Debit card use

[nutz4travel]

Maybe a silly question but was wondering what denomination bills you get from an ATM in Jamaica? 500? 1000?

Typically 1000 bills, if cash is low you get 500