Bali, currency: what to take and where to change

Rest on the island paradise is worth a lot, however much you pay for the ticket, there is always the question of how much and what money to take with you to Bali. The currency in the whole country is the same - the Indonesian rupee. But the amount of expenses can not be calculated on the spot - there's everyone in need.

A bit of history

For the last century in Bali, the currency has not changed much. Before the capture of the Japanese (in 1944) in Indonesia, the guilders brought from the Netherlands were used. During the occupation they were replaced by rupees, but lasted a little more than a year. Already in 1945, Indonesia became an independent state and put into circulation its own rupees. For a time, the previous bank notes continued to be used, but Indonesian rupees gradually replaced them. Some islands continued to use their own banknotes until 1971.

After twenty years of exploitation of the Indonesian currency, it became necessary to denominate, and the state issued an updated rupee, replacing old bills at the rate of 1 to 1000. The latest currency collapse occurred during the financial crisis of the Asian countries (1997-1998). For a few months the rate jumped from 2000 to 16,800 rupees for one American dollar. Subsequently, the value of the Indonesian currency has risen slightly, but it is likely that in the coming years, a denomination may again be needed.

What money is in Bali, and where is it best to change the currency you bring in?

As in all other territorial units of Indonesia, on the paradise island, all operations are conducted only in the national monetary unit. In banks and exchange offices in Bali, the exchange rate differs significantly. It is most profitable to change money in a bank. In second place for the benefit of the exchangers. The lowest rate is presented in hotels - it is designed for tourists who do not want to leave the hotel territory once again.

If you immediately need rupees upon arrival, then exchange the required minimum directly at the airport. Enough to stock up payment for a taxi or other transport, and on the way to the hotel ask to stop at the bank.

What currency is best for Bali to exchange for local money? This question is difficult to answer, because the situation is constantly changing. With a periodicity of several months, the rating is headed by US dollars, euros, Australian dollars, Japanese yen.

Useful tips for exchanging money in Bali

When arriving in Bali, use our tips:

• To avoid fraud, contact only the official representative who issues you a document about the operation. A tempting exchange rate may deprive you of all the amount prepared for conversion.
• Despite the large denomination, you get a lot of bills on your hands, so carefully count them - in a large pack of cash may miss a few banknotes. If possible, ask to give out the amount of large bills.
• The currency received during the exchange in Bali must be checked for the absence of counterfeits! When counting bills at the cash register, peer at each one carefully.
• If you use the services of an exchange office, look for one that will have an inscription about the absence of a commission. In tourist centers can withdraw a few percent of the amount of exchange in the service provision.
• If you are not sure about the reliability of the exchange - do not change a large amount. Translate into rupee the number needed at the moment, and exchange the rest later.

What does the Indonesian currency unit look like?

After the Asian financial crisis, the exchange part of the rupee, sen, constituting the one-hundredth part of the Indonesian monetary unit disappeared out of use. Now only rupees produced in coins and bills are used. Metal money is less and less common, and prices tend to round up so as to use a paper equivalent.

For 2016, in Bali, you can find coins worth 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Indonesian rupees. The smallest are very rare. On the front of the coins, the national coat of arms, the year of issue and the phrase "Bank of Indonesia" are minted. The reverse of the face value is decorated with images of flowers widespread in the country (poppy - 25, jasmine - 500 rupees) and birds (starling - 50 and 200, cockatoos - 100 rupees). On the reverse side of the largest coin, 1000 rupees are minted by anklung - a musical instrument made of bamboo tubes.

Banknotes are printed with a face value of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Indonesian rupees. Denominations are made using bright colors and dozens of degrees of protection: overlapping and hidden images, micro text, rainbow print, fluorescent paint.

On the obverse there are portraits of people who influenced the development of the country, and the reverse contains images of Indonesia's landscapes, as well as elements from the life of local residents (tea gathering, national dance, fishing).

Cashless settlement in Bali

The currency of metal and paper in the country is gradually replaced by electronic systems. It is more convenient to have several bank cards with you than to go around with a bunch of banknotes. In Indonesia, non-cash payment is also gaining momentum: terminals, ATMs are being installed. More and more institutions accept bank cards, mostly Visa, MasterCard and American Express. By the way, it's better to pay by card than withdraw money from it at an ATM - for this extra interest is taken.

In what ratio does the currency in Bali change?

The exchange rate to the ruble, dollar and euro in August 2016 in Indonesia looked like this:

• 1 US dollar = 13139 Indonesian rupees, or for 1000 IDR you will receive 0.076 USD.
• 1 euro = 14881 Indonesian rupees, or for 1000 IDR you will receive 0.067 EUR.
• 1 Russian ruble = 205 Indonesian rupees, or for 1000 IDR you will get 4,87 RUB.
• 1 Ukrainian hryvnia = 522 Indonesian rupees, or for 1000 IDR you will receive 1.91 UAH.

The course can vary greatly depending on the chosen place of exchange. Do not forget about the possibility of withdrawing a commission for a financial transaction.