Money

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Travel Guide

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Money in Ubud, Bali

The exchange rate to the U.S. dollar as of 2010 is approximately Rp10,000 to $1. Indonesia, like Korea, uses large denominations but your money stretches a lot farther in Indonesia. The withdrawal limit from ATMs runs from Rp1,000,000 to Rp3,000,000.

CURRENCY
In Indonesia is the Rupiah, IDR. Rp is the official abbreviation. Rp 20,000 or Rp20,000 for example.

Tip, Caution
For the most part, I could only withdraw Rp1,000,000 at a time, which is only $100 USD. I withdrew twice or three times so I didn’t have keep hitting up the ATM machines. However, remember that you pay 1. an international transaction fee, which is a small percentage of the amount you withdraw 2. a non-bank fee.

ACCESSIBILITY
On Jalan Monkey Forest, the easiest, accessible (which is not to say it was accessible) ATM machine I found was a Bank Danamon, which was close to Alit Shop and closer to the north part of Jalan Monkey Forest. The ATM has a booth around it and a step. The step is about 5 inches high.
Jalan Raya Ubud, the main street, is more wheelchair-friendly and there are appeared to be more accessible ATM machines. Also, I believe there were actual bank branches.

ATMs and BANKS
The major banks and ATMs you’ll see in Bali –

• Lippo Bank (merged with Bank Niaga Indonesia)
• BNI (Bank Niaga Indonesia, or Bank CIMB Niaga)
• BCA (Bank Central Asia)
• Bank Danamon
• Commonwealth Bank
• BPI (Bank of Philippines Islands)
• Citibank does have a presence as well (Sanur at McDonald Denpasar JI. Raya By Pass Ngurah Ray No. 109.).

BNI (Bank Niaga Indonesia) is actually CIMB group and will show up as Bank CIMB Niaga, Indonesia (mergers) on your transaction receipts.

I used BNI (in Sanur), BCA (in Kuta) and Bank Danamon (Ubud) during my trip.

Withdraw Limits

• BNI – Rp3,000,000 ($300) – at least in the airport
• BCA – Jalan Legian at 2981 Agung Cottage – Rp1,000,000
• Bank Danamon (in Ubud) – Rp1,000,000

MONEY CHANGERS
As mentioned in the South Bali section, remember that Bali is a tourist trap and that the Balinese try to make money at every turn. That being said, I would only suggest going to a Circle K money changer. That being said, you can either change at your hotel or try Alit Shop or July Seven Tour & Service on Jalan Monkey Forest.

Just be careful. As usual, I prefer ATMs over money changers, especially in Bali, even if you’re docked international transaction fees and a couple of dollars in non-bank ATM fees.

SALES TAX
Generally speaking, only restaurants and hotels charge sales tax – from 10 percent to 25 percent, depending on the class of the establishment. For everything else, you don’t get taxed. That goes for convenience stores (though I heard that alcohol and cigarettes are taxed) if you buy water, etc.

TIPPING
You don’t need to tip in Bali. However, from my experience, tipping is welcomed of course. It’s not like Beijing where the wait staff runs after you with your tip if you leave one. Rp5,000 is a good amount for the wait staff at high end restaurants, bell hops, etc.
Note: There is no need to tip a hired driver. You negotiate a price for a certain timeframe and just pay that price.