visit regrets and $ ramblings

Had 8 'must try' restaurant names on my list for our recent two week visit. Got to 3 of them. Actually 4; but we walked out of one place because of the ridiculous prices. I can't pay 23 Canadian dollars for a cheeseburger platter.
U.S. dollar pricing, almost Negril-wide, is kind of disheartening and borderline insulting to loyal Canadians whose dollar has dropped so much in recent weeks. There should be some kind of loyalty adjustment for this huge segment of Negril's tourism formula. I am serious.
Negril business people pay their electric bills, taxes, water bills etc. in Jamaican dollars. They pay their staff in Jamaican dollars and yet price in USA dollars. I know it's not planned but some view it as a slap against visitors from other nations.
I heard about one person who booked a room and made a deposit with their credit card and freaked when they learned the card/bank/exchange worked out to a dollar 49 Canadian for each American dollar. Think about that. A 100 dollar room is suddenly 150 dollars plus 16.5 per cent Jamaican tax.
I know Rob and others have said there are plenty of Canadians in town; and we met many of them who were also complaining bitterly about USA dollar pricing; and if this situation continues; I can see some less committed winter travelers defecting to Cuba and Mexico and the Dominican which are decidedly cheaper than Jamaica. (No substitute for Jamaica though). For instance; one bar charged 5 U.S.dollars for two Red Stripes, but 500 dollars Jamaican which is 4.20 U.S. So which is the better deal? The Jamaican price of course. But I digress.
Only got to Ras Roddy's. Hammonds bakery, and the German Bar on our list. It's almost futile to make a detailed plan for your Negril vacation. So many variables, sand gravity, un-planned diversions.
We met up with one of Linda's co-workers and his wife who were impressed with our 450 square foot suite at Seastar Inn. They paid a great amout more to stay at Rooms.
We also missed out on the Ice Cream truck that is cruising the roads and lanes around Negril playing Yankee Doodle Went to Town on it's loudspeaker; but couldn't connect. Is that something new?
We did have some great meals though; but at several reliable places we had already tried like Canoe and LTU and Out of Town Pastry.
Hammonds was the best bargain. 340 dollars for two patties and a box drink. My wife Linda grabbed a table outside while I lined up inside for our food. She spoke with a businessman who told her the reason Juicy Patties a couple of shops down closed is because of a health inspection issue. Another person told her the same thing. I don't know enough about the 'runnings' to know if this is true or not, but it is interesting. No? Rob;feel free to remove this last bit if it's libelous in any way.

Hi Big_Frank - yes that conversion rate is having us think twice on some of the extra curricular activities involving the American Dollar. Jah cash is most definitely the better way to go after you converted your Cdn. We are headed to Port Antonio for our first 3 days and one of the highlights is Boston Jerk, which to our surprise had an article in the gleaner recently about shutting down one of the major jerk centers for sanitary reasons -

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/n...lth-violations

We also were disturbed by a lot of the pricing in US instead of Jamaica. One place I stopped for a Red Stripe was 300JMD. Later, stopped and also had something to eat with menu in USD. Bill came listing Red Strip at $3 USD and when I wanted to pay in Jamaican they multiplied everything by 120 so 360JMD for the Red Stripe. We are in Jamaica. Why not just list everything in JMD. Oh, and we are US so don't have the added issue of Canadian dollars.

Hey you guys up north had a great run! For years there would be bus loads of Canadians heading south to the mall in Bangor Maine loading up on "1/2 price goods"... Now it's the exact opposite. My buddy just drove back from Canada with a new truck pulling a new car trailer with another new truck on the trailer and two new snowmobiles in the back of the trucks! Now your stuff is "1/2 off"!!

but I do feel you on the double conversion rate, ouch! (CA to JMD to USD). On the places that are asking for USD, can't you just say you only have JMD and what the Jamaican price is?...

Reminds me I need to plan a Nova Scotia/ Montreal trip!

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Originally Posted by murph

Hey you guys up north had a great run! For years there would be bus loads of Canadians heading south to the mall in Bangor Maine loading up on "1/2 price goods"... Now it's the exact opposite. My buddy just drove back from Canada with a new truck pulling a new car trailer with another new truck on the trailer and two new snowmobiles in the back of the trucks! Now your stuff is "1/2 off"!!

but I do feel you on the double conversion rate, ouch! (CA to JMD to USD). On the places that are asking for USD, can't you just say you only have JMD and what the Jamaican price is?...

Reminds me I need to plan a Nova Scotia/ Montreal trip!

