ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
NEW Currency:
Please be extra careful when counting these new bills, they tend to STICK together.
At a restaurant one night, I counted the bills twice and as a precaution, gave it to Rob to count a third time and he found two bills stuck together!
Be careful counting!
Also, there is a new $2,000 J note.
Old currency is still around, especially $100 and $500 J notes.
No one uses coins....
ATMs:
Spent last week in Negril, out and about most everyday. Hit several ATMs downtown and on the beach road.
1) Scotia Bank - Times Square - was the most easily accessible with no wait.
It wasn't until my last day on the way to the airport that it malfunctioned and it took almost five minutes to get my card back!!
Also, this machine was limited to a maximum withdrawal of $30,000 J.
2) Scotia Bank - Downtown - Big lines all week, most times only two machines working. I heard the Scotia branch in Lucea is closed and all the workers come to Negril to get $$.
3) CIBC - next to Burger King - couldn't get it to work with my foreign Debit Card. Apparently CIBC has lost privileges with the international Banking ATM network.
4) NCB - The Boardwalk Village - used it on the way to the airport, no problem, but there was a short line. Limited to max withdrawal of $30,000 J
5) NCB - next to Value Master - couldn't get it to work last week.
Enjoy,
VVHT
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
VVHT
NEW Currency:
4) NCB - The Boardwalk Village - used it on the way to the airport, no problem, but there was a short line. Limited to max withdrawal of $30,000 J
VVHT
It used to be limited to 30k but you could do two transactions back to back for a total of 60k. Last year a security guard at the bank told me I could take out up to $100k. I tried it and it worked. I was able to get $100,000J a day throughout Jan. & Feb.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rasta Animal
It used to be limited to 30k but you could do two transactions back to back for a total of 60k. Last year a security guard at the bank told me I could take out up to $100k. I tried it and it worked. I was able to get $100,000J a day throughout Jan. & Feb.
Yes, in previous trips this year I was able to pull out $60,000 J at most ATMs.
On Tuesday last week, I was able pull out $60,000 J at the Scotia Bank downtown, after waiting in line for almost 30 minutes.
All subsequent visits were limited to $30,000 J.
Fortunately, my bank reimburses the ATM fees, even the ones I incur in Jamaica.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rasta Animal
It used to be limited to 30k but you could do two transactions back to back for a total of 60k. Last year a security guard at the bank told me I could take out up to $100k. I tried it and it worked. I was able to get $100,000J a day throughout Jan. & Feb.
That j$30,000 limit is per transaction. It is a standard limit by all the banks.
You can do more than one transaction, j$60,000 would be 2 transactions, $75,000 would be 3. I think your daily limit is based on your home bank's limits.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
I pulled out 70,000 in one transaction over a week ago at NCB bank Boardwalk.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob
That j$30,000 limit is per transaction. It is a standard limit by all the banks.
You can do more than one transaction, j$60,000 would be 2 transactions, $75,000 would be 3. I think your daily limit is based on your home bank's limits.
I was referring to $100,000 per transaction.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob
That j$30,000 limit is per transaction. It is a standard limit by all the banks.
You can do more than one transaction, j$60,000 would be 2 transactions, $75,000 would be 3. I think your daily limit is based on your home bank's limits.
$30,000J was the limit but when covid hit Scotiabank raised the limit to $100K. I still can get up to $100K but I've found you have to pick the ATM that say "This ABM issues $5000 bills". I think most if not all will dispense $5000 bills but sometimes the machine doesn't have enough to dispense. The line up for Scotiabank downtown and the one at the airport are always long. That's why I like to get $100K and put the wad in my safe, just taking a lekle bit with me (is it lekel bit or ikel bit??) It also depends on what card your using. If you're using a US or Canadian bank card and you have a limit of $500 back home you won't be able to get more than that equivalent here. My card is Scotiabank Jamaica. Maybe we need to start an email campaign to Scotiabank Jamaica and NCB to get more ATM machines in Negril. Just a thought.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
brownsd54,
Good thoughts.
I keep my daily withdrawal limit low, this keeps me out of trouble!!!!
My impression last week was Jamaica needs more qualified ATM technicians to keep them up and running and replenished with sufficient cash to meet demand.
An ATM on the West End would be awesome!
Yes, there is one at Rick's, but I'm told it is out of service frequently.
Enjoy,
VVHT
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Cocolapalm has installed an ATM by their beach bar. I haven't used it but someone said it dispensed US money.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fargoman
I pulled out 70,000 in one transaction over a week ago at NCB bank Boardwalk.
I have a daily $1001 US dollar limit from my USA debit card. I was regularly taking out $145, 000 Jamaican between February and early May of this year from the NCB boardwalk ATMs with no problem. Also withdrew the same amount occasionally from the Scotia at the airport. Early in the mornings around 7:00 when no one's there. Just FYI for you all. Not sure if things have changed since may.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Sadly, with the hyper cost of visiting Negril, a $30,000 J withdrawal (limit) won't get you too far.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sunray
Sadly, with the hyper cost of visiting Negril, a $30,000 J withdrawal (limit) won't get you too far.
The US$ exchange rate at 150 to 1 is what is reducing the buying power of of the Jamaican dollar. Add inflation and living here is a challenge.
$30,000j has the value of us$200. You can use cards at many more places now than the pre pandemic days.
I would use cash for small purchases, drinks and meals from the smaller vendors. Any fancy dining out can be put right on your card and you get the best daily exchange rate possible
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Agreed Rob, that was my strategy. Cash for smaller purchases but then my card, which I prefer, for meals or when I could run a tab. Next year my plan is to bring USD (which I did this year) and then hit an ATM for JMD so that I have both.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob
The US$ exchange rate at 150 to 1 is what is reducing the buying power of of the Jamaican dollar. Add inflation and living here is a challenge.
$30,000j has the value of us$200. You can use cards at many more places now than the pre pandemic days.
I would use cash for small purchases, drinks and meals from the smaller vendors. Any fancy dining out can be put right on your card and you get the best daily exchange rate possible
Sadly the last time I asked my bank, Chase, they advised that I could not use my Chase VISA in JA even with calling ahead to notify them of my travel dates.
Re: ATMs and New Currency UPDATE Oct 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Homebrewer
Sadly the last time I asked my bank, Chase, they advised that I could not use my Chase VISA in JA even with calling ahead to notify them of my travel dates.
We also have a Chase Visa Debt and it has never been declined. I don’t think they put a travel notice on the card anymore but ours works. Try it, if it’s declined call the collect number on the card and they should be able to quickly fix it.
