Banjar Hot Springs or Air Panas Banjar as it’s known in Indonesia is a great place to get a hot bath and soak away your deep aches and pains.
It’s a short walk from the local village but in a relatively remote part of the island, so if you do visit, you’ll want to use our guide to make sure that you get the most out of your trip.
Where Are Banjar Hot Springs?
The Banjar Hot Springs are just outside Banjar Village in Northern Bali and they’re not far from Lovina and Singaraja.
Address: Jalan Banjar, Banjar, Kec. Banjar, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81152, Indonesia
Online: Banjar Hot Springs
How To Get To Banjar Hot Springs?
This is quite a remote part of Bali and unless you’re staying in North Bali then we’d recommend that you rent a private car and driver for a day or two to get to the hot springs and to explore this area of Bali.
This shouldn’t cost a lot of money. You can rent a car and driver including the fuel costs for 500,000 IDR a day (that’s $35 USD or $50 AUD). The driver will be happy to wait in the parking area while you enjoy the three pools and souvenir shops inside.
They will then take you on to any other destination(s) that you choose after the hot springs.
When’s The Best Time To Visit Banjar Hot Springs?
There’s no need to worry about the weather when visiting hot springs, so it’s fine to visit all year round when it comes to enjoying this popular spot.
However, it’s important to note that on weekends and on public holidays it can get super crowded and you may find that swimming is impossible and that the restaurant, spa, etc. are all subject to long queues and delays in getting served.
We’d recommend that you get there in the early morning when the Banjar Hot Spring is nearly empty and even the staff in the souvenir shops aren’t ready to start hassling you to buy a t-shirt.
By lunchtime, the coach parties are arriving and you may find that the thermal pools are starting to get crowded as hoards of tourists pour into the changing rooms.
Please note: the opening hours are between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. most days and the attraction is open 7 days a week. However, these hours may change for holidays and festivals and Air Panas Banjar is closed for Nyepi as is everything else in Bali.
Is There An Entrance Fee To Banjar Hot Springs?
Yes, there is a small entrance fee to Air Panas Banjar and you can expect to be asked for 45,000 IDR (that’s about $3 USD or $4.50 AUD) if you are an international visitor and 15,000 IDR if you are an Indonesian citizen or resident (with an appropriate visa).
Please note that the entrance fee can change and it has increased quite substantially in the last couple of years – so, check the official hot springs website to be certain of the charge.
There is also a small parking charge of 2,000 IDR for a motorbike and 5,000 IDR for a car.
What To Take To Banjar Hot Springs?
Bring swimming clothes if you want to swim, a towel and some cash at a minimum. You might also want to consider bringing a camera and you can bring in snacks and drinks from outside even though there’s an onsite restaurant.
You should know that you cannot go in the restaurant in wet clothing and it’s important to bring dry clothes and not just your swimsuit. Many people wear their swimsuit under their T-shirt to cut down on time in the changing rooms but it’s not necessary to do so.
What To Expect At Banjar Hot Springs?
The upper pool is the one with the hottest temperature but it’s not particularly hot, more warm and pleasant. It’s quite narrow and only around 1 meter across.
The water is meant to have healing properties due to the sulfur content though we’re not totally convinced by these claims.
The second pool is the biggest and a nice place to swim and relax. The third pool is a natural massage facility with three falling streams that can give you a pleasant rub down.
We enjoyed the third pool most of all, but each pool has something to offer.
Facilities
There are decent facilities on-site and these include:
Restaurant – a surprisingly decent place offering tasty snacks and drinks and while you pay a little more than you would on the roadside, it’s not set up to gouge tourists.
Changing rooms – there are lockers, a shower, toilets, etc. available and they’re in reasonably good condition too.
Spa – if you want a massage after your time in the pools then this is a good place to enjoy one and the prices are very reasonable. They also have a nice jacuzzi that you can use after your massage.
Souvenir Shops – you can buy souvenirs that are fairly priced and of a decent quality level here and the staff won’t hassle you too much on your visit.
