Money in Indonesia
 

I am travelling to Indonesia on business with my wife at the end of the month. We are arriving in Jakarta and going on to our conference in Makassar.

As all accomodation, meals and travel arrangements will be taken care of by my hosts, we will only need to pay for incidental items.

Does anyone have any advice on currency in Indonesia? Will there be easy access to ATMs in the airport at Jakarta or hotels? Or should we bring US Dollars?

I don't seem to be able to order any currency directly from my bank in the UK.

Thanks.

There are certainly plenty of ATMs in the cities and major tourist areas of Indonesia. I have to admit it's been a while since I was last in the Jakarta AIrport, so while I assume there are ATMs in the airport, we'll await marmot (who lives in Jakarta) to confirm.

AR -

I live in Indonesia. Please be aware that credit card fraud is a problem in Jakarta - don't let your credit card out of your sight and take care when using ATM machines, as cards are sometimes copied.

I strongly suggest using cash as much as possible while in Jakarta. Marmot lives there and can probably guide you towards safe ATM machines.

I was just in the Jakarta airport yesterday and didn't notice any ATM machines, but I wasn't looking.

Thanks both for your help.

As we'll only need money for small personal purchases such as gifts, are we therefore better obtaining money from elsewhere? Are hotels a better bet regardless of the poor exchange rate they offer? As I said, I don't seem to be able to order any currency from the UK.

You will be able to exchange British pounds no problem, so there is no reason to buy dollars to then exchange again. You lose a bit every time you exchange. You will get a far better exchange rate in Indonesia than you would get anywhere else, so I wouldn't try to buy rupiah ahead. You can bring cash or travelers checks, whichever you are comfortable with or a combination of both. That plus your ATM card should be fine. I wouldn't exchange in the hotel for a bad rate...there are so many banks and exchange booths you won't have trouble. Do count your money carefully before leaving the counter.

Technically, one cannot take anyhting other than very small amounts of rupiah outside of Indonesia, so no, you cannot order it at home (nor would you really want to since you get incredibly poor exchange rates that way).

There are certainly exchabge windows at the Jakarta airport, so if you take British pounds with you, you'll be able to make an exchange as you arrive.