Online payments are available
All accommodation providers and dive centers on Stay Raja Ampat can (subject to internet availability) process online payments.
Some can process physical card payments. All can accept online payments via Stay Raja Ampat’s Stripe payment gateway.
As everywhere, the best deals are for cash payment.
Cash payments: Only Indonesian Rupiah is accepted.
If you are paying cash, then it must be in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Foreign currencies are not accepted by Raja Ampat’s community-based tourism providers. (Because they are never able to convert foreign currencies at the exchange rate that visitors expect them to accept.)
There’s no access to cash out in the islands.
There are banks and ATMs in Waisai and Sorong, but none out in the islands.
It’s always best to carry at least a couple of million rupiah with you, just in case of emergencies, or network outages that make online payment impossible.
Currency exchange
Exchange rates in Raja Ampat are quite poor.
You can exchange currency at banks and money changers in both Sorong and Waisai.
Be aware that most banks and money changers will only accept new, high denomination bank notes. (Low denomination, damaged, marked or otherwise “used” looking notes are usually rejected.)
It would probably be best to buy the IDR you need before landing in Sorong.
Stay Raja Ampat’s Stripe payment gateway
As long as a working internet connection is available, all service providers on the Stay Raja Ampat website can accept payment by this method.
This service is provided so that small businesses without online payment methods of their own can still accept payments from guests who don’t have cash.
A 10% fee is added to the amount billed by the service provider. This is necessary to cover the costs of providing this service.
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Hello. We are a group of 4 coming to stay in Raja Ampat for approximately 10 days to dive and snorkel. Can you advise how much Indonesian currency we will need as an approximate daily average to cover all the costs since most places on the island accept only cash???
Hi Rick. It’s impossible to say how much you might need without knowing your full itinerary. The good news is that (subject to internet connectivity) all the accommodation and dive centers on our website can accept online payments now.
Someone wrote that they use Wise to pay for homestays and services. Does one use the debit card or can you pay with the app on your cellular phone?
Hi Karen
Some homestays will accept bank transfers made from the Wise app, but very few use the app itself for transfers. Only homestays that can accept credit cards can accept payment via a Wise card.
Hello everyone,
I would be coming to Raja Ampat in July and August 2023 via Jakarta airport
From what I understand, it is better to have a relatively large sum of Indonesian Rupiahs to pay for homestays.
I will have to change Euros, can you update the information regarding exchange possibilities in Sorong and Wasai and possibly Jakarta airport if the rates are better
Hi Christophe
It’s definitely wise to carry IDR cash when in Raja Ampat. Some homestay owners can also use the Wise app to accept payment. IDR can be withdrawn from ATMs in Waisai.
The exchange rates in Papua are reported to be low, so it would probably be best to change elsewhere if you can.
See this post in our travellers forum facebook group for more info.
Take Euros with you!!! I changed euros to dollars and that was the biggest mistake. They only accept the latest dollar bills. They will give you a weaker rate for banknotes older than 2013. Visa and Mastercard ATMs in Sorong dispense cash without any problems. But the most ideal thing is to bring Euros and exchange cash. Check the exchange rate before changing money on the street!!! Good luck 🙂
Hi,
I will be in Sorong on 24th December on 7:15 in the morning. A don’t have enough time to stop in a bank and 24th is also Saturday!
For sure I’ll need to withdraw IDR in Jakarta, where I have 3 hours of stop before flying to Sorong.
I was just wondering what the ATM withdrawal limit was, since I have to take around 25.000.000 IDR. Do you know anything about?
Alternative is to change EUR to IDR here in Italy but I am quite sure it will cost much more.
Thanks a lot!
Congratulations for the website, it is essential for the planning 🙂
Simone
Hi Simone
Max withdrawal limits vary by machine, but the highest limit we’ve ever encountered on Indonesian ATMs has been 3 million rupiah. 1.5 million is a much more common limit in our experience, especially in areas away from main tourist routes. You can withdraw the max amount as many times as you like, up to the equivalent of the daily withdrawal limit imposed by your bank. Note that there are also ATMs and banks in Waisai. Depending on the exchange rate and any fees your card provider charges for foreign ATM transactions, you might find that buying IDR at home (or at airport money exchanges in Jakarta) is worth it for the convenience. Thanks for the kind words about the site, and all the best for your trip 🙂🙏
I keep reading that Indonesian banks outside Bali and Jakarta do not accept EURO banknotes to exchange to IDR – is that true? In case they do, would that be the case also for banks in Sorong and Waisai?
Or is it better to bring US dollars?
Hi Kamila.
We’d be shocked if it was true that you can’t change Euros anywhere outside Jakarta and Bali. That seems extremely unlikely to be true. We’ve never tried to exchange Euros, though, so we don’t really know! Nice, new USD 100 bills are definitely accepted everywhere, so perhaps it would be better to avoid any possibility of problems by just bring those.
Hi Kamila,
I’ve been in Lombok, Gili Islands, Borneo, Surabaya …. and much more.
