Lake Batur, Bali

Lake Batur hot springs

In Toya Bungkah village on the shore, volcanic hot springs rise from the ground. Thermal complexes have been built around them, with pools at different temperatures right by the water — the best known are Toya Devasya and Batur Natural Hot Spring. Ticket sellers list prices of roughly IDR 150,000–250,000, depending on the venue and package.

The classic plan is to come down here after a Mount Batur sunrise trek: warm water after a cold night on the summit, with a view of the volcano you've just climbed.

About Lake Batur

Lake Batur is a crater lake in Kintamani and the largest on Bali. It sits inside Mount Batur's old caldera, south-east of the volcanic cone, and reaches about 88 m at its deepest. Around it rise the sheer caldera walls, fields of onion and chilli on volcanic soil, and some fifteen villages.

The lake is sacred to the Balinese: its water feeds fields across the island, and temples to the lake goddess Dewi Danu stand along its shores. Locals farm tilapia here, served grilled in local warungs. Since 2012 the whole caldera has been a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Best viewpoints over Lake Batur

The best views are from the caldera rim at Penelokan and along the road to Kintamani, lined with cafés and restaurants with terraces facing the lake and volcano, many serving lunch buffets. Mornings are clearer; by afternoon cloud often fills the caldera.

From up here you can read the landscape: a crescent-shaped lake, Batur's cone streaked with black lava, and the sharp peak of Mount Abang on the far shore. On clear days Agung shows beyond the rim too.

Things to do at Lake Batur

• Take in the view from the terraces at Penelokan.
• Soak in the hot springs at Toya Bungkah.
• Kayak across the still morning water.
• Climb Mount Batur for sunrise — the trail starts near the shore.
• Try grilled tilapia from the lake.
• Stop at Pura Ulun Danu Batur on the caldera rim.

When to go and how long to stay

Viewpoints, lunch and the springs take 2–3 hours. Mornings are best for clear views and calm water for kayaking. Most people pair the lake with a Batur sunrise, reaching the springs around 9–10 am.

The dry season, April to October, gives clearer views. In the wet season the clouds come earlier and the road down can be slippery.

Is Lake Batur worth visiting?

Yes: the view of the lake and volcano from inside the caldera is one of Bali's most striking, and the hot springs are the perfect end to a sunrise climb.

YesGo's take: the main viewpoints come with persistent vendors, and the view-buffet restaurants are pricey and middling. Treat the lake as part of a volcano trip rather than a destination on its own.

How to do it right

• Look at the lake in the morning — by lunchtime the caldera clouds over.
• After a volcano sunrise, head straight for the hot springs.
• Bring a layer — Kintamani is cool.
• Try grilled tilapia from the lake.
• For the sunrise climb, see Mount Batur.

Questions