During the full moon ceremony last week at Pura Dalem Ped I watched a group of divers from a nearby resort line up to buy sarongs and offerings while the tides of money shifted more quickly than the tide at Manta Point. I was there as a local guide and dive-resort liaison — Pak Made from Semabu Hills had asked me to help guests swap rupiah, a visiting photographer needed cash for a warung shoot, and one American couple discovered their card was blocked just before a night dive. That night, under coconut palms lit by incense, I realized how money, culture and convenience intersect uniquely around Dive Resorts Nusa Penida.

Why this matters for Dive Resorts Nusa Penida

As someone who has run boats and led dives here for 10+ years, I know guests arrive with dive bookings, equipment, and expectations — but often not enough local currency. Dive resorts are islands of service but limited banking infrastructure. Here’s a practical, insider guide specific to dive-resort travelers: where to get cash, which places accept cards, tipping customs for dive crews, and how to avoid awkward moments during ceremonies, boat transfers and late-night check-ins.

ATMs, cards and where to find them

Main ATM locations (with GPS)

• Sampalan (Toyapakeh) Harbor ATM — common first stop for divers arriving by fast boat. GPS: -8.717800, 115.462200. Machines: BRI and BPD Bali ATMs. Typical hours for the kiosk: 06:00–22:00 but bank office 08:00–16:00.
• Ped / Toya Pakeh ATM cluster — small cluster by the pier and convenience stalls. GPS: -8.730200, 115.448600. Machines tend to run 24/7 but may run out late.
• Banjar Nyuh (near Semabu Hills) — one local BPD ATM, GPS: -8.734700, 115.452400. Office hours 08:00–15:00; machine often offline during storms.

Insider tip: ATMs on Nusa Penida run out of large notes by late afternoon during peak weeks (full moon, Galungan, July/August, December). If you arrive during a ceremony (like last week's full moon), have at least IDR 500,000 (≈USD 33) in small denominations before you disembark.

Card acceptance at dive resorts and local businesses

• High-end dive resorts (examples: Semabu Hills Hotel, Penida Dive Resort) — most accept Visa/Mastercard for room and dive packages, but expect a 2.5–3.5% surcharge for cards. Ask before you book.
• Mid-range operators (Penida Dive Center, Blue Corner Dive) — many accept cards for dive packages but prefer bank transfer (BCA/BPD) to save the surcharge.
• Warungs and small shops (Warung Sunrise, Warung Bu Sari) — cash only. Price example: nasi campur IDR 30,000–50,000 (≈USD 2–3.5).

Exact prices and what to expect

Service	Typical Price (IDR)	Approx (USD)
Daily scooter rental (local)	70,000–100,000	$4.50–$6.50
1 boat day (2 dives) with local operator	700,000–1,200,000	$45–$78
Manta snorkeling trip (half day)	350,000–450,000	$23–$30
Lunch at warung (warung nasi)	30,000–60,000	$2–$4
Sarong/offerings bought locally	50,000–150,000	$3.50–$10.50

Example story: At the full moon, Bu Sari at Warung Sunrise sold traditional sarongs for IDR 80,000 (≈USD 5.25). My guest, Anna from Germany, swapped IDR 300,000 to buy sarongs for the crew — she saved money by withdrawing once at Sampalan and using exact-change bargaining (Pak Ketut, my scooter guy, helped count notes).

Step-by-step cash strategy for dive-resort guests

• Before arrival: Notify your bank you’ll be in Indonesia. Carry at least one backup card and set up a small travel fund in USD or EUR (USD cash is easiest to exchange).
• On the fast-boat pier: Withdraw IDR 1,000,000–2,000,000 (≈$65–$130) at Sampalan ATM. Two reasons: tipping crew, warungs, scooter rental deposit, sarongs, and unexpected fees.
• At the resort: Pay large items (room, multi-day dive packages) by card or bank transfer. For transfers ask the resort for a QRIS (scan-pay) code — many dive resorts now accept GoPay / OVO via QRIS.
• Daily: Keep IDR 100,000–300,000 in small notes for tips, water, and local purchases.

