When you travel to another country, it is important to know its currency and how to complete transactions there. Visiting Indonesia is no different. You will need to know about Indonesia currency before you set foot in the country.
To make sure your trip goes smoothly, you must prepare what’s necessary when it comes to managing your money. In order to help you deal with the money transactions in Indonesia, check out the much-needed information about its currency below!
Introducing Indonesia Currency
Indonesia’s currency is known as “rupiah”. This is the official currency that has been officially used by the country since 1946. Rupiah is also commonly known by its symbol, Rp, or IDR in English.
The largest banknote of Indonesia currency is Rp100,000. It is the equivalent of about US $ 10. Next to the big Rp100,000 are Rp50,000, Rp20,000, Rp10,000, Rp5,000, Rp2,000, and Rp1,000.
Aside from taking notes on the bills, you can also differentiate the banknotes by their colors. The biggest one is in red, followed by blue, green, purple, and yellow. This is an important thing to know if you wish to carry around cash during your travels in Indonesia.
Available Places to Exchange Currency
It’s not that difficult to exchange currency in Indonesia. If you visit a major tourism city, like Jakarta or Bali, you can easily find banks and authorized money changers. Make sure to exchange your money for the necessary amount that you need.
If you intend to visit remote places, it is best to exchange a large amount of money. This is due to the rarity of money changers and banks in some areas far from the big cities. It is advisable to order for the exchange a day before.
Read also: Indonesia Immigration: Know-How about Visa Applications
What Kind of Payments Are Accepted in Indonesia?
Payment in Indonesia currency is not the only way to conduct transactions across the country. You can also use several types of payments if you have no Indonesian rupiahs in your pocket. Here are the eligible payment methods in Indonesia:
Credit Cards
In Indonesia, payments using credit cards are accepted. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and other types of credit cards can easily be your choice of method when it comes to paying in a large amount of money. This is especially useful for hotel check-ins and other accommodations you may need during your stay.
Nevertheless, you must know that withdrawing cash from an ATM may include additional charges that cost you a lot. You will be charged with interest, an advance fee, international ATM fees, and currency conversion fees right away.
Debit Cards
Aside from credit cards, you can also use debit cards to pay for your travel expenses. You can pay with debit cards if you have no cash in your wallet. However, you must know that most debit cards will be charged a 2% to 3% fee for every foreign transaction.
Traveler’s Checks
Other than credit cards and debit cards, you can also use traveler’s checks as a payment method. You will need ID for your check to be turned into cash.
What if you lose your check along the way before cashing it? The ID will be changed in a few days. Note that there are fees for purchasing and cashing the check.
You can exchange the check at banks and larger hotels. In order to avoid the additional rates, you can use a check in US dollars or pound sterling.
Cash
The easiest way to pay in Indonesia is with cash. You will often find many small stores in big cities and small cities alike that sell some necessary goods within your reach. Unfortunately, these stores may only accept cash as a form of payment. To make it easy for you to do so, you should exchange currency first in trusted money changers or banks.
It is necessary to always bring cash with you. Even though it may be convenient at times, you must also be aware that bringing cash may increase the risk of theft. Therefore, you must be vigilant at all times when you are out on the streets or in a crowded place.
So, are you ready to jump in the plane and take yourself to Indonesia? Now that you know about Indonesia currency, you will have a clue as to what you must do to pay for accommodations and necessities here.
If you want your trip to go even more smoothly, you can contact DoorToID and get the help you need for a safe and comfortable trip to Indonesia without any hassle. With DoorToID, you can get quick, professional, and transparent assistance in getting your Indonesian visa.
Read also: Indonesia Single Entry Visa: Know-How on the Application
