Bali Money and ATM Guide

The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is one of the world's lower-value currencies relative to the US Dollar, with an exchange rate of approximately 1 USD to 15,500 IDR. This means that the prices you encounter in Bali involve large numbers that can feel disorienting at first. A bottle of water costs IDR 5,000 (USD 0.32), a meal at a local warung costs IDR 25,000 to 50,000 (USD 1.60 to 3.25), and a night at a mid-range hotel costs IDR 500,000 to 1,500,000 (USD 32 to 97). Banknotes come in denominations of IDR 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000. The IDR 100,000 note is red and is the largest denomination, worth approximately USD 6.50. You will use these most frequently for larger purchases. The IDR 50,000 note (blue) and IDR 20,000 note (green) are your everyday workhorses for meals, transport, and small purchases. Smaller denominations (IDR 1,000 to 10,000) are essential for tips, parking fees, and small vendor purchases, so always keep a supply of small bills in your wallet. A useful mental shortcut for quick price conversion: divide the Rupiah amount by 15,000 to get an approximate US Dollar equivalent. So IDR 150,000 is roughly USD 10, IDR 750,000 is about USD 50, and IDR 1,500,000 is approximately USD 100. For Euros, divide by roughly 16,500. For British Pounds, divide by approximately 19,500. For Australian Dollars, divide by about 10,000. These are approximate rates but will keep you from overpaying or undervaluing items in the moment. Coins exist in Bali but are rarely used in daily transactions. You may receive them as change at supermarkets or convenience stores, but most small-value transactions are rounded to the nearest IDR 500 or IDR 1,000.

ATMs are widely available throughout Bali's tourist areas and are the most convenient way to get Indonesian Rupiah at a competitive exchange rate. However, not all ATMs are equal, and some common pitfalls can cost you significant money or leave you without access to cash. The best ATMs to use are those belonging to Indonesia's major banks: BCA (Bank Central Asia) and Bank Mandiri consistently offer the highest withdrawal limits, most reliable machines, and the best exchange rates. BCA ATMs typically allow withdrawals of up to IDR 1,250,000 per transaction (some newer machines allow IDR 2,500,000), while Bank Mandiri machines commonly dispense up to IDR 2,500,000 per transaction. BNI (Bank Negara Indonesia) and BRI (Bank Rakyat Indonesia) are also reliable options. These banks' ATMs are found inside or directly attached to bank branches, inside shopping malls, and at clearly marked standalone kiosks. Avoid standalone ATMs in isolated locations, particularly those tucked into narrow alleys, attached to small shops, or sitting in poorly lit areas. These machines carry a higher risk of card skimming devices being installed. If the card slot looks unusual, the keypad has a strange overlay, or there is anything attached to the machine that looks out of place, use a different ATM. Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN regardless of where you are. Most ATMs charge a local bank fee of IDR 25,000 to 50,000 per international withdrawal. Your home bank will likely add its own foreign transaction fee on top. To minimize these costs, withdraw the maximum amount possible per transaction and carry the cash rather than making multiple small withdrawals. Notify your bank that you will be traveling to Indonesia before your trip to prevent your card from being blocked as a fraud precaution. Bring at least two different debit or credit cards from different banks as a backup, since card malfunctions or bank-side blocks can leave you cashless if you rely on a single card.

Currency exchange counters are found throughout Bali's tourist areas and can offer competitive rates for converting cash from major currencies into Indonesian Rupiah. However, the money changing business in Bali has a well-documented history of scams, and understanding how to exchange money safely can save you from losing significant amounts. The golden rule is: if the rate looks too good to be true, it is. Legitimate money changers offer rates that are within 1 to 2 percent of the mid-market rate you see on Google or XE.com. A money changer advertising a rate that is 5 to 10 percent better than the going rate is using the inflated rate as bait and will shortchange you through sleight of hand, miscounting, hidden fees, or rigged calculators. The most common scam involves a seemingly straightforward counting process where the staff fans through the bills quickly and removes notes during the count while your attention is on the total. Another technique is to use a calculator that displays one amount while the actual math produces a different number. A third approach is to quote an excellent rate for your currency but then deduct various fees or commissions after you have already handed over your cash. To exchange money safely, use only authorized money changers that display a Bank Indonesia license. The most trusted chains include Central Kuta Money Exchange, PT Dirgahayu Valuta Prima (identifiable by their green signage), and BMC (Bali Maspintjinra). Major hotels also offer exchange services at slightly less favorable but completely reliable rates. Always count the money yourself, bill by bill, before leaving the counter. Do not let the staff take the bills back to recount after you have verified the amount. If anything feels off during the transaction, politely decline and walk away.

