When I sat on a bamboo bench under the tamarind tree in Ped village, sipping strong kopi with Pak Made and Bu Sari, their stories about money on the island changed how I advise every visitor. The elders’ conversation wasn’t a lecture — it was practical law: respect cash, respect relationships. They reminded me of a tourist from Berlin who refused to tip a scooter driver and later had to wait two extra hours for a promised shortcut gate to a sacred ceremony — the kind of local memory that costs more than money.

Overview: cash culture vs card convenience

Nusa Penida still runs mostly on cash. Cards work at a handful of hotels and some dive operators, but most warungs, scooter rentals and village services prefer IDR. Listen to the elders: bring cash, use cards selectively, and carry smaller notes for offerings and tips.

Quick realities from the village talk

• ATMs are limited and intermittently offline; plan ahead.
• Card acceptance exists at larger businesses only — expect a 2–3% surcharge or minimums.
• Tipping is not mandatory but deeply appreciated; elders look at it as relationship-building (sambungan hati).

ATMs, exact spots, opening times and GPS

From conversations with local officials and watching tourists scramble, here are the ATMs I trust (coordinates given so you can pin them):

• Bank BPD ATM - Sampalan Harbor area (GPS: -8.7175, 115.4985) — usually reliable; near the Sampalan port terminal. Not all cards work; expect bank withdrawal limits of 1–2 million IDR per transaction. Open 24/7 but cash loading often happens in the morning.
• BRI/Local ATM - Toya Pakeh market (GPS: -8.7350, 115.4820) — inside the market block; best to withdraw between 08:00–11:00. Sometimes offline during rainy season (Dec–Feb).
• Cash machines at Crystal Bay shops (GPS: -8.7440, 115.4950) — not bank-owned; higher failure rate but convenient if you're at Crystal Bay/Angel’s Billabong area.

Insider timing tip from Bu Sari: the best time to withdraw is right after the supply boats arrive (usually 09:00–11:00). If you hit an empty ATM, most shops will accept card but with a surcharge and only for higher-value transactions.

Card acceptance: where it works and step-by-step use

Card-friendly places in Nusa Penida are mainly:

• Hotels and resorts: Semabu Hills Villas (accepts cards), Bintang Seaside (POS available)
• Dive operators: Geko Dive Nusa Penida, Penida Dive Center — large operators accept cards but may add a 2–3% processing fee or a minimum IDR 100,000 charge
• Some cafes and beachfront restaurants: The Panorama Cafe (WiFi and POS) and Warung Sunrise (card only for big groups)

Step-by-step: how to pay by card without hassle

1. Ask the merchant: "Bisa kartu?" (Bee-sah KAR-too?) — means "Can I use a card?"
2. If yes, confirm the surcharge: "Ada biaya tambahan?" (Ah-dah BEE-yah tahm-bah-hahn?)
3. Prefer chip-and-PIN. If only manual imprint is available, ask for a receipt.
4. Keep small cash on hand for tips and offerings; cards won't help at temple gates or small warungs.

Costs and price comparisons

I asked Pak Made and several guides to list normal costs so visitors know what to expect. Below is a practical comparison table.

Service	Typical Cost (IDR)	Typical Cost (USD)	Notes
Scooter rental (24h)	80,000–120,000	$5.50–$8.00	Helmet often included; deposit in cash IDR 100,000–200,000
Day boat snorkeling trip	300,000–500,000	$20–$34	Includes boat, guide; tip extra
Dive (2-tank)	550,000–850,000	$37–$58	Large ops accept cards; 50k–100k tip recommended
Warung meal	25,000–70,000	$1.70–$4.70	Cash preferred
Hotel mid-range	400,000–900,000	$27–$60	Credit cards often accepted

Tipping culture — what elders taught me

At the tamarind bench, Bu Sari said: "Tip itu bukan hanya uang — itu ucapan hormat." (Tip is not just money — it’s a sign of respect). Here’s a practical guide:

• Short scooter rides: 10,000–20,000 IDR (US$0.70–$1.40)
• Day drivers/guides: 50,000–100,000 IDR (US$3.50–$7.00)
• Dive guides: 50,000–150,000 IDR per diver per day (US$3.50–$10.50)
• Hotel staff: leave 10,000–50,000 IDR in the room or give directly

Why? Because many island jobs are seasonal and tips help families through slow months (January–March). If you can’t tip in cash, write a heartfelt thank-you (terima kasih banyak — teh-REE-mah KAH-see BAH-nyak) and mention the guide’s name; we can often translate that into local goodwill.

