Kuta Beach Introduces Cashless Payment System for Tourists
One of Bali’s most iconic tourist attractions, Kuta Beach, has officially adopted a cashless payment system, making it simpler and more efficient for visitors and their transportation providers to access the area. The new card-only payment system at Kuta Beach Parking is part of a broader initiative to enhance tourism services throughout Bali’s leading resorts.
Transition Celebration
The transition to cashless payments was celebrated in a ceremonial event held at the Kuta Beach Car Parking Area and the adjacent Skate Park earlier this week. The ceremony was graced by several prominent figures in the local political landscape, including the Business Director of Bank BPD Bali, I Nyoman Sumanaya, and the Head of the Bank BPD Bali Mangupura Branch, Ida Bagus Made Surawan. They were joined by governmental representatives such as the Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs of the Badung Regency, Ida Bagus Gede Arjana.
Additionally, community leaders from the Kuta Traditional Village, including Head of Kuta Village, Putu Dedik Ardiana, attended the event, highlighting the community’s involvement in this significant transition.
Aiming for Economic Integrity
Ida Bagus Surya Suamba, the Acting Regional Secretary of Badung, spoke with reporters about the collaborative effort that led to the implementation of this cashless system, emphasizing the benefits of reducing cash transactions. “Using this cashless parking system reduces the use of cash so that all existing income goes directly into the system,” he stated.
According to Surya Suamba, revenue generated from this system will be shared, with 60% allocated to the traditional village and 40% directed to the Badung Regency Government under established cooperation agreements. He further noted the importance of this initiative in promoting anti-corruption measures, as Badung Regency recently received the title of Anti-Corruption Pilot Regency from the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission.
“The Regent and Deputy Regent, led by us, together with the Badung Regency DPRD, strongly emphasize reducing the use of cash,’ Surya Suamba added, asserting the aim of achieving a corruption-free environment by minimizing potential revenue leaks through cash handling.
Implementation Details
As of now, all parking fees at Kuta Beach must be paid using credit or debit cards for both motorcycles and cars. This move is in line with a growing trend towards cashless systems being adopted at Bali’s popular tourist spots and public facilities, which are expected to see further integration in the upcoming months and years.
For instance, the UNESCO World Heritage Jatiluwih Rice Terraces introduced a cashless payment system back in September 2024, accepting various forms of cashless payments including credit and debit cards, QRIS, and popular e-wallets such as GoPay, OVO, ShopeePay, DANA, among others.
Future of Cashless Payments in Bali
While Kuta Beach has embraced this digital payment approach, tourists should note that many other popular locations in Bali—including several beaches in Canggu and Uluwatu—still operate solely on cash transactions. Visitors will likely find that entrance fees for natural attractions, such as waterfalls and community-managed rice paddies, require smaller cash denominations. Typical parking fees range from IDR 2,000 to 10,000, while entry fees to local attractions usually fall between IDR 20,000 to 50,000.
As Bali continues to evolve towards a more digitized tourism ecosystem, it remains advisable for travelers to carry some cash for areas where cashless systems have not yet been adopted. Increasing opportunities for online ticket bookings for attractions such as Waterbom in Kuta and the Kecak performance at Uluwatu Temple further illustrate the trend of enhancing convenience for both tourists and locals alike.
With these changes, Bali is taking important steps towards improving its services and ensuring a seamless experience for visitors, while simultaneously promoting transparency and security in financial transactions.
Add a comment