Banyuwangi Travel Guide

Looking for an adventure in Indonesia? Look no further than Banyuwangi, packed with cultural, natural, and outdoor activities that will leave you in awe. Discover everything you need to know with this comprehensive travel guide.


Introduction to Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi is a city located in East Java, Indonesia, known for its beautiful natural scenery and cultural heritage. Situated on the easternmost tip of Java Island, it is the gateway to popular attractions like Ijen Crater, Red Island Beach, and Baluran National Park.

Banyuwangi is surrounded by lush mountains, stunning beaches, and traditional villages, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and relaxation. It is also a melting pot of Javanese, Madurese, and Balinese cultures, creating a unique blend of traditions, arts, and customs.

This comprehensive travel guide covers everything you need to know to plan your trip to Banyuwangi, from the best places to visit to the top things to do, the local culture and customs, and practical information like transportation, accommodation, and safety.

List of Places to Visit in Banyuwangi

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Gandrung Sewu Museum: Gandrung Sewu is a traditional dance from Banyuwangi, and this museum is dedicated to the art, culture, and history of the Gandrung Sewu dance. It features an exhibition hall, an audiovisual room, and a library, showcasing the dance costumes, musical instruments, and other cultural artifacts.
  • Banyuwangi Ethnographic Museum: This museum displays the cultural diversity of Banyuwangi and Java Island, exhibiting various ethnic groups’ traditional costumes, folklores, handicrafts, and utensils. It also features interactive activities like batik making, gamelan playing, and traditional cooking.
  • Blimbing Sari Heritage House: This is a traditional Javanese house owned by the Blimbing Sari family, showcasing the architecture, lifestyle, and traditions of the noble family. Visitors can explore the house’s rooms, gardens, and antique collections, and enjoy a cup of traditional Javanese coffee.

Natural Attractions of Banyuwangi: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Ijen Crater: This is a must-visit attraction for nature lovers and adventure seekers, an active volcano that features blue flames and a turquoise acidic lake. Visitors can trek to the crater’s rim and witness the sulfur miners’ daily activities.
  • Red Island Beach: This beach is known for its red sand, crystal-clear water, and stunning sunset view. It is a popular destination for surfing, snorkeling, and beach walking, with a laid-back atmosphere and friendly locals.
  • Baluran National Park: This is a savanna forest located on the eastern coast of Java Island, featuring a variety of ecosystems, such as mangroves, savannas, and forests. Visitors can explore the park’s flora and fauna, trek to the hills, and observe the wildlife, such as deer, monkeys, and birds.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Banyuwangi

  • Mount Raung: This is a 3,332-meter-high volcano located in the western part of Banyuwangi, offering challenging trekking routes and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Meru Betiri National Park: This park offers various trekking routes that allow visitors to explore the park’s flora and fauna, such as the Javanese tiger, Javanese leopard, and green peafowl. It also features three waterfalls that offer a refreshing dip in the natural pools.
  • Mangroves Forest: This is a coastal forest located along the Banyuwangi coast, offering a pleasant cycling route that allows visitors to witness the mangrove ecosystem, the local fishermen’s activities, and the traditional villages.

Best Things to Do in Banyuwangi: Activities and Tours

  • Ijen Blue Fire Tour: This is a guided tour to the Ijen Crater that allows visitors to witness the rare blue fire phenomenon, caused by the combustion of sulfuric gases. The tour starts early in the morning and includes transportation, guide, and safety equipment.
  • Street Food Tour: This is a gastronomic tour that allows visitors to explore Banyuwangi’s culinary scene, sampling various local dishes, such as nasi pecel, sate kupat, and soto banyuwangi. The tour also includes a visit to the local market and a cooking class.
  • Surfing Lesson: Banyuwangi is a surfer’s paradise, offering various surfing spots that cater to beginners and advanced surfers. Visitors can take a surfing lesson with a local instructor, renting the equipment, and catching the waves.

Week-Long Itinerary for Banyuwangi

Day Activities
1 Arrival and check-in at the hotel
2 Trek to Ijen Crater and blue fire tour
3 Visit Red Island Beach and surfing lesson
4 Visit Baluran National Park and wildlife observation
5 Cycling tour around the mangroves forest and traditional villages
6 Visit Gandrung Sewu Museum and Banyuwangi Ethnographic Museum
7 Departure from Banyuwangi

Food and Drink Scene of Banyuwangi

Must-Try Dishes

  • Nasi Pecel: This is a traditional Javanese dish that consists of rice served with vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and peanut sauce.
  • Sate Kupat: This is a grilled skewered chicken served with rice cake and peanut sauce, a popular street food.

Local Beverages

  • Es Dawet: This is a traditional Javanese beverage made of coconut milk, pandan leaf, and tapioca pearls.
  • Arak: This is a traditional Balinese rice wine that is sweet and sour, perfect for cocktails.

