Yeh Panes Penatahan: Sulphur Soaking at the Foot of Mount Batukaru

On the bank of the Yeh Ho River in Penatahan village, Penebel district, sulphur-rich hot water flows straight out of Mount Batukaru. Balinese call it yeh panes, hot water. Unlike Banjar Hot Spring in Buleleng or Toya Devasya in Kintamani, which are often crowded, the pools at Penatahan stay quiet, wrapped in rice fields and forest.

The Pools and Their Temperature

• Three public pools at graded temperatures; the second is the most comfortable at roughly 38–40°C.
• Eight private pools screened with bamboo and stone walls, rented by the hour.
• A natural hot jacuzzi for a longer soak without sharing the pool.
• Hot-water showers at each pool, a simple restaurant and generous parking.

Why the Sulphur Water Matters

The sulphur content here is believed to ease aching muscles, loosen stiff joints and refresh skin after a long day on the road. The effect is best when you enter slowly rather than dropping straight into the hottest pool.

What to Prepare

• Bring your own towel, sandals and a change of clothes.
• Take off silver jewellery — sulphur tarnishes silver quickly.
• Soak 15–20 minutes, step out briefly, drink water, then repeat.
• Outside food is not allowed; there are food stalls beside the pools.

Route and a Day Plan

• About 30–40 minutes from Tabanan town, or 1.5 hours from Ubud via Marga and Penebel.
• The Batukaru road climbs and narrows in places; arrive early while the pools are still empty.
• Easy to pair with the Jatiluwih rice terraces and Pura Luhur Batukaru in a single day.

Info Praktis & Reservasi

• Location: Jalan Batukaru, Penatahan village, Penebel, Tabanan — View on Google Maps.
• Booking: none needed — just turn up and pay at the ticket counter. Private pools rotate by the hour, so ask at the counter on weekends.
• Social media: Espa Yeh Panes Penatahan on Instagram.
• Opening hours: daily 07.00–19.00 WITA.
• Cost: public pools roughly IDR 20,000–50,000 per person; private pools and jacuzzi roughly IDR 50,000–100,000 per person per hour. Domestic and foreign rates differ and may change.

After a long soak, most people are far too relaxed to drive back across the island. Staying a night around Tabanan or Ubud makes tomorrow's Jatiluwih morning much easier — compare the options with an AccessiaPass hotel voucher.