Practical step-by-step money plan for 3–5 days

1. Before departure from Bali: withdraw 1.5–3 million IDR (US$100–200) per person as backup — Sanur or Padangbai ATMs are reliable.
2. On arrival at Sampalan/Toya Pakeh: withdraw another 500k–1m IDR if ATM working.
3. For bookings: pay hotels and dive shops by card where possible; pay drivers and warungs in cash.
4. Keep small notes (IDR 2,000/5,000/10,000) for temple offerings and kids selling postcards.

Safety warnings & real incidents

From village elders and my own years instructing dives:

• ATM outages spike during monsoon (Dec–Feb) due to supply delays — don’t rely on late-night withdrawals.
• One tourist had a card eaten at an unattended ATM near Sampalan at 02:00; the machine stayed offline for 36 hours. Avoid late-night transactions.
• Pickpocketing is rare but increases at crowded viewpoints (Kelingking, Broken Beach). Keep wallets in zipped inner pockets.
• Always check card readers for foreign devices; if in doubt, use cash.

Troubleshooting common money problems

• If the ATM eats your card: go to the nearest bank branch in Sampalan or ask your ferry operator to alert their mainland office; carry passport photocopy to prove identity.
• No cash and no card acceptance: ask a dive center (Geko Dive or Penida Dive Center) if they’ll cash advance you — I’ve done this for guests and they’ll take ID and payment later.
• Lost wallet: first report to local police (Polsek Nusa Penida), then cancel cards via your bank app. Phone coverage is patchy in Banjar Nyuh; head to Sampalan for stronger signal.

Cultural etiquette related to money

• Always hand money with the right hand or both hands (use both hands for elders) — locals notice this.
• Don’t haggle aggressively at sacred or food places; a gentle negotiation is fine for souvenirs.
• When giving offerings, never place cash directly on an offering — tuck it into an envelope if asked.

Local phrases (Bahasa Indonesia)

• "Berapa harganya?" (Beh-RAH-pah HAH-rgah-nya?) — How much?
• "Bisa kartu?" — Can I pay by card?
• "Terima kasih" (Teh-REE-mah KAH-see) — Thank you
• "Tolong antar saya" (TOH-long AHn-tar SAH-yah) — Please take me (to a place)

Instagram & photography money tips

Paid photo ops at Kelingking are rare; if someone offers to take your photos, a small tip of 20,000–50,000 IDR is appreciated. For drone use, ask local guides first — some areas are sensitive and elders may request you not to film ceremonies.

Sustainable & responsible money practices

• Support local warungs like Warung Sunrise (Crystal Bay) and Warung Bambu in Toya Pakeh to keep money in village circulation.
• Avoid paying kids for photos — prefer to tip teachers or community funds mentioned by village elders.
• Use refillable water bottles and pay to refill at safe stations; it’s cheaper for you and good for the island.

Nearby facilities & emergency contacts

• Puskesmas Nusa Penida (community clinic) — Sampalan area; go there first for non-life-threatening medical issues.
• Klinik Kencana - Toya Pakeh (walk-in clinic) — for stitches, bites and minor injuries.
• Emergency: Indonesian emergency number 112. For local police, ask at Sampalan port office.
• WiFi/WiFi cafes: The Panorama Cafe (Toya Pakeh), some hotels and dive centers offer stable connections — useful for instant bank confirmations.

Conclusion: my personal recommendation

After that conversation with Pak Made and Bu Sari, my money mantra for Nusa Penida is simple: carry sensible cash, use cards where you can but don’t rely on them, tip kindly, and respect the social currency of goodwill. If you follow the step-by-step plan above, bring 2–4 million IDR (US$140–$270) for a 3–5 day trip depending on activities, and keep small notes for everyday transactions and temple offerings, you’ll glide through the island like a welcomed guest — not a surprise expense.

My final practical tip: before you leave Bali, write down the names of one reliable dive operator (Geko Dive Nusa Penida) and one trusted scooter rental (Pak Wayan Scooter Rental, ask for Pak Wayan at Toya Pakeh) — both will often accept card prepayment and help you manage cash on arrival. And when you meet village elders like Pak Made, bring a respectful smile and maybe a small token — it pays back in stories, shortcuts, and a friend or two on the island.