Bali Guide by IZZI · Arrival and lifehacks

Money in Bali: how to pay without getting stung

Cash, cards, ATMs and money changers — the traps, the rules that keep your money safe, and how to read all those zeros.

Rule oneCashwarungs, drivers, markets, temples, parking

At the ATMChoose IDRnever your home currency — the rate is worse

Where to withdrawBank ATMsattached to BCA, Mandiri, BNI, or inside malls

On the bill15–21%service and tax, added at most restaurants

The note that jams100,000too big for a warung — keep small ones

Bali runs on the Indonesian rupiah, 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 versus 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.

The 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 can link a card or run on cash, and are how most people get around and order food — the full breakdown, including what to do if your card won't attach, is in the Gojek and Grab guide. A service charge of around 15–21% is often added at restaurants: check the bill, and when it's included, extra tipping is optional. Where tipping and haggling are expected is covered in the tipping guide.

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 or euros — check the current rate when you arrive. Locals often say prices in thousands: "that's fifty" means 50,000. Keep smaller notes handy, because 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 set by the machine, not your bank.

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.

How much cash should I carry?

Roughly a day's spending in small notes. The 100,000 note is often too big for a warung, a parking attendant or a market stall, so break it at a bigger venue when you can.