Bajawa has two hot springs worth your time, and they are nothing alike. Malanage, south of town near Bena village and Mount Inerie, is a wild spot where a hot stream and a cold stream meet in one river. Mangeruda — also called Soa — sits north near the airport and is calmer and more developed. Malanage for drama, Mangeruda for comfort.
- Malanage: ~21 km / ~45 minutes south of Bajawa, natural hot-and-cold river, near Bena & Mount Inerie
- Mangeruda (Soa): ~25 km / ~25–30 minutes north of Bajawa, developed bathing pools, near Soa airport
- Typical fee: roughly IDR 5,000–20,000 per person, sometimes plus small parking — confirm the official tickets at each gate
- Best time: dry season, April–October; late afternoon for the softest light and warmest soak
I grew up in Bajawa, so these two springs were weekend fixtures long before they were “attractions.” This guide clears up the confusing names, tells you honestly which one suits your trip, and shows you the real distances and costs — written by the team that drives travellers to both most weeks of the season.
Where Are Bajawa’s Hot Springs?
Bajawa sits in the Ngada highlands of central Flores, and its two main hot springs lie on opposite sides of town. Malanage is south, in the Jerebu’u area near Bena and the perfect cone of Mount Inerie. Mangeruda is north, in Soa district near Turelelo Soa airport. You cannot walk between them — each is a separate half-day, best reached by car and driver from Bajawa town.
| Malanage | Mangeruda (Soa) | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | South (Jerebu’u) | North (Soa) |
| Distance / drive | ~21 km, ~45 min | ~25 km, ~25–30 min |
| Setting | Natural hot-and-cold river | Developed bathing pools |
| Best for | Adventure, photos, Bena combo | Relaxing, families, easy access |
| Facilities | Basic changing room, food stalls | Warungs, simple pools |
| Near Mount Inerie? | Yes | No (near Soa airport) |
What Makes Malanage Hot Springs Special?
Malanage is the one people travel for. Hot water flowing off the flanks of Mount Inerie meets a cold mountain stream, and the two run together in a single rocky river. You literally choose your temperature by moving upstream or down: sit where the hot and cold currents braid together and the water is perfect. There is no chlorinated pool and no ticket turnstile theatre — just a short walk down from the road to a steaming river in the jungle.
Because it sits on the southern, Inerie side of Bajawa, Malanage pairs naturally with the megalithic villages of the Ngada highlands. Most travellers we drive do the Bena village tour in the morning and finish at Malanage in the afternoon, soaking off the day’s dust before the drive back. Facilities are honest and basic: a simple changing room, a toilet, and a couple of warungs selling snacks and coffee. Bring your own towel.
What About Mangeruda (Soa) Hot Springs?
Mangeruda is the gentler, more built-up option. Set in Soa district north of Bajawa, it is a managed bathing area with shallow warm pools, easy footpaths and warungs at the entrance. The water is clear and comfortably hot, and because there is far less scrambling over river rocks, it suits families with children, older travellers, and anyone who just wants an easy soak rather than an adventure.
Its position near Turelelo Soa airport also makes it a smart stop if you are flying in or out of Bajawa, or looping north toward Riung and the coast. It is closer to town than Malanage in driving time, so it works well as a short two-hour excursion when your day is tight.
Wait — Are Soa, Mangeruda and Wae Bana the Same Place?
Mostly, yes, and this is the single biggest source of confusion. The northern springs go by several names: “Mangeruda hot springs,” “Air Panas Soa,” and simply “Soa hot springs” all point to the same developed bathing area in Soa district. You will also see the name “Wae Bana” used locally — sometimes for the Soa springs, and confusingly, sometimes as a name attached to Malanage in the south. So when a listing says “Soa,” “Mangeruda” or “Air Panas Soa,” picture the northern, easy-access pools. When it says “Malanage,” picture the wild hot-and-cold river near Bena. If a name is ambiguous, just ask your driver — every local knows the difference by sight.
How Much Do Bajawa Hot Springs Cost?
Both springs are affordable; expect roughly IDR 5,000 to IDR 20,000 per person, occasionally with a small parking fee. Prices are set locally and change from time to time, and different sources quote different numbers, so we never pretend to a single fixed figure. Below is the honest working range we see on the ground — always pay the official tickets at each gate.
| Spring | Entry (per person) | Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Malanage | ~IDR 10,000–20,000 | ~IDR 2,000–5,000 |
| Mangeruda (Soa) | ~IDR 5,000–20,000 | Small, if any |
The real cost of a hot-springs afternoon is the transport, not the ticket. That is exactly why we publish every price on our rates page instead of hiding behind “on request” — you should know what a car costs before you commit.
