Money in Bali: Rupiah, ATMs, Money Changers, QRIS and Tipping

The short answer

Bring a debit card that charges low or no foreign withdrawal fees, take out rupiah from bank-attached ATMs, pay by card where it is accepted, and carry small notes for warungs, parking, temples and tips. If you exchange cash, use a licensed money changer, never a streetside booth with a rate that looks too good. That simple routine avoids nearly every money problem visitors run into in Bali.

All prices in Bali are in Indonesian rupiah (IDR, written Rp), and paying in rupiah is a legal requirement. In October 2026 one US dollar buys roughly IDR 18,000, so a IDR 100,000 note is worth about US$5.50. A quick shortcut: knock off four zeros and halve it for a rough US dollar figure.

Getting to know the rupiah

The largest note is IDR 100,000 (red), followed by 50,000 (blue), 20,000 (green), 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000, plus coins for small change. You will carry a thick wallet. Two habits save headaches:

• Keep a stack of 10,000 and 20,000 notes for parking, small shops, temple donations and drivers, who often cannot break a 100,000.
• Count the zeros before you hand a note over. When every note carries four or five of them, giving a 100,000 instead of a 10,000 in a dim bar is an easy mistake.

ATMs: which banks and how to avoid skimming

ATMs are everywhere in South Bali and Ubud, and scarcer in the north, east and on Nusa Penida. Withdraw before you head out.

Stick to ATMs attached to a bank branch or inside a guarded building or large minimarket, ideally during daytime. Machines tucked into dark alleys or standalone booths near nightlife strips are where skimming devices tend to turn up. Before inserting your card, give the slot a gentle tug, cover the keypad with your hand, and if anything looks loose or glued on, walk away.

State banks BNI, Mandiri and BRI are the usual recommendations. Fees vary by bank and by your card. Many visitors find Mandiri and BNI charge no local fee on foreign cards, while some banks add a fixed fee per withdrawal or a percentage. If the screen warns of an additional fee, cancel and try another bank. A common limit is around IDR 2,500,000 per transaction, though it varies.

Two more traps. Some machines dispense cash before returning your card, so wait for the card. And if an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, always decline and choose rupiah; the conversion offered is almost always worse.

Money changers: scams and the licensed alternative

The classic Bali money changer scam has been running for decades. A small booth advertises a rate slightly better than everyone else. The clerk counts your rupiah several times, lets you count it, then counts it once more, and in that final shuffle a few notes slip under the counter. Sometimes a rigged counting machine is involved.

How to avoid it:

• Use licensed money changers in proper premises, with air conditioning, glass fronts and printed rate boards. Bank Indonesia requires licensed changers to display official signage, and the governor's 2025 rules for tourists specifically tell visitors to change money only at licensed operators displaying the official Bank Indonesia QR code.
• Bank Indonesia's moneychangerbali.com portal lists licensed operators and directions to the nearest one.
• Treat an unusually high rate, or "no commission" signs on a tiny stall, as a warning.
• Count the money yourself, last, in front of the clerk, and do not let them touch it again. If they insist on a recount, take your original cash back and leave.

Banks and the airport also exchange money; rates at the airport are usually poorer, so change only what you need for the first day.

Cards, QRIS and digital payments

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, supermarkets and larger shops in tourist areas. Many places add a surcharge of around 2-3% for card payments, and some supermarkets set a minimum spend. Cash is still king at warungs, local markets, fuel stations, parking lots, small homestays in the north and many temple and waterfall ticket booths.

QRIS, Indonesia's national QR payment standard, is now everywhere, from street vendors to five-star hotels. Visitors can use it in two ways. Travelers from countries linked through cross-border QRIS, including Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, can scan with their home banking app. Everyone else can use an Indonesian e-wallet, or a tourist pack sold at the airport that bundles a SIM card with an e-wallet. Gojek's and Grab's wallets also pay for rides and food.

Tipping customs in Bali

Tipping is not traditionally expected in Bali, but it is genuinely appreciated, and wages in tourism are low. Some benchmarks:

• Restaurants: many mid-range and upscale places add tax and a service charge, shown as "++" on the menu. If a service charge is already included, an extra tip is optional. Where none is added, 5-10% is generous.
• Warungs: no tip expected; leaving the small change is a kind touch.
• Private drivers: around IDR 50,000-100,000 per day for good service.
• Gojek and Grab: IDR 5,000-10,000, more in heavy rain.
• Spa and massage: IDR 20,000-50,000 where no service charge applies.
• Hotel housekeeping: IDR 20,000-50,000; porters IDR 10,000-20,000.

Hand tips over discreetly and with your right hand.

A simple money plan for your trip

Arrive with a card or two from different banks, keep them in separate places, and lock one in the safe. Withdraw IDR 1,000,000-2,000,000 at a time from bank ATMs, pay by card or QRIS where it makes sense, and keep small notes for everything else. Set aside some cash for the tourist levy if you have not paid it online, and for entry fees outside the south. Do that, and money becomes the least memorable part of your trip.