Visa and Exchange rates

SurreySteve

Can anyone tell me if there is still a problem using Visa cards in cash machines in Bali? Plus...what is the current street exchange rate for Sterling?

matsaleh

No problem using Visa cards in ATMs any longer, however, in popular tourist areas, there is a danger of card skimming, particularly at stand-alone ATMs and those in mini-marts. Check the machine carefully before using. Search Google for videos on how to spot a skimmer on an ATM. A safer option is to only use ATMs inside banks. Current exchange rates on the street can be found here. Updated every few hours during working hours. http://balibestrate.com/

SurreySteve

Great, thanks matsaleh. I'm coming out for a "Relocation Recce" trip and, although I am currently trying to learn Bahasi from books and CD's I'd like to cram about 20 hours into a face to face class somewhere near Seminyak. Plus, although I'd like to "immerse" I'd also like to meet up with expats (UK, OZ, NZ) to have a better social life as I will be coming out solo. Any suggestions?

Markit

Visit Sitti's Garden Bar in Sanur and say HI to Uncle Ron Hope he has a number of educational specialists working for him in diverse sizes and shapes that I'm sure will be more than happy to support you plunge into Indonesian life. There are also a number of Geriatric Viagra Surfers from all points on the globe that will tell you all you need to know as long as the kidneys/livers/beer hold out. Good luck and welcome to Bali!

sherm

I don't know if this is still a requirement for ATMs in Indonesia but pin numbers should be for digits long, more than that will not work.

DenpasarHouse

sherm wroteI don't know if this is still a requirement for ATMs in Indonesia but pin numbers should be for digits long, more than that will not work.

Do you mean for foreign cards? Because our local bank forced us to change our PIN to 6 digits and that works in all the ATMs in Indonesia.

sherm

DenpasarHouse wroteDo you mean for foreign cards? Because our local bank forced us to change our PIN to 6 digits and that works in all the ATMs in Indonesia.

See I don't know what I'm talking about! My first visit an Aussie friend told me that "fact" and my bank here in yankland said that was true. So you are in a better position to know than me.

DenpasarHouse

sherm wroteSee I don't know what I'm talking about! My first visit an Aussie friend told me that "fact" and my bank here in yankland said that was true. So you are in a better position to know than me.

It could still be true of foreign cards, but it's definitely not true for cards from local Indonesian banks.

ronb

sherm wroteI don't know if this is still a requirement for ATMs in Indonesia but pin numbers should be for digits long, more than that will not work.

I think that is ancient advice. All the ATMs I use accept 6 digits.