Banjar hot springs guide: how to visit North Bali's sulphur pools

Some places in Bali ask a lot of you: a 4 am start, a steep climb, a long drive. The Banjar hot springs ask for nothing except a swimsuit and an hour or two. Just west of Lovina, in a garden of frangipani and tropical trees, warm volcanic water flows from carved stone dragon heads into a series of pools. It is simple, a little old fashioned, and one of the most relaxing mornings you can have in the north.

What the Banjar hot springs are like

Air Panas Banjar, as it is called locally, sits in the village of Banjar, about 10 kilometres from central Lovina, so roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car. The water is naturally heated and rich in sulphur, which gives it a faint smell and a greenish tint. Locals have bathed here for generations and still believe the minerals help with skin and joints.

There are three main pool areas, terraced down the slope. The upper pool is the warmest and has stone dragon mouths pouring water in steady streams. The large main pool below is the social one, with more spouts along its wall. A third pool has stronger, higher spouts, and standing under them feels like a very natural shoulder massage. The temperature is pleasantly warm rather than hot, close to bath water.

Entry fee, hours and facilities

The Banjar hot springs are open every day, from roughly 8:30 am to 5 pm. Entry is paid in cash at the ticket booth next to the car park. Recent reports for 2025 vary between about 20,000 and 45,000 IDR for foreign adults, so bring 50,000 IDR per person and you will be fine. Lockers and towels cost a little extra.

• Changing rooms and toilets: basic but clean.
• Lockers for valuables, a small fee.
• Restaurant: Komala Tirta, at the top of the site, overlooks the pools and serves simple Indonesian food. Cash only.
• Small stalls near the entrance sell sarongs, drinks and souvenirs.
• Parking attendants may ask for a small tip.

When to go and how to avoid the crowds

Arrive at opening, around 8:30 am. For the first hour you share the water with a few village regulars, the light filters through the trees and the place is wonderfully quiet. By late morning tour groups arrive on the loop from the south, and on Sundays and Balinese holidays local families fill the pools. Late afternoon, after 3:30 pm, is a second calm window.

The site is also a working village bath, not a spa. You will see grandmothers chatting in the main pool, children jumping from the edge and the odd offering of flowers on the stone. Be relaxed about the shared space, keep your voice low near the shrines, and you will be welcomed. If you want privacy and silence, the first hour after opening really is the best time to come.

An hour in the water is plenty. Sulphur is strong, so take breaks, drink water, and keep your head out of the spouts if you have sensitive eyes. If you are pregnant or have a heart condition, check with your doctor first.

What to bring and what to pair it with

• A dark swimsuit, a towel and flip flops for the wet stone steps.
• Cash in small notes for entry, lockers and a drink.
• A sarong to walk through the village and temple areas.
• A waterproof bag for your phone.

The Banjar hot springs fit perfectly after an early boat trip. Watch the sunrise out at sea (our Lovina dolphins guide explains how), have breakfast, then drive west and soak while your muscles warm up again.

Getting there is easy. Follow the main coast road west from Lovina towards Seririt, turn inland at the signs for Air Panas in the village of Banjar, and climb a short lane to the car park. There is no public transport, so take a driver, a ride hailing car or a scooter if you are confident on Balinese roads.

Five minutes up the hill is Brahma Vihara Arama, the largest Buddhist monastery in Bali, with terraces, stupas inspired by Borobudur and long views to the sea. It is a peaceful place to walk after the pools. Dress modestly, cover your knees and shoulders, and a donation is appreciated.

Then head home. From Baliwood Lovina the springs are an easy drive, and you can be lying on the daybed by the infinity pool before lunch, slightly sleepy in the best possible way.

Looking for more slow days in the north? Browse things to do in Lovina for the rest of the week.