Malanage vs Mangeruda — Which Should You Choose?
Choose Malanage if you want the experience, Mangeruda if you want the ease. Malanage rewards you with a genuinely beautiful natural river and links seamlessly to a Bena and Inerie day, but you walk down (and back up) to reach it and the ground is uneven. Mangeruda is flatter, closer and calmer, ideal with kids or after a long drive. If you only have time for one and you are already doing the southern villages, take Malanage. If you are staying near town or moving through Soa, take Mangeruda. Do both across two afternoons and you will understand why Ngada people are quietly smug about their hot springs.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
Aim for the dry season, April to October, and go in the late afternoon. In the dry months the rivers run clear and the access tracks are firm underfoot. During the November–March wet season both springs stay open, but Malanage’s river can rise and cloud after heavy rain, and the road down gets slippery — still doable, just muddier. Late afternoon is the sweet spot: cooler air makes the hot water feel better, the light through the highland mist is gorgeous, and you finish relaxed for the evening. For a fuller month-by-month view, see our guide to the best time to visit Flores.
How Do You Get to the Hot Springs?
There is no useful public transport to either spring, so nearly everyone visits by private car and driver from Bajawa. Our own Toyota Innova runs at a published IDR 1,500,000 per day, including fuel and an English-speaking driver-guide who knows both roads — enough for the villages and a hot-spring soak with time to spare. Larger groups take the Hiace at IDR 2,500,000 per day. You can add the springs to any Bajawa day or a longer overland leg; see how a private driver in Flores works, or message us to build the afternoon in.
What Should You Bring and Know Before You Go?
Pack light but pack smart — neither spring has a shop, and Malanage in particular is rustic. The water at both is natural and mineral-rich, so it can carry a faint sulphur smell; that is normal and harmless. A few things make the afternoon far better:
- Bring your own towel and a dry change of clothes — changing facilities are minimal, especially at Malanage.
- Wear sandals or grippy shoes you can walk in water. The riverbed rocks at Malanage are slick.
- Carry small cash in low denominations for the gate ticket, parking and warung snacks; nowhere here takes cards.
- Skip glass and valuables at the water’s edge, and keep phones in a dry bag if you want river shots.
- Go easy on the soak — hot mineral water dehydrates you, so drink water and take breaks, particularly with children.
One quiet advantage of visiting with us: your driver-guide waits with the car, minds your bags, and knows exactly where to park at each gate, so you can walk down to the water with nothing but a towel and enjoy it.
Ready to plan it? WhatsApp us at +62 811 3823 875 or email [email protected] and we will slot the hot springs into your Ngada day.
Written by Flores Overland Editorial Desk, Routes & Rates Coordinator, born in Bajawa. Reviewed by Flores Overland Editorial Desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hot springs near Bajawa?
The two main ones are Malanage and Mangeruda (Soa). Malanage, south of Bajawa near Bena and Mount Inerie, is a wild natural river where hot and cold streams meet. Mangeruda, north near Soa airport, is a calmer developed bathing area. Malanage is best for adventure and photos; Mangeruda is best for an easy, family-friendly soak.
How far is Malanage hot springs from Bajawa?
Malanage is about 21 km south of Bajawa town, roughly a 45-minute drive through the Jerebu'u area, followed by a short walk down from the road to the river. It pairs naturally with a morning visit to Bena village and Mount Inerie.
How much does it cost to enter the Bajawa hot springs?
Entry is cheap, typically around IDR 5,000 to IDR 20,000 per person, sometimes with a small parking fee. Prices are set locally and change from time to time, so figures vary between sources — always pay the official tickets at each gate on arrival.
Is Mangeruda the same as Soa hot springs?
Yes. Mangeruda hot springs, Air Panas Soa and Soa hot springs all refer to the same developed bathing area in Soa district, north of Bajawa. You may also hear the name Wae Bana used locally, sometimes for these springs and sometimes for Malanage, so it pays to confirm which one a listing means.
Can you combine the hot springs with a Bena village tour?
Yes, and it is the classic Ngada day. Malanage sits on the same southern, Inerie side of Bajawa as Bena and Luba villages, so most travellers do the megalithic villages in the morning and soak at Malanage in the afternoon before driving back.
When is the best time to visit the hot springs?
The dry season from April to October is ideal, with clear rivers and firm access tracks. Both springs stay open in the November–March wet season, but Malanage's river can rise and cloud after heavy rain. Late afternoon is the nicest time, when cooler air makes the warm water feel best.
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