Garden and Swings – it’s set in a large area of land in the jungle and you can go for a morning walk around the area to discover some attractive gardens and some swing seats. However, be warned, you may also encounter some fairly large jungle spider webs on your travels too.
Where To Stay Near Banjar Hot Springs?
There are quite a few hotels located in the countryside around the hot springs though there’s only one place that’s right by the pools:
Pondok Wisata Grya Sari – the closest hotel to the Banjar Hot Spring area is a humble one-star place but with excellent service, comfy rooms and a warm welcome for every guest.
Banyu Riris Villa – a very private and reasonably priced villa complex with an excellent pool onsite and within walking distance of many useful amenities.
OYO 1051 De Loran Hotel – is definitely one of the better OYO hotels in Bali and there’s a pool and the rooms are clean and well-kept.
Hotel Prabhu Suites – a decent three-star hotel that has seen better days and could really use a bit of a makeover. However, it’s super cheap and that makes up for its shortcomings.
Villa Lou – this is quite a way from the hot springs but it’s a nice beachside villa and it’s not so far away from Air Panas Banjar that it’s going to make getting to the hot springs hard work.
Where To Eat Near Banjar Hot Springs?
There’s not much in the way of 5-star restaurants in this part of Bali but there are some tasty places including:
Depot Bintang Ayu – if you’re in the mood for cheap but filling Indonesian food that tastes great, you’ll find it at this warung.
Warung Makan Candra – the sate and nasi goreng at this Balinese place are excellent and the prices are super reasonable.
Ayam Geprek Vop’Pop – if you want a takeaway this chicken restaurant is a great place to stop on your journey through the area.
JFC Banjar – a KFC clone that offers crispy chicken in a self-service environment, it’s not the best place to eat in Bali but it will do if you’re really hungry.
Warung Siobak Dexwi – an excellent Chinese-Indonesian fusion warung with some superb food for fair prices. This is our go-to place in the area.
Things To Do Near Banjar Hot Springs
This is a quiet part of the island but there are still some local attractions if you explore and some of our favourites include:
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Brahmavihara-Arama – Bali has a thriving Buddhist community and this is the largest Buddhist monastery on the island. There are meditation rooms and libraries open to the public here.
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Pantai Kalanganyar Turtle Hatchery – a turtle hatchery on the beach. The locals who run the place are enthusiastic and kind but operate on a very limited budget.
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Pantai Umeanyar – a mostly empty black sand beach not far from the town of Bubunan. It’s a pleasant place to spend some time fishing or relaxing with friends.
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Pantai Seririt – another pleasant black sand beach outside of Bubunan. This one seems to attract a bit more rubbish, particularly after high tide, mind you.
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Krisna Eco Village – this is a very nice tropical garden park for walking and jogging in and it’s completely free to enter and enjoy.
Where Is The Largest Hot Spring In The World?
The largest hot spring in the world is Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand. It was formed in the late 19th century after a volcanic eruption and the temperature of the pool there is 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) all the time!
Are There Natural Springs In Hot Springs?
Yes, hot springs are a form of natural springs and they typically have a high mineral content in the water of the pools.
What Is The Hottest Hot Spring In The World?
The hottest hot springs in the world can be found at Source du Par, Chaudes-Aigues, France. There are dozens of pools there and the hottest can reach 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit)!
What Is The History Of Banjar Hot Springs?
The springs have been known and in use since the Majapahit Empire ruled Bali and most of Indonesia. It wasn’t, however, until the Dutch arrived on the island that they became famous for their “healing properties”.
How To Book A Holiday In Bali Including A Trip To Banjar Hot Springs?
We always recommend that you book a holiday in Bali through the Bali Res Centre. They can ensure that you get the best deals on flights, accommodations, and tours throughout Bali.
Banjar Hot Springs is a great place to spend a few hours relaxing and enjoying the warm temperature of the pools and maybe even a massage at the onsite spa.
We recommend visiting after a hard day’s trekking in the local countryside but there’s never a bad time to enjoy a day of self-care. Grab your swimming clothes, rent a locker, and enjoy!
