Can You Use Credit Cards in Lombok?

Indonesia, including Lombok, runs predominantly on cash. This is changing — QRIS adoption is accelerating, and more businesses accept cards every year — but in 2026, cash remains king for day-to-day transactions. Coming prepared for a cash-based economy will save you frustration and ensure you never find yourself unable to pay for something.

The good news: ATMs are readily available in tourist areas, and the system for getting cash is straightforward and reliable. The key is planning your withdrawals and carrying enough rupiah for the day.

Hotels: Most mid-range and upscale hotels accept Visa and Mastercard. Budget guesthouses generally do not. A 2-3% card surcharge is common. Some hotels offer a slight discount for cash payment — always ask.

Restaurants: Tourist-oriented restaurants in Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands increasingly accept cards, especially those targeting Western visitors. Look for card payment signs at the entrance or on the menu. Local warungs and small eateries are cash only.

Dive shops: Most dive operators accept cards for larger transactions (certification courses, multi-dive packages). Individual fun dives may be cash-preferred.

Tour operators: Established companies with offices accept cards. Individual guides, boat operators, and informal tour arrangers are cash only.

Supermarkets: Large stores like Indomaret and Alfamart accept cards and QRIS in major towns. Small village shops are cash only.

Beach vendors, market stalls, local transport: Cash only, no exceptions.

ATMs are your lifeline for cash. Here is how to use them efficiently.

Best banks for tourists: BCA (Bank Central Asia) and Mandiri are the most reliable, with the widest network and highest withdrawal limits. BNI and BRI are also common. Avoid unbranded ATMs in shops or tourist-trap locations.

Withdrawal limits: Most ATMs dispense a maximum of 2,500,000 IDR ($165 USD) per transaction. Some BCA ATMs allow 3,000,000 IDR. You can make multiple withdrawals in one visit, subject to your bank's daily limit.

Fees: Indonesian banks charge minimal or zero local ATM fees. Your home bank may charge a foreign ATM fee (typically $3-5 per transaction) plus a foreign exchange margin (1-3%). Cards with zero foreign transaction fees (common among travel-focused banks like Wise, Revolut, or Charles Schwab) save significantly on a multi-week trip.

ATM locations in Lombok:

• Kuta Lombok: Several ATMs along the main road, including BCA and Mandiri
• Mataram: The most ATMs on the island, including all major banks
• Senggigi: Multiple ATMs along the main strip
• Praya/Airport area: ATMs inside and near the airport terminal
• Gili Islands: Limited — Gili Trawangan has a few ATMs but they run out of cash during busy periods. Gili Air has 1-2 ATMs. Gili Meno has none — bring cash from the mainland

Critical tip for Gili Islands: Withdraw enough cash before going to the Gilis. ATMs on Gili Trawangan occasionally run out of cash during peak season or after public holidays when banks are slow to resupply. Having 2-3 days' worth of cash eliminates this risk entirely.

A common question is how much cash to have on hand at any given time. Here is a practical framework.

Daily cash needs:

• Budget traveler: 300,000-500,000 IDR ($20-33 USD)
• Midrange traveler: 500,000-1,000,000 IDR ($33-67 USD)
• Comfort traveler: 1,000,000-2,000,000 IDR ($67-133 USD)

Recommended cash on hand: 2-3 days' worth of spending. This covers you if an ATM is down or you head to a remote area without banking facilities. For the Gili Islands, carry your entire estimated stay's worth of cash.

Emergency cash: Keep $100-200 USD in cash tucked away in your accommodation safe as absolute backup. US dollars can be exchanged at banks if ATMs fail, and in emergencies, USD is accepted (though at poor rates) by some businesses.

Private money exchange booths: These exist in Kuta and Senggigi and often advertise attractive rates. Many use sleight-of-hand counting techniques or rigged calculators to short-change you. Just use ATMs — the convenience and security are worth the small ATM fee.

Dynamic currency conversion: When using a card, you may be asked "charge in your home currency or IDR?" Always choose IDR. Choosing your home currency lets the merchant's bank set the exchange rate, which is invariably worse than your bank's rate.

Counterfeit notes: Rare in Lombok but not unheard of. When receiving change, check that high-denomination notes (100,000 IDR) are clean, crisp, and have proper security features (watermark, security thread, color-shifting ink). Old, damaged, or heavily creased notes may be refused by other businesses.

Small denomination challenge: ATMs dispense 50,000 and 100,000 IDR notes. Small vendors, parking attendants, and street stalls often cannot make change for 100,000 IDR. When you buy something small at a larger store, break your big notes and keep small denominations (10,000, 20,000, 50,000) for daily use.

QRIS is transforming payments in Indonesia, and Lombok is part of this shift. An increasing number of businesses — even some warungs and small shops — display QRIS codes at the counter.

For international tourists, using QRIS requires either an Indonesian e-wallet (GoPay, OVO, Dana — which typically need an Indonesian phone number) or an international payment app that supports QRIS cross-border transactions. Some international banks and fintech apps are beginning to integrate QRIS support.

The practical reality for most short-term visitors: QRIS is not yet a replacement for cash. It is a bonus when available, but you cannot rely on it as your primary payment method.

Tipping is not mandatory in Lombok but is appreciated for good service. Since tipping is always in cash, factor this into your daily cash needs.

Suggested tipping:

• Restaurant: 10,000-20,000 IDR for good service (many do not add service charge)
• Private driver: 50,000-100,000 IDR per day
• Rinjani trek guides/porters: 100,000-200,000 IDR per person per day
• Dive guide: 50,000-100,000 IDR per dive
• Spa/massage: 20,000-50,000 IDR

Round up small transactions rather than expecting exact change — this is appreciated and practical.

Come to Lombok prepared for a cash economy. Use ATMs from major banks to withdraw Indonesian rupiah, carry 2-3 days' worth of spending money at all times, keep small denominations for daily purchases, and bring credit cards as backup for hotels and larger tourist businesses. This system works smoothly once you get into the rhythm, and the low prices mean your wallet lasts longer than you expect.