# Luwak Coffee Plantations, Bali

> Luwak coffee (kopi luwak) is made from beans that have passed through the gut of the Asian palm civet, a small animal called luwak in Indonesian. In Bali you taste it at coffee plantations near Tegallalang and along the Ubud–Kintamani road: entry and a tea-and-coffee tasting are usually free, and a cup of luwak costs about IDR 50,000–100,000. A visit takes 30–45 minutes.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/luwak-coffee

- City: [Bali](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali), Indonesia
- YesGo score: 34/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 45 min
- Opening hours: Usually ≈ 8:00–18:00 (unconfirmed)
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Entry and tasting: Usually free
- Cup of luwak: ≈ IDR 50,000–100,000
- Made by: Asian palm civet (luwak)
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes
- Location: Plantations near Tegallalang, ≈ 10 km from Ubud
- Coordinates: -8.42770, 115.27880
- Facts checked: 10.11.2026

## Key facts

- **Civet** — the Asian palm civet is the animal behind kopi luwak (source: Indonesian wildlife references)
- **Luwak** — is the Indonesian name for the civet; kopi means coffee (source: references)
- **Free** — entry and tasting at most plantations (source: Bali travel guides)
- **≈ 10 km** — from Ubud to the plantations near Tegallalang (source: OSRM route)
- **≈ 8 km** — to Tirta Empul temple (source: OSRM route)

## What is kopi luwak?

Kopi luwak is 'made' by the **Asian palm civet**, a small, cat-sized nocturnal animal with a long tail and a masked face. In Indonesian it's called **luwak** — hence *kopi luwak*, 'civet coffee'.

The civet eats **ripe coffee cherries**: the fruit is digested, but the beans pass through almost whole. They're collected, carefully **washed, dried and roasted**. Enzymes in the animal's gut are said to change the beans, giving a smoother, less bitter cup.

## Visiting a Bali coffee plantation

Agrotourism plantations are gardens of coffee trees, cacao, vanilla, spices and fruit. A guide walks you round for free, shows you the plants and then how beans are **hand-roasted** in clay pans and ground in a mortar.

At the end you sit on a terrace overlooking jungle or rice fields for a **free tasting**: 8–14 small cups of teas and coffees — ginger, lemongrass, coconut, vanilla, cocoa. A **cup of luwak** is ordered separately.

## Kopi luwak price in Bali

At the plantations a cup of luwak costs about **IDR 50,000–100,000**. Shops on site sell luwak beans and ground coffee in packs, priced well above ordinary Balinese coffee.

Prices vary between plantations and aren't officially published. Before buying a pack, check its weight and contents — cheaper blends are usually on the same shelf.

> **Is luwak coffee ethical?** Many tourist plantations keep civets in cages and feed them coffee cherries, which animal welfare groups consider cruel. Genuinely wild-collected luwak is rare. If that matters to you, ask where the beans come from — or simply enjoy the tasting of ordinary Balinese coffee and teas.

## Where to try luwak coffee

Most plantations are **north of Ubud**: around the **Tegallalang** rice terraces and along the road to **Kintamani** and Mount Batur. Their signs pop up every few kilometres, and drivers and guides happily stop on the way.

A visit fits neatly with the **Tegallalang terraces** (under a kilometre away) and **Tirta Empul temple** (about 8 km). Almost every north Bali tour includes a plantation stop.

## How to get to the coffee plantations

1. **From Ubud** — about 10 km north, 20–30 minutes by taxi or scooter.
2. **North Bali tour** — a plantation stop is usually included.
3. **On the way to Mount Batur** — plantations line the road to Kintamani.
4. Nearby: Tegallalang rice terraces and Tirta Empul temple.

## What does luwak taste like?

Luwak is a **smooth coffee with mild bitterness** and little sharp acidity, usually brewed Balinese-style, straight in the cup without a filter. Many people are surprised that it tastes simply pleasant and even rather than extraordinary.

At the tasting it's more interesting to compare it with **Balinese robusta and arabica** and the herbal teas — that way you'll know whether you like luwak enough to pay extra.

## Is it worth it?

A plantation stop is a pleasant half-hour break on a trip north of Ubud: a free tasting, a spice garden and a jungle view.

YesGo's take: luwak itself is expensive, tastes little different from good regular coffee, and the civets are often caged. Enjoy the free tasting, and only order a cup of luwak if you're comfortable with how the animals are kept.

## Ubud and around compared

Places in and around Ubud rated by YesGo.

