If you’re wondering whether you can pay with US dollars in Bali and what currency you should bring with you, this post has all the information you need. As a traveller, it can be tricky to figure out how to avoid unnecessary US dollar fees, exchange money and pick the best ATM in Bali.
We’ve got all this info and more in our complete guide to using American dollars, Euro, GBP, Indonesian Rupiah and other currencies in Bali and all of Indonesia, whether it be with a credit card payment, money exchange or cash withdrawal.
So let us tell you if the US dollar is accepted in Bali, Indonesia and what to use as an alternative.
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Why you can trust this article about paying with US dollars in Bali
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.
I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.
Since I travel quite a lot, I always end up with leftover currency, including Indonesian Rupiah, US Dollars and more. If you need tips and advice on when and where to exchange cash and whether you can make use of your US dollars during your time in Bali, I can help you out.
All You Need For Your Bali Trip
Are US dollars widely accepted in Bali, Indonesia?
The usd is not widely accepted in Bali, Indonesia and everything is paid in the local currency; Indonesian Rupiah or IDR.
Some countries in South East Asia, namely Cambodia, use the US Dollar as their main currency, but Bali’s Indonesian Rupiah is actually quite strong compared to the Cambodian Riel, so there is no reason for locals to accept the dollar.
You also have to consider the aspect of national pride and that it is respectful to adjust to a country’s customs. You would find it strange if a Indonesian person were to pay with Indonesian Rupiah in the United States, so expect the same when you come to Bali.
Can I pay with Euro in Bali?
Just as is the case for US dollars, Euros are not accepted in Bali or anywhere in Indonesia, and you won’t be able to pay in any European currency. Indonesian Rupiah is the only official currency of the country and you cannot pay with Euro anywhere, including large chain stores or local shops.
Can I pay with the US dollar or the Indian Rupee in Bali, Indonesia?
Bali is welcoming more and more Indian tourists, but paying with rupees is not possible anywhere in the country. Indian tourists need to exchange their rupees either before they depart from home or on arrival in Bali.
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What currency do they use in Bali?
The national currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah, which is valued at approximately IDR 17,000 per €1, IDR 15,700 per US $1 and IDR 20,000 per £1.
This means that IDR 100,000 is approximately €5.85, US $6.35 and £5.
Of course, these numbers will change depending on the strength of each individual currency, but they can act as a rough guideline for approximating values.
The Indonesian Rupiah comes in IDR 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 bills, or coins of even smaller denominations.
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Which currency is the best one to use in Bali, Indonesia?
The best and only currency to use in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah. Any other currencies will not be accepted in daily life, so it’s best not to try to use them.
It’s also illegal to use any currency other than the Indonesian Rupiah for payment in Indonesia.
Is using US dollars illegal in Bali, Indonesia?
In 2011, Indonesia introduced the following law:
*Rupiah must be used in:
a. every transaction that has the purpose of payment;
b. settlement of other obligations that must be fulfilled with money; and/or
c. other financial transactions,
carried out in the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
*this section was translated from Bahasa Indonesia into English
This, is why it can be stated, that paying in currencies other than the Indonesian Rupiah is essentially illegal in Indonesia. There have been issues regarding this in the past, especially with the rise of businesses in Bali accepting crypto payments, which is technically not legal.
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Which currency should I take to Bali?
If you own a credit card or Visa debit card, you don’t really need to take any currency in cash to Bali. Depending on your bank and type of card, the easiest and cheapest way to get cash in Bali is to head to an ATM, where you might be charged a small fee, but it should generally be lower than what you would pay when converting cash.
We’ll go deeper into the topic below.
That being said, it may be smart to have around US $50 to $100 in cash with you as an emergency fund, but carrying more just puts you at risk of having it stolen.
If you’re set on bringing cash to Bali, I would recommend bringing your home currency since an additional exchange would only result in you losing even more money.
Should I exchange money before I travel to Bali?
In my experience, exchanging money is best done in the country you’re travelling to, especially when it comes to places with comparatively low-value currency like Indonesia.
If you’re arriving in Bali from the United States, I would recommend exchanging money on arrival, although not at the airport, where exchange rates are notoriously high.
Instead, find a reputable money changer with good reviews somewhere in a populated area and double-check the amount you’re receiving is correct to avoid scams.
Should you exchange money in Bali at the airport?
Exchanging cash at an airport is generally not advisable since money changers know that travellers do not have much choice when arriving in a new place without the local currency.
It’s much better to wait and head to the centre of town to exchange your cash. You could do this if you have the Grab app installed on your phone already, which allows you to pay via credit card. You might want to get an eSIM to help make the process easier.
Another alternative is to exchange only a small amount of cash at the airport to pay for your transport, and then switch a larger sum once you’ve made it to your hotel.
Is it safe to carry cash in Bali?
