When visiting countries like Indonesia in particular Bali, there is always the question of how much money should you bring as we do not want to bring too much or not enough money. And you do not want to use your card as the fees can be expensive. The biggest risk is a thief as tourists are always an easy target which is a sure way to ruin a holiday if all your money was stolen. But should I exchange money before I travel to Bali?
You need to budget what you think your daily expense would be and bring that amount of money. You should also bring some money that is your home currency as you can get better exchange rates in Bali. Bali does not have any foreign card ATM fees but you should only use cards in case of emergency or if you have overspent. As the exchange rates with cards are bad and there maybe be fees.
In this post, we will go through whether should you exchange money before you travel to Bali. Let’s get started!
Learn More On Bali
- How Much Does Beer Cost In Bali?
- Best Places To Dive In Bali
- Bali Travel Tips – Reasons NOT To Visit Bali!
- What Are The Best Beaches in Bali?
- Which Is Better Kuta Or Seminyak In Bali?
- Can You Drink Tap Water In Bali?
- Is There Any Elephant Sanctuary In Bali?
- What Can You Not Eat In Bali?
How Much Cash Should I Carry To Bali?
Indonesia does have restrictions on how much money you can carry in and out of the country. Bali is part of Indonesia this also applies to Bali.
The max you can carry into Bali is $7,500 USD and the same amount when leaving. At present, there seems to be no minimum amount.
Should I Exchange Money Before I Travel To Bali?
Yes, you should exchange money before visiting Bali. The amount depends really on your budget and the length of your visit. A holiday to Bali can be expensive as Bali is not cheap without the additional costs of exchanging money.
Currency conversion is unavoidable, and it is one that you can reduce the conversion costs by being aware of the costs and with a little preparation before you travel to Bali.
There is a number of considerations when deciding on the amount of money you need before visiting Bali. These are as follows.
- Using bank cards in Bali have poor exchange rates and the are fees that are added by the banks.
- Using your credit card in Bali there may be an extra charge applied of 3 to 5 % by the retailer or hotel.
- Bring too much money, there is a risk of a thief or losing your money.
- When entering Bali, the Maximum funds you are allowed to enter Bali with is $7,500 USD.
You should bring some money that is your home currency as you can get better exchange rates in Bali.
If you are planning out your budget and wondering how much to bring to Bali. If you estimate that that on average you are going to spend on average $100 USD a day and you are visiting got 14 days. This includes accommodation and food as well as activities.
You would need $1400 USD which is around 20,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah. In this case, you could exchange $700 and bring $700 and exchange it in Bali as you need it. As you get a better exchange rate in Bali.
Only use the ATM card when your cash is gone or in an emergency. As the exchange rates on bank cards are poor well as fees may be applied.
Is It Better To Buy Indonesian Rupiah In Bali?
Simply you will get a better exchange rate in Bali, with hotels or shops usually having a lower exchange rate than the many bank money changers. Almost all ATMs and credit cards charge at least a 3 percent fee for changing money into Rupiah.
My preference is to bring some Indonesian Rupiah and home currency. And only use the ATM or credit card for emergencies.
Can I Use Credit Card In Bali?
Yes, credit cards are accepted all over Bali but the more small local family ran businesses will more than likely not have the facilities to accept credit cards. In large cities and touristy areas, credit cards are generally accepted.
Remember there might be at least a 3 percent fee added to the final price by the hotel or retailer.
How Much Money Do I Need For A Month In Bali?
You can visit Bali on a budget of $20 to $40 a day. This includes accommodation and food but it may be a little tight especially if you want to enjoy the nightlife and go doing activities. A good budget would be closer to $100 a day.
Should I Tip In Bali?
No there is no need to tip in Bali. Tipping is not expected in Bali, so there is no requirement to tip anyone, but small tips for good service are appreciated. In bars and restaurants, it is customary to leave behind any loose change in coins as a tip.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, you need to budget what you think your daily expense would be and bring that amount of money. You should also bring some money that is your home currency as you can get better exchange rates in Bali. Bali does not have any foreign card ATM fees but you should only use cards in case of emergency or if you have overspent. As the exchange rates on using cards are bad and there maybe be fees.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on whether should I exchange money before I travel to Bali has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.