Credit and debit card acceptance in Bali follows a clear pattern: the more upscale and tourist-oriented the establishment, the more likely they accept cards. Understanding where cards work and where you need cash prevents awkward moments at the checkout counter. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted card networks in Bali. American Express and Discover/Diners Club have much more limited acceptance and are best left as backup options. Cards are reliably accepted at mid-range to luxury hotels, international restaurant chains, established tourist restaurants in Seminyak, Ubud, and Nusa Dua, larger retail stores, dive shops, surf schools, and booking offices for tours and activities. Cards are generally not accepted at local warungs (family-run eateries), street food vendors, market stalls, small shops and convenience stores in non-tourist areas, local transport including taxis (though Grab and Gojek accept card payment through their apps), temple entrance fees, and most beach-side rental operations for surfboards, sunbeds, and umbrellas. The majority of transactions under IDR 100,000 are cash-only. When you do pay by card, you may encounter a surcharge of 2 to 3 percent added by the merchant to cover their card processing fees. This is technically against card network rules but is common practice in Bali. Additionally, your own bank will typically charge a foreign transaction fee of 1 to 3 percent on top. Together, this can mean paying 3 to 6 percent more than the listed price. Some travel-oriented credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, so check your card's terms before departure. Digital payment apps are growing in Indonesia. GoPay (integrated with Gojek) and OVO are the two main mobile wallets, but they require an Indonesian bank account or phone number to set up, making them impractical for most short-term visitors. QRIS, Indonesia's standardized QR code payment system, is appearing at more businesses, and some international wallets may integrate with it in the future, but for now, cash and international cards remain the primary payment methods for tourists.

Tipping in Bali is appreciated but not obligatory in the way it is in countries like the United States. Many restaurants add a service charge of 5 to 10 percent plus 11 percent government tax (often displayed as '++' after the price on menus), which means a tip on top is not expected but is welcomed for exceptional service. At restaurants without a service charge, leaving 5 to 10 percent of the bill is a generous gesture. For specific services, general tipping guidelines are as follows: hotel housekeeping receives IDR 20,000 to 50,000 per day left on the pillow or bedside table; private drivers for day tours receive IDR 50,000 to 100,000 for a full day; tour guides receive IDR 50,000 to 100,000 depending on the tour length; spa therapists receive IDR 30,000 to 50,000 per treatment; porters at hotels receive IDR 20,000 to 30,000 per bag; and Grab or Gojek drivers receive a small tip of IDR 5,000 to 10,000 through the app or in cash. These amounts reflect genuine local appreciation and are not obligatory minimums. Bargaining is expected and normal at traditional markets, street vendors, souvenir shops, and with transport operators who quote non-metered prices. It is not appropriate at restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, or businesses with fixed price tags. A reasonable bargaining approach starts with offering 40 to 50 percent of the initial asking price, with a realistic final price landing around 60 to 70 percent. The process should be friendly, conducted with a smile, and treated as a social interaction rather than an adversarial negotiation. Walk away politely if the price does not come down to what you consider fair; the vendor will often call you back with a lower offer. One important cultural note: once you agree on a price during bargaining, you are socially committed to the purchase. Agreeing to a price and then walking away without buying is considered rude in Balinese culture.

Understanding typical daily costs helps you plan your budget and avoid either overspending or unnecessarily scrimping. Bali offers excellent value at every price level, but the range between budget and luxury is wider than many travelers expect. Here is a realistic daily budget breakdown for three common travel styles. Budget travelers (IDR 300,000 to 600,000 per day, approximately USD 20 to 40): Stay in guesthouses or hostels (IDR 100,000 to 200,000 per night), eat at local warungs and street food stalls (IDR 15,000 to 35,000 per meal), rent a scooter for transport (IDR 70,000 to 100,000 per day), and focus on free or low-cost activities like beaches, temples, and rice terrace walks. At this level, Bali is one of the most affordable quality destinations in Southeast Asia. Mid-range travelers (IDR 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 per day, approximately USD 65 to 160): Stay in comfortable hotels or private villas (IDR 400,000 to 1,200,000 per night), eat at a mix of local restaurants and tourist-oriented cafes (IDR 50,000 to 150,000 per meal), use a combination of scooter and Grab for transport, and include activities like surf lessons, temple tours with guides, snorkeling trips, and spa treatments (IDR 150,000 to 500,000 each). Luxury travelers (IDR 5,000,000 and above per day, approximately USD 325+): Stay at resort hotels or premium private villas (IDR 2,000,000 to 10,000,000+ per night), dine at Bali's acclaimed restaurants and beach clubs (IDR 300,000 to 1,000,000 per meal), hire private drivers and guides, and enjoy premium experiences like helicopter tours, private boat charters, and exclusive spa retreats. Regardless of your budget level, factor in costs that are easy to forget: visa fees (IDR 500,000 for VOA), temple entrance fees (IDR 30,000 to 150,000 per temple), parking fees, tipping, and the inevitable souvenir shopping at markets. An emergency cash reserve of IDR 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 is also wise to keep on hand for unexpected expenses.