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How did your buddy get title and tabs on his new truck, trailer and snowmobiles? I would love a new vehicle. In regards to places that charge buy the dollar vs JMD, money talks. If this upsets you don't frequent the places that use this practice. Tell the establishment your indifference to this practice. Tell your friends. Tell this forum. Man ,with ATM issues, street vendors being closed, government crackdowns what is happening to our beloved Negril?

Frank, I understand that things got much more expensive for you - wow, right now the Canadian dollar is down to .708 US, so one US dollar costs you $1.45 CD even at the best rates. But I don't see how it matters which currency you're paying in, JM or US. Can't you convert CD to US easily at a fair exchange rate before your trip, and just bring enough cash to pay at least your full hotel bill?

BeachTramp's example is what I'm talking about. She had to pay either $3. US or $360. JM. But with the US to JMD exchange rate right now at 121.2, she actually got a slight bargain (3 cents US) paying in JM. So I don't see why that would matter to her financially (although the obvious "tourist trap" atmosphere for anyplace with menus not in the local currency might change how you feel about the place).

For non-US residents, using a credit card to pay USD in a different country does present a problem, because they typically charge you for exchanging your currency to the local currency, then again from the local currency to USD. But that's a problem with the credit card companies, not with the hotel.

What exchange rate are the cambios in Jamaica charging to change CD to US?

I am no economist but if everyone insisted on paying in Jamaican currency it would help increase it's value against the "mighty" American dollar. I have to say there was a fair bit of "sticker shock" at a few places we ate while there over Christmas and New Years. The best way for us to was stick to the places that posted all their prices in Jamaican (they seemed to have much lower overall prices), such as a place like Collettas. Frank- we also split our stay between Seastar and Rooms. The seafront room we had at Rooms was a great spot but it was triple what we payed for our poolside room at Seastar.
I think it sucks that so many Americans insist on paying in their own currency, why would you not use the currency of the place you are in?
We have discussed for years taking a long road trip north to the Yukon and Northwest Territory, and with the weak Canadian dollar and dirt cheap gas prices, I think it's time for maybe a short trip south next year, and then load of the truck to see a part of our own country I have never been to.

It wouldn't make sense to change Canadian to U.S. in Jamaica. We just withdrew Jamaican dollars from our Canadian bank account at an affiliated ATM in Negril. We paid our hotel bill in U.S. dollars that my wife earned in gratuities from her server job. So why am I complaining? I just reject the notion that almost every business operator wants to price in U.S.A. money. Our restaurant menus are not listing items in American dollars and I'm sure European resorts don't price things in U.S. dollars; so why Negril?

big frank , where did you go that charged that much for a burger?

Big Frank, tough luck the currency wasn't kind to you and the wife! Hopefully the loonie will rebound soon enough.

The following link is the Jamaica Tourist Board Statistics for 2014 (the latest available). It seems it is a numbers game 1,200,000 US tourist in 2014 vs 400,000 Canadian tourists in 2014.

Jamaica can't control international currency exchanges, but I'm certain they appreciate the many Canadian's that flock to the island every year.

http://www.jtbonline.org/statistics/...ics%202014.pdf

Thanks for the on site trip reports, definitely looked like you had a great time despite the currency issue!

VVHT

The US dollar pricing in Negril has always been a pet peeve of mine. I understand the reasons, but I've always been slightly offended by it. There is no good reason, for example, for a chartered taxi to charge in US.
But it isn't going to change, so we Canucks will just have to suck it up.
It will affect the number of Canadians who visit, maybe not this year, but going forward.
I've cut my visit drastcally short this year and one of my crew is not going at all because of $.
Yes, I can afford to go for longer, but its become a matter of principle for me.

Frank and others, I have to agree with you about the Canadian dollar. I keep procrastinating about booking my usual Mar/April trip and airfare has nothing to do with it. The main reason is the cost of my hotel and taxi (to and from the airport). These I pay for in US dollars which means almost 1 1/2 times the cost. It is a real shocker to the pocket book. But that being said, I haven't ever considered Cuba or other "cheaper" holidays. There is no place like Jamaica to me.

I just can't understand we cone from Ireland so why should I pay in us fir something when I am in another country. I go to usa and gave to chage to dollers so why should here be diffrent. We ate at the airport and got our bill and I payed I was paying in Jamaica dollers and was told they priced in usa doller so I had to pay more.when u are going to country u should have to use the currency of that country.yes it will stop me visiting this year maybe down the Rd we will be back

Well unfortunately exchange rates worldwide fluctuate, be it USD, the Euro, Pound, Rubles. What has happened in Canada that the CD has lost such value against the USD?? Justin Trudeau?????

