Bali Guide by IZZI · Arrival & Lifehacks

Money in Bali: Cash, Cards & Exchange

How to pay for things without getting stung
ENRU

Bali runs on the Indonesian rupiah (IDR), and getting your money set up right in the first day or two saves you real cash and a few headaches. Prices look alarming at first — a bowl of noodles might be "50,000" — but you get used to the zeros fast. Here's how cash, cards and exchange actually work here, and where the traps are.

Cash is still king

Bali is far more cash-based than most visitors expect. Warungs, markets, small cafes, drivers, temple entries and scooter rentals are usually cash only. Bigger restaurants, hotels and beach clubs take cards, but even some of those add a surcharge. Plan to carry cash for daily spending and treat cards as backup, not the default.

Getting rupiah: ATMs vs money changers

  • ATMs are the safest way to get cash — use ones attached to real banks (BCA, Mandiri, BNI) or inside malls, not standalone machines on the street. Note the withdrawal limit per transaction and your home bank's fees. Always choose to be charged in IDR, not your home currency, to avoid a bad "conversion" rate.
  • Money changers can give good rates but are the classic tourist trap. Use authorised changers with a clear posted rate and a proper shop — never a back-alley counter offering a rate that's "too good." Count your money fully before you leave the counter, every time.
Tip: the money-changer scam is real — sleight of hand, "miscounts," and rates that change once you're committed. If a rate is far better than everywhere else, that's the red flag, not the bargain.

Cards, apps and tipping

Visa and Mastercard work at larger venues; Amex less so. Gojek and Grab (the ride and delivery apps) can link a card or run on cash and are how most people get around and order food. A service charge of around 15–21% (service plus tax) is often added at restaurants — check the bill; when it's included, extra tipping is optional. For drivers and small services, rounding up or a small cash tip is kind but not obligatory.

Reading the zeros

The rupiah has a lot of zeros, which trips people up early. Roughly, 100,000 IDR is a small handful of dollars/euros — check the current rate when you arrive. Locals often say prices in thousands ("that's fifty" means 50,000). Keep smaller notes handy: drivers, warungs and markets often can't break a 100,000 note for a small purchase.

Quick answers

Should I use cash or card in Bali?

Mostly cash — warungs, markets, drivers and small places are cash only. Cards work at bigger restaurants and hotels but sometimes add a surcharge.

Where should I withdraw or change money?

Use ATMs attached to real banks or inside malls, and only authorised money changers with clearly posted rates. Avoid street machines and "too good" rates.

Should I pay in rupiah or my home currency at an ATM?

Always choose rupiah. Paying in your home currency triggers a poor "dynamic conversion" rate.

Do I need to tip in Bali?

Restaurants often add a 15–21% service charge already. Extra tipping is optional; rounding up for drivers and small services is a kind touch.

Sorted your money and scooter? The rest of the island's yours — our Bali Guide has the routes, beaches and evenings worth spending it on.

More from this guide: Bali Guide by IZZI · food & restaurant guides at izzibali.com/blog

IZZI Rooftop — Restaurant, Bar & Shisha Lounge · Google Maps · Tripadvisor 4.9 · @izzi_bali · WhatsApp · JL. BATU BELIG NO.38, FLOOR 5 · OPEN DAILY 2 PM–4 AM