It’s just as safe to carry cash in Bali as it is in most other places around South East Asia. Petty theft does occur, but it’s not extremely common and with some common sense can be almost completely avoided.
Keep the majority of your cash safely hidden and locked away at your accommodation, and only carry what you need for the day, just in case you run into issues.
Bali is a safe place to visit, and while busy areas like Canggu, Kuta, and Ubud might have an influx of pickpockets, this is not the norm.
How can I avoid ATM fees in Bali?
There are two types of fees you will come across when it comes to getting cash from an ATM in Bali. One will come from your bank back at home and the other from the ATM itself.
That means that avoiding fees at an ATM in Bali begins with finding a travel-friendly bank that won’t charge you for getting cash out abroad. Generally, most banks charge either between 1% and 5% or a flat fee somewhere close to US $5 and $10.
Others offer cards that will allow you to get cash from a Visa or Mastercard ATM abroad completely free of charge. Definitely double-check this to get an idea of how much you’ll be paying.
The second type of fee comes from the ATM itself and can be anywhere between IDR 10,000 and IDR 100,000 (~ $0.60 US and $6.00 US).
Luckily, the ATM will inform you of the fee you’ll be paying so you can decide whether it’s too much or not.
I highly recommend using Maybank ATMs, which are quite common in Bali. They do not charge ATM fees for Visa cards and often let you take out as much as IDR 3 million (~ $190 US) at a time. You can recognise them by their yellow colour.
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If an ATM asks you whether you’d like to pay in Indonesian Rupiah or use their conversion rate, always choose to pay in Indonesian Rupiah. That way, your own bank will decide the conversion rate, which provides more value for money.
Can you withdraw US dollar from any ATM in Bali?
No, you cannot withdraw US dollars from ATMs in Bali, they only dispense Indonesian Rupiah. The only way to obtain US dollars in Bali is from a money changer.
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Cash vs credit card in Bali
It’s becoming more and more common to be able to pay with a credit card in Bali, although most of the country still runs on cash. You can most likely pay by card in nicer restaurants and in big stores, but street food, taxi drivers and daily necessities will be unable to accept cards.
You can also use your credit card for Grab and Gojek, but make sure to read our how-to guide first.
Is an American Express credit card widely accepted in Bali, Indonesia?
While you can pay with Visa and Mastercard in a growing number of establishments in Bali and all of Indonesia, American Express or Amex is still not widely accepted in Indonesia. It’s best to carry a second card that isn’t American Express to make sure you will be able to get money out at ATMs in Bali, or pay with card.
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Credit card payment – in Indonesian Rupiah or US dollar?
When abroad, always pay in the local currency so that your own bank provides the exchange rate and not the place you’re shopping with.
This means that a credit card payment in Bali should always be done in Indonesian Rupiah and not GBP, US dollars or Euro. That way, you’ll save money and get a much more favourable rate.
Is it better to take cash or to use a credit card while visiting Bali?
Some travellers prefer to travel with cash and exchange it into the local currency on arrival. However, I personally find that using a credit card to get money out of an ATM is cheaper and more reliable if you have a travel-friendly card.
Scams involving money changers are very common, especially in Bali. Plus, the commissions they charge can be high, or the exchange rates unfavourable, so using a free ATM like Maybank will be cheaper in most cases.
Just make sure to double-check the conditions of your bank to get money out abroad to make sure you’re not going to be facing unexpected fees.
What’s the US dollar currency limit to bring in and out of Bali?
Bali allows visitors to take a total value of IDR 100,000,000 ( ~ US $6350) in cash with them, which includes the equivalent in other currencies. If you are importing more, it needs to be declared with the customs department.
What can you get with 1 US dollar in Bali, Indonesia?
US $1 will buy a basic street food meal in Bali, a small bag of chips, two sodas, a souvenir bracelet, a short ride on a motorbike taxi using Grab in Canggu or a street food snack.
Using US dollars in Bali FAQ
Definitely take a credit card or Visa debit card with you when you travel. Having some emergency cash can also be very helpful.
Generally, it’s better to exchange money on arrival in Bali, not in your home country.
Bali is cheaper than most places in the United States, but alcohol, fine dining and upscale hotels can still be pricey.
You cannot spend US dollars in shops in Bali, the Indonesian Rupiah is the only accepted currency.
Before you go…
You’re ready to go explore Bali and navigate the different currencies, including the Indonesian Rupiah and the US dollar. If you’re looking for even more travel tips and advice, check out the best group tours in Bali, including our review of INTRO Travel’s Bali tours.
You’re also going to love our hotel guides to places like Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, Sanur and Gili Trawangan.
Looking for more luxury properties in Bali? You’ll fall in love with Sumberkima Hill and Uma Kalai.
You might also like our guide to billboards in Bali, the best things to do in Padang Bai, the best coral planting organisations and what you need to know about the tap water.
Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.