I would assume that the USD reigns supreme in Cuba as well as other carib islands. The fact is there isn't much confidence in local economies in much of the world.

Read Power Game by the late, great Perry Henzell. It gives some fictitious insight into the mind set of Jamaican Government and Banking community, the dynamics behind at least in JA why businesses want US currency so much.

I feel bad for my neighbors up north and the decline of the dollar. According to this article that is 6 months old, it is attributed to oil. Same excuse on why our stock market tanked over the past couple of weeks.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cana...2004-1.3163316

Oil happened to the Canadian dollar. Simple as that. I hope I don't sound like I'm bitter or anything; I just want to point out that it's costing not just a little more to visit; but a lot more. We both want to return to Negril as soon as possible; but possibly with a modified spending plan.

You want to capitalize when its in your favor and a discount when it isn't? Lol Ive never met a Canadian that wasn't tight!

Booger :
It is NOT only oil price, it is the whole picture ! Canada is the only country in the World. which having such a vast oil reserves - does everything to not sell it. This is not going to go away...

Corso - I guess you haven't met that many Canadians - odd remark -
perhaps if the shoe was on the other foot you would have some empathy

[QUOTE=Corso;171303]You want to capitalize when its in your favor and a discount when it isn't? Lol Ive never met a Canadian that wasn't tight

So having your purchasing power drop by 30-40% does not justify even a little whining? Gotta love the generalizations about a whole nation of people, I think the comment is more of a statement on your attitude than Canadians but since I am sure part of your judgement also sees us as "easygoing, EH saying people who are too nice" we'll just leave it at that.,

I'm on the border and have plenty of friends from there...when they come over the 3 places they always hit is Walmart,Mardens,&the all you can eat Chinese place Lol...wasn't meant to be odd...was meant to be funny...I mean are you going to give up paradise cause a beer cost an extra buck?
As far as empathy...our dollar fluctuates against yours...meaning we've been wearing those shoes you speak of for a while now! 😁

So, is the issue and reason for concern the fact that right now the Canadian dollar doesn't hold as much weight against the US dollar, and therefore doesn't go as far in Jamaica as it had the past few years? If so, I totally understand the frustration -- one of the (countless) reasons Jamaica is our favorite spot to visit is how reasonably priced everything is compared to where we live (the D.C. area), and having that change would definitely be a bummer.

That being said, I definitely wouldn't take the fact that a lot of businesses price things is US$ personally. My guess it happens for the following reasons: 1) as mentioned before, Jamaica gets a lot of American visitors, many of which stay on resorts, and when venturing off haven't changed money, 2) the US$ is accepted in a lot of places, and 3) it's pretty stable, and with how unstable $JA can be, the American dollar can be pretty valuable for the locals.

My wife and I live in the US, and we still pay in $JA when we visit Negril. It's easier, and you're usually paying a little less (since most places we deal with either charge in $JA or do a 100:1 conversion for ease, which errs in the favor of paying locally). And to be honest, I've never come across a restaurant/bar or business that won't accept $JA. If anything, if they want to go by the current exchange rate, they have to redo your bill, but again, usually the 100:1. To be honest, we usually look for places that charge in $JA, because they tend to be the more local spots and less expensive.

I mean, if you were in another country, you would usually have to exchange money for the local currency. I'd say, convert Canadian money for $JA and go that route. The price is what it is.

The largest item on the Negril visit budget is the accommodations. No way one can pay for that in $JMD. All accom in Negril is in $USD. So there's no escaping the approximately $100USD to $144CDN conversion.
But its not going to change, rooms will always be in $USD.
So, Canucks will either just pay more, shorten their stays or not go at all. Two of my friends who prefer Jamaica are going to other Caribbean spots this winter due to the $ issue. If the $CDN stays low, Negril will notice fewer Canucks.
Since the $CDN is correlated to the price of oil and the management of the Canadian economy, it will remain low until oil goes up and current fiscal management and policies improve.
Thems the facts. : (

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Originally Posted by wrtiii

What exchange rate are the cambios in Jamaica charging to change CD to US?

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Was 83J's to $1 Canadian mid December at FX Trader.......then 78 a week ago........yeah you guys are getting nailed here
117.50J for 1US currently at FX Trader beside HiLo which is closed today(Sunday)
the USA exchange rate really hasn't moved much from this Summer....

