Bali is stacked with ATM machines which is good for the local economy and good for tourists. The days of visiting banks and money changers, spending half an hour filling out forms to get $20 are over. Now whether you are in Kuta, Denpasar, Lovina or Nusa Dua, you can access your cash 24/7. As globalization spreads, efficient ways of doing things become the norm. Bank cards issued overseas that have the Star, Cirrus, Maestro, etc. symbols will be able to access the ATMs of local banks.
Money is issued in Indonesian rupiah. ATM machine are sometimes open to the air, sometimes enclosed in a little AC room. On the outside of the machine it will indicate which cards are compatible. It will also say what denomination the money is dispensed in, either 50,000rp or 100,000rp notes. When you put your card in, you will be asked to select from the Indonesian or English language menu. After entering your PIN number, you will select what service you need (withdrawal, balance inquiry etc.) and from which account (Saving or Checking). After about 15 seconds the money is dispensed, then the receipt then the card. Don’t forget to wait for your card.
Bali has around 12 different banks, each with many branches. The most popular are BII, BNI, BCA. Local account holders are able to withdraw money from their bank’s ATMs for free. Account holders of local backs can withdraw larger sums from ATMs than non-account holders. For example the maximum amount withdrawal from a BCA ATM is 2.5mrp per session, 2 sessions per day. Lippo bank allows you to draw out 2m rp per session although the same ATM machine sometimes allows a different rate (figure that out!), which may be something to do with the amount of money left in the machine. A Silver account with BCA allows a daily withdrawal of 5m rp, a Gold account 10m rp. ATMs vary greatly in the maximum amount they allow you to withdraw. You will be offered a series of amounts and ‘Other Amount’. By clicking on ‘Other Amount’ and typing the figure, you’ll find out if its possible. If not you’ll be directed to enter a lower figure. To use another bank’s ATM machine the charge is 25,000rp.
ATMs in Bali are generally reliable and scams are rare. The worst thing that can happen is you
forget to take your card back.
