Which visit to choose
| Option | What it is | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Bali Pulina (Tegalalang) | Guided visit of about 1 hour, tasting, luwak coffee; one guide mentions a ticket of about 250,000 IDR with samples, a cup of luwak, snacks and a guide | Families and anyone who wants an easy stop with the rice terrace and the swing |
| Cantik Agriculture (between Tegalalang and Tirta Empul) | Free guided visit, tasting of 10 to 14 teas and coffees, a cup of luwak for about 50,000 IDR | A small budget and a short stop |
| Satria (Sebatu) | Platter of 8 to 10 free coffees and teas, included in "rice terraces, temple and coffee" tours | A full day with a temple and rice terraces |
| Uma Pakel (Tegalalang) | Described as a visit showing the luwak coffee process, from bean to roasting | Anyone who wants to understand how it is made |
Luwak coffee: what to know
Luwak coffee is made from beans digested by the Asian palm civet. Guides and a study published in the journal Animal Welfare point out that demand has pushed producers to keep civets in cages, in conditions that fail to meet the animal's basic needs. Activists claim that caged civets are force-fed beans; Bali Pulina denies such methods. One 2026 guide advises skipping the caged civets, since the tasting leads to an expensive shop, and treating these stops as good for the view, less so for specialty coffee. If you want to try luwak, ask whether the civets are wild or caged; otherwise, taste the ordinary coffee, which is much cheaper.
How to book: alone or on a tour
Most people go through a one-day tour rather than a detour on their own. On GetYourGuide, the Bali Pulina visit with swing and Tegalalang rice terraces includes an hour of guided visit and tasting (luwak, robusta, arabica); the 8-hour "rice terraces, temple and coffee" tour goes through the Sebatu plantation; there are also private half-days where the plantation is optional. Reviews are mixed: one traveller finds the tasting "worth doing", another thinks the visit does not justify the price and lacks explanations. To compare all the excursions in the area, see Ubud in one day: which tour to choose; for the rice fields, the Tegalalang rice terraces.
Tips
- Pay for luwak by the cup and do not go up to the shop if you do not want to buy anything: sales pressure is often mentioned.
- Bring small notes for tips and the shop.
- No big purchase of "luwak" coffee in a bag with no origin: fakes exist.
- Driver or tour: the area is poorly served by public transport; see private driver in Bali.
FAQ
How much does a coffee plantation visit in Bali cost? Often free with a tasting, with luwak as an extra (about 50,000 IDR a cup), or about 250,000 IDR at Bali Pulina according to one guide.
How long should I allow? About an hour on site.
Is luwak coffee ethical? It depends on the origin: many civets are kept in cages. Ask, or skip the luwak.
Which plantation should I choose near Ubud? Bali Pulina for ease, Cantik for being free, Satria if you do a "rice terraces and temple" tour.
