Increase in Indonesian Visa on Arrival fee

In July, Indonesia increased the Visa on Arrival fee from $25 USD to $35 USD. Good to know so that you can have some crisp money that the officials will not give you a hard time about.

I always pick up Indonesian rupiah in the States before my trips since the exchange rate is better. Can one still pay in rupiah?

I was told that the rupiah must be in new condition, but another source told me that it must be in USD. I paid with USD and had no problems.

I was told that the rupiah must be in new condition, but another source told me that it must be in USD. I paid with USD and had no problems.

You can pay in rupiah, USD, AUD, £ or Euros, this is for sure. I don't care changing IDR before my stay 3 times a year.

Probably in other regional money like Ringgit and Sing$ as well.

My local Bali connection say USD of $100 bills need to be 2006 or newer edition and in new condition.

You can pay in rupiah, USD, AUD, £ or Euros, this is for sure. I don't care changing IDR before my stay 3 times a year.

 

Probably in other regional money like Ringgit and Sing$ as well.

I would think the Indonesian rupiah would be legal tender in Indonesia

My local Bali connection say USD of $100 bills need to be 2006 or newer edition and in new condition.

That's par for the course throughout Asia when exchanging dollars for local currency.

I also find it hard to believe you get a better rate exchanging dollars for rupiah in Delaware than you would at an official or unofficial currency exchange in Indonesia. (But of course I can't prove this.)

The best exchange rate I found was with Bank of America.

Just look at the bank money exchanger's buy and sell rates at JFK or LAX vs DPS for buying rupiah with USD.

You will see at LAX or JFK that you get more rupiah for the USD than at DPS.

I get my rupiah through Wells Fargo and do not pay a comission or transaction fee.

I would think the Indonesian rupiah would be legal tender in Indonesia

That's par for the course throughout Asia when exchanging dollars for local currency.

 

Maybe I wasn't clear enough but what I was saying is that it's not worth changing money for Visa on Arrival since they accept practically all currencies. it's even best to pay in USD since the visa cost was originally defined in USD and that they will "change" the visa price in currency for a rather poor exchange rate.

As for other means of paying, many of the resorts give prices in USD or euros, it will always be better to pay them in the currency they advertize prices in, otherwise it will be converted to the hotel own exchange rate to rupiah at the time of paying. Rupiah is good for paying at the warung, purchsing ferry tickets, paying airport taxes or giving tips but no so much for settling resort and dive centers bills.