For many travellers, exchanging currency in Bali is straightforward – you hand over your foreign cash, and you walk away with neat stacks of rupiah. But ask around in travel groups or read through a few TripAdvisor threads, and you’ll soon discover that not all money changers are equal. Some are professional, licensed, and trustworthy. Others rely on sleight-of-hand tricks to quietly skim notes from your stack, turning what should be a quick errand into a frustrating loss.

The difference between a good and bad money changer isn’t always obvious from the outside. Some questionable kiosks even have air-conditioning, bright signage, and smiling staff. Understanding how to tell the good from the bad is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and your budget while in Bali.

WHY MONEY CHANGERS ARE EVERYWHERE IN BALI

Bali is heavily cash-based. While hotels, major restaurants, and some shops accept credit cards, you’ll find that warungs, markets, and even mid-range eateries prefer cash. That means you’ll need to exchange currency at some point, unless you’re relying entirely on ATMs or pre-loaded travel cards.

On almost every busy street in tourist areas – Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur, and Ubud – you’ll see money changers advertising exchange rates. Rates are updated daily, sometimes hourly, and displayed on boards out front. The temptation is to simply look for the best rate and walk in. But this is where many visitors stumble into trouble.

THE APPEAL OF THE “TOO GOOD” RATE

One of the most common red flags is a rate that’s noticeably better than everywhere else in the area. If the official rate is around 10,000 rupiah per Australian dollar and one shop is offering 10,500 while others are at 10,000 or 10,050, that extra bump can look like a bargain.

But in many cases, that inflated rate is bait. Unsuspecting tourists walk in, drawn by the number on the board, and get caught in a counting scam. This is why seasoned Bali travellers will tell you: in currency exchange, “too good” is rarely good at all.

THE SLEIGHT-OF-HAND SCAM

Here’s how the classic money changer trick works: you hand over your foreign currency, the staff member counts out your rupiah in front of you, usually in small bundles of notes. It all looks transparent. Then, during a second or third count, they shuffle the notes, slipping one or two from each bundle back under the counter.

Because Indonesian rupiah notes can be in large denominations – 50,000 or 100,000 – the removal of just a few notes can amount to a significant shortfall. By the time you walk out, you might be missing the equivalent of $20, $50, or more.

What makes this scam so effective is the speed and subtlety. Even when you know what to watch for, it can be hard to spot the moment the notes disappear.

WHERE THE GOOD MONEY CHANGERS ARE

Reputable money changers in Bali tend to share certain traits. They operate from permanent, well-maintained premises rather than makeshift kiosks. They display their license number clearly, often on the counter or the wall. Their rates are competitive but not dramatically higher than the going rate. And they’ll count your cash in a way that feels unrushed and easy to follow.

Some of the names repeatedly recommended by long-term residents and frequent visitors include:

·       BMC (Bali Money Changer) – multiple branches in tourist areas, with clean offices and licensed staff.

·       Central Kuta – one of the largest and most established operators, known for reliable service and transparent counting.

·       Dirgahayu Valuta Prima – another licensed option praised for professionalism.

These businesses are usually located on main roads or inside shopping centres, where there’s natural oversight from other shops and customers.

HOW TO SPOT A GOOD VS. BAD OPERATOR

The differences can be subtle, but paying attention to your surroundings and the process can help. In a good exchange:

·       The counter is clear and well-lit.

·       The notes are counted in full view, with no movements out of sight.

·       You’re given time to check the total yourself.

·       The staff are professional, not overly pushy.

In a questionable exchange, you might notice:

·       The counting surface is cluttered, allowing for quick note removal.

·       Staff distract you with questions or conversation mid-count.

·       The rate offered in the shop doesn’t match the board outside.

·       They insist on counting the notes behind the counter, out of your view.

COUNTING YOUR CASH – THE GOLDEN RULE

No matter where you change your money, count the rupiah yourself before you leave the counter. If possible, count it twice. If there’s a discrepancy, speak up immediately – once you’ve left the shop, it’s almost impossible to prove.

Use your phone’s calculator if you’re tired or distracted; with all the zeroes in Indonesian currency, it’s easy to misread the total. A single 100,000 rupiah note is worth roughly $10 AUD, so just a couple missing can make a noticeable dent.

ALTERNATIVES TO CASH EXCHANGES

Some travellers prefer to avoid money changers altogether. ATMs attached to banks can be a safer way to access rupiah, especially if you use machines inside bank branches during the day. Be aware of possible ATM fees, and always shield your PIN.

Prepaid travel cards loaded with rupiah or a major currency can also work well, though they may not be accepted everywhere. The advantage is that your spending money is separate from your main bank account, reducing potential loss if the card is compromised. WISE Card is very popular and can be frozen within its app in between uses.  To find out more and apply for a WISE Card, click here

STORIES FROM THE ROAD

Posts in Bali travel groups tell the same tale in different ways: “I thought I was being careful, but I still walked away with less than I should have.” One traveller recounted going into a tiny exchange in Legian with a fantastic rate. The man counted the cash in front of her, but when she recounted outside, she was short by the equivalent of $40 AUD.

Another visitor described how a staff member switched from counting in stacks of five notes to stacks of four without saying anything – easy to miss unless you’re focused on the process. These stories aren’t meant to scare, but to show how quickly mistakes or manipulation can happen.

IF YOU’RE SHORT-CHANGED

If you realise you’ve been shorted before leaving the counter, calmly point it out and request the missing amount. In some cases, the staff will produce the notes immediately – suggesting the “mistake” wasn’t an accident. If they refuse, it’s worth taking a photo of the shop front and reporting it to local police or the Bali Tourism Board, though recovery of funds is unlikely.

The bigger benefit is that your report may help others avoid the same trap.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Changing money in Bali doesn’t have to be risky. The vast majority of operators are honest and professional. The key is to skip the tempting “too good to be true” rates, stick to well-known, licensed exchanges, and always count your cash before walking away.

A little caution means you can get your rupiah safely, then get back to enjoying the island, without the nagging feeling that you’ve been taken for a ride. Wander Beyond Ordinary!