Cash is king, and it seems that fewer and fewer travelers here bring traveler’s checks. Exchange rates for cash is always better, but then again, there are security issues to ponder. DO NOT leave your cash in the safe deposit box of hotels. Most are fine, but unless you know for certain, it is wise to keep your cash with you at all times. Do not flash your cash around. This is considered rude.
Bank cards are fine, and there are ATM machines all over Bali, but maximum daily withdrawal amounts can vary, and I’m not up on that point.
US $100 notes, Euros, $100 or $500, Australian dollars, and British pound notes are always easily exchanged here except that US $100 dollar notes can be a problem if they are old series. Some of the late 1900 series are just not ever taken here. I think that is series 1996 and 1998...heavily counterfeited, thus they are only useful in the mandi. The best series for US $100 notes is 2005 or 2006. I’ve never heard of any counterfeit concerns with Euros, AUSD, or British pound notes. Maybe someone else will have information about them.
As previously noted, all bills should be clean, crisp, new, with no writing, sketches (even if by Arie Smit), folds and most certainly rips or missing parts.
I still think the best money changer on Bali is PT Central Kuta. They have offices all over Bali. Avoid banks for currency exchange. They are all a royal pain in the arse, and frankly, given the way most of them are run, I am continuously surprised they continue to operate. For certain, none of them have ever heard that “time is money” and you can easily waste hours there...all for nothing.
Have a great trip! Bali is fantastic, and just a little common sense about money can save you a lot.
