The air smells different up in Ubud's highlands. Cooler, somehow greener with this earthy richness that hits you the moment you step out of the car. It's coffee country up here, and the plantations dotting the hillsides north of town have turned into one of Bali's most popular agro-tourism experiences.
A coffee plantation tour in Ubud isn't just about caffeine. It's about understanding how Balinese farmers transform raw beans into aromatic brews, and what really goes into making the world's most expensive coffee. The best part? Most plantations don't charge entrance fees, though you'll want to budget for tastings and maybe a bag of beans to bring home.
Here's what you need to know before you go.
Every plantation operates slightly differently, but the basic structure stays consistent. You arrive, get assigned a guide (sometimes you just fall in with whoever's starting a tour), and begin walking through growing areas while learning about coffee cultivation in Bali.
Your guide explains the difference between Arabica and Robusta beans. Shows you plants at various growth stages. Demonstrates traditional roasting using clay pans over wood fires, and maybe lets you try grinding beans with mortar and pestle if you ask nicely.
Then comes the tasting. Most plantations offer between eight and fourteen varieties arranged on trays: regular coffee, ginger coffee, coconut coffee, vanilla, ginseng, turmeric tea, cocoa blends, pandan leaf tea. You try them in whatever order appeals, comparing flavors and strengths, asking questions between sips.
The whole experience typically lasts forty-five minutes to an hour, though you can linger longer over tastings if you want. Most plantations also grow cacao, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, and tropical fruits, so you're learning about more than just coffee even if that's the main focus.
Anyone researching an Ubud coffee plantation tour will hear about kopi luwak and wonder if they should try it. Short answer? Absolutely!
Here's what it is: coffee beans eaten and excreted by Asian palm civets, with digestive enzymes supposedly creating smoother, less acidic coffee. This process has made it one of the world's most expensive coffees, sometimes selling for over $1,500 per pound internationally.
Here, you can enjoy them for around $10, straight from the plantation!
Twenty minutes north of central Ubud, Bali Pulina sprawls across hillsides that drop dramatically into jungle valleys below. This place has figured out how to balance tourism with education.
Entrance is free, but expect to pay around 65,000 rupiah for the tasting tray to sample around fourteen different varieties while perched on a terrace overlooking nothing but green. They've got the classics: ginger coffee that warms from the inside out, coconut coffee that tastes like vacation, vanilla-infused brews that smell better than they taste (though they taste pretty good).
There's also a jungle swing if you're thinking about crossing it off your list, plus a hidden natural pool tucked into the valley that costs extra but might be worth it if you're overheated from the climb down.
Address: Jl. Raya Pujung Kaja, Sebatu, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561
Phone: 0811-394-462
Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thirty minutes from central Ubud, Segara Windhu perches on the edge of a jungle valley with views that make you stop mid-sip and just stare. The plantation itself is straightforward. Just walk through the growing areas, watch roasting demonstrations, settle onto the tasting terrace with your sample tray.
The location works well if you're heading toward Mount Batur or Kintamani. Stop here on the way up or back, spend forty-five minutes soaking in views and sampling coffees, then continue on. Simple, scenic, satisfying.
Address: banjar temen, Jl. Raya Kintamani, Manukaya, Kec. Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552
Phone: 0812-3827-3273
Hours: 8 AM - 5 30 PM
Satria feels different immediately. Smaller, quieter, more interested in teaching than selling. This is where you come when you want the authentic experience of luwak coffee in Ubud, while exposing yourself to the rich heritage of spices in Bali!
The plantation sits near Tegallalang, making it easy to combine with rice terrace visits. Everything's free from entry, tour, even tasting (save for premium bean experiences).
Your guide walks you through the property explaining traditional processing methods, and shows you fire-roasting techniques that haven't changed in decades. The tastings happen on terraces overlooking rice paddies and jungle valleys, and there's genuinely no pressure to buy anything. Though honestly, after learning about their process and trying their beans, you might want to anyway.
Address: Lodtunduh, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571
Tebasari takes the plantation concept and expands it similar to Satria Agrowisata. The grounds are spacious, the guides adapt to different interests, and you can actually learn about multiple crops in one visit, from coffee, chocolate, and tea.
This works particularly well for families or groups who want variety. The hands-on experience allows you to create your own brews and take home a piece of quality Balinese goods!
Address: Jl. Raya Gelogor, Lodtunduh, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Phone: (0361) 9585022
Lumbung Sari specializes in Luwak coffee, so if you're curious about the world's most expensive coffee, this is where you'd come. The plantation keeps civets on-site, and guides will explain the entire process: how civets select and digest the ripest coffee cherries, until how the beans are collected, washed, and roasted.
You'll get the standard free tasting flight, plus the option to try Luwak coffee for an additional fee!
Address: Jl. A.A. Gede Rai, Lodtunduh, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Phone: 0857-3887-8109
Hours: 9 AM - 7 PM
Kumulilir has it all! The tour includes a walk through coffee, cacao, and spice gardens for free. It's simple, genuine, and unhurried. Just exactly what an Ubud coffee plantation tour should feel like. For a tasting experience, prices range from IDR 70,000 to IDR 90,000, complete with a side of the iconic banana fritters and a magnificent view.
After learning about how to turn beans to brew, you can even ‘swing by’ for an actual swing ride over the lush valley for that final Instagram shot.
Address: Jl. Raya Pujung Kaja, Sebatu, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561
Phone: 0812-2696-8228
Hours: 8 AM - 6.30 PM
Most plantations welcome walk-in visitors without advance booking. Show up between operating hours, which typically run 9 AM to 5 PM, and you're good to go. Mornings before 10 AM tend to be quieter, with cooler temperatures and better light for photos.
The easiest way to visit is hiring a private driver for the day. Costs run 500,000 to 800,000 rupiah ($35-50 USD) for full-day hire, and your driver handles navigation, parking, and can recommend lesser-known spots or suggest good lunch places.
Combine your plantation visit with nearby attractions to maximize the drive time. Tegalalang Rice Terraces sits five minutes from most plantations. Tirta Empul Temple is fifteen minutes away. It's perfect for a daytrip around Ubud without going back and forth.
Bring cash as several plantations don't accept cards. Small bills help for tipping, who typically expect IDR 20,000 to 50,000 depending on service quality.
The coffee itself makes excellent gifts and costs significantly less than you'd pay overseas. Expect to pay IDR 40,000 to 70,000 for flavored varieties, IDR 30,000 to 50,000 for traditional roasted beans. Luwak coffee runs IDR 200,000 to 500,000 rupiah per pack, but still cheaper than international prices.
A coffee plantation tour fits naturally into most Ubud itineraries. It's not an all-day commitment; it's more like a pleasant morning stop that adds depth to your understanding of Balinese culture while providing excellent views and decent coffee.
The key is treating it as one element in a larger day rather than the main event. Unless you're a serious coffee enthusiast doing research, visiting multiple plantations gets repetitive quickly. Pick one that matches your priorities be it views, authenticity, activities, location, and spend your remaining time exploring complementary attractions.
If you’re interested in exploring more of what Bali has to offer, you can definitely reserve our Mashara Sutra Romantic Getaway for an in-depth adventure around Ubud that includes a guided coffee plantation tour, transforming the beauty of heritage. A full day of cultural immersion before returning to Abisena Wellness & Resort Ubud for a much-needed relaxation.