Where to Stay in Banyuwangi: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

  • Ijen Resort and Villas: This is a luxury resort offering villas with private pools, surrounded by natural scenery, and featuring a spa, restaurant, and bar.
  • Margo Utomo Hill View Cottage: This is a budget-friendly accommodation option featuring traditional Javanese-style cottages, a swimming pool, and a restaurant.
  • Kampoeng Joglo Ijen: This is a guesthouse featuring traditional Javanese houses, a garden, and a restaurant, perfect for travelers seeking local charm and authenticity.

What to Buy in Banyuwangi: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  • Batik: Banyuwangi is known for its batik production, so visitors can buy traditional batik clothes, bags, and accessories as souvenirs.
  • Gandrung Sewu Merchandise: Visitors can also buy merchandise related to the Gandrung Sewu dance, such as T-shirt, keychains, and posters.

Local Culture and Customs of Banyuwangi

  • Gandrung Sewu Dance: This is a traditional dance from Banyuwangi that depicts the love story of Raden Panji and Dewi Sekartaji, performed by female dancers wearing colorful costumes and headpieces.
  • Wayang Kulit: This is a traditional shadow puppetry show that tells various stories from Javanese legends and myths, performed by a dalang (puppet master) that manipulates the puppets behind a white screen.

Best Time to Visit Banyuwangi

The best time to visit Banyuwangi is from May to September, during the dry season, when the weather is pleasant, and the outdoor activities are at their best. The temperature can range from 26°C to 32°C, making it perfect for beach activities, trekking, and cycling. The wet season can make outdoor activities challenging and disrupt transportation, so it is not recommended to visit during December to February.

Do’s and Don’ts of Banyuwangi

Do:

  • Respect the local culture and traditions, such as covering the shoulders and knees when entering the temple.
  • Try the local cuisine and beverages, such as nasi pecel and es dawet, to enrich your travel experience.
  • Bargain when shopping in the traditional markets to get a fair price.

Don’t:

  • Litter in the public areas, beaches, or parks, and dispose of your waste properly.
  • Touch or disturb the wildlife in the national parks, and follow the guide’s instructions.
  • Take photographs without permission of the locals, their houses, or their properties.

Safety and Health

Safety in Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi is a relatively safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and friendly locals. However, visitors should be aware of pickpocketing and scamming in the crowded areas or markets, and keep their valuables safe. It is also recommended to hire a licensed guide or join a tour agency for outdoor activities and treks to ensure safety and security.

Health in Banyuwangi

Visitors should drink bottled water or boiled water to avoid stomach problems, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked food. It is also advisable to apply mosquito repellent and wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria.

Getting to Banyuwangi: Transportation Options and Logistics

Banyuwangi can be reached by various transportation modes, including:

Airports Near Banyuwangi

  • Blimbingsari Airport: This airport is located 20 km from Banyuwangi city center and serves domestic flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Denpasar.

Bus Stations Near Banyuwangi

  • Banyuwangi Baru Bus Terminal: This is the main bus terminal located in the city center, serving various destinations in Java Island, such as Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Bali.

Other Options

  • Train: Visitors can take a train from Surabaya or Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi Baru Train Station, located near the bus terminal.
  • Ferry: Visitors can take a ferry from Bali to Banyuwangi Ketapang Port, located 8 km from the city center.

How to Get Around in Banyuwangi

Visitors can get around in Banyuwangi by various transportation modes, such as:

  • Taxi and Car Rental: Visitors can rent a taxi or a car with a driver to explore the city and its surroundings, or with self-driving options.
  • Motorcycle Rental: Visitors can rent a motorcycle to explore the city and the countryside, but should wear helmets and follow traffic rules.
  • Public Transportation: Visitors can use the public transportation like angkot (minibus) or ojek (motorcycle taxi) to travel within the city or nearby.

Where to Go Next from Banyuwangi: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

  • Bali: Visitors can take a ferry or a flight from Banyuwangi to Bali Island, known for its stunning beaches, temples, and culture.
  • Mount Bromo: Visitors can take a tour to Mount Bromo, located in East Java, and witness the sunrise view over the volcanic landscape.
  • Kalibaru: Visitors can visit Kalibaru, a small town located 25 km from Banyuwangi, known for its coffee plantations, traditional houses, and waterfall.

Conclusion

Banyuwangi is a hidden gem of East Java, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventures. Whether you are a beach lover or a mountain trekker, a foodie or a history enthusiast, Banyuwangi has something to offer. Follow this comprehensive travel guide to discover the best of Banyuwangi and make your trip unforgettable.

Banteng at Alas Purwo National Park Banteng at Alas Purwo National Park Ijen Crater Ijen Crater Gandrung dance Gandrung dance A surfer in Red Island beach A surfer in Red Island beach A hawker with fresh onde-onde (sesame balls) in the ferry harbour A hawker with fresh onde-onde (sesame balls) in the ferry harbour