Official Currency in Bali: Tips for Travelers

When visiting Bali, you certainly need to know the official currency used in Bali and how to get cash to make transactions easier for you.

Below we will discuss the official currency in Bali and some practical tips regarding financial transactions there.

What is the Official Currency in Bali?

The official currency used in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) that generally marked with the symbol “Rp” and has various nominal values ​​in the form of paper and coins.

Commonly used banknote denominations include IDR 1,000, IDR 2,000, IDR 5,000, IDR 10,000, IDR 20,000, IDR 50,000, and IDR 100,000. For coins, the denominations ​​available are IDR 100, IDR 200, IDR 500, and IDR 1,000.

Meanwhile, the Rupiah exchange rate against foreign currencies such as the United States Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), or Australian Dollar (AUD) may vary.

Therefore, you should always check the latest exchange rates before exchanging money. Exchange rates can usually be found at banks, official money changers, or through banking applications.

Where can I Exchange Money in Bali?

For those of you who bring foreign currency (excluding rupiah) and want to exchange it into rupiah in Bali,  the following are some places you can visit.

1. Bank

There are many large banks in Bali such as Bank Mandiri, BNI, BRI, and BCA providing money exchange services with relatively stable exchange rates.

However, it should be noted that not all of these bank branches serve foreign money exchange.

You can visit one of the nearest bank branches and ask the officer there directly about the availability of exchange services.

If the bank branch does not accept it, usually the officer will give you the address of another nearest bank branch for you to exchange foreign currency.

2. Money Changer

Apart from banks, you can also exchange money at money changers which can be found near the airport or other tourist attractions such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud.

However, make sure you choose a trusted money changer to avoid fraud or unfair exchange rates.

Can I Use a Credit Card for Payment?

Yes, you can use a credit card for payments in Bali. Credit cards are widely accepted in Bali, especially in hotels, restaurants, and malls.

However, some places such as local stalls and traditional markets do not accept payments via credit cards or non-cash methods. Therefore, it is important to bring cash so you can make transactions at these places.

What are the Tips for Safe Transactions in Bali?

Here are some tips for you to make safe transactions in Bali.

1. Always Check Your Change

When you shop, sometimes small errors can occur, such as an incorrect change amount, especially in traditional stalls. Therefore, you should always check the amount of change before you leave the place.

2. Bring Small Money

Make sure you always bring a small amount of money when on holiday in Bali. This will be useful for you when paying parking fees, tips, and shopping at traditional markets.

So, that's everything you need to learn about transactions in Bali. Hope it is useful!