National park · Indonesia
Baluran National ParkTaman Nasional Baluran
Give Baluran one full day from Banyuwangi: arrive early at the main gate, drive to Bekol savannah for the waterhole herds, then Bama Beach for reef snorkelling; check current road access before you go, and expect the interior to be worst in the wet months.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²)
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²)
- About 25,000 hectares of north-coast East Java; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Banyuwangi
Baluran is the driest corner of Java after Madura: a dormant volcano ringed by open savannah, acacia scrub and monsoon forest, with about 40 km of north coast and fringing reef inside the boundary. It is the easiest of East Java's big parks to reach from Banyuwangi, and the easiest to drive around, though interior roads are rough. The draw is not a summit but the plain: Java rusa deer, wild pig, monkeys and the endangered Java banteng gathering at waterholes in the late dry season, with Mount Baluran behind them.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1984.
Size and age
250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²) · national park since 1984
About 25,000 hectares of north-coast East Java; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Banyuwangi.
Why go
- Open savannah with a volcano backdrop — the closest thing to an African plain in Java.
- Wildlife you can actually see from a vehicle: deer, banteng, monkeys and wild pig at the Bekol waterhole.
- Bama Beach has live coral close offshore, so you can snorkel straight off the sand.
- The most reachable of East Java's large parks: roughly 30 minutes by road from the Ketapang ferry terminal.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet season; heavy rain, check road access
- FebWet season; heavy rain, check road access
- MarRains easing; check road access
- AprDry season begins
- MayDry season
- JunDry season; animals gather at waterholes
- JulDry season; animals gather at waterholes
- AugDry season; animals gather at waterholes
- SepDry season; animals gather at waterholes
- OctLate dry season; grazing animals most visible
- NovFirst rains; check road access
- DecWet season building; check road access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Java rusa deer and wild pig at the Bekol waterholeJun–Oct · Concentrate at waterholes as the dry season deepens. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Java banteng (endangered wild cattle)Jun–Oct · Seen on the open savannah, often early morning; never approach on foot. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Monkeys and leopard catAll year · Monkeys are common around Bekol; leopard cat is nocturnal and rarely seen. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reef fish and coral at Bama BeachApr–Oct · Clearest water in the dry season. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Forest and coastal birdsApr–Sep · Diverse but trapping pressure has reduced numbers; early morning is best. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Banyuwangi (Ketapang ferry terminal)
Car, taxi or a Wonorejo-bound bus up the north coast road to the park gate.
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Ijen plateau
Drive down to the coast road and east to the gate.
check
From Surabaya
North coast road west to east by car or bus, then the park turn-off.
check
From Bali (Denpasar)
Bus to Banyuwangi via the Ketapang ferry, then onward to the park.
check
Open the page →
From East Java planning
How Baluran fits with Bromo, Ijen and the ferry to Bali.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance and office | Gate on the north coast highway, ticket desk and the road into the park. | Open with a ticket; free map at the office. |
| Bekol savannah | Open grassland with a waterhole, a viewing tower and the park's simple rooms. | Open; about 12 km (7.5 mi) inside the gate on a rough road.Open; about 7.5 mi (12 km) inside the gate on a rough road. |
| Bama Beach | White sand, fringing mangroves and live coral close offshore. | Open; about 3 km (1.9 mi) beyond Bekol.Open; about 1.9 mi (3 km) beyond Bekol. |
| Mount Baluran slopes | The dormant volcano and forested upper slopes. | Climbable on foot; no facilities. |
| Coastal and mangrove strip | Roughly 40 km (25 mi) of north coast inside the boundary, with reef near shore.Roughly 25 mi (40 km) of north coast inside the boundary, with reef near shore. | Reached by park tracks and boats; ask locally. |
Sketch map
- 1Main entrance gate · Gate≈-7.833, 114.367On the north coast road; approximate.Map ↗
- 2Bekol savannah · Viewpoint≈-7.850, 114.400Approximate; about 12 km (7.5 mi) inside the gate.Approximate; about 7.5 mi (12 km) inside the gate.Map ↗
- 3Bama Beach · Beach≈-7.844, 114.462Approximate; about 3 km (1.9 mi) beyond Bekol.Approximate; about 1.9 mi (3 km) beyond Bekol.Map ↗
- 4Mount Baluran · Summit≈-7.833, 114.367Approximate; 1,247 m. Position not confirmed — treat as the park area, not a surveyed summit.Map ↗
- 5Wonorejo · Town≈-7.790, 114.310Approximate; nearest small town on the coast road.Map ↗
