In Reply to: Money Decisions posted by 2stroksmokr on Thursday, 16. December 2010 at 07:14 Bali Time:
Everyone is different. I prefer to take cash as it is easy and hassle free. I have travelled a lot and never had any problems - except when I lost $80 on a bus in Ireland :(.
No need to worry about this pile of Coprolites and that pile of coprolites, bank fees, transaction fees currency conversion fees, finding an ATM, hassles with machine, card not working, card not coming out, incorrect notes given etc, blah blah blah.
Just take as much money as you will need for the day and leave the rest in the safe (safe in room or safe at reception).
Backed up with a credit and debit card, just in case.
As a general rule, if it has a door and a/c your chances of getting ripped off are minimal. Also if women are serving you are highly unlikely to get ripped off. If you are given 100,000 and 50,000 notes only, it is easy to count and check. If anyone starts to give you 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 or 10,000 notes, just walk away, no matter how tempting the exchange rate may be, it is a suckers trap and you will surely be ripped off.
Most banks will change money, however the rate isnt the best, but so what 3 cents in the dollar, compared to the what your Travel card will cost.
Go North and take cash, just be sensible about keeping it safe.
Hope this helps you decide.