Can somebody please explain what they are?? Can you pull money out like an ATM ?? Or is it just for turning $$ into ja$ iam a little confused
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Can somebody please explain what they are?? Can you pull money out like an ATM ?? Or is it just for turning $$ into ja$ iam a little confused
It's where you exchange currency only
I see, thank you.. So maybe someone can explain why it's better to use ja$ over us$ when there are bank fees plus exchange rates
Cambios exchange currency. They usually post the rates on the window outside and inside the building. Don't exchange at the airport, they always have the lowest rates. I think using ja currency helps the local economy.
Just an example, we'll say a beer costs 250 J or 3 US
250j = 2.45 US so your beer is much cheaper in JA funds
Many places round up when quoting US prices because they have no change , never in your favour
Hope this helps.
Give thanks! I was under the impression that most places would price things like 100j or 1$ 500j=5$ type thing.. Makes more since then.. I appreciate the help.. Google doesn't respond to my questions lol
Hotels and restaurants rarely give as good an exchange rate as a Cambio or even an ATM. NEVER change US to JMD at the airport. NEVER change US to JMD at a US bank before you leave. Oh, it is often not wise to change money on the streets in JA.
While cambios give you a little less than the BANK rate ,it is not much, the biggest thing in paying Ja is you got it for say 96 to 1, a hotel or bar will only give you say 90 to1 , if they say the beer is 3 dollars, that would be 3x90 or 270 Ja not the cambio rate of 96x3 or 288 Ja! You just saved 18 Ja by using cambio money. All things are in a drunks frame of beer prices!
Rule of thumb: If the prices are listed in $J pay with $J. If the prices are listed in $US pay with $US. That way there is no loss of in exchange.
In my experience boardies have more, and much better answers than Google......
Much better.. I just don't like to make a post of something that has a simple google answer.. Respect
There is a Scotia bank machine, very handy at the round-about....used it a few times and had no troubles.
2 years ago some places priced in US only gave back 85% exchange when I paid in J's. Thats why I second Ras.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ras Walleye
Dont exchange with anyone on the street......no matter how good a deal they give you.
You will lose.
If u pull out of an ATM don't you have the option of getting us or j back?
We always get our cash from the Scotiabank at the roundabout. This one gives you the option of JA or US.Quote:
Originally Posted by 541lion
We always take out JA. Our banking package has no fees for international withdrawals and they give us the best rate of the day.
Ok I think iam starting to understand this.. Makes much more sense now!! Thank you all for the replies!! Looks like I need a Bank of America account, they only charge 1 % and I think that's the best iam gonna get
Where did you see BofA charges 1%? I haven't noticed an added charge, and the rate I received over New Years was slightly better than the cambio's. thanksQuote:
Originally Posted by 541lion
We called b of a and that's what they had told us.. I was told there was no charge using a scotia ATM with b of a but wanted to call and ask
Cambios can at times have long lines, I mostly use ATMs these days.
I use JA dollars almost exclusively as I frequent small locally owned places.
There are ATM's at the airport, HiLo and ValueMaster Supermarkets (also Scotia, but Scotia has more begging going on around it. Remember if you want Jamaican dollars to type the amount in JA dollars (ex. $300 US would equal approx. $28,500J - scary to type in that amount!)
There is a little button by the door of the ATM - remember to push it to get out!
100J and 1000J bills are similar - common scam/mistake is for someone to tell you/you only gave them a hundred instead of a thousand bill. I have taken to keeping them in seperate pockets or even marking the 1000's discreetly in a corner.
Does anyone know if the ATM that is located right by the Negril Aerodome and Craft Market gives out both US and JA Dollars? I will want to get some "walking around money" when we get there and that ATM would be super convenient!! I will have US $$ on me but would like to get some JA $$ as well. I know I can change money at Couples but I think I remember hearing the rates suck..
Typing in $20,000 is an incredibly scary thought! LOL!!
Great advise NEVER EXCHANGE MONEY ON THE STREETQuote:
Originally Posted by rustedduck
So when buying groceries at Hilo, what is the best currency to use? Is it converted to US or do you have to figure that out on your own? I have a hard time figuring out the exchange on the spot in my head:confused:
At HiLo you can use either :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rastabell
If you use US$ you will get back your change in J$ at a rate of a J$ or 2 less than the 'best' rate
Example- if the going rate is 90-1 then your change back will be at 88-1
Or you can use the 'Exchange window' (FX Traders) located as you enter HiLo to change your money
We have our driver stop at a Cambio in MoBay. We exchange money, shop at MM, buy Digicel minutes and eat lunch in Mobay (different places). That way, as soon as we get to Negril, we are done with our chores and can kick back and relax.
So when paying at Hilo do they tell you the us amount or do I have to figure that out?
HiLo cashier will tell you amount in J's and US or Canadian or whatever you want.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Rastabell
this winter when the exchange was around 90 they gave the rate of 86/85J's on US....usually three less J's
same for putting it on your USA debit or credit card.......86J's when the rate was 89
the FX trader beside HiLo usually gave the best rate in Negril.......
use to go to FX trader every week too.....lol.....before mi go into HiLo
so you go to FX Trader first before HiLo to max out your savings on your foreign monies..........
watch out for HiLo price tags on the shelves.........they are rarely correct......
usually the prices are higher at the cashiers versus the price on the tags....
and there is nuthin you can do but not buy the item.......lol
the two best stores to get the best rate of exchange on your foreign dollars in Negril......
like on Sunday when the Cambios are closed.......is the store directly across from Bourbon Beach.........
and the China mon store across from SamSara.....sometimes mi didn't even buy anything when doing so
both of dem would take 2J's off the going US rate.....so if the rate was 92....they would pay out 90J's....
for mi the China mon store saved mi enuff so I wouldn't have to take a $100J route taxi down to HiLo to change out $50US......
Cool Runnings, Marko
like on Sunday when the Cambios are closed.......is the store directly across from Bourbon Beach.........
Marko, which store were you suggesting across from Bourbon.....There is a 'Time and Again gift shop'/mini mart'....'Time Square/atm'....Also 'Jamrock'....
I'll be arriving on a Sun. this year and this would be helpful for some $j to get me through the day.
Respect