Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet)
Pemandian Air Panas Padusan Pacet
4.1 · 2358 reviews · via Google
Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet)
sulfur · East Java
Hotter than 18% of Indonesia springs (n=11).
More acidic than 18% of Indonesia springs (n=11).
Mineral profile
Bar width reflects listing order, not measured concentration.
Suitability
At a glance
Getting there
Remote — over 5km from the nearest station
Cost
Low
Crowd level
Moderate
About this spring
Padusan, in the cool hill village of Pacet on the slopes of Mount Welirang, is East Java's most popular hot spring resort. The naturally sulfurous water is drawn from the mountain into a series of terraced pools, slightly cloudy and lightly scented in a way locals value for skin health, sitting around eight hundred metres up where the air stays crisp. Pine trees and green hills border the complex, giving it a classic highland feel.
Highlights
History
The cool Pacet highlands on the slopes of Mount Welirang have long been a weekend retreat for residents of Surabaya and the humid lowlands around it, who climbed up to escape the heat.
The naturally sulfurous Padusan springs were developed into a managed bathing park by the Mojokerto regency, with changing facilities and terraced pools added steadily through the late twentieth century. The wider Pacet and Trawas area has since grown into one of East Java's busiest highland tourism zones, and Padusan remains its best known and most popular hot spring.
Local guide
Padusan is an easy day trip from Surabaya or Mojokerto, reached by a paved road that climbs the lower slopes of Mount Welirang with standard mountain inclines that ordinary cars handle fine. Timing matters most here: the site stays open around the clock on weekends and fills with local holidaymakers from Friday night through Sunday, so an early weekday morning gives you the terraced pools in relative calm. Tickets are sold separately for the forest park grounds and the pool complex, with basic lockers on site. The water is a mild, naturally sulfurous spring, slightly cloudy and lightly scented in the way locals prize for skin, and an honest tip is that the dedicated sulfur pools are smaller than the freshwater swimming pool, so they pack tightly at peak times. Test the water with a foot first, as temperatures vary noticeably between pools. Most visitors are local families, so modest swimwear is the respectful norm, and washing off at the freshwater showers before entering the communal baths is expected. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sandals, and warm clothes to change into, because the mountain air turns chilly once you are out of the water.
Mineral chemistry
Sulfuric hot springs are among the most studied in balneology worldwide. The sulfur compounds, primarily hydrogen sulfide and thiosulfate, have documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular bathing is associated with relief from chronic skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis, as well as joint inflammation and muscle soreness. Sulfuric waters have been used therapeutically across Asia and Europe for centuries.
The distinctive rotten-egg smell dissipates quickly after leaving the bath. Avoid if you have a sulfur allergy, very sensitive skin, or respiratory conditions. Remove silver jewellery before entering — sulfur will blacken it permanently.
Simple thermal springs have lower dissolved mineral content but are valued for the pure therapeutic effect of heat immersion itself — easing muscle tension and improving circulation. Considered the gentlest introduction to hot spring bathing.
Standard precautions apply: avoid bathing within 30 minutes of eating, keep soaks to 10–15 minutes for first-timers, and hydrate before and after.
Similar springs
On the chilly northern slopes of Mount Slamet, Central Java's highest volcano, Guci is a sprawling highland resort where clear, completely odorless mineral water cascades down public stone tiers like warm waterfalls. The most famous spot, Pancuran 13, channels the spring through thirteen spouts where visitors stand for a warm mineral shower, while private resort pools sit nearby. Crisp mountain air, frequently wrapped in cool mist, contrasts with the steaming currents.
Maribaya lies in the cool highlands of Lembang above Bandung, where mild low-sulfur hot springs meet a forested river gorge and waterfalls. The modernized resort combines deep communal pools and premium private cabanas with garden walkways, sky bridges, and viewing decks over the Cikapundung valley. The mountain air stays crisp year round, making the warm water especially welcome.
Tucked within the Tahura Raden Soerjo forest park on the slopes of Mount Welirang above Batu, Cangar offers open-air pools of milky-green, sulfur-rich thermal water surrounded by dense montane jungle. Wild lutung monkeys are regularly seen in the tropical canopy overhanging the steaming baths, and the misty pine-forest mountain road in is part of the appeal. The contrast of hot mineral water and cool highland air is the main draw.
Banjar is North Bali's best known hot spring, where warm sulfur water flows from intricately carved stone naga spouts into a series of tiered tropical pools. The water carries a distinctive yellowish-green hue from its sulfur content, and lush jungle and blooming hibiscus surround the bathing terraces. The upper pool's carved mouths pour a steady warm cascade onto bathers' shoulders, a short drive from Lovina's beaches.
Amenities
Getting there
From Surabaya
Gateway: Mojokerto (90 min)
local angkot or elf shuttle to Pacet district
Total journey: 150 min
From Malang
Gateway: Mojokerto (120 min)
local angkot or elf shuttle to Pacet district
Total journey: 180 min
From Surabaya or Mojokerto, drive south toward Pacet and Padusan, around 1.5 hours. Local minibuses run from Mojokerto and Pandaan toward the Pacet hill resorts.
Location & nearby
Padusan, Pacet, Mojokerto Regency, East Java
Make a day of it
Pair your soak with these nearby spots.
Attraction
Hot Spring Pariwisata
0.1km away
Viewpoint
Gunung Grogol
1.7km away
More springs in East Java
Tucked within the Tahura Raden Soerjo forest park on the slopes of Mount Welirang above Batu, Cangar offers open-air pools of milky-green, sulfur-rich thermal water surrounded by dense montane jungle. Wild lutung monkeys are regularly seen in the tropical canopy overhanging the steaming baths, and the misty pine-forest mountain road in is part of the appeal. The contrast of hot mineral water and cool highland air is the main draw.
Common questions
What is the water temperature at Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet)?▾
The water temperature at Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet) ranges up to 41°C (minimum around 37°C).
Is Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet) free to visit?▾
Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet) charges an entrance fee in IDR.
Is Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet) a public or private bath?▾
Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet) is a public bathing spring.
Are tattoos allowed at Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet)?▾
Yes, Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet) welcomes visitors with tattoos.
What is the nearest station to Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet)?▾
The nearest station to Padusan Hot Spring (Pacet) is Mojokerto town center, about 30km away.