Money & Payments in Ubud

Overview

ATM fees vary by source and card provider.

Budget Cards

Wise and Revolut offer fee-free withdrawals within monthly limits, after which small percentages apply (typically 2%).

General Culture

Tipping is not traditional in Balinese culture and is not mandatory. However, it is appreciated in tourist-facing service sectors (hospitality, dining, spas, guides) where staff wages are modest.

Practical Tips

• Withdraw cash from reputable bank ATMs (BCA, BNI, Mandiri) during business hours for safety and to avoid fees.
• Carry small cash denominations (10,000-100,000 IDR notes) for negotiating at markets and tipping.
• Use Wise or Revolut cards if available—they offer favorable ATM withdrawal terms in Indonesia.
• Market shopping requires cash; it's essential for haggling and most vendors do not accept cards.
• Check restaurant bills carefully—many include service charge and tax, so additional tipping is optional.
• Avoid ATMs near major tourist attractions (Ubud Palace, Monkey Forest, CocoMart) due to higher skimming risk.
• Use QRIS (QR code payment) at some modern cafés and shops if you have a local app set up; otherwise, rely on cash.
• Tipping is appreciated but not expected—be guided by service quality rather than obligation.

Overview

ATMs are widely available in central Ubud.

Best Practice

Use ATMs at major local banks (BCA, BNI, Mandiri, Bank BRI) during business hours. These banks are government-owned, reliable, and often have no withdrawal fees for foreign cards with compatible providers (Wise, Revolut). Avoid ATMs in lesser-known areas or near major tourist attractions due to higher fees and card-skimming risk.

Card Compatibility

Most ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express and Discover are rarely accepted.

Daily Withdrawal Limits

IDR 2,000,000

Note On Limits

Typical daily limits are IDR 2,000,000-3,000,000 per transaction, varying by bank.

Overview

Card acceptance varies significantly by venue type.

Symbol

Rp or IDR

Local Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

Note

Only IDR is legally accepted in Ubud. USD may be accepted by some vendors but at poor rates.

Process

In-person at branch only (no online onboarding for non-residents). Apply, submit documents, make initial deposit, receive debit card and e-banking setup instructions. Account often operational same day or within hours.

Overview

Foreigners can open Indonesian bank accounts with proper documentation. Main barrier is residency status—KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) or KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit) required by most banks, though Ubud branches (especially PermataBank) have more flexibility due to large expat population. Tourist visa holders face severe restrictions.

Debit Card

Instant or same-day access. Credit cards require work contract or established business.

Account Types

Savings, deposit, and checking accounts. Multi-currency accounts available at some banks.

Minimum Deposit

IDR 500,000

Fintech Alternative

If arriving without KITAS, use international multi-currency fintech (e.g., Wise) to hold IDR and pay via debit card without Indonesian residency requirement.