Bali is a place of longing and a vacation paradise at the same time. The island in the Indian Ocean offers mild temperatures throughout the year, and of course, tourism between waves, palm trees and temples is also very important. These days, Bali attracts not only tourists from Indonesia, Australia and Asia, but is also particularly popular with Europeans.
But what currency is used in Bali for payments, how common is card payment and what options are there for withdrawing money? This guide reveals everything you need to know about paying in Bali.
What currency is used in Bali?
The official currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), after all, the island of Bali also belongs to the province of Bali and that is part of Indonesia. The Indonesian Rupiah usually has a very favorable exchange rate compared to the strong US dollar. In recent years, it has mostly ranged between 14,000 and 16,000 IDR per US dollar. Even if you don’t carry a lot of cash, tourists should expect the currency to be on a different scale than in their home country.
One advantage is that when touring Indonesia, banknotes and coins are of course also valid in other parts of the country – ideal for round trips.
Banknotes and coins in Bali
The Indonesian rupiah is available in notes and coins. The denominations for notes are 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. However, the smallest two notes are very rarely used and are more likely to be paid out in coins. Coins are available in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 rupiah. Even the smallest two coins (25 and 50) are rarely used for payments.
A typical Balinese meal such as Nasi Goreng costs between 8,000 and 50,000 IDR in most regions. The latter price is already one that includes a tourist surcharge. Converted, this is between 50 cents and 3 US dollars. Small Indonesian denominations are therefore hardly worth anything. Accordingly, the smallest notes and coins have also disappeared from common payment transactions.
The banknotes between 20,000 and 100,000 IDR have been redesigned and revised since 2004. However, older notes are still valid. This occasionally leads to a little confusion among travelers, but is absolutely unproblematic in payment transactions.
Tips for making payments in Bali
Precisely because the values in Bali are so high, travelers should be quick at mental arithmetic. Also, rounding up small differences between the amount to be paid and the amount paid is absolutely common. This also prevents the issue of very small coins and bills. Many shops sweeten the rounding up with some sweets, which is actually no longer allowed in theory, but can still be found occasionally in practice.
It is generally worth carrying smaller notes (1,000 to 20,000) in your wallet, as this makes it easy to pay small amounts in cash.
Tip: 10,000 and 100,000 IDR are often difficult to distinguish in a hurry due to their color (purple and burgundy, respectively). Tourists should therefore learn to separate the two bills or sort the cash in their wallets.
What are the common payment options in Bali?
Cash is still the most common form of payment in Bali. Outside of the tourist centers, credit cards are not as widely accepted as travelers may be accustomed to in other parts of the world. Although credit cards are often accepted, it is advisable to carry some cash in your wallet, especially when touring the more remote regions.
However, this usually leads to two small problems: many ATMs limit cash withdrawals to around 100 US dollars and, due to the large number of bills, your wallet can quickly become full. If you handle a lot of cash, you can quickly become a target for pickpockets in Bali, so you need to be careful.
In frequently visited places, there are always ATMs within walking distance and the minimum withdrawal limit in Bali is very low anyway.
Credit card and currency in Bali
In principle, it is always advisable to carry a credit card and some cash with you for spontaneous purchases in Bali. Carrying your entire travel budget in cash is not a good idea.
With a major credit card (VISA, Mastercard), cash withdrawals are possible almost everywhere in Bali. Of course, you can also exchange money into Indonesian Rupiah upon arrival at the airport without any problems. The exchange rate is usually cheaper locally than in your home country – especially since many local banks do not offer IDR. It is important to note that there may be fees for withdrawals abroad, which can quickly add up, even for small amounts. In some cases, it may be advisable to get a free credit card to spend before you travel.
While hotels in Bali are very comfortable, they often offer unattractive exchange rates. The situation is different with the exchange offices, which usually offer very good rates. Australian dollars or US dollars can be easily exchanged for Indonesian rupiah there. Of course, caution should be exercised with unofficial exchange offices in backyards.
While the US dollar is often also accepted as a means of payment in other Asian countries, paying with foreign currency is rather unusual in Bali. Cash payments in US dollars are usually not accepted and if they are, then only with a print date after 2001.
Conclusion – how travelers pay in Bali
A credit card or Maestro/Cirrus card is therefore essential in Bali and also sufficient in touristically well-developed regions. If you also have some cash with you for smaller shops or street food, you are well equipped. In remote areas, carrying a little more cash is definitely an advantage, as the density of ATMs there is usually not particularly high.
