Indonesia (ID)

Cash remains dominant outside major city centres and malls. QRIS (QR Indonesian Standard) has revolutionised digital payments since 2021 — a single QR code accepted by all e-wallets including GoPay, OVO, DANA, ShopeePay, and bank apps. GoPay (via GoJek) and GrabPay are universally used in Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya. Debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) accepted at malls, hotels, international restaurants, and supermarkets. Hawker warungs, traditional markets (pasar), and street stalls are cash-only. Prices often rounded to nearest Rp500–1,000. Avoid carrying large amounts of Rp100,000 notes — some vendors cannot make change.

BCA, Mandiri, BNI, and BRI ATMs are most reliable and widely available. Standalone white-label ATMs charge 3–5% fees — avoid them. Maximum withdrawal typically Rp1.25–2.5 million per transaction; daily limits vary by home bank. HSBC and Citibank ATMs available in Jakarta and major cities for international cards. Always notify your home bank before arrival to prevent card blocks. Carry some cash when travelling to rural areas or smaller islands.

Authorised money changers in Bali (Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud) and Jakarta (Blok M, Grand Indonesia area) offer competitive rates — always count your notes carefully. PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia and PT Bank Mandiri offer reliable rates. Avoid airport exchange for large amounts (10–15% worse rates). Wise and Revolut provide the best rates for card spending and international transfers. Counterfeit Rp50,000 and Rp100,000 notes exist — use UV lights at official exchangers.