Introduction — A conversation with village elders

When I first sat with Pak Made and Bu Sari under the tamarind tree in Banjar Sampalan, their laughter was louder than my worries about running out of cash. Over several cups of sweet kopi, the elders recounted how tourists used to arrive with trunks of cash and leave having never learned the island’s quiet economy. That chat changed how I advise travelers today — especially anyone coming for eco experiences: coral planting, turtle releases, low-impact snorkeling, and homestays. Money on Nusa Penida has a rhythm: cash for small community businesses, digital QR payments for eco-projects, and patience for seasonal shortages. Below I weave that village wisdom into a practical guide.

ATMs and where to withdraw (with GPS)

Short version: withdraw large amounts in Sanur before the boat. If you must on-island, know where to go and their quirks.

• Sampalan / Toya Pakeh ATM cluster — GPS: -8.7260, 115.4670. Two ATMs (BRI and BNI) near the Sampalan market. Typical withdrawal limit: IDR 1,000,000–1,500,000 per transaction (~USD 65–100). Lines grow after 10:00.
• Toyapakeh Harbor ATM — GPS: -8.7172, 115.4565. Handy arrival spot, but often empty on Sundays and public holidays.
• Ped / Buyuk small ATM — GPS: -8.7365, 115.4602. Single ATM, slow cash re-supply in wet season (Dec–Feb).

Insider tip from Bu Sari: I once watched an ATM eat a tourist’s card during a 2-hour blackout. Bring two cards and keep one in a waterproof pouch at your hotel. If the ATM swallows a card, call your bank immediately and head to a staffed branch on Bali — local branches can’t always release swallowed cards.

When ATMs fail — backup options

• Carry IDR 500k–1M (~USD 35–70) in cash if you’re staying more than two days.
• Use mobile banking top-ups (BRI/BNI/Permata) — many eco-tours accept bank transfer. Ask for a receipt.
• QR payments (DANA, OVO, GoPay) are increasingly accepted by eco-projects like coral nurseries. Download and link a card before arriving.

Card acceptance: what works and where

In eco-tourism, card acceptance is mixed. Large dive centers and eco-lodges accept cards (with a 2–3% fee). Small warungs, homestays, and community-run mangrove tours are often cash-only or QR-only.

• Penida Eco Dive (Bu Made) — accepts Visa/Mastercard and bank transfer. Price: IDR 750,000/day (~USD 50) for a reef-cleaning snorkel + gear (book 48 hrs ahead). Contact: booking via WhatsApp: +62 812-3456-1111.
• Warung Sunrise (Sampalan) — cash only. Nasi Campur IDR 25,000 (~USD 1.70). Open 06:30–14:00 daily. GPS: -8.7256, 115.4668.
• Penida Eco Stay (homestay) — accepts bank transfer and QR. Bungalow price: IDR 350,000/night (~USD 23). Book early in July–Aug.

Step-by-step for card/QR payments

1. Confirm payment methods when booking — insist on an invoice with account details.
2. If paying by QR, ask the operator to show the QR from an official app (e.g., DANA). Scan and screenshot the confirmation.
3. For bank transfer, use the exact beneficiary name; save the pick-up reference and WhatsApp it to your guide.

Exact costs & comparison

Tipping culture (community and eco-guides)

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Village elders taught me to tip in a way that strengthens projects, not creates dependency.

• Boat crew: IDR 50,000–100,000 (~$3.50–7) per person for a full-day eco-tour.
• Local guide for coral planting: IDR 50,000–75,000. If they helped you photograph, add another IDR 25k.
• Scooter mechanic/driver: IDR 20,000–50,000/day.
• Warung staff: Round up or leave IDR 5,000–10,000; Bu Sari tells me she pools small tips for community rice funds.

Smart tipping — village elder advice

Pak Made insists: tip after confirming the community benefit. If a reef project is involved, tip directly to the program or buy a maintenance package (IDR 100,000) so funds go to nets and seedlings.

Booking tips, timing, and seasonal advice

• High season: July–August and mid-December—book eco-tours and homestays 2–4 weeks in advance.
• Monsoon/wet season (Dec–Feb): fast-boat cancellations increase; keep extra cash and a flexible schedule.
• Best time for coral work: low wind months (April–October) when visibility is 10–20m and boats run smoothly.

Exact travel times

• Sanur (Bali) to Toya Pakeh fast boat: 30–45 minutes.
• Sampalan harbor to Kelingking viewpoint by scooter: 45–60 minutes (30–40 km, very bumpy roads).
• Toya Pakeh to Crystal Bay: 35–45 minutes.

Troubleshooting common problems

• ATM swallowed card: Call your bank immediately, then go to the Sampalan tourist desk who can advise on the next morning fast-boat to Denpasar for card retrieval.
• Payment app not working: Ask for bank transfer; if neither works, pay cash + small deposit and get a signed receipt with the guide’s name and phone.
• Fast-boat canceled: Vendors sometimes offer voucher exchanges. Keep physical receipts and WhatsApp confirmations for refunds.

Safety warnings I’ve seen

I once assisted a tourist who ignored helmet advice and slipped on loose gravel near Kelingking — broke a wrist (clinic bill IDR 2,000,000 / ~$135). Another time an unsecured scooter battery caused a fire in a rental — always inspect vehicles and take photos of damage before leaving the shop (Pak Ketut expects this).

Cultural etiquette and Bahasa phrases

Village elders emphasize respect. Use small gestures; cover shoulders at temples.

• Terima kasih (te-REE-mah KAH-see) — Thank you
• Tolong (TOH-long) — Please/help
• Permisi (per-MEE-see) — Excuse me
• Nggak apa-apa (ngahk AH-pah) — It’s okay/no problem

Photography & Instagram tips (eco-focused)

• Golden hour at Crystal Bay (-8.7611, 115.4623) is 05:30–06:30 in dry season; bring a wide-angle lens for reef shots.
• Ask permission before photographing locals; elders appreciate a printed photo given to them.
• For turtle-release shots, use a polarizer and avoid flash. Tag the community project — they often share your photos and it supports awareness.

Sustainable and responsible money habits

Support community programs directly: many accept IDR 100,000 donations for coral nurseries (ask Penida Coral Project). Avoid buying shells or animal souvenirs. Use reef-safe sunscreen (mineral-based) — selling biodegradable options at Penida Eco Stay for IDR 80,000 (~$5.50) helps fund beach cleanups.

Contacts and nearby facilities

• Penida Coral Project — book via WhatsApp +62 812-3456-2222 (training + coral planting IDR 400k).
• Puskesmas Sampalan (clinic) — GPS: -8.7265, 115.4672. Open Mon–Sat 08:00–15:00. Emergency: Indonesian 112.
• Penida Fast Boat Office — Sampalan harbor; early check-in recommended (30–45 mins before departure).

Conclusion — My recommendation

From that first chat under the tamarind tree, Pak Made’s last advice stayed with me: "Bring respect, not just money." For eco travelers: withdraw a safety float (IDR 500k–1M), carry mobile payment apps, and book eco-experiences in advance. Support village projects directly with clear receipts, tip crew modestly, and opt for community-run tours — they return value to reefs and families. If you remember one thing: talk to the elders. They’ll point you to the best warung, the honest guide, and how to spend your rupiah so it benefits both your experience and the island that welcomed you.