weird, tacky theme park or something. The ridiculous swings are everywhere. What’s happened?!
Hopefully the government of Bali will intervene and protect this gem before it turns into even more of a circus. I wouldn’t say it’s ruined just yet, but it’s headed that direction quickly.
If you want to help, please don’t patronize the many swings or zip lines. I wouldn’t even eat at the restaurants here if you can avoid it. All it does is motivate the poor locals to build even more of them in the already crowded rice terraces.
Tegalalang was one of Bali’s most wonderful nature spots. Let’s protect it. Besides, there are lots of other swings elsewhere in Bali with more scenic views.
How To Get There
The Ceking terrace is located at Tegalalang in central Bali, Indonesia.
From the Ubud town center, it’s just a 15 minute drive north.
The best way to get there is to rent a scooter or hire a private car and driver (both of these can be booked online).
The Tegalalang rice terrace is near the road, so you can’t miss it!
Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental
If you want to explore Bali in the comfort and safety of a private car with an English speaking driver, my top recommendation would be GetYourGuide.
Their price is 650k Rupiah ($45 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali (up to 10 hours) for 1-5 passengers. That’s the total price for the whole car + driver + petrol! It’s a great deal. They also offer affordable hotel transfers from the airport.
If you’d rather travel by motorbike, they have that too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, rain coat, and free delivery in the south Bali area.
We’ve used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.
Book Now: Bali Private Driver / Scooter Rental
Ubud Hotels
See Also
- Ubud Travel Guide – Best Things To Do In Ubud Bali
- 3-Day Ubud Itinerary – Touring Bali’s Cultural Center
- Ubud Temple Guide – Best Temples In Ubud Bali
- Ubud Waterfall Guide – Best Waterfalls Near Ubud Bali
- 10-Day Bali Itinerary & Nusa Penida Highlights
- Bali Temple Guide – The Best Temples In Bali
- Bali Waterfalls Guide – The Best Waterfalls In Bali
- Bali Beach Guide – The Best Beaches In Bali
- Most Beautiful Indonesian Islands – Best Places To Visit In Indonesia
- Bali Travel Guide – Info, Pictures, & Blog
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