One of Bali’s most famous tourist destinations has just introduced a new cashless payment system, making it even easier for tourists and their drivers to navigate the area.
Kuta Beach Parking is now operating a card-only payment system.
The transition to a cashless payment system was celebrated at Kuta Beach Car Parking Area and Skate Park this week. The event was attended by some of the biggest names in local politics and comes as part of a wider commitment to level up tourism services across Bali’s top resorts.
The ceremony was attended by the Business Director of Bank BPD Bali, I Nyoman Sumanaya, the Head of Bank BPD Bali Mangupura Branch, Ida Bagus Made Surawan, and staff, as well as the Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs of Badung Regency, Ida Bagus Gede Arjana.
Regency officials were joined by leaders from the Kuta Traditional Village, including the Head of Kuta Village, Putu Dedik Ardiana, and Komang Alit Ardana.
The Acting Regional Secretary of Badung, Ida Bagus Surya Suamba, told reporters that the new cashless system is being integrated as part of a cooperative approach between the Bank BPD Bali and the Badung Regency Government.
He shared, “Using this cashless parking system reduces the use of cash so that all existing income goes directly into the system. After that, it is divided according to the cooperation agreement with the Kuta Traditional Village, where 60 percent is given to the traditional village, and 40 percent goes to the Badung Regency Government.”
He added, “The Regent and Deputy Regent, led by us, together with the Badung Regency DPRD, strongly emphasize reducing the use of cash.”
“This is because Badung Regency has just received the title of Anti-Corruption Pilot Regency from the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission. So we want to realize a corruption-free Badung by implementing cashless so that there are no more leaks from our income.”
Tourists, visitors, and tourist drivers will now only be able to pay for parking at Kuta Beach using a credit or debit card.
This goes for both motorcycles and cars. The transition to more classless systems will be seen increasingly frequently across Bali’s top tourist attractions and public facilities in the coming months and years.
In September 2024, for example, the UNESCO World Heritage Jatiluwih Rice Terraces shifted to a cashless payment system throughout the attraction. It is not only credit and debit cards accepted at Jatiluwih though.
To quote InfoJatiluwih, “We accept various cashless payment methods, including Debit Cards, Credit Cards, QRIS, And we’re supported by major banks like BCA, Mandiri, BNI, BRI, BPD Bali as well as popular e-wallets like GoPay, OVO, ShopeePay, DANA, and many more!”
Not only will there be more cashless payment systems as standard at tourism facilities across Bali, but there will be more and more opportunities to book tickets online in advance.
Most of Bali’s biggest attractions, like the UNESCO World Heritage Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, Waterbom in Kuta, the nightly Kecak performance at Uluwatu Temple or The Devdan Show in Nusa Dua can all be booked online or on arrival.
Although Bali is moving towards more cashless systems, it is still recommended that tourists carry cash with them.
While Kuta Beach is now operating a digital payment approach, the majority of car parks at Bali’s favorite beaches and cultural landmarks are still only taking cash payments, including beaches in Canggu and Uluwatu.
Car parking fees or entrance tickets to locally managed waterfalls, for example, require small notes. Car parking or motorcycle parking costs usually around IDR 2,000 to 5,000, sometimes up to IDR 10,000. Entry fees to private rice paddies, waterfalls, or temples range from IDR 20,000 to IDR 50,000, and since many of these attractions are community-managed, they do not have a huge amount of formal infrastructure surrounding them.
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Steve bm
Wednesday 22nd of January 2025
It's to cut out corruption by the ticket collectors etc etc but I havnt used my ATM in bali for donkeys it's normally thrown in the draw as soon as I arrive back from work and I won't start paying for anything with it either I'm too scared to scared to use it . Cash...change money as you need it or when rates great
Exp
Tuesday 21st of January 2025
Pay for parking along Kuta beach to get the opportunity to sit in a plastic chair with a cold Bintang watching the mountain of trash and broken walk paths?
They need to figure out some better sales pitch.
Shorty
Thursday 23rd of January 2025
@Exp,
Check out the tourist numbers. They don't need to.
Sven
Monday 20th of January 2025
Why are there parking beggars literally EVERYWHERE in Bali?
It's absolutely annoying to deal with.
In Thailand, zero parking payments. Only in the big mall if you stay longer than 2 hours. No pestering locals running towards you the moment you stop at a roadside like damn pests.
Steve bm
Friday 24th of January 2025
@Shorty, that's oz bud I can't trust indo systems with my details card details and especially Mafia looking types. Havnt used my card in bali for donkeys years apart from some hotels and flights only.
Shorty
Thursday 23rd of January 2025
@Exp
Been to Sydney lately and visited the beach, major tourist attractions or most CBDs? Parking meters and parking stations with 'tap and go'.
Apart from simplifying processing, it reduces the graft associated with cash payments.
Despite your comments card payments will make it easier to detect graft. Transactions are traceable and leave a trail.
Brown paper bags don't.
Exp
Tuesday 21st of January 2025
@Sven, Public space in Indonesia means it can be used to create income for whoever control an area. Parking in the tourist zones is big business and well organized and profit shared between the local bigwigs. Now they have figured out that someone is eating into their business and want sole access to the cash cow.
Shorty
Tuesday 21st of January 2025
@Sven,
The beggars aren't the problem. Your attitude and the way you deal with them is.
arthur
Monday 20th of January 2025
this will solve all Bali problems!
Justin McDonald
Monday 20th of January 2025
That's the end for bali
Shorty
Tuesday 21st of January 2025
@Justin McDonald,
Really?
Why is it the end?
In 'lower' level local places cash will always be king. But in well patronised tourist businesses this will change. Tourists carry a card(s) and use them when ever possible instead of cash.