In Reply to: ATM or Cash posted by timj on Thursday, 12. August 2010 at 09:46 Bali Time:
That is that. Unless you can afford to lose all your cash & are able to readily replace it while away then you would be well advised to look at other options.
In addition to taking some cash I used a Cwlth bank Travel Card last trip (2 cards with different pins in case one is lost/stolen) & was pleased with it. Cost $15 to set up, lasts for 3 years, costs $3.50/transaction in Bali & there plenty of Cwlth ATMs around Legian/Kuta. I also took my usual debit card & credit card for emergencies. The $ you put onto the Travel card when setting up costs nothing - thereafter there is a fee of 1%. You can use the card here, too.
Plenty of people take only cash & have no problems. I prefer to err on the side of caution.
My husband spends several months each year surfing in Indonesia & has a special debit card that I put $ into as & when needed but he's cancelling that & going with a Travel Card in future.