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Should I bring all US dollars all Jamaican or a mix? What is preferred for tipping? I think 25 years ago I brought American Express travelers checks! Wow, is that so 1980s? I'd like to use my credit card as much as possible, but Negril used to be a cash kind of place.
Hi Kibby, You can use either or in Negril.. but if you are going to use US, use small bills, as they will tell you they dont have change (and they probably dont)
Also, if they do give you change, the exchange rate is at the discretion of the vendor... As well as the pricing.
We tend to only use JA when in Jamaica. The exchange rates at the Cambios are roughtly 100 J to 1 US. So it's easy to do the math.
With the exchange rate being around 1 to 100 it makes using US easy. But my rule of thumb is if the prices are in US pay US if they are in J use J. As to using your credit card I would only use it at your hotel and to withdraw from ATMs to avoid fraud. Also alert your bank or creditor that you are traveling to avoid possible denials.
And another thing to add to what Ras said, check with your CC company, there might be an international surcharge when you use it.
always pay in Jamaican dollars, soon come
like what dem say......Jamaican dollars bought in Jamaica.........
ATM rates are good on withdrawals too..........
best rates are at the Cambios.......like FX Trader at HiLo....BankMark on da West End Rd
NCB doesn't give out a good rate..only use dem when mi have a weathered US bill the Cambios won't accept........
Cool Runnings, Marko
In 12 trips we have never used anything but US dollars. I have never used a credit or debit card there. I would if I had to, but only in an emergency.
I do agree to take plenty of small bills.
Flip made a good point, and that is each business can set the exchange rate at whatever they want. If you plan on spending a fair amount of money this will add up. I use only Jamaican when there except for settling up at the hotel.Quote:
Originally Posted by gregandkelly63
On the plane I put away my US $ and take out my JA dollars.
I always go back to Florida with 10 - 15 thousand JA. dollars
That way I have cash for gas for the car, beers, eat a food,,,,,,,,
First stop is Petcom ATM for more "blue money"............
In 1980 it was "red money"..............
Cap
So do you bring a lot of cash and exchange it all there or do you just pull out as needed from atm?
15K JA is 145US........Get's me thru the first day......
I draw what I need once I get to Westmoreland as I go along.
AAA has replaced their TCs with a debit card. I add money to it and then use the ATMs as needed. We also bring smaller US bills with us for tipping, etc.
Take your US cash and Exchange it for J's in Jamaica. I like to carry both check the prices in both as some are better US and some in J's.Quote:
Originally Posted by kibby
Wouldn't it be better to exchange to JMD? Right now it's 106jmd to $1USD. I might be wrong, but if you exchanged $1000USD at 106JMD you would get roughly 106420.00JMD. Most places I went to treat it as $1USD to $100JMD, so my thinking is you would gain about 64 100JMD bills? Again I could be wrong.
Question for captaind, Usually go to the cambio cross from Burger King .(still kills me to say that). Does the ATM at the petcom which I think is by the negril airport a better rate?
The ATMs all give the same rate and they may charge you a fee depending on your home bank.Quote:
Originally Posted by original spanky
I like to stop at the Petcom because it right on the way in. I also use the one next to the HiLo but on the way in Petcom is easiest.
Generally much less time and bother than the cambio
Cap