Changing Money in Bali: Check the Counter and the Final Amount

A good-looking exchange rate is not enough if the commission and final payout are unclear. Exchange money when you have time to check it, not while rushing to meet a driver.

Check the business first

Bank Indonesia’s guidance requires authorised exchange businesses to display licensing information. Look for the KUPVA authorisation sign, the business name and a receipt. A sign alone is not a guarantee, but it is a useful starting check.

Calculate the net amount

Confirm the currency unit used for the quoted rate and ask for the total after any commission. For illustration only, if one yen bought 100 rupiah, JPY 10,000 would buy IDR 1,000,000. This is arithmetic, not a current exchange-rate quote. Use your own calculator to keep track of the zeros.

Count before leaving

• Agree the foreign-currency amount and final rupiah payout.
• Watch the notes being counted, then count them yourself.
• If someone handles the notes again, count them again afterwards.
• Match the receipt to the cash before putting it away.

Stop if the explanation changes, you are rushed or the figures do not match. If your original money is returned, check that amount too.

Avoid a single point of failure

The cash you need depends on your planned purchases and transport. Keep a backup payment method separate rather than exchanging and carrying the entire trip budget at once. See the trip-budget guide for planning expenses.