The Role of Fintech in Bali’s Tourism Industry

A few years back, travelling to Bali meant carrying a wad of rupiah, hunting down an ATM after a long flight and fumbling through taxis and beach bars with change. This time, I barely handled any cash at all. Thanks to the surge of fintech innovations on the island, it felt like the future of travel had arrived. As a traveller relying on reliable mobile connectivity via ORA eSIM, I saw first-hand how fintech and tourism are converging in Bali and how that makes life so much easier when you’re roaming.

Fintech’s Rise in Bali’s Tourism Landscape

The Indonesian government and the private sector have been pushing hard on digital payments and fintech infrastructure for years. For example, the Bali Fintech Agenda (launched by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank) laid out 12 key fintech priorities including cross-border payments, digital inclusion and efficiency. 

In Bali’s context, where tourism is the lifeblood of many businesses, fintech is more than just a convenience, it’s a strategic enabler! For visitors, it means less time worrying about cash, less hassle converting currency, and more time exploring rice terraces, beaches, cafés and hidden jungle retreats.

What’s actually changing on the ground

Let me walk you through what I noticed during my recent stay (and what’s emerging for 2026):

• Digital wallets everywhere.
  On this trip I used local Indonesian e-wallets for everything, from ordering motorbike rides to beach-club lunch-and-cocktails. QR code payments were displayed at small warungs in Uluwatu, at cafés in Canggu, and even at temple entrance booths. The unified standard QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) is now mainstream. 
• Cross-border and travel-focused fintech solutions are emerging.
  Beyond the “big three” wallets (such as GoPay, OVO, and DANA) which dominate domestic transactions, I encountered signs of fintech startups and payment gateways gearing for the international traveller. For example, some cafés advertised “We accept foreign cards and international e-wallet top-ups” (bearing in mind this is still early stage). And according to one report, thousands of SMEs across Bali accept stablecoins like USDT, USDC and PYUSD to handle cross-border payments, reducing fees and settlement time dramatically.
• Integration with travel / booking platforms.
  I booked a villa using a local lodging-aggregator that offered the option to pay via wallet/QR scan, and the transfer confirmation popped up on my phone within seconds. Now imagine that scaling for hotels, tour operators, airport transfers, dive centres. It means the entire payment experience from “book-online” to “arrive-at-villa and scan to pay” becomes much smoother.
• Events and trends to watch.
  According to one industry piece, by 2026 we’ll see stronger partnerships between airlines, hotels and digital wallet providers, as well as deeper adoption of contactless cards and AI-driven personalization in travel payments. Also: Indonesia is actively exploring transforming Bali into a financial hub to attract international fintech investment.

Why this matters for you as a traveller

When you’re roaming and discovering Bali, there are three big pain-points: connectivity, currency/payment hassle, and local logistics. Fintech fixes the payment part; and ORA eSIM helps nail the connectivity part.

Because with unlimited or flexible eSIM coverage, you’re online from the moment you land. That means your payment apps work immediately, you can top up your wallet from your phone, receive verification codes, book rides or restaurants, check maps, etc. All of it flows without scrambling for WiFi in a café or losing signal in a jungle-shaman-village.

Also:

• Less cash = less worry about theft or lost bills.
• Less currency exchange = fewer hidden fees.
• Use of QR codes and wallets = faster checkout in cafés, bars, beach clubs.
• Cross-border friendly fintech = you don’t have to set up a local bank account just to pay for things.
• And seamless mobile connectivity = the fintech tools actually work everywhere you are.

What travelers should do to stay ahead

If you’re planning a trip to Bali (or anywhere Indonesia), here are some friendly travel-tips:

• Set up a digital wallet (ask your accommodation or tour operator if they accept wallet-payments).
• Ensure your mobile connectivity is strong and uninterrupted, this is where ORA eSIM comes in handy.
• Download the local e-wallet apps early, top them up (when possible) before you land.
• Carry a small amount of cash anyway (for remote areas or traditional markets).
• Watch for fees on foreign-card payments; sometimes topping up local wallet is cheaper/more convenient.
• Ask about QR-code payment options at restaurants/bars; acceptance is higher than ever.
• Make sure your phone data is stable because you’ll need it for bookings/maps/payment verification.

Because when fintech travels smoothly, connectivity is the unsung hero behind it. With ORA eSIM you’re not hunting for local SIM cards, you’re not losing time in cafés trying to login to WiFi, you're simply connected from arrival until departure. And when you’re connected, your payment wallets and fintech tools actually work the way they’re supposed to. In Bali’s evolving tourism-fintech ecosystem, having reliable mobile data isn’t optional: it’s part of the travel infrastructure. Pair your fintech-payment mindset with a global eSIM, and suddenly your phone becomes your wallet, map, ride-hailer and travel companion.

FAQs

Can international tourists easily use digital wallets in Bali?
Yes, many e-wallets support QRIS and local merchants. However, whether your foreign bank card can top up the wallet depends on the app. It’s best to check app-support and maybe top up in advance.

Should I carry cash or rely solely on fintech payments?
While fintech payments are widely accepted (especially in tourist zones), carrying a small amount of cash is still smart because some remote warungs, traditional markets or small vendors may be cash-only.

What are the benefits of using fintech payments when travelling in Bali?
Faster transactions, less need to negotiate change, fewer ATM/withdrawal hassles, reduced theft risk, and often better integration into local merchants. Also, when paired with strong connectivity (via ORA eSIM), these payments are more seamless.

How will the role of fintech in Bali evolve?
We can expect more direct integration of payment wallets with booking platforms (hotels, villas, tours), stronger cross-border e-wallet adoption for tourists, and possibly contactless cards becoming more standard. Also, Bali is being positioned as a fintech hub in Indonesia.

Does connectivity matter for payments and fintech when I’m travelling?
Absolutely. If your phone loses data or you’re stuck on poor WiFi, verification codes, wallet