- [Campuhan Ridge Walk](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/campuhan-ridge) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · free
- [Ubud Monkey Forest](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ubud-monkey-forest) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · IDR 130,000
- [Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/goa-gajah) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Luwak coffee plantations](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/luwak-coffee) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free; luwak ≈ IDR 50,000–100,000
- [Bali Swing](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/bali-swing) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ≈ IDR 300,000–650,000
- [Ayung River Rafting](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ayung-rafting) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ IDR 400,000–500,000
- [Tegenungan Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tegenungan-waterfall) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 20,000–30,000
- [Kanto Lampo Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/kanto-lampo-waterfall) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ≈ IDR 25,000
- [Devil's Tear](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/devils-tear) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
- [Tegallalang Rice Terraces](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tegallalang) — YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 15,000–50,000
- [Gunung Kawi](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/gunung-kawi) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Handara Gate](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/handara-gate) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · ≈ IDR 50,000 photo fee
- [Goa Lawah Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/goa-lawah) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ≈ IDR 30,000
- [Sidemen Valley](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/sidemen) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free
- [Tukad Cepung Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tukad-cepung-waterfall) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 25,000
- [Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/broken-beach) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Small fee
- [Nusa Ceningan](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/nusa-ceningan) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free
- [Penglipuran Village](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/penglipuran) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Karang Boma Cliff](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/karang-boma) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ≈ IDR 10,000–20,000
- [Mount Agung](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/mount-agung) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 10 h · tour ≈ IDR 1,250,000–2,800,000
- [Mount Batur](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/mount-batur) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · tour ≈ IDR 600,000–1,500,000
- [Lake Batur](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/lake-batur) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free; hot springs ≈ IDR 200,000
- [Kelingking Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/kelingking-beach) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Small fee
- [Diamond Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/diamond-beach) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Small fee
- [Atuh Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/atuh-beach) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Small fee
- [Bali Zoo](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/bali-zoo) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ IDR 350,000–400,000
- [Bali Bird Park](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/bali-bird-park) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 385,000
- [Jatiluwih Rice Terraces](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/jatiluwih) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000
- [Crystal Bay](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/crystal-bay) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Small fee
- [Amed](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/amed) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free
- [Pemuteran](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/pemuteran) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free
- [Sekumpul Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/sekumpul-waterfall) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 20,000–250,000
- [Manta Point](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/manta-point) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Tour only
- [West Bali National Park](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/west-bali-national-park) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ IDR 200,000 + guide
- [Menjangan Island](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/menjangan) — YesGo score 15/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · trip ≈ IDR 500,000
- [Bali Safari Park](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/bali-safari-park) — YesGo score 15/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · From ≈ IDR 650,000

## North of Ubud in a day

Tegallalang rice terraces in the morning, then a coffee plantation tasting and Tirta Empul temple. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings and transfers.

1. [Tegallalang Rice Terraces](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tegallalang) — YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 15,000–50,000
2. [Luwak coffee plantations](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/luwak-coffee) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free; luwak ≈ IDR 50,000–100,000
3. [Tirta Empul Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tirta-empul) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000

## Tips

- The tasting is usually free — luwak costs extra.
- Ask where the beans come from and how civets are kept.
- Check a pack's weight and contents before buying.
- Combine with the terraces and Tirta Empul.
- Nearby: [Tegallalang rice terraces](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tegallalang).

## Questions

### Which animal makes kopi luwak?

The Asian palm civet, a small nocturnal animal called luwak in Indonesian.

### How is luwak coffee made?

The civet eats coffee cherries; the undigested beans are washed, dried and roasted.

### How much is luwak coffee in Bali?

A cup at a plantation costs about IDR 50,000–100,000; prices vary.

### Where can you try luwak coffee in Bali?

At plantations north of Ubud, around Tegallalang and along the Kintamani road.

### Do plantations charge entry?

Usually not: the tour and tasting are free; you pay for luwak and purchases.

### Is luwak coffee ethical?

Debatable: many plantations keep civets caged; ask about the beans' origin.

### What does luwak coffee taste like?

Smooth, mildly bitter, with little sharp acidity.

### How long does a visit take?

30–45 minutes including the tasting.

## How we checked

The origin of luwak and the animal species come from Indonesian wildlife references. The visit format, free tastings and prices come from Bali travel guides; plantations differ and there are no official prices, so they're marked unconfirmed. The welfare note draws on animal welfare organisations. The map point marks the plantation area near Tegallalang; distances are OSRM routes.

## Sources

- Indonesian wildlife references — the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), origin of kopi luwak
- Bali travel guides — agrotourism plantations, free tastings, luwak prices (unofficial)
- Animal welfare organisations — how civets are kept on plantations
- OSRM routing — distances to Ubud, Tegallalang and Tirta Empul

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