If you're planning to visit Gili Trawangan and wondering whether you should bring extra cash to this little paradise, this article will help.
Yes, there are ATMs on Gili Trawangan, scattered on almost every corner of the island. However, ATMs often run out of cash due to difficulties in restocking money.
My personal advice is to bring some extra cash from Bali or Lombok before visiting the island. The amount of money to bring depends on several factors which I will discuss later.
ATMs location
If you take a look at the map here, you'll notice that there are quite a few cash points scattered around the island.
The thing is though, these places are a bit outdated, and for some reason Google seems to be showing data from way back in 2017.
I also don't recommend withdrawing money at random ATMs to avoid scams.
Skimming is a common type of ATM fraud that reads and copies your card details, ultimately emptying your savings.
How to avoid this?
If you're looking for the safest spot to get some cash, go for the ATMs in banks or places with security.
Banks always have these cool guards who are there 24/7, making sure nothing sketchy goes down.
They even keep an eye on the ATMs regularly to make sure they're in good shape and safe to use.
These are the two ATMs that I recommend to withdraw your money.
Mandiri Bank
This one is not right there on the main road, it's a little off the beaten path. You'll have to venture a bit further into the alley to locate the bank and its ATM.
Villa Ombak ATM
There's another safe ATM you can use near Villa Ombak hotel. It's not located inside a bank, but Villa Ombak has security guards who keep an eye on it.
The maximum amount you can withdraw in a day is IDR 15,000,000 or equal to US$ 1,000 (might change any time).
The maximum amount of each turn of withdrawal is either one of these numbers:
- IDR 500,000
- IDR 1,250,000
- IDR 2,500,000
Money changer locations
There is no Western Union on Gili Trawangan, but there are alternatives. Some small businesses on the island offer money-changing services, and you can also exchange currency at the bank.
This money changer kiosk right here seems pretty legit. They don't offer some too good to be true rate, but it looks reliable.
How much should I bring to Gili Trawangan?
First thing to know is that some hotels, restaurants and other businesses do accept card payment.
This means that if you choose to pay for your meals and accommodation using a card, you will only need cash for transportation, street food, snacks, souvenirs, and other miscellaneous expenses.
- Fast boat: IDR 725,000 round trip per person
- Street food: IDR 50,000 per item
- Souvenir: IDR 50,000 per item
- Diving & snorkeling: IDR 750,000 per person
- Horseback riding: IDR 400,000 per hour
If you’re a family of 4 and want to spend a week on Gili Trawangan, I would say IDR 10,000,000 is a good amount to bring.
