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I remember back in the day, I was warned to not bring $100 and $50 bills to Jamaica, because some places refuse to take them. Is this still the case? If so, does that include cambios as well? For years I have followed the rule, but would like to lighten the load this year.
Not an issue exchanging at banks etc. But I wouldn't be using large US bills at merchants. One they may not have the change and moreso if they do it will be given in Ja and you will get a lousy exchange rate. Convert in advance and pay in Jamaicain dollars. Better all around.
No problem at the cambios, but even there you will be given mostly $500 J bills. I try to bring a wad of U.S. $1 and $5 bills for tips and small purchases
You can use the US large bills at most places. Most larger vendors will ask if you want US change or just give it to you. To be safe, all you have to do is tell them you want US change or the going exchange rate before you make a purchase. Vendors are not going to miss a decent sale by not accepting a large US Currency.
phineasfreaker, that is exactly what I do, except fro 20's for my driver and such, I bring a wad of 1's and 5's. They take care of everything, tip's , route taxis, food purchases, on the beach, and elsewhere, drinks, pretty mucheverything. No worries of changing money, no worries about '' oh, I don't have change.
I usually bring half my cash in $1-$5-$10-$20 bills. The balance I bring in $100. I use the larger bills for dinners that cost close to, or over $100, or at hotel bars etc, and have never had a problem. The smaller bills I use for tips, taxis, beach vendors etc. It's awkward carrying such a large wad while traveling to JA, but then I just leave it in the safe and carry a combination of what I think I'll need. I also keep a smaller amount in one pocket, so I don't have to pull out everything I have on me everytime I have to pay for something
Thanks for the replies. Been to Negril many times and always bring small change for tipping etc... Seems to be easier that way. About 10 years ago someone told me they had trouble with using large bills (I think that is when the bill changed to the bigger heads) and ever since I have brought mostly twenties. That has been my ritual. Glad to be able to change the ritual a little and have less of a wad to carry down. I do exchange most of it at a cambio, so that was my main question. Thanks!
I think the problem you're referring to was that after the new designs were introduced, there was reluctance to accept the old bills. I also heard from friends that they'd had difficulty and to be sure to bring the new bills. Not a problem with the denomination in particular, although obviously someone would be more reluctant to take a $100 they weren't certain of than a $20.
Make sure you bring your passport to the Cambio if you're going to exchange >$500
I found that Jamaican dollars are the preferred currency in Jamaican establishments and best value. I have some large US$'s as a hedge if for some reason my card won't work in an ATM. Why risk carrying a lot of cash?
be careful of using the Jamaican $5,000J bill as it often gets confused with the $100J bill as they look similar.......lol
and good luck using the Jamaican $5,000J bill as a lot of places won't have change for it......
and if you use the Scotia Bank ATM downtown...it spits out $5,000J bills........
the NCB Bank ATM only spits out $1,000J bills with the limit being $30,000J's a day....
the ATM's usually give the best exchange rate but your bank at home might hit you with a fee on top.....ugh
as far as the Cambio goes........usually a copy of your Passport suffices for the exchange......
and usually not a good idea to be carrying around your Passport anyways......keep it in the room/safe
the Cambio's like crisp new $100US and $50US bills.....the banks however will take the ones the Cambios don't want
the exchange rate at the Cambios was only $120J to $1US & $92 to $1Canadian in beginning of September....
be interesting to see what it is this Winter.....the online rate did get over $130J to $1US this fall
but you can't use that benchmark for the real world Cambios in Jamaica which are usually much lower........true
having a bunch of ones is the way to go for tips and taxi fare etc......but using using 10's and $20's is a no no cause of the exchange rate
also paying out $100US or $50US bills aren't the way to go cause you get screwed on the exchange rate at different establishments
mi have seen establishments giving as likkle as $100J to $1US....when the Cambio rate is $120J to $1US.....ugh
and never exchange your money at the airport Cambios......going in or out.....you will be on the loosing end for sure
FYI - Always good to save some US dollars for when you leave the island....
so you not on the loosing end on the exchange rate when you turn the Jamaican money back into US/Candadian dollars
Cool Runnings, Marko
nice summary Marko. At $300 US daily limit with ATMs, with my gang I'd be going every day. I think I'll stick with my cambio plan like I usually do. I get too worried the ATMs won't work anyway.
I usually skip the $1's and bring $2's so I dont have to carry as many bills. Years ago the Jamaicans did not think they were real but now many find them very special to receive.
I always bring about 16 US $100 Bills to switch out at the Cambio. Never a problem, I switch about $400 to $800 at at time and never an eye blinked.
It was annoying last trip, I went to exchange about $500 at the cambio by Bourbon Beach and all they had was 500j bills.
This threw me for a loop one year. I changed $700, if memory serves. The girl asked me where I got it from. I was like... my checking account? I really was at a loss until someone explained the reasoning later in the week.Quote:
Originally Posted by saeyedoc
Yeah, I have never been asked for it. I think $800 is most I have ever done at once.
This is "required" due to the USA international money laundering regulations. When asked, I just say "it's mine". It doesn't seem to be a big deal, but some cambios take it more serious than others.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hussyband
This is only asked on larger amounts of something like $300us or more. Nothing to worry about, just a formality.
I am almost out of smaller US bills with 4 days left to go. I guess I will have to go to the bank to get more smaller bills. After this many trips you'd think I'd learn. smh