Bali Travel Forum

Card or Cash
Posted: Thu March 5, 2009 09:26 AM UTC

Hi there everyone,

We are heading to Bali on 15th March and are still weighing up whether to take cash to bali and leave it in the room safe or put it all on to a debit card and withdraw from ATM's as we need it..
Whats the best option??

Thanks in advance

Brett

bookers

8 replies

[Reply]

Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Thu March 5, 2009 09:41 AM UTC

Hi,
No need to bring cash. ATM's are everywhere in the tourist areas.
Although certain banks do only accept local debit cards, many do, e.g. those of BII and of BCA.
Most ATM's let you withdraw Rp 1,250,000 in one draw (25 notes of Rp 50,000).
Some ATM's - mainly at the bank offices - give out RP 100,000 notes with a maximum of Rp 2,500,000 in one draw.
Cheers,
Theo

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theo1006

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Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Thu March 5, 2009 10:00 AM UTC

Bali is quite safe.. Not too worry.. I'v ever been there.

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eunicekong25

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Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Thu March 5, 2009 11:00 AM UTC

I agree with theo1006, no need for cash, ATMs abundant and credit cards widely accepted.

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gittygoat

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Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Thu March 5, 2009 11:34 AM UTC

I take both, I like to have a bit of cash with me which I leave in the hotel safe and then use ATM when I run out. I have not had any problems with ATM's other than sometimes you can't take out as much as you would like because of the limits and that you get charged by your bank for overseas withdrawls.

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meggy88

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Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Thu March 5, 2009 02:34 PM UTC

Keeping cash in room safes is not something I would recommend anywhere.

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PL&L

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Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Thu March 5, 2009 09:35 PM UTC

I've lefy money, passport, camera's ipod's etc in safe countless times and never had a problem.

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meggy88

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Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Fri March 6, 2009 08:24 PM UTC

You should take some cash - small bills $1 and $5. Also get some clean money, some places are having a hard time with money that is ripped, marked up with telephone numbers, ink, etc. ATM's are usually around. Room safes has been ok for us - we have made 3 trips to Bali in the last 5 years. US money is ok to use, but if you buy something that cost a dollar or so and give a $20, there may a long wait for change - some of the smaller shops do not have a lot of change, and it doesn't matter if its US or Indonesia money. John

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jonbarb709

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Re: Card or Cash
Posted: Sun March 8, 2009 06:40 PM UTC

Well i used to be the safe and secure person, book 4* hotels and take travellers cheques. Now sometimes i dont even have a hotel to go to when i arrive, and i certainly have the one basic, my bank card. As long as you use the atms with cirrus or whatever your associated bank logo is on your card you should be ok. Bear in mind do let your bank know you will be overseas, it takes 30 secs but could save you a days travel. Check with your bank and you should be ok. Mind you if you withdraw from atms do so with a days planning of spendings as each costs $4+ nothing to travellers cheques but you can save on fees.

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