FOREX in Indonesia

Make sure you have clean new, crisp, unmarked $$ too.

If you are going to Raja Ampat bring Euros

or convert ahead of time to Rupia (they do take Rupia)

they take Euros without the inspection dilemma of US $$

(I even bring Euros for Manado)

No $20, or $10, or $ 50, just crispy $100's

$100's need to be from 2006 or later

Big problem

If you are going to Raja Ampat bring Euros

or convert ahead of time to Rupia (they do take Rupia)

they take Euros without the inspection dilemma of US $$

(I even bring Euros for Manado)

No $20, or $10, or $ 50, just crispy $100's

$100's need to be from 2006 or later

Big problem

Bill we have done 4-6 dive trips in Raja Ampat every year since 1999 and found that it is much easier to use ATMs to get Rupiah than trying to exchange USD.

With the widespread installations of ATMs in Indonesia there is no reason to have to exchange USD for Rupiah, we were very glad when the ATMs started to pop up all over Indonesia because it eliminated the hassle of the money changer or the time spent in a bank to change to Rupiah

We advise our liveaboard guests that ATMs are the easiest and most hassle free method of obtaining Rupiah. All of the International airports, DPS, MDC, JKT, UPG have ATMs that are conveniently located. There are ATMs through out Bali, Manado, and also in Sorong in Raja Ampat.

Most of the large Indonesian banks have an ATM just outside the entrance to the bank.

The hassle with trying to get pristine USD$100 bills here in TX is very time consuming. We accumulate some so that we have a ready supply if needed for emergencies but always use ATMs for Rupiah to spend whilst we are in Indonesia.

Since when did Indonesia stop taking USD$100 bills printed prior to 2006? We were in Manado in May-June of this year and there was no problem changing bills that were printed after 1999.

The money changers dislike certain series, in particular the 1996 series of $100 bills. I have never heard of them rejecting everything before 2006.. If it's useful to people here i can head into a Money Changer on my way into town today and find out what bills they definitely reject.

ATM's present their own difficulties, especially in remote areas such as Ambon or Sorong. They only vend the equivalent of $5 bills in most cases, with a maximum transaction of 1.2 or 1.5 million most of the time - so you have to repeat the process over and over; which can flag your card as being fraudulently used by your home bank.

Also, relying solely on ATMs is not a good idea as they are frequently empty (especially a the weekend) - even here in Bali, and often empty or broken in the more remote areas.

Bring USD / Euro cash as a back up or even travellers cheques just in case you do not have time to get to an ATM before getting on your liveaboard etc.

As Tony says, ATMs are the most convenient route, though be sure to check on the policies of your bank -- you might be surprised how much surcharge gets added to the transaction. Normally the exchange rate isn't much worse (if any) than you'd get at a money changer in country. That being said, you do have to be prepared if the ATMs don't work. Also, as has been noted, apart from some machines in Bali, most distribute 50,000 rupiah notes and limit the transaction to 1.5M rupiah at a time. In some of the more remote areas, I've seen it restricted to 1M at a time. This may make it necessary to run the card through several times, depending on how much money you're trying to take out. I would advise calling your bank ahead of time to make sure they are aware that 1) you will be using your card in another country and 2) your usage pattern may change. Also be sure to get the "non-1800" number from them -- most have a regular phone number and usually you can call collect from overseas if you have trouble.

Bottom line -- though I've never had trouble using ATMs -- in Bali, Manado, Sorong and even Toraja -- given the potential issues I always bring along some "emergency" US$ (can't afford Euros ) as well just in case.

Mike

Since we are on the subject of spending money, many places which take credit cards can also charge in US$. This saves the 1-3% service charge most banks charge if your card is US based.

I've checked the exchange rates from the ATM and the money changers I frequent. You sometimes get better deals than the ATMs because Indonesians want US$. Apparently it is less volatile than the rupiah . ATMs tend to automatically cut you off first then you have to reinstate it by calling the bank, not an easy thing to do from Indo.

ATT collect call number : 001-801-10 or Indo operator 101.

ATT is mostly automated so you have to buzz the operator if your bank has an automated voice system.

Since we are on the subject of spending money, many places which take credit cards can also charge in US$. This saves the 1-3% service charge most banks charge if your card is US based.

Most U.S. Visa and Mastercard issuers now charge you 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the charge for any charges made outside the U.S.

As Mike pointed out your U.S. bank may well slap a surcharge on you for an ATM withdrawl outside of the U.S. However some banks and brokerage houses waive the fees for ATM usage in foreign countries. I know that Charles Schwab credits you for any fees for using their Debit card in any ATM worldwide.

If you use a Bank of America Debit card in an ATM outside the U.S. they will slap a surcharge on you. I believe it is a % of the U.S. dollar amount plus a small flat fee per usage.

Since I discovered that Schwab doesn't hit you with a surcharge that is the only card I use in ATMs outside the U.S.

Bank of America, Chase Bank and Charles Schwab have a daily withdrawal limit of $1000 on ATMs outside the U.S.

Even with the limitations of 1.5 million $RP at some ATMs you can usually run your card 2 or 3 times and end up with the equivalent of $330 or almost $500 U.S. for 5 minutes at the ATM. USD$500 will go a long way in Indonesia and the ATMs are all over the place. Occasionally we find one out of service or out of money but there are usually others around fairly close by.

There are one or two ATMs in Ubud where you can get $RP 2 million 2 or 3 times each time you run your card through the machine.

I have found that ATMs are much more convenient and easier than the hassle with exchanging money at a money changer where first of all you have to find one that is open, secondly he must have Rupiah at the time you are there, and finally you have to count it 2 or 3 times before you leave the counter to make sure that you weren't short changed.

ATM is the way to go, we travel to Manado, Sorong, and Bali at least 6 times per year and never had a problem with ATM's. Just make sure that the one you are using can take Visa and Mastercard or Cirrus, some only take visa etc. and others only MC etc.

I do think it wisest to bring both depending on what you'll be doing. Imagine trying to buy art/furniture at 50 million rupiah ($5500) only for the bank to shut you out for too many foreign ATM transactions in one go. Sure you can use a credit card in many places now, but some places give you that cash discount, which can be from 3-10%. What about art pieces in the outer islands while you're on a liveaboard? I invariably have to loan someone a few million rupiah to cover purchases en route. (of course, do not buy historical relics as it is illegal, as someone who paid $1000 for a canon he can't bring back home can attest! You know who you are. )

Visa/Plus and MasterCard/Cirrus are pretty much accepted at the majority of ATM. Permata, Lippo, Commonwealth, BNI and Mandiri all have PLUS/CIRRUS.

I rarely use ATM's. Yes, they are in many places in the highly populated areas, but I have yet to see them on some of the small islands I dive around. I travel in PNG and Indonesia and have never had a problem with USD. I carry fresh 20's, 50's and 100's and have never had any rejected. I have never had my bills scutinized other than not wanting tattered paper.

I bought a wad of 1's off a porter in Bali that people had used as tips. They were worthless to him. I bought about 40.00 worth of them from the poor guy. When I got home I noticed three of them were SILVER CERTIFICATES! Musta been hanging onto them a long time.

I use money changers whenever possible. They give better rates than hotels, usually. I also like the experience of mixing into the economy. If I make big purchases, I put it on my charge card. I have never had a problem with it. Remember, if you worry about someone getting your info, you can report the card stolen and get a new one when you get home to limit that possibility.