Cool Runnings, Marko

I know that as a country Jamaica has major loans denominated in US dollars, so the national debt in JMD has skyrocketed. I wonder whether the resorts also have mortgages or other loans that are in US dollars, and whether they have to pay for imported goods in US dollars (if prices are quoted in JMD but change steadily with the exchange rate, that's the same thing).

As far as Canadians go if a lower than desirable exchange rate is your biggest problem then you are doing pretty good. You have a beautiful country, great people, awesome women, no wars, little poverty, clean air and water, relatively honest government by comparison. How and why exchange rates on the CD could be a long debate.

So if Negril costs you more and Jamaica is your destination there are other places to go that are less expensive than Negril. Just get off the beaten path and you'll find some great places to go. I'm sure the CD will rebound soon enough so like other Janadians have said, check out your own wonderland this year and put off Ja until it makes more sense.

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Originally Posted by johng

Well unfortunately exchange rates worldwide fluctuate, be it USD, the Euro, Pound, Rubles. What has happened in Canada that the CD has lost such value against the USD?? Justin Trudeau?????

I would assume that the USD reigns supreme in Cuba as well as other carib islands. The fact is there isn't much confidence in local economies in much of the world.

Read Power Game by the late, great Perry Henzell. It gives some fictitious insight into the mind set of Jamaican Government and Banking community, the dynamics behind at least in JA why businesses want US currency so much.

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Well I would assume you have never travelled to Cuba. As for the Canadian dollar tanking, it has alot to do with the price of oil - and this has been dropping long before Justin took over as PM.

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Originally Posted by johng

As far as Canadians go if a lower than desirable exchange rate is your biggest problem then you are doing pretty good. You have a beautiful country, great people, awesome women, no wars, little poverty, clean air and water, relatively honest government by comparison. How and why exchange rates on the CD could be a long debate.

So if Negril costs you more and Jamaica is your destination there are other places to go that are less expensive than Negril. Just get off the beaten path and you'll find some great places to go. I'm sure the CD will rebound soon enough so like other Janadians have said, check out your own wonderland this year and put off Ja until it makes more sense.

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i am old enough to have seen the $ fluctuate both ways numerous times over the years... but generally speaking, the US $ reigns supreme.
Although Jamaica is my favourite winter destination, when the Cdn $ is so distressed, we try to travel to another Caribbean destination. Cuba or Barbados are popular choices for us and we don't have to worry about the US $ problem in Cuba. :) Well, not yet anyway.
Having said that, about a year ago, friends approached us about going to Hawaii this winter. Fortunately , we booked and paid for 2 of the 3 weeks at that time. Dollar has really tanked since then.
This summer, when we sometimes head over the border to visit our American neighbours, we sadly won't be. As you stated, johng, we will be heading to the Canadian maritimes - a place we've never been.
Jamaica will be there when we next decide to visit.

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Originally Posted by Corso

You want to capitalize when its in your favor and a discount when it isn't? Lol Ive never met a Canadian that wasn't tight!

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well after only 11 posts on this board you have some nerve call us Canadians"TIGHT" with our money, while we do not like getting charged in U.S. in Jamaica we still go.We have met many Americans in Jamaica and they were all great people, i guess you are an exception,Your Canadian tight friends along and also my wife who also shops in the U.S. are also supporting your country. Calling us Canadians "TIGHT"is an insult, L.O.L., soon come

wow sandman66 I was just asking. So if the USD dollar is not currently in demand in Cuba it won't be long. As far as your CD "Tanking" I know nothing about Justin or his political objectives, etc... Oil prices have dropped in the US too, to record lows but the USD seems strong against it???? More than just oil

Attachment 43935 USD / CAD


Georgia, make sure you check out St. Andrews while in the Maritimes, a really beautiful town as well as the rest of NB, NS, PEI. That will be great fun

I don't understand the angst of my fellow Canadians. In the last 2 years the C$ has dropped roughly 20% in value against both the US and Jam $ so in my opinion it doesn't matter what currency the hotels use. Accommodation, food, etc for Canadians is 20% more than 2 years ago.
I suggest we look at the issue from an American perspective. If the us$ increases against the Euro or pound, an American gets more bang for their buck in Europe. Since most things here in Jamaica are priced in us$, American visitors are not gaining any such advantage from their strong dollar.
In my opinion it's the Americans that should be vexed.

