5 Things They Don't Tell You About the Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Frolicking in the Tegalalang Rice Terraces is up there on a lot of people’s bucket lists, and I can see why. The luscious green grass acts as the perfect backdrop for a sunrise or sunset that’s sure to wow every time. As someone who has experienced these famous rice terraces on one sunny January afternoon, I can both confirm and deny the common myths you’ve probably heard thus far. To learn about five things people DON’T tell you about the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, take a look at the guide I’ve composed below.

1. Visitors Must Make a Mandatory Donation

Even though the rice terraces are a natural attraction, they are a major tourist landmark bringing in millions of people per year. In my opinion, the Balinese people deserve to make a little money from this- and they do! They charge approximately 15,000 IDR per person, which equates to $1 per person. It is also 5,000 IDR for parking, which is less than $1. Regardless, if you are just coming to visit and not doing any guided tours, you can expect to pay less than $4 a person. If you are looking for a more exclusive experience, you can book a guided tour in advance and learn more about the rice terraces than you would just visiting yourself. In addition, there is a swing visitors can pay to swing on, making the place even more Instagrammable than it already is. 

2. The Best Time to Visit is Sunrise or Sunset

Per usual, the best time to visit any popular spot like this is right before sunrise or sunset. This way you can beat the crowds and take more dreamy photos and videos. The crowds tend to show up after about 9:00am and leave around 6:00pm so if you can get yourself to these rice terraces outside of those hours, you’ll be golden (literally- you will be there for golden hour…eeeek!!) 

3. It's Very Muddy

Have you ever noticed that you NEVER see people’s shoes in their pictures when they visit this spot? Okay, yes, it’s partially because the tall grass covers it, but it’s also because of the mud! While you might think you want to plan your cutest outfit for this stop, I advise you plan carefully. I wore open toed sandals with overalls that had pretty long pants and it all got muddy.

This spot is perfect to wear cute printed shorts and vibrant hued dresses with sandals that are either easy to clean or that you don’t care about getting muddy. Don’t wear any white shoes unless you’re ready to tiptoe through the rice or come home caked in mud! 

4. You Will Be Walking Uphill

When I think back to the rice terraces, I picture multiple levels of grass ascending up into the horizon. Unfortunately, there is no magic elevator to take you up. You have to walk, which means walking uphill for about 25 minutes to get the best views. All I can tell you is to wear comfortable shoes, try to arrive when it isn’t the hottest part of the day, and that the more you walk, the better the view is! 

5. Wear Mosquito Repellent (Duh!)

Where there is tall grass, there are mosquitos. It’s a well-known fact, but something we often forget about when traveling. As long as you give yourself a good spritz, especially on the areas where your skin is showing, you should be good! It can be hard to enjoy a sightseeing spot when you’re getting eaten alive by mosquitos so repellent can go a long way! 

Final Thoughts

No matter what time you go, what you wear, or how muddy you may or may not get, this is one of the most beautiful places I visited in Bali. My friends and I loved walking through the grass, taking pictures, and talking to the local vendors. Make sure it's on your itinerary!