Where is the best exchange rate in Negril ?
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Where is the best exchange rate in Negril ?
The best deal in Negril is usually found at the Gold Nugget cambio in the parking lot area in the plaza across the road from the Burger King, next to the Scotia Bank. The FX Trader cambio next to the HiLo Supermarket is a very close second. Example, the first cambio will give 122.50 to 1, the second will give 122 to 1. So for us$100 you are talking a difference of 50 cents.
The worst rate is found at the one on the beach road by Bourbon Beach. in the example above, this cambio will give 118 to 1. The difference on us$100 would be around $4.
is it better to exchange money, or just use US $ ?
Of course, it is better to exchange money. The Jamaican Dollar is the official currency of Jamaica and it's relative value to the US dollar will save you a little here and there. You get no better deal with US currency and if you pay for something small with the US dollar you won't get the correct change most of the time if any change at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Markis
If you don't want to bother and don't care if you pay a little bit too much on your vacation, just use US and eat the difference.
In every country, local currency is best. However, US$ is very easy there if you don't want to mess with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Markis
I always carry both US and JA $. I'd prefer to use JA$ but certain places convert your US bill at rates that vary from $110-$115J. If you are given a bill in US$, ask for what the bill is in JA$. Convert it and use the currency that gives you the best pricing.
And, a bit of a bugaboo of mine...as I keep seeing it suggested on other forums...
if you're Canadian, British etc...you are not required to exchange your money to the US$...exchange your home currency directly to the Jamaican$.
Only the big tourist restaurants offer the pricing in US$...some of the smaller places will present the bill in US$ if they think you're American or sometimes just because you're a tourist and will assume you have US$. Just ask for the price to be in the Jamaican currency...easy peasy.
Jamaicans will accept tips in Canadian, Euro, pounds etc...not just the US or Jamaican$.
Either way they'll have to go to the cambio/bank to exchange any foreign currency to their Jamaican$.
Exactly. If you use non-Jamaican money, the amount you lose is the "inconvenience factor" of the taker having to go to the bank/Cambio etc. instead of you. I think most tourists are not familiar with their being two prices on currency exchange (Buying and Selling). http://www.scotiabank.com/jm/en/0,,168,00.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by Bnewb
Buying and Selling? Okay... let's confuse an already confusing topic... :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Accompong
Still like using the atm at time square, nothing more simple.
Last time we were in Negril the ATM didn't work at Time Square. We tried it on two separate occasions, but no dice.
That ATM has always been hit and miss with us too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Markis
Go to the one at the Petcom by the aerodrome.
Cap
Petcom is good too, even the high-lo spits out ja.
Easiest way is a good friend for 25 years, who is a long time Negril resident, local business man who "runs" things on a very nice area of the beach and does exchanges at a great rate. No hassle, no taxi ride, no hustlers, no leaving the beach chair.
Got a name for us Cappy?
if you can guess the name and his whereabouts you can get a really good rate lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Irine
If you hit the ATM at Time Square in the morning, it is usually OK. Later in the day (after the tour buses arrive) it can run out of the cash.
The one by the Petcom is like well-kept secret. I like to stop there on my way into Negril, but usually don't get up to Rutland Point much during my trip.