Slimjim; that was very well put, and is absolutely true. I understand the need to look at cheaper places with their dollar going down, but those places would be cheaper in the good times as well. It isn't a JA/CA dollar thing, it's just the overall value of the currency dropping. It will affect all destinations equally on a percentage basis.

Only posting 11 times I didn't think... Next time ill use the word FRUGAL lol

Slimjim, rather be discussing all the good times Negril offers instead of increased costs but 2 yrs ago was about 1.08 to the US now 1.46 so increase is more than 20%. Cdn $ was not actually doing too terrible against other currencies till relatively recently, we (as most other currencies) were losing to a rising US $. Of late we have been decreasing against pretty much every $ due to our excessive correlation to the price of oil. However you are right for J$ as 2 yrs ago was about $96 and now 85 so not so bad really. But the pricing of rooms in US that you pay ahead of time is quite painful, especially when credit cards tosses in a lousy exchange and 2.5% charge because they can. Either way still rather be in Negril than pretty much anywhere!!

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Originally Posted by Rasthai

Slimjim, rather be discussing all the good times Negril offers instead of increased costs but 2 yrs ago was about 1.08 to the US now 1.46 so increase is more than 20%. Cdn $ was not actually doing too terrible against other currencies till relatively recently, we (as most other currencies) were losing to a rising US $. Of late we have been decreasing against pretty much every $ due to our excessive correlation to the price of oil. However you are right for J$ as 2 yrs ago was about $96 and now 85 so not so bad really. But the pricing of rooms in US that you pay ahead of time is quite painful, especially when credit cards tosses in a lousy exchange and 2.5% charge because they can. Either way still rather be in Negril than pretty much anywhere!!

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hey, it is not the exchange of Canadian to Ja but having to pay in U.S. while in Jamaica, that makes as much sense as charging visitors to Canada U.S. , soon come

The value of our Canadian dollar does put a damper on things but that will never stop us from spending our time and money in Negril. As I said in a previous post we are staying at an AI this trip but mainly to accommodate one of my wife's sisters health concerns. She doesn't want to have to walk or travel around to much to eat and drink. That being said we will still go out to eat and drink at other places and she will come when she feels up to it but if she can't we know she will be taken care of at where we are staying. This year we will just make sure we have an ample amount of American and Jamaican money with us to pay the bill in what ever currency the bill is in. We always did that in the past and figured out on our first trip to Negril that was the smart thing to do. Not all us Canadians are tight with our money lol. Spend it while u have it cause u can't take it with u when u die. We work hard and we play hard and nothing good is ever really cheap. Nothing can ruin a vacation in paradise more than worrying about how much something costs and the things we enjoy seem to cost more in Canada than they do in Jamaica. To quote a board member here he writes the most enjoyable trip reports ever "If you are thinking about gong to Negril just push the button and do it man because you won't be disappointed" Cheerssss and My dear sweet Negril we will see you in 70 days

I truly didn't mean to start such a debate, and I really don't like seeing bitterness. We would still go to Negril no matter what the cost above anywhere else, and I would never even consider Cuba or Mexico for my own reasons. However, some people simply looking for a 'Sun Spot' might. Just pointing out that I don't like seeing USA dollar pricing in shops, bars, restaurant and even taxi men will quote you "10 dollars" to travel beach or west from the taxi park. I'm far from a cheapskate. Ask any of the service people who received generous tips for services rendered all over Negril. I witnessed one American give a server 150 Ja on a 78 dollar U.S. tab. Now that's a tight-wad. Someone posted stats that 1.2 million Americans visited the island in 2014 vs. 400 thousand Canadians. Think about this. USA has 350 million people (or more). Canada has 35 million. Per capital; who loves Jamaica more?

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Originally Posted by jamaicarob

hey, it is not the exchange of Canadian to Ja but having to pay in U.S. while in Jamaica, that makes as much sense as charging visitors to Canada U.S. , soon come

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Honest question: where in Negril do you have to pay in $US, and they don't accept $JA?

Are you speaking specifically about having to book your hotel in $US? If so, it's more about the fact that the American dollar is stable right now, while Jamaican dollar is not. If they listed in $JA they would have to adjust the prices like every week. Plus it makes it easier for prospective customers to know how much it's gonna cost to stay there.

Drifter 141. You are correct ; and make a very good point. Hotels of course must be in USA dollars.

Per capita spending doesn't reflect OVERALL spending by a long shot. That seems a rather silly point to make, IMO. I think the idea of a "loyalty discount" to Candadians would be insulting to other visitors who also spend freely in Negril. That seems as biased, or quite possibly moreso, than things being priced in USD