The Batur Natural Hot Spring is at Toya Bungkah, a small village on the edge of the Batur caldera in Kintamani, in the north-east highlands of Bali. The name of the village means hot water in Balinese, and the springs that give it that name rise from the volcanic system beneath Mount Batur, one of the island's two active volcanoes. The complex is built around outdoor pools and fountains in a garden by the lake, with the volcano and the caldera wall rising behind. The warm, mineral-rich water has long been used by local people for relaxation and healing, and a soak has become the traditional way to finish a Batur sunrise trek: after a pre-dawn climb in the cold and a descent over loose ash, sinking into a warm pool is hard to beat. The spring opens every day from nine in the morning until seven in the evening, which means that it is a good stop in the afternoon or early evening as well as after a sunrise trek. The ticket sold for this entry is an admission ticket for the spring. Pool temperatures and facilities vary, so check what is provided, such as lockers, changing rooms and towels, when you book. Mountain air at this altitude is cool, and the contrast with the warm water is much of the appeal, so bring a towel, swimwear and a dry change of clothes. Visitors who want a quiet soak should aim for weekdays and non-peak hours, because tour groups arrive in the late morning. This is a straightforward, low-cost, relaxing activity that suits trekkers, couples and families with older children, and anyone who wants a gentle way to experience Batur without the climb.
Planning the visit
Toya Bungkah is about an hour north of Ubud by road, and about two hours from the beach resorts, so most visitors combine the spring with a Batur sunrise trek or with a drive through Kintamani. If you climb Batur, you will usually finish the descent in the morning and can add the spring afterwards, though hotel pick-up and trek operators often have their own arrangements, so confirm in advance whether the spring is included in your tour or needs a separate ticket. Opening hours are nine in the morning to seven in the evening daily.
What to bring and expect
Pack swimwear, a towel, flip-flops and a plastic bag for wet clothes, plus a layer for the cool highland air. Do not wear jewellery that can tarnish in mineral water. The pools vary in temperature, so test the water before getting in, and limit your time if you feel dizzy. Pregnant visitors and those with heart conditions should take medical advice before soaking in hot water. Avoid swimming after heavy meals, drink water and keep valuables secured.
Combining it with the highlands
The road along the caldera rim passes viewpoints at Penelokan and Kintamani with sweeping views of the crater lake, and the nearby villages of Trunyan and Kedisan offer a glimpse of life beside the lake. A good full day runs from sunrise on the volcano to a soak at the spring, then a late breakfast with a view and a slow drive back through the coffee plantations and rice terraces of Tegallalang and Ubud. In the wet season, the clouds often cover the summit but the spring is still pleasant, and a soak in light rain is memorable.
What to expect
The experience
Outdoor volcanic hot-spring pools and fountains in a garden at Toya Bungkah, beside Lake Batur and the caldera wall.
Best time
After a sunrise trek, or in the afternoon and early evening; weekdays are quieter.
How long
One to two hours.
Tips
Bring swimwear, a towel and a dry change of clothes, test the water temperature first, and check which facilities are provided when you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Trekkers finishing a Batur sunrise climb and anyone who enjoys a warm soak.
- Families
- Fine for families with older children; watch young children near the hotter pools.
- Couples
- A relaxed couples soak with the volcano as backdrop.
- Pair with
- The Batur sunrise trek, Kintamani viewpoints and Tegallalang on the way back.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
What are the opening hours of the Batur hot spring?+
Daily from nine in the morning to seven in the evening.
Where is the Batur Natural Hot Spring?+
At Toya Bungkah in Kintamani, on the shore of Lake Batur, about an hour north of Ubud.
Can I visit after the sunrise trek?+
Yes, many trekkers do exactly that. Check whether your trek includes the spring or whether you need a separate ticket.
What should I bring to the hot spring?+
Swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, a dry change of clothes and a layer for the cool highland air.
Is it worth visiting without the trek?+
Yes. It is a low-cost, relaxing stop on a Kintamani day trip, and the setting by the lake and volcano is the main attraction.
