Bali Currency Exchange 2026: Airport, Ubud & Avoiding Scams
Worried about exchanging money in Bali? Our 2026 guide covers everything from airport rates to finding trusted money changers in Ubud and Sanur, ensuring a scam-free trip.
Loading...
Worried about exchanging money in Bali? Our 2026 guide covers everything from airport rates to finding trusted money changers in Ubud and Sanur, ensuring a scam-free trip.
When traveling in Indonesia, especially Bali, they say there are many currency exchange scams.
It seems like it's partly because the currency units are so large, which can be confusing for us, though if we're talking about large units, Vietnam's are even bigger. Anyway, it's something to be careful about.
If you don't want to bother worrying about things like this, it doesn't make a huge difference, so just exchanging at the airport is one way to go.
And surprisingly, knowing how to distinguish between legitimate and dodgy places when exchanging currency in Indonesia is simple.
I'll go over these points quickly.
Bali Airport Currency Exchange
The left shows the airport exchange rate. The exchange office rate on the same day is on the right.
225 Rupiah (roughly ~$0)
Initially, I wondered which of the many places in the airport to go to, but the exchange rates were all the same. You can go to any of them, LOL.
I exchanged the US dollars I had prepared beforehand for Rupiah.
And once you've confirmed, they count out the bills one by one for you to verify. There's no room for any tricks. I re-checked, and the amount was correct.
Of course, I didn't exchange all my money here; I only did $100 for this post, LOL.
Currency Exchange in Bali's Tourist Spots
📍 Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
Our first destination was Sanur.
If you don't want to worry about this kind of thing, just go to a money changer where the exchange rate isn't the best, but it's large, indoors (or has parking), and generally reputable.
They'll count the money with a machine and then show you the bills one by one, just like at the airport, so you can easily verify.
You can head into a Money Changer that looks like this.
This is the difference.
The one on the left is safe; the one on the right gives off a fishy vibe.
Something that seemed specific to Sanur (it wasn't the case in our next destination, Ubud) is that places with "AUTHORIZED" MONEY CHANGER written on them are mostly suspicious.
They're small, offer a good rate, and look shabby.
To test Bali's exchange practices, I deliberately chose one of these places, but I failed to catch one in the act...
I went in to exchange money...
"How much?"
"100 dollars."
(This was one reason I failed; it's relatively easy to count. It's easier to pull a scam with a larger amount, LOL.)
"Okay. But where's your hotel?"
(My travel buddy) "That's a trick, asking about your hotel."
(Damn, they caught on...) "Oh, but we don't have the banknotes right now. Try somewhere else."
"Huh? You just pulled out money, but now you say you don't have it? LOL."
I don't think they understood Korean, but they seemed to pick up on our vibe... It was like they sensed our slight tension and our firm resolve to catch them out.
I didn't take a photo then because I was afraid of getting caught, but I passed by later that night when it was closed and took one.
This was the place.
That's not a mosaic I added; it's a pattern on the door, and it just happened to look like that when I took the photo up close, haha.
From then on, my friend said it was draining his energy, so we decided to stick to larger, more established places... LOL.
📍 Ubud District, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Ubud District, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Doing it at one of those places is like in the video above.
I exchanged dollars for Rupiah in Ubud, and they first counted it with a machine, then separated the bills by denomination to make it easy to check.
Actually... that video is a bit fast because I requested they do it again for the recording.
It seemed about twice as fast as the original speed.
So, they initially did it slowly like that, but I thought it would be great for a post, so I politely asked if they could do it just one more time. Hehe.
That's why the speed picked up a bit the second time around.
They even give you a receipt, an envelope, and water, LOL.
My Bali currency exchange tip is this: if you don't want to spoil your mood, exchange money at the airport or a large, reputable place. But if you enjoy the thrill of spotting suspicious places, then go to a small, shady-looking place that offers a surprisingly good rate!
Honestly, just knowing about these things makes it much easier to deal with. Don't let it ruin the start of your trip; handle your Bali currency exchange wisely and kick off your adventure on a high note!
According to the article, the exchange rates at the various money changers within Bali Airport are all the same. Therefore, it is said that you can use any money changer when you visit.
In Sanur, places labeled 'AUTHORISED' MONEY CHANGER are mostly said to be suspicious. These places typically have cramped spaces, offer unusually good exchange rates, and appear shabby.
At safe money changers in the Ubud area, money is first counted by a machine, and banknotes are separated by denomination to make verification easy. After the exchange, you can receive a receipt, an envelope, and even a bottle of water.
Discover more travel stories curated around the same theme.
Stumbled upon a fantastic, affordable local massage in Ubud, Bali? Skip the booked spas and find out why this hidden gem offering a slow, deep massage is perfect for walk-ins.
Landing in Bali? Choosing the right airport transfer can make or break your arrival. We break down options like Grab, Gojek, and private pickups for a smooth start to your trip.
Follow your nose to Mild Bistro in Ubud, Bali! This popular spot near Ubud Palace is famous for its irresistible grilled skewers and vibrant atmosphere. A must-try!
Get ready for your dream Bali vacation! Learn all about the island's weather patterns, essential packing tips for both dry and rainy seasons, and time zone info for 2026.
Heading to Bali in 2026? Don't get caught unprepared! This guide breaks down everything you need for a smooth entry, including visa options and customs forms.
Don't get caught without data in Bali! This 2026 guide reviews the top eSIM and SIM card choices, offering reliable connectivity and 24/7 support for your journey.
