A budget
Recalculate
Why cash?
- Indonesia, and as a consequence Bali, remains a predominantly cash-based society. You may need to carry cash on you in order to not miss out on local experiences.
- There are no hidden fees with cash, unlike paying or withdrawing with a bank card.
- If you plan on visiting more rural Balinese islands, ATMs and card payment systems may not be as common.
Things to consider:
- Carrying large amounts of cash around with you in Bali may not be safe. Read our tips on how to keep your cash safe with you while you travel
- It may be easier to lose track of your spending when using only cash.
Whilst card payments are accepted in major hotels, stores, and restaurants, Bali is still a cash-based island. Having cash on hand in Bali is recommended in order to not miss out on local street food, markets, and other attractions. Other cash-only services include paying for motorbike parking, buying petrol, and tipping. What’s more, if you plan on visiting more rural areas, ATM availability, power outages, and limited card payment facilities make cash essential.
Why prepaid travel card?
- Many upscale restaurants and hotels will accept travel cards as a form of payment.
- Prepaid travel cards allow you to load multiple currencies. This is handy if you plan on visiting any other Southeast Asian countries on your travels.
- Prepaid travel cards allow you to lock in an exchange rate at the time of purchase, meaning you save money long-term*.
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Things to consider:
- There are still many experiences that are cash only in Bali. This includes sampling street food, buying small gifts, and more.
- If you plan on travelling to more remote islands, cards may not be accepted, and ATMs harder to find.
- There will be fees associated with withdrawing cash and paying on card in Bali4.
Cards are accepted as a form of payment across Bali. This, coupled with the prevalence of ATMs, makes travel cards an easy travel money option. What’s more, you can load multiple currencies onto your cards if you are planning on country-hopping around Asia. However, be aware of hidden costs when paying on foreign cards, and missing out on cash-only Balinese experiences.
Why debit or credit card?
- More and more places are beginning to accept cards in Bali. This includes in restaurants, cafes, shops, and spas. Visa and Mastercard are the most popular.
- Credit cards are a great way to provide a backup pool of funds in case of any emergencies.
- You may need a bank card to pre-book experiences such as hotels and tours.
Things to consider:
- As Bali is a cash-based destination, there will be times when credit and debit cards are not accepted as forms of payment.
- There will be fees associated with paying for items using a foreign credit card. These can range from 3%-5% surcharge on card transactions.
Bank card acceptance is widespread in Bali. They are accepted in most hotels, stores, restaurants, bars, and cafes. Keep in mind that there may be hidden costs when paying with a foreign card in Indonesia. If you plan on travelling to more remote islands or villages, it is always best to bring some cash along with you.
