Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
crisp new notes and avoid $100 bills, which can be hard to exchange; pre-1996 ones are not
accepted at all.
A few people still carry at least some of their money as
travellers' cheques
, which are
accepted at banks and exchange counters across Bali and in the tourist centres of Lombok
(Senggigi, the Gili Islands and Mataram). Outside these areas on Lombok, facilities are rarer
so be sure to carry enough cash. The best cheques are those issued by the most familiar
names, particularly American Express in US dollars or pounds sterling, though numerous
other currencies are accepted in the largest resorts. Keep the
receipt
(or proof of purchase)
when you buy your travellers' cheques, as you may need to show it. Be aware that if you lose
your passport your travellers' cheques will be useless as you can't encash them, so a backup
access to funds (a credit or debit card) in case of emergency is useful.
In tourist centres,
exchange counters
are the most convenient places to cash your cheques.
They open daily from around 10am to 10pm and rates compare favourably with those offered
by the banks. However, be wary of
moneychanging scams
, particularly in Kuta, Bali.
Normal
banking hours
are Monday-Thursday 8am-2pm, Friday 8am-noon and, in some
branches, Saturday 8-11.30am, but these do vary. However, in many banks the foreign-ex-
change counter only opens for a limited period. Banks in smaller towns don't have foreign-
exchange facilities.
Plastic
Major
credit cards
, most commonly Visa and MasterCard, are accepted by most mid- to top-
end hotels and tourist businesses. However, outlets often add to your bill the entire fee that is
charged to them (currently four percent), bumping costs up.
In Bali's and Lombok's biggest tourist centres you'll find
ATMs
that accept international
cards, both Visa and MasterCard as well as Visa
debit cards
. If you can't find one, track
down the local Hardy's supermarket - there's always at least one ATM attached. See the rel-
evant sections of our resort and city accounts in the Guide for ATM locations; for an up-to-
the-minute list, check
mastercard.com
and
visa.com
. Note that currently some tourist
centres, notably Amed, Padang Bai, Candidasa, Sidemen, Tirtagangga and Pemuteran on Bali
and Senaru/Rinjani and Kuta on Lombok, have no international Visa ATM. Make sure you
know what the charges are for using your cards to withdraw cash overseas. Be aware that
your home bank may well block your card when you initially try to use it abroad, even if
you've warned them of your trip, and it may take a couple of phone calls to sort this out -
take the relevant telephone number with you.
Be careful when using your card - unlike machines at home, some of the Bali and Lombok
machines only return your card
after
they've dispensed your cash, making it easier to forget
card in ATMs, hotels and other businesses and allow you to top up as and when you wish.
