The Unreliable Ones

I still remember the day I got scammed by a money changer in Kuta. It was my first time in Bali, and I was eager to exchange my dollars for rupiah. I walked into a small shop on Jalan Raya Kuta, near the famous Waterbom water park. The owner quoted me a great rate, and I exchanged a small amount without thinking twice. But when I got home and counted my rupiah, I realized I had been shortchanged by about IDR 50,000 (USD 3.50). That was a bitter welcome to Bali.

Fast forward a few years, and I’ve had my fair share of dealings with money changers in Kuta. Some are honest, while others are nothing short of thieves. In this article, I’ll share with you my experiences and tell you which money changers to avoid in Kuta.

The Ones to Watch Out For

Here are a few money changers in Kuta that I would not recommend:

• Money Changer on Jalan Kartika, near the Hard Rock Cafe: This one is notorious for shortchanging tourists. I’ve heard complaints from multiple people who exchanged money here and got ripped off.
• Exotic Money Changer on Jalan Raya Kuta, near the intersection with Jalan Legian: I tried to exchange some money here once, but the owner was unwilling to give me a fair rate. When I asked him to explain the exchange rate, he became agitated and told me to leave.
• Money Changer on Jalan Legian, near the night market: This one is a bit more subtle. The owner is friendly, but the rates are not competitive. I exchanged some money here once and realized I could have gotten a better deal elsewhere.

Practical Tips

Here are a few practical tips to help you navigate money changers in Kuta:

• Research the rates beforehand**: Look up the current exchange rate online and compare it with the rates offered by different money changers. This will give you an idea of who’s offering the best deal.
• Don’t exchange too much at once**: Exchanging large amounts of money at once can be a bad idea, as you may not be able to get a fair rate. Instead, break up your exchange into smaller amounts and compare rates each time.
• Use ATMs**: ATMs are widely available in Kuta, and you can withdraw rupiah using your debit or credit card. This way, you can avoid dealing with money changers altogether.
• Learn some Indonesian phrases**: Knowing a few basic phrases like ‘berapa harga?’ (how much?) and ‘tolong, saya butuh Rp 10.000’ (help, I need IDR 10,000) can go a long way in negotiating a fair rate.

The Honest Ones

Not all money changers in Kuta are out to scam you. Here are a few honest ones that I would recommend:

• Money Changer on Jalan Raya Kuta, near the intersection with Jalan Benesari: This one offers competitive rates and is run by a friendly owner who is willing to explain the exchange rate.
• Exchanger on Jalan Legian, near the night market: This one is a bit more laid-back, but the owner is honest and offers fair rates.
• Money Changer on Jalan Kartika, near the Hard Rock Cafe (yes, the same street!)**: This one is a family-run business that has been around for years. They offer competitive rates and are willing to explain the exchange rate.