In all places is able to change euros…
But Raja Qmoat is a special place and is true, you must go Waisai to change them.
what time do banks open on weekday in Sorong?
They advertise opening hours from 0800 Marianne.
I’ve exchanged euro bills in Sorong Airport an hour ago. I can confirm the rate of change is better here (at least better than in Spain). I exchanged euros for rupiah in a Mandiri office and it was good. We didn’t prepare enough the amount of money we needed and unfortunately, I don’t recommend to cash out on an ATM in Sorong Airport, the machine retained my debit card and I never recovered it, so I had to contact my bank to cancel the card.
Do they accept 100 australian dollar notes?
Banks and moneychangers certainly would, Tom. Homestay owners need to be paid in IDR.
Do banks/exchangers accept euro 50/100 euro bills as well waisai?
We would be surprised if they did not Marjoleen, but have never tried, so can not say for sure.
Hi,
Firstly, thanks for your amazing website. Wouldn’t have managed to plan a trip for my wife and I without it.
I’m flying from the US to Sorong at the end of November and would be grateful of your advice regarding money.
I can get hold of IDR in the US but suspect the exchange rate would be much better if I take $ to Indonesia and change it there.
The problem with changing the money up out there would be that:
– I only have 3 hours between arriving in Jakarta and flying out to Sorong, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to change it up at this point.
– I land in Sorong at about 6am and hope to get the 9am ferry, so the banks there will be shut.
Do you know if I will be able to exchange the cash in Waisai? Also do you know if it is still the case that you need $100 bills?
Thanks again for any advice you can give.
Theo
Thanks for the kind words Theo 🙂
You will definitely be able to change the cash In Waisai, and would probably be able to do it in Jakarta too, as you’ll have to exit the international terminal to go to the domestic one. (It would be more convenient to do in Jakarta if you can, because you might need to go the few kilometres into Waisai from the port otherwise.)
Everywhere that we’ve ever changed money in Indonesia, you get the best rate for nice, new, high denomination bills, so yes – recommend bringing 100s if you can. Not sure if there would be a rate difference between Jakarta and Waisai money changers, but doubt it would be much if so.
Thanks so much for your quick reply! That’s really useful.
Last thing I wanted to clear up. I’ve read that if you use ATMs in Sorong there is a massive (circa 25% of the total withdrawal) fee. Have you any idea if this is true?
Thanks
Theo
I got money at the airport atm and there were no fees at all. So I think there are no ATM fees at all in Indonesia or at least in Bali and manado, the cities I got cash from. I think I used Mandiri bank for most of them. Also pay attention to the number in the top right of the machine. It will be 50k or 100k which says what denomination bills it gives. Getting 10 million in 50k notes doubles the size but some are useful for tips
Hi, I’m trying to work out how much IDR to bring with me to Raja Ampat. After accommodation, diving, transfer costs, is 8,000,000 IDR sufficient for 2 people for 2 weeks? Also, is it best to bring it from the UK? The only opportunity I’d have to withdraw from an Indonesian bank would be at the stopover in Makassar. We arrive in Sorong early and want to catch the 9am ferry so I’m assuming banks there won’t be open yet… are there custom issues carrying around 35,000,000 IDR? Thank you so much for your amazing website btw. I don’t see how planning a trip to Raja Ampat would be possible without it!
Thanks for the kind words about the site Patricia – it’s always great to hear the work is valued! 🙂
Unless you also want to also do a lot of boat trips for sightseeing (or buy alcohol), then that should be fine. Don’t know if you’ve already accounted for the mandatory Entry Fee (1,000,000 per person), but even 6,000,000 would be plenty of spending money for 2 weeks. Probably best to get it all in the UK, and there won’t be any customs issues carrying that amount.
You guys are amazing! Thank you so much!
As Raja Ampat is quickly developing, does anyone know if there are any money exchange facilities in or around Marinda airport, in Waisai?
We’ll carry Australian dollars and not flying thought Sorong, but straight to Waisai.
Terima kashi!
Hi Ana
We’ve never used Marinda airport, so can’t tell you if you’ll be able to change money there. You’ll definitely be able to change money at Sorong airport though. (All the current flights into Marinda leave from there.)
Thank you!
We will indeed fly from Sorong but only on a very short transit from Jakarta.
Thanks again for such a lovely and helpful website.
All the best
We will be arriving to Indonesia from Thailand. Can we change Thai baht to rupiah at a bank? Thanks!
We can’t imagine why not Michael, but – having never tried – can’t say for sure.
Hello!
I’m thinking about sending money for my holidays about western union. Do you know how much money I get there at most? I need a lot to stay about two month at the islands and I don’t think I get all about the ATMs.
Where are western union places in sorong and wasai?
Thank you for answering.
That’s a question for Google Kristina 😉
Everyone talks about US$. Are Australian $s also easily exchanged in Sorong Airport?
Hi Kristina
Banks in Sorong would definitely change AUD. The airport moneychangers more than likely would too. Don’t know for sure, but imagine that, same as for USD, you’d get the best rate for 100 dollar bills.
We are french.
