Serving Students at Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College INDONESIA Currency

Currency

Rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen.
Notes are in denominations of Rp 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 100.
Coins are in denominations of Rp1000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.

Currency Exchange

Although there should be no difficulty exchanging major currencies in the main tourist centers, problems may occur elsewhere.  The easiest currency to exchange is the U.S. Dollar.  Note: with the Indonesian Rupiah rate, you can win or lose 15% in one week with the money changers. 

Credit cards

MasterCard, American Express and Visa are widely accepted in Jakarta and the main tourist areas.  Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.  In more remote areas it is best to carry cash in small denominations.

Travelers Checks

Limited merchant acceptance but can be easily exchanged at banks and larger hotels.  To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers checks in U.S. Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of foreign currency.  The import and export of local currency is limited to Rp 5,000,000 which must be declared; failure to declare amounts in excess of the maximum allowance may result in fines of up to Rp10,000,000.  Local currency may be exchanged on departure.

Tipping

Tipping is often expected for special service; 10% is customary, except where a service charge is included in the bill.  Someone who carries your bag or guides you around a tourist attraction will expect a tip.  Jakarta taxi drivers expect you to round the fare up to the next  500 rp.  Hotel porters expect a few hundred rupiah per bag.  Small change is rarely given and visitors should carry a supply of their own.

Banking Hours

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sources:
U. S. Department of State