Foreign Exchange
Major currencies can be exchanged in most banks, money changers, and hotels. There is often a different rate for any notes smaller than USD 100 and this applies to most currencies. If cashing travellers cheque you will require your passport.

Banks and money changers can easily be found in the larger towns on Bali. However, you should carry sufficient rupiah (Rp) when travelling to the less popular areas of Bali.

Banking hours are from 8.00 to 15.00 Mondays to Fridays, and from 8.00 to 12.00 on Saturdays. Banks in hotels usually stay open longer while money changers are generally open until early evening.

Almost all hotels and other businesses will accept foreign currency, but be warned hotels usually charge a lower rate of exchange than offered by banks or money changers. There are banks and ATM located at the Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Exchange Tips
Here are some tips if you want to change money or traveller's cheques at a money changer:
1. Make sure you calculate the rate yourself. Use your own calculator as some money changers modified their calculator.
2. Check to see whether there is a commission fee. Be cautious of high rates. Money changers who offer high rate as usually ask you a commission. If they say we have no commission, you must be careful too.
3. Count the money yourself. You will be surprised how many money changers are also good 'magicians'.
4. When you have finished counting your money and the total is right, do not give your money back to the money changer staff to re-count. It is likely the money changer may try and steal your money.
5. The money changer staff should give you a receipt. If not ask for one.
6. Do not flash your money, and change only as much as required.

Banks and Their Location
At most ATMs on Bali you can get up to Rp. 2 million with one withdrawal and in many places there are only three withdrawals per day.

If you use your credit card and go to any major bank, like Lippo or BNI, you can then get any amount up to Rp. 5 million.

If you are a regular visitor to Bali maybe you should open a rupiah bank account. This allows you to transfer money from your Bali bank account at any time from your country at moments that exchange rate of your currency is doing well!

You can open both a current and saving account, and for around Rp. 500,000. You can have an ATM card.

All the banks below have a good network of ATMs and can be found all over the Island in the main towns. If travelling outside of main tourist areas, it is best to take cash.

ATMs and their locations
Cash advances on Visa and MasterCard can also be made through many ATMs which display the relevant symbols. Cards and networks accepted by ATMs among Indonesia's main banks include: MasterCard, Cirrus, and Alto.

Credit Card Companies
AMEX Representative:
Hotel Bali Beach Arcade
Sanur Denpasar 80227
Phone: (0361) 288449.

Bank Central Asia:
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin 58,
Phone: (0361) 431012, 426369, 421144, 428053, and 421133