Banyuwangi : Three Days Between Mountains and Sea

Banyuwangi is where the journey east finds its rhythm - quiet, remote, and rich with stories. Nestled between volcanoes and the Bali Strait, it's a place where ancient forests meet windblown savannahs, and where coastal rituals are still carried in the tide. At Dialoog Banyuwangi, we've shaped three gentle days that drift between the wild and the restful from surreal midnight hikes to Ijen Crater, to long, salt-laced afternoons by the sea. Let the edges blur. Let the pace soften. This is Banyuwangi, undone, unhurried, unforgettable.
 

Day One: Land in the East

  

Land at Blimbingsari Airport, a quiet gateway framed by rice fields and distant peaks. The air is warm, the rhythm slower. From here, your journey begins not with a rush, but a pause.

For a taste of something truly local, Banyuwangi's small roadside warungs offer bold, no-frills dishes full of character. You might come across nasi tempong, a fiery East Javanese staple served with rice, steamed greens, fried tempeh, and a punchy sambal that locals grow up loving. Or perhaps Balinese-style roast pork, crisp-skinned and spiced just right. These modest, often family-run spots are part of daily life here, honest, hearty, and unmistakably local.

 

Then it's off to De Djawatan, a forest of ancient trembesi trees wrapped in moss and quiet. Locals call it the “forest of the elders“, there's a sacred stillness here. Wander slowly. Take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage beneath the canopy. Let the filtered light brush your shoulders. Let your thoughts thin out.
 

As you continue east toward Baluran National Park, you'll cut through the centre of town, a flash of modern life where minimarkets, motorbikes, and a small shopping mall mark a moment of contrast. Then the wild returns. Often called the “Little Africa of Java,“ Baluran stretches wide under a vast, open sky. Golden savannahs, coastal mangroves, and silent volcanic backdrops set the scene. Deer move quietly through the grass. Peacocks scatter in the distance. Stay through sunset if you can, the light here doesn't just fall, it lingers.
 

After dusk, make your way to Dialoog Banyuwangi. The road follows the curve of the coast, through quiet villages and into evening stillness. Tonight, an early rest. At 1AM, the mountain calls.

 

Day Two: Midnight Light and Slow Afternoons

The day begins before the world wakes. At 1AM, you depart for Ijen, blanketed in darkness, guided by stars and the hum of the road. By 2AM, the hike begins. The air is cool and dry, the ascent steady.


At the crater's edge, Ijen wakes slowly. The famed blue fire flickers below, visible only to those who make the descent into the sulfur-rich dark, masks on, steps careful. But even from above, something else takes hold.

As sunrise nears, the cold settles in. The air is thin and quiet. Light begins to stretch across the rim, casting the turquoise lake in soft, shifting colour. Dialoog offers a light bite, something simple as you stand and watch the day break. The wind carries the scent of minerals and earth. You hold your cup close. And when the sun finally spills over the ridge, gold against stone, it's not just beautiful, it's grounding.


Later, as the sky brightens and your steps grow easier, you make your way back down the trail. The sun is up now, and the mountain feels different, less surreal, more familiar. The ride back is quiet, windows open, cool air brushing your face. You return to the hotel just as Banyuwangi begins to stir. No plans, no pressure. Just time to rest. Maybe a nap. Maybe a long shower. The morning is yours, and here, that's enough.
 

By late afternoon, head to the Dialoog Spa. Your legs might still feel the climb from Ijen, and this is the perfect time to let it all slow down. A massage helps nothing complicated, just good hands, warm pressure, and the kind of care that eases everything back into balance.
 

If it's a Saturday, the evening ends differently. As the sky dims and the breeze picks up, movie night starts by the pool. It's laid-back barefoot, outdoors, with something cold in hand. There's no agenda. Just a film under the stars, the sound of waves in the background, and the kind of quiet company that fits the mood.

 

Day Three: Witnessing Sunrise of Java

Wake up early, Banyuwangi is known for its sunrise. Step onto your balcony or walk to the edge of the hotel grounds. The first light rolls in across the Bali Strait, catching the curve of the waves and lighting up Bali in the distance. It's calm, a little cool, and worth being up for.

 

Afterwards, settle in for breakfast at Casabanyu Restaurant & Bar, fresh-cut fruit, warm pastries, and local favourites like lontong sayur or nasi goreng. The coffee is strong. The view does the rest.
 

Take a short stroll to the Klatak Beach, just a few steps from the hotel ground. The tide is usually low in the morning, the sand soft underfoot. Or stay by the infinity pool, stretched out under a palm, watching the horizon drift.
 

It's your last day, but goodbyes aren't abrupt here. Pack slowly. Leave when you're ready. Chances are, part of you will already be planning to come back.