Jamaican $ or U.S $

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09-26-2012, 01:07 PM
RickandRichelle

Jamaican $ or U.S $

Coming back for our second visit to Jamaica Thursday Nov,8 thru Friday Nov 16th. Staying in beutifull Negril. Was wondering if it was better to have Jamaican $ or U.S. $
09-26-2012, 01:12 PM
Blake

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...0074#post60074

If you take a look at this thread, it also has links to another thread...

There are differing opinions on hich is better, in my opinion it's best to have a little bit of both and hit the cambio.

If you're going back to Jamaica it doesn't hurt to have extra currency leftover at the end of your trip, if not you can always pay part of your hotel bill with Jamaican $.
09-26-2012, 01:19 PM
garysteph1018

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

If you have an iPod, "there's an app for that" :) It is a currency converter, and was very helpful on our trip. I say definitely use JA $ .... For example, we ate at 3 Dives, and dinner in American was $32.00, however, if we had paid in JA it would have converted to $28.00 American. I know it's only $5, but that adds up, and it is only one example.

But like Blake said... have both. We converted $160.00 to JA, and were fine for about 5 days. Plus, it's fun to say you have 1,000s of dollars! :)

Also, take some $5's & $1's for tips.
09-26-2012, 01:30 PM
kbisiar

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysteph1018

If you have an iPod, "there's an app for that" :) It is a currency converter, and was very helpful on our trip. I say definitely use JA $ .... For example, we ate at 3 Dives, and dinner in American was $32.00, however, if we had paid in JA it would have converted to $28.00 American. I know it's only $5, but that adds up, and it is only one example.

But like Blake said... have both. We converted $160.00 to JA, and were fine for about 5 days. Plus, it's fun to say you have 1,000s of dollars! :)

Also, take some $5's & $1's for tips.

I found the same thing. Seems many restaurants use 82ja to $1us as a set exchange rate when actual rate was 89ja to $1us. It's worth a trip to the cambio
09-26-2012, 01:33 PM
Blake

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysteph1018

If you have an iPod, "there's an app for that" :) It is a currency converter, and was very helpful on our trip.

Which app do you use? I wonder if XE can be used in airplane mode....

I have Android(which by the way has more apps than Apple....) :) but I don't have any interest in paying roaming charges while trying to convert money via an app that connects online.

I almost think it's worth it to just view $1 USD as $100 jamaican, beats doing math....
09-26-2012, 01:39 PM
kaycee

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I've used both without any issues. But it is better to have $JA for vendors along the beach or as tips for your housekeeper/waitress/taxi.
09-26-2012, 03:12 PM
jamaicarob

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

always pay in jamaican, soon come
09-26-2012, 04:03 PM
walleyed99

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I used the Oanda app for Apple for quick conversions and it worked great! I just opened the app up each morning (in WiFi zone) and it downloaded the fresh exchange for that day and then it was current! All good. Not sure if there is an App of the same name in that other brand of Operating System though... ;)
09-26-2012, 04:04 PM
takinitslow

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I prefer to pay in ja it s pretty simple and sometimes you get a better deal.
09-26-2012, 04:15 PM
TizzyATX

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

Take a bunch of small american bills to start (tipping etc) and go to atm once in Negril to get out JA $
09-26-2012, 04:17 PM
CherryNorth49

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I have the Oanda app for Android and it does still work in airplane mode, you just don't get up to the minute currency rates. Just make sure to load the most recent rate before you leave home. As Walleyed said though, it is easy enough to update with free wi-fi.

I agree with previous comments, it is best to have some of both. Do bring the $1 and $5s for tips.
09-26-2012, 04:17 PM
Flipadelphia26

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I feel like such a balla whippin out a $10000 dollar bill
09-26-2012, 05:00 PM
kim&betty

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

there is no $10000 bill, $5000 is the biggest.
09-26-2012, 05:23 PM
Flipadelphia26

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I put an extra zero on accident.
09-26-2012, 06:18 PM
Ras Walleye

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

Simple rule of thumb, if the price is listed in $US pay $US. If it is listed in $J pay $J. We bring most of our funds in travelers checks and exchange them for $J at the FX Trader by the HiLo.
09-26-2012, 06:22 PM
walleyed99

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

And I forgot with my last post, use Jamaican whenever possible! It's better for their economy, and easier for them as well. That said they will not turn down your hard earned American $ or even Canuck $'s either!!!!
09-26-2012, 10:48 PM
HarryS

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I found that in some instances it was better to use USD...for example, the patty mon charged $1 US for a patty, but when I only had J$ I'd give him $100, which is more than $1 US. Maybe I should have asked for change? (Don't worry, I'm kidding!)
09-27-2012, 05:54 AM
garysteph1018

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

A lot if places have wifi so you'll be fine with updating. We actually saw the rate increase while we were there in July. My phone stayed in airplane mode. I skyped my kids while I was there with my phone ... always in momma mode as well :)

BTW my app is called Currency+
09-27-2012, 07:43 AM
NikkiV

Re: Jamaican $ or U.S $

I just received some JA currency I had ordered thru my bank since I like to have some onhand when I arrive. Strange to have such crisp, new bills, but the new currency is so nice commemorating the 50th anniversary year with a hummingbird.