Overview
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is located approximately 10 km north of central Ubud. It is part of Tegalalang village and is also known as Ceking Rice Terrace. It is an unmissable tourist spot for visitors on their journey through Bali.
It will take you about 20 minutes to get from central Ubud to this location. You can choose to travel by scooter or hire local drivers to take you there. However, in my opinion, choosing to ride a scooter would be a more suitable experience when visiting the rice terrace. Getting to the photo spots will be quicker if you choose to ride a scooter.
A Tegalalang rice terrace photo in September
The terrace is most beautiful around March to April and from September to October. If you want to witness golden ripe rice fields, plan your trip to Bali during these periods. The weather during these times is also very pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold.
At other times of the year, the rice terrace will be lush green, so you will still be able to take beautiful pictures. However, avoid visiting during the rainy season from December to February. Rain showers can significantly affect your experience.
Stunning Spots to Take Photos
Tegalalang has some spots with very beautiful scenery for artistic photography. I have selected the best places to take beautiful pictures for you. Be sure to prepare suitable outfits when visiting these locations.
The Top of the Rice Terrace
The view from the top looking down is a great choice to admire the beauty of the rice terrace. The grandeur of nature and the surrounding landscape will be the highlights of your photos. This is also the location where the terrace receives the most sunlight.
Photo taken at the top of Tegalalang rice terrace
As you walk along the footpath, you’ll soon reach the top of the rice terrace, where you’ll see a stunning view of the green fields. Nearby, you’ll also notice some small huts made of thatch, where the local people live. They are very friendly and hospitable, and they’ll welcome you to rest in their shade. If you’re feeling thirsty, you can also buy some water from them and support their livelihood.
The “I Love Bali” Signs
If you love Bali, you can show it by taking photos with signs that say so. You can find many of these signs at the Tegalalang rice terrace. Just look around and you will see them in different spots, usually near huts or rest areas. If you need help, don’t be shy to ask the locals and vendors. They are very friendly and will gladly point you in the right direction.
Take photos with “I Love Bali” signs
Infinity Pool in TIS Cafe
The hottest Instagrammable spot you should visit when coming to Tegalalang rice terrace is the infinity pool at TIS Cafe. This is a cafe with a view overlooking the rice terrace and promises to deliver beautiful photos for you.
The pool here has 2 levels for you to choose from with an upper pool and a lower pool. Here, you will have relaxing moments with various drinks such as cocktails, and enjoy light meals. Of course, you will also have classy photos with the enthusiastic help of the staff.
Infinity swimming pool next to majestic natural scenery
Some information about TIS Cafe you need to know:
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Open hours: 8 AM - 9 PM
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Drink prices: $3.5 - $12 per glass
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Food prices: $2 - $23 per dish
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Pool use and towel rental fee: around $16 per person
Uma Ceking Swing
Uma Ceking is a great spot for you to take pictures with swings. This area is about 500m south of TIS Cafe, so you only need to travel for about 3 minutes by motorbike to get here.
A tourist plays on the swing at Uma Ceking
The Uma Ceking area has about 4 individual swings and 2 family swings. You can use them unlimitedly when you buy a photography ticket. At each swing, there will be staff to assist you with taking photos.
Some information about Uma Ceking that you need to know:
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Open hours: 8 AM - 7 PM
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Entrance and swing photoshoot ticket price: $14 per person
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Entrance ticket price without swing photoshoot: $3.5 per person
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Other services: luggage storage, costume rental, photo printing, zip lining
A beautiful family swing at Uma Ceking
Bird’s Nests in Tegalalang
There are many bird nests for photo shoots at Tegalalang that you can visit. At TIS Cafe, you can find one. But it's usually crowded because there are many people. For more comfortable shooting, you can go to the Uma Ceiking area. Here, there are many bird nests in different shapes for you to take photos.
The bird's nest at Uma Ceking has a view of a terrace
At the bird nest areas in Uma Ceking, there will always be staff or locals enthusiastically assisting you with taking photos.
Want to explore further? Check out our post about Bali travel guide!
Tips
To have the best experience when visiting the Tegalalang rice terrace, there are some tips you need to know as follows:
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Best time for photography: Around 7 AM to 9 AM is the best time for photography. The light at this time is quite mild and without shadows. These will deliver the best quality photos.
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Bring some cash: To pay for incidental services such as parking fees, photography fees, and tips.
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Get used to locals asking for money: When you enter areas like the rice fields of farmers, they may ask for about $1 to $2. Be happy to give them. Consider it as you are contributing to promoting tourism.
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Protect the landscape and environment: Be aware of protecting the flora and fauna system here and dispose of trash in designated places.
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Park at the nearest point: If you ride a motorbike, you should park at Uma Ceking or TIS Cafe so that the travel time to the photo spots is not too long.
The enchanting Tegalalang rice terrace is sure to make your Bali adventure more captivating than ever before. This destination is an absolute must-visit if you're looking to capture stunning photographs. Should you have any inquiries about Bali tour, please don't hesitate to get in touch with New Asia Tours. We're always here, ready to support you on all your journeys.
