Handling money in Indonesia

[Luko]

FWIW and many trips to Indo (I might try to count whether I get to your score OCDiver... should be close).

I take a bunch of cash with me (1500EUR) that I change in IDR as soon I get a good rate, for example BCI airport officeJakarta, a specific money changer in Kuta or Sanur, the bank in Manado or Ambon.

I try to stear out of flat banking fees that are applied on CC withtdrawals, the main issue is that allowed withdrawal amount is very limited with Indonesian ATMs, if you need a few millions IDR you need to do multiple withdrawal that will also multiply the flat banking fees. Hence I leave aside the withdrawal solution as a plan B.

I pay international hotel bills with my credit card but I tend to pay cash all shops that charge a credit card fee BUT I always have two cards a VISA and a MASTERCARD because I noticed using the VISA may be tricky and rejected with some CC devices. I didn't have such problems using a Mastercard.I would stringly advise bringing two different cards so that you're not stuck at a posh restaurant/hotel in Ubud or Lembongan with a dead mute credit card.

I won't wire money in any Indonesia bank if the operator requires so, it will be a nogo for me. I'd rather change the operator. If prepayment is required I will prefer credit card since all I'm paying is covered with the card insurance.
Prepaying will also depend on the area of indonesia, for instance I won't ever prepay my dives in Bali, I book them and pay on premises.

 

[Madacub]

Hi diverken374, one thing that has not been mentioned is that some ATMs dispense 50,000 Rupiah notes and some dispense 100,000 notes. They are marked as such on the ATM. Best to find the ones with 100,000. Else you will have too much paper to carry around. As it is, you may need to put them in an envelope, your wallet will get too thick and unwieldy and you may not want to be flashing a wallet like that around.

Also, I think there is a hard limit of 3,000,000 Rupiah (if I remember correctly) for each transaction. You will need to stand there and reinsert the card for another withdrawal. I think your bank in Canada will charge about $5 per transaction.

Liveaboards generally are happier with USD or Euros (depending on their ownership) and may insist on that for things like marine park fees. Plan ahead, remember that sometimes a resort is nowhere near an ATM, even if the town is not really a "remote" location. Tips to dive guides etc can add up on a longer trip.

As others have mentioned, have a backup card or two, but I only carry one card in my wallet at a time. I use room safes or lock my luggage and have never had a problem in several years of going there. People are generally honest and will not ordinarily break open locks. But don't leave valuables (spare cameras, or anything really) lying around in the open. And I have one credit card dedicated to my automated bill payments. That card stays secure and is not used for day to day transactions (even at home). Things like that may help to minimize disruptions if anything is lost.

I always get a local sim card - much cheaper. Much much cheaper. Easy to get almost anywhere and easy to keep topping up. (Obviously, your phone will need to be unlocked)

Hope this helps.

 

[billt4sf]

I always get a local sim card - much cheaper. Much much cheaper. Easy to get almost anywhere and easy to keep topping up. (Obviously, your phone will need to be unlocked) .

On the subject of phones, I really like T-Mobile because it's seamless - you land in Indo, you get a "Hello" message from T-Mobile. You land in Singapore - another message. Phone works anywhere, no changes necessary! I have never run out of data either, and I use FaceBook on it.

- Bill

 

[matts1w]

A few clarifications...

1. The maximum withdraw per transaction varies from bank to bank and ATM to ATM. There is an ATM near my office that only allows 1.5 million per transaction, and another at the nearby mall that will go as high as 3 million. Generally machines that dispense 100.000 notes have a higher limit, but not always.

2. Keep in mind that it is illegal for any organization in Indonesia to do business in anything but Indonesian Rupiah. For a while there was even serious pressure on resorts to only quote prices in Rupiah on their websites, but it seems authorities have backed off for now, especially in the tourism industry. The point is do not rely on anyone but moneychangers to accept your dollars or Euros once you have arrived. They may do it, but they ain't supposed to.

3. I hate having a wallet full of blue 50.000 notes, too. The problem is having only 100.000 notes opens up all sorts of silliness with street vendors, taxi drivers, etc... Some people love to play the "I don't have change" game in hope of a big tip or that you will buy more. Sometimes people literally do not have the change, and the search can take a while. It is good practice to always carry a bunch of small money.

 

[Darnold9999]

Finally, don't forget to TAKE YOUR CARD OUT after using the ATM! (From one who has learned the hard way...)

- Bill

The ATM's work in the reverse order in Indonesia - here they give you the card back then you get the $ - in Indonesia you get the $ then you get the card back. If you do it without thinking you can easily walk away leaving the card in the machine (also from one who has learned the hard way...)

Other than that and the fact that many ATM's have a very low limit - have had no issues with ATM's in Indo.

FYI American Express is all but useless in Indonesia. No office at all in Bali so no service.

 

[Russjstewart]

If you are staying on some of the smaller islands, you may have problems with ATM, we were on Nusa Lembongan, off Bali a few years ago, and the ATM's were out of cash. Story was they were serviced once a week, and as soon as the cash arrived the queue started.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I recall that on Lembongan, too. As we had read about the issue--probably on SB--we brought a wad of rupiah and avoided the ATMs. But I can see this being more difficult for a long-term visitor who can't bring bricks and bricks of rupiah.

 

[Dan]

I've been going to Indonesia every year for the past 10 years, ever since I caught the diving bug & in awe of the country's underwater scenery. I carry enough cash mostly in US $100 denomination (< $10K for obvious reason). You need to bring crisp, new, unfolded bills for best exchange rate. I just exchange the USD as needed basis. That's the easiest & least fees. You just need to make sure you have a safe place to keep your USD. No problem so far (knock on wood). Just wear baggy pants with big front pockets for carrying those bricks of Rupiah.

 

[diverken374]

Thanks to all for their helpful posts. Seems the best is bring a fair bit of Indonesian Rupiah to start. Carry lot's of US $ especially crisp $100 bills to exchange as you go keeping in mind that you cannot change them just anywhere and use approved money exchangers. Have a couple of credit cards VISA/Mastercard and inform them of your itinerary both by phone and by email. Use CC in hotels and restaurants if possible......sound about right?

 

[Dan]

Thanks to all for their helpful posts. Seems the best is bring a fair bit of Indonesian Rupiah to start. Carry lot's of US $ especially crisp $100 bills to exchange as you go keeping in mind that you cannot change them just anywhere and use approved money exchangers. Have a couple of credit cards VISA/Mastercard and inform them of your itinerary both by phone and by email. Use CC in hotels and restaurants if possible......sound about right?

You got it bud! Enjoy the trip!