Hot Springs Bali Guide: A Relaxing Escape in Paradise
Banjar Hot Springs is a beautiful adventure worth the trip located in a lesser populated area of the island of Bali.
Air Panas Banjar - Air meaning Water in Bahasa and Panas meaning Hot.
Located close to Lovina and situated three hours away from the bustling city of Seminyak in Bali, Indonesia is the small village of Singaraja. Outside this village, down a small bumpy road of mud and cement sits the entrance to Banjar Hot Springs – a place that offers both a glimpse into the region’s historical past as well as modern-day health benefits.
Banjar Hot Springs has been around since the 8th century and is closely associated with the legends of Queen Dewi Sri and her son, who according to Balinese mythology were responsible for bringing the healing mineral waters to the area. Over time, this area became a popular destination for those seeking relief from physical ailments like rheumatism, muscle pain, and fatigue. To this day, locals still flock here to soak in its thermal pools and bathe in the hope of gaining restorative powers, while also savoring the vibrant coffee culture that thrives in Jakarta
The hot springs itself consists of two linked pools filled with warm natural sulfur water. While visitors can enjoy these inviting waters during normal hours, accessing before or after sunrise will give one an even greater appreciation for this tranquil site. The beautiful landscaping surrounding these pools is made up of lush green vines swaying gently in the Balinese breeze as well as tall palm trees creating an idyllic backdrop against whatever breathtaking sky appears each morning or evening.
Aside from soaking in its rustic atmosphere, Banjar Hot Springs also features a few other activities such as traditional body massage treatments with herbs native to Bali (such as pandan leaves) which are known to have therapeutic properties; shallow pool bathing where visitors cover themselves with mineral clay said to help purification processes; and food stalls serving up local delicacies like babi (pork) satay that you can enjoy at nearby picnic tables.
Arriving at Banjar, you’ll pass a run of stalls that sell everything from Sarongs and sunscreen to tchotchkes and local souvenirs. We even ran into a guy selling a decent collection of fake Rolex’s for $25.
We rented moto scooters in Lovina and had a gorgeous ride up the hot springs on our way to the coffee farms of Kintamani. There are no public transportation options available for getting here directly but hiring a car or motorcycle will make reaching Banjar Hot Springs much more manageable. Banjar caters mostly to locals and we were the only travelers there for our time. This is a highly recommended, authentic Indonesian experience.