If we have to change money in Sorong (at the airport or in a bank), do we need $ or they take also € 100 Euros Bills. But maybe the exchange is better with $ than € ? What is your opinion please 🙂
Best regards,
Alexandra
Hi Pasqualini
Yes, you can change Euros in Sorong, but we don’t know how the exchange rate compared to USD.
Hi, is there money exchange counters at the Jarkata airport? And do they accept the new $US100 bills? ( since I read below the banks in Sorong don’t take the new bills?)
And there are also money exchange counters in Sorong airport?
International airports always have money exchange counters. Domestic airports (like Sorong) usually do not.
Halo, bonjour from France 🙂
We are going to visit you during November, so great !!
One question about change money please,
Our flights : KUALA/MAKASSAR. We arrive late in Makassar and leave early to SORONG, so we can not go to the town to change money and we do not know if the currency exchange office are open late in Makassar airport and we are not sure if there are some in the airport.
If we arrive in Sorong only with Dollars, is it possible to change it in a bank ? I rode maybe it is possible if we have only 100$ note (not smaller), is it a correct information ?
If we can change in Makassar airport, is it better to change all our money in the airport or it is better to change in a bank of Sorong ? What is the best deal for us, what do you think ?
Thank you a lot for your help,
Have a nice day,
Warm regards,
Alexandra
Hi Alexandra
Sorry, but I can’t remember for sure if there are money changers open late in the Makassar airport. I think there probably are, as it is an international airport.
If not, you can certainly change money at banks in Sorong. Banks will change notes smaller than $100, but you’ll always get the best rate for 100 dollar bills.
Banks will usually give you a better rate than money changers, but if there are money changers at the new Sorong airport it may be more convenient to change there, rather than have to wait for banks to open in Sorong.
Thank you a lot for your prompt answear 🙂
We are going to follow your information 🙂
Your web site is really complete, Thank you for all these indications 🙂
All the best for you,
Alexandra
Bonjour,
nous avons prévu un séjour dans les Raja Ampat en Juin.
Serait-il possible de vous contacter pour avoir votre retour d’expérience, notamment sur les complications avec l’argent à amener, mais également tout autres infos utiles ?
Merci d’avance.
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Désolé, je relance car je me suis désinscrit par erreur du suivi de ce post
Hi Fred –
You will find the answers to most questions in our step by step guide. You are welcome to use the contact form if you still have questions after reading that.
Can you please comment a bit on money safety?
If we need to pay for everything in cash, it seems that we must bring easily 10MM to 15MM rupiah to the homestay. That’s a lot of cash. Is it safe in my bag with a lock on the bag?
Hi Michael –
I don’t know how easy it is to change USD in Waisai – we haven’t seen any money changers at the port, which means you’d have to go into town. If we were you, we’d save the time and trouble and change it at the international airport in Jakarta!
We’ve never heard of a single incident of money or possessions disappearing from homestay accommodation. We usually carry our cash inside a small (closed but not locked) shoulder bag along with passports and other personal items. When in the water we leave it in our room, unless we’re going somewhere in a boat, in which case we leave it in the boat when we hit the water. It’s always been safe.
Can you please update on ability to change USD to Rupiah in Wasai? I am flying in and out of Jakarta on Sunday night and will arrive in Sorong Monday morning. If I need to change money in Sorong then I will miss the 9:00am boat to Wasai. So if I can be confident that I can change money in Wasai I will do so there.
Hi,
I saw on the website for an eco resort that their prices were excluding a 21% tax. What is the tax rate in Raja Ampat and what is it applied to? Do the prices you quote include tax?
Thanks again for such a fantastic site, Bill
Hi Bill –
Yes – all prices quoted include the 10% accommodation tax that all Indonesian accommodation providers are required to pay. Don’t know why the resort mentions 21%. Perhaps they are required to pay service taxes that don’t apply to homestays. Glad the site’s proved helpful to you – thanks 🙂
Hi,
I’m trying to determine a budget for our January trip to 4 homestays. I’ve taken into account the park fee and the homestay prices. What will the taxi ride in Sorong from the airport to the ferry cost? And how much is the ferry to Waisai? Thanks for your help! Ann
Hi Ann – you’re welcome 🙂
Those transport prices are covered on the How to get to Raja Ampat page. Airport to ferry terminal taxis are IDR 100,000 and the Express ferry costs around IDR 240,000 (or a bit more if you want the air-conditioned VIP section).
you can go to a bank named BRI, I could change my $50, even $20 there.
Good tip fauzy – thanks! 🙂
one of the ATMs at the airport (don’t remember the bank sorry) does dispense 100,000 notes and it is possible to withdraw 2,500,000 for one transaction.
That’s certainly convenient! Thanks for the update Betti.
Regarding money and cash. Exchange facilities in Sorong are not garanteed. Banks in Sorong accept ONLY 100$ note (no smaller bank notes) and are closed on week-end and holidays. Make sure you have enough rupiah with you before heading for Mansuar. Near by Raja Ampat Dive Lodge accepts credit cards with a 2.5% commission (if you are really stuck).