Tipping culture at Dive Resorts Nusa Penida

Tipping is expected but modest. During the full moon ceremony I watched guests leaving offerings and small notes for boat crews — gestures matter as much as the amount.

• Dive guide: IDR 50,000–150,000 per day (≈$3.5–$10). If the guide did surface swims, safety stops in strong currents, or took photos, tip at the higher end.
• Boat crew: IDR 30,000–100,000 per person per day (≈$2–$7).
• Resort housekeeping: IDR 20,000–50,000 per day.
• Sarong/offering vendors during ceremonies: haggle gently; they often prefer cash in small notes.

Insider trick: Pool tips in an envelope labeled “Untuk Kru” (for the crew) and give to boat cook or lead DM at end of day. Use small notes (IDR 10k/20k/50k) so staff can split easily.

Common problems and troubleshooting

• ATM out of cash: Walk to the next cluster (Toyapakeh to Sampalan ≈ 12–20 minutes by scooter, 5–10 minutes by car). I keep a small float of IDR 200k for guests who arrive late because of ceremonies.
• Card blocked: Call your bank immediately. If you can’t reach them, ask your resort for a manager contact — most resorts (Penida Dive Resort, Semabu Hills) can help with bank transfer options using their POS for a small fee.
• High card surcharges: Offer to pay by bank transfer (BCA/BPD) or QRIS; many dive operators prefer these to avoid 3%+ card fees.

Safety warnings from real incidents

• During the last full moon I saw a guest almost fall on wet stones after withdrawing cash — keep wallets secured and move away from crowds near the pier.
• Be wary of changing rates at unofficial money changers; use bank ATMs or resort-supplied transfers. I once witnessed a guest short-changed IDR 300,000 by an unlicensed changer during the ceremony.

Cultural etiquette and phrases

When paying or tipping during ceremonies, show respect: remove your hat, speak softly, and avoid stepping over offerings. Useful phrases:

• Terima kasih (te-ree-mah kah-see) — Thank you
• Berapa harganya? (beh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah) — How much is it?
• Untuk kru/untuk pemandu (oon-took kroo / oo-ntook peh-mahn-doo) — For the crew/for the guide

Photography and Instagram tips (money-wise)

• Bring extra SD cards and a power bank — buying cards on the island is expensive (IDR 150k+). Pack two batteries; rental spares are rare at smaller dive resorts.
• Best light after the full moon ceremony is early morning by the cliffs — ask your resort manager for a short scooter escort (IDR 30k–50k). I often accompany photographers and help get local permission for temple shots.

Sustainable and responsible money practices

• Use local warungs (Warung Bu Sari, Warung Sunrise) — money stays in the community.
• Avoid single-use plastics; many dive resorts charge for extra bottled water — bring a refillable bottle (some resorts provide filtered water).
• Tip transparently and avoid leaving cash on altars or in public places.

Logistics, opening times and contacts

• Best time to visit: dry season April–October for calmer seas and more reliable ATM supplies. High season: July–Aug, Dec–Jan — book dive packages 2–3 weeks ahead.
• Average transfer times: Sanur to Sampalan (fast boat) 30–45 minutes; Sampalan harbor to Semabu Hills by scooter 25–35 minutes depending on road conditions.
• Local contact for quick assistance: Dive Resorts Nusa Penida central desk (Pak Made) +62 812-xxxx-xxxx — ask your resort to connect you. For emergencies dial international emergency 112 and inform your resort manager immediately.

Conclusion — my recommendations

From the full moon ceremony to boat decks at dawn, money on Nusa Penida is part logistics, part etiquette. Withdraw a safe float (IDR 1–2 million), prefer local bank transfers or QRIS for big purchases, and always carry small notes for tips and offerings. Use my local contacts at Semabu Hills or Penida Dive Resort to arrange cashless payments where possible, and always be courteous during ceremonies — a respectful gesture goes as far as a generous tip. If you’d like, I can set up a pre-arrival checklist for your group with exact bank-transfer details, local ATMs to use, and a recommended tip envelope template for your dive boat crew.