For decades, Bali has been seen by many as an affordable travel destination.
As the launchpad for thousands of backpacking adventures and budget-friendly family vacations, tourists have always appreciated value for money in Bali.
Yet, in 2024, it seems that all this is changing and fast. Another of Bali’s leading landmarks has announced that it is increasing ticket prices for the year ahead.
The world-famous UNESCO Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Tabanan Regency are hiking entry fees for both domestic and international tourists.
The new prices will come into effect on the 1st of April. Domestic children will pay IDR 5,000, domestic adults will pay IDR 15,000; foreign children must pay IDR 40,000, and foreign adults IDR 50,000.
@lanceleohh My favourite spot in Bali – Jatiluwih Rice Terrace #bali #balitravel #balitrip #indonesia #riceterrace #jatiluwihriceterrace #jatiluwih #tegalalangriceterrace #tegalalang #tegalalangbali #balilife #thebaliguideline #baligasm #baliisland #viral #fyp #foryoupage ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
In the grand scheme of things, these prices remain a fair rate for the experience but are certainly reflective of rising prices across the board.
The Jatiluwih Tourism Manager, I Ketut Purna, said that the plan to increase the entrance ticket rate for this government-managed tourist attraction had gone through a study and been granted approval from the management body.
Purna said, “It will take effect from the 1st of April 2024. We will socialize this in the next two to three months first.”
He ensured that the increase in entrance ticket rates would not burden tourists. In fact, among the government-managed tourism sites in Bali, entrance tickets to Jatiluwih are still the cheapest.
Purna added, “Not even a dollar. So it is still natural and normal.”
@barlyantvici Mendung-mendung yang pas buat bengong sambil liatin sawah 🌾🍃 #tabanan #tabananbali #jatiluwihbali #riceterrace #cafebali #placetogobali #kulinerbali #barlyrecommend ♬ my love mine all mine sped up – ✰
One of the reasons why prices haven’t increased more for Jatiluwih is the availability of parking spaces.
Currently, Jatiluwih management is trying to provide sufficient parking spaces, something that has been a problem for tourists who want to visit.
Purna explained that efforts were being made to bring the parking space near the village cemetery by renting land belonging to residents.
The new parking lot is under construction and is expected to be completed in April 2024.
Purna told reporters, “Hopefully, it will be completed in April 2024. We tried speeding. “So far, parking has always been a problem.”
@padesignstudio Going to the rice fields is like going home 🌾🌿 #baliliving #baliricetarrace #ricefieldview #ricefields #balitravelguide #whattodoinbali #balinature #jatiluwihbali #northbali ♬ Surrender – Natalie Taylor
Purna explained that now is a good time for tourists to visit Jatiluwih Rice Terraces since it is the low season.
He added that at the moment, the working rice-terraced landscape is explored by about 500 people every day, with as many as 1,500 people visiting in the high season.
Over in Karangasem Regency, tourism managers have confirmed that the Gates of Heaven Temple, known officially as Pura Lempuyang, will be increasing entry prices in 2024.
Much like at Jatiluwih, visitor numbers have plummeted in the last few weeks, meaning tourists don’t have to queue for as long to get their all-important photo between the temple gates.
Leaders at Lempuyang Temple have not yet revealed how much ticket prices will increase, though fees are expected to stay in line with other attractions and landmarks in the area.
Over 90% of visitors to Lempuyang Temple are foreigners, many of whom visit the temple as part of a longer day trip around the central and eastern highlands of Bali.
Entry tickets for the moment stand at the entrance ticket to Lempuyang Temple for domestic tourists is IDR 30,000 per person and IDR 55,000 for foreign tourists. The price increase is set to be introduced in March 2024.
These price increases all come just as Bali lovers are being asked to pay an additional IDR 150,000 per person per visit to the island.
The new Bali tourism tax will come into effect on the 14th of February, and funds are set to help promote more sustainable tourism on the island.
Bali lovers have been openly discussing all these price increases online, with many mixed feelings floating around.
Some say they are starting to look elsewhere, while others feel that this is simply part of the changing world as we know it and that these increases are a small price to pay for a vacation in paradise.
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