Currency
The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is the local currency, commonly also abbreviated to Rp. Denominations of Rp.100 and 100 are in the form of coins, 500 and 1,000 are in either coins or bills, and Rp.5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 are only available in bills.
In Bali, carry a handful of Rp.10,000 to Rp.100,000 notes for your daily expenses. Backing this up with a credit card for major purchases is a good idea.
In Bali, carry a handful of Rp.10,000 to Rp.100,000 notes for your daily expenses. Backing this up with a credit card for major purchases is a good idea.
CHANGING MONEY
Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveler’s checks, should be exchanged at major banks or authorized money changers.
The US dollar and the EURO are the preferred foreign currency in Bali. Bring only new, clean US$ bank notes which are not damaged in any way. Even in perfect condition a dollar bill from 2006 might not be accepted. But for any currency watchout that the condition is good. If for instance a corner is missing or someone scribbled something on an otherwise perfect bill, a cut (even small) hardly any moneychanger in Bali will accept it at full value – or at all.
Exchange rates offered by money changers in Bali are generally better than by the banks, they stay open longer and transactions are faster. Sometime for US$100 notes better exchange rates are offered than for US$10 or US$20 bills.
Always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange, as many money changers are advertising better rates and then simply charge a commission. Count the money you receive carefully and never ever hand it back to the money changer after you counted it!
Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveler’s checks, should be exchanged at major banks or authorized money changers.
The US dollar and the EURO are the preferred foreign currency in Bali. Bring only new, clean US$ bank notes which are not damaged in any way. Even in perfect condition a dollar bill from 2006 might not be accepted. But for any currency watchout that the condition is good. If for instance a corner is missing or someone scribbled something on an otherwise perfect bill, a cut (even small) hardly any moneychanger in Bali will accept it at full value – or at all.
Exchange rates offered by money changers in Bali are generally better than by the banks, they stay open longer and transactions are faster. Sometime for US$100 notes better exchange rates are offered than for US$10 or US$20 bills.
Always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange, as many money changers are advertising better rates and then simply charge a commission. Count the money you receive carefully and never ever hand it back to the money changer after you counted it!
CREDIT CARDS
Many shops accept credit cards and charge cards but often add 2-3 percent to your bill. Visa and Mastercard are accepted by most. The amount signed for and charged is in Rupiah and the bill is then converted by the clearing banks to your domestic currency.
Many shops accept credit cards and charge cards but often add 2-3 percent to your bill. Visa and Mastercard are accepted by most. The amount signed for and charged is in Rupiah and the bill is then converted by the clearing banks to your domestic currency.
ATMs
Automatic Teller Machines can be found all over the island, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. It will be easy for you to find one in any of the main tourist centres. Most of them are connected to international banking networks thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network. You can draw usually between Rp1.5million and Rp3million. There is a sticker on the machine that indicates whether it dispenses Rp50.000 or Rp100.000 bills.
Automatic Teller Machines can be found all over the island, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. It will be easy for you to find one in any of the main tourist centres. Most of them are connected to international banking networks thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network. You can draw usually between Rp1.5million and Rp3million. There is a sticker on the machine that indicates whether it dispenses Rp50.000 or Rp100.000 bills.