Bali and Indonesia remain destinations where cash still dominates daily life: getting your rupiah ready before departure spares you plenty of unpleasant surprises once there.
The Indonesian rupiah (IDR): a currency counted in the thousands
Indonesia's official currency is the Indonesian rupiah, whose international code is IDR and whose symbol is "Rp". Its quirk often throws European travellers off: amounts are expressed in tens, or even hundreds, of thousands. A coffee costs tens of thousands of rupiah, a dish in a warung a little more, and a night in a guesthouse easily runs into the hundreds of thousands. Banknotes go up to 100,000 Rp, and it is easy to confuse a 10,000 note with a 100,000 one because of the many zeros and sometimes similar colours.
Practical tip: get into the habit of mentally dropping the last three zeros and thinking "in thousands". Always double-check the number of zeros when paying or collecting your change, especially when tired after a long flight or a long day out.
Why cash remains essential in Bali and Indonesia
Despite the rise of local payment apps such as GoPay or OVO, Indonesia remains a largely cash-based economy. As soon as you leave the big hotels and the tourist restaurants of Ubud, Seminyak or Canggu, bank cards often become unusable. The warungs (small family eateries), the markets, the scooter drivers, the temples, the fruit sellers and the beachside massages operate almost exclusively in cash.
This is even truer as soon as you move away from Bali: Lombok, the Gili Islands, Flores, rural Java or Sulawesi offer very few payment terminals. Having a reserve of rupiah on arrival lets you pay for the taxi, the first night and the first meals stress-free, while you scout out a reliable ATM.
ATMs on site: useful but to be handled with care
Automated teller machines (ATMs) are plentiful in tourist areas, but they have several limitations. Many cap withdrawals per transaction, which multiplies the fixed fees charged by your French bank on each withdrawal. Some isolated machines have also been targeted by "skimming" devices (card copying). Favour ATMs located inside or at the entrance of a recognised bank (BCA, Mandiri, BNI) rather than those at convenience stores open at night.
Also check the type of notes dispensed: a machine handing out large denominations may turn out to be less practical day to day than the opposite. Keeping part of your budget in euros exchanged in advance therefore remains a safeguard, in case your card is swallowed or the banking network is temporarily unavailable.
Absolute caution with street money changers
This is the most classic scam in Bali: exchange offices advertising "unbeatable" rates, often in the small lanes of Kuta or Legian, with the words "no commission". The trap is sprung at the moment of counting. The advertised rate looks correct, then the clerk recounts the bundles very quickly, discreetly slips a few notes under the counter or into a drawer, and hands you back an amount lower than the one agreed.
A few rules to avoid being trapped on site: refuse any hidden office or one without an official storefront, count your notes yourself right to the end before leaving the counter, never let go of your euros until you have checked the sum received, and steer clear of rates too good to be true. The best protection is quite simply to arrive with a reserve of rupiah exchanged at a trusted establishment, in France, before departure.
Exchanging your euros for rupiah before you leave, with complete peace of mind
Sorting out your currency in Paris means setting off with an easy mind. Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), welcomes you at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter (Saint-Michel metro line 4, RER B and C Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame). The firm offers commission-free exchange on more than 53 currencies, including the Indonesian rupiah, and stays open 7 days a week: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, which is rare in Paris for wrapping up your last preparations.
To avoid waiting and to guarantee the availability of your currency, you can book online and then come and pick up your rupiah in store. Discover our available currencies and arrange your exchange before flying off to Denpasar. Worth noting for the return trip: above €10,000 (or the equivalent) in cash entering or leaving the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to exchange your euros in France or in Bali?
Exchanging a reserve before departure protects you from street money changer scams and ensures you can pay as soon as you arrive. On site, you can top up via the ATMs of the major banks, without relying entirely on them.
Can you pay by card everywhere in Bali?
No. Hotels and tourist restaurants accept cards, but warungs, markets, local transport and most of the islands operate in cash. Cash in rupiah remains essential.
Should you keep small denominations?
Yes. Small traders and drivers rarely have enough to give change on a large note such as a 100,000 Rp bill. Keep an assortment of small denominations for everyday purchases.
Prepare for your trip with a light heart: book your Indonesian rupiah online and pick them up at Paris Change, 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, commission-free and open 7 days a week.