- 6Banyuwangi · Town≈-8.219, 114.369Approximate; main base and park office.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; park roads are rough and distances on the ground feel longer.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (foreign visitor) | IDR 150,000–250,000 (≈ US$10–16) | person | 2026 estimate; check the current rate at the gate, weekends and holidays cost more |
| Park entry (Indonesian national) | IDR 5,000–10,000 (≈ under US$1) | person | 2026 estimate; check at the gate |
| Vehicle entry (car) | IDR 10,000–25,000 (≈ US$1–2) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; check at the gate |
| Ojek from the entrance to Bekol | IDR 40,000–60,000 (≈ US$3–4) | person one way | 2026 estimate; motorbike with driver, agree the fare first |
| Motorbike hire at the entrance | IDR 100,000–150,000 (≈ US$7–10) | day | 2026 estimate |
| Room at Bekol watchpoint | IDR 200,000–400,000 (≈ US$13–25) | room | 2026 estimate; about 16 simple rooms, book via the park office |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
Overnight stay at Bekol permit or guide
Camping at Bekol permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- Rp150,000–250,000≈ US$10–16
- Rp5,000–10,000≈ under US$1
- Rp10,000–25,000≈ US$1–2
- Rp40,000–60,000≈ US$3–4
- Rp100,000–150,000≈ US$7–10
- Rp200,000–400,000≈ US$13–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Baluran National Park — official site before you go.
Park rules
- Stay in the vehicle on the savannah
- Banteng and deer are wild; do not walk toward herds or block the waterhole approach.check
- No feeding wildlife
- Monkeys around Bekol become aggressive if fed; keep food in the car.check
- No fires outside camping areas
- Savannah grass burns easily in the dry season; use only designated camping spots at Bekol.check
- Carry out all rubbish
- Bins inside the park are limited; take everything back to Banyuwangi.check
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park office.check
Where to stay
In the park
Bekol watchpoint rooms
About 16 simple rooms by the savannah; book through the park office in Banyuwangi.
In the park
Bama Beach basic lodging
Very simple rooms near the beach; ask at the gate whether they are taking guests.
Near the park
Banyuwangi
The widest choice of hotels and guesthouses, 30–45 minutes from the gate.
Safety
Flooded or washed-out interior roads high
Rough roads and no fuel inside the park medium
Heat and dehydration on the Mount Baluran climb medium
Strong current or boat traffic at Bama Beach low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Bekol savannah and its viewing tower area are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- Bama Beach involves sand and a rough final track; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- The Mount Baluran climb is steep and unmarked in places; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local ojek riders or guides at the gate rather than bringing everything from Banyuwangi.
- Do not buy caged birds or wildlife anywhere on the route; trapping pressure is why bird numbers are low.
- Take your rubbish out and avoid single-use plastic on the savannah and beach.
- Keep to park tracks — savannah grass recovers slowly after vehicles cut across it.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Baluran National Park?
Foreign visitors pay roughly Rp150,000–250,000 per person in 2026, with higher rates at weekends and on holidays; Indonesian nationals pay far less. A car adds roughly Rp10,000–25,000. Buy at the main gate and keep the ticket for the Bekol and Bama checkpoints. Treat all figures as 2026 estimates and check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Baluran National Park?
The Mount Baluran climb is the main one: 1,247 m, 4–6 hours return, best started at first light. Shorter options are the level walks around Bekol savannah and the viewing tower, and the mangrove tracks near Bama Beach. There is no long trekking network; most of the park is seen from a vehicle.
When is the best time to visit Baluran National Park?
June to October, the second half of the dry season, when grazing animals gather at the Bekol waterhole and the roads are firm. January and February are the worst months: heavy rain floods interior roads and many areas become impassable.
Can I visit Baluran as a day trip from Banyuwangi?
Yes. The gate is roughly 30–45 minutes from Banyuwangi and the Ketapang ferry terminal. Leave early, drive to Bekol, then Bama Beach, and you are back in town by late afternoon. A night at Bekol gives you the dawn wildlife hour without the drive.
Do I need a guide or a 4WD?
No guide is required for the main gate–Bekol–Bama route. A normal car manages it slowly in the dry season; in the wet season the interior roads can be impassable. Ojek riders at the gate and at Bekol can take you in if you have no vehicle.
Is there anywhere to stay inside the park?
There are about 16 simple rooms at the Bekol watchpoint and basic lodging near Bama Beach. Both are limited, so reserve through the park office in Banyuwangi. Most visitors sleep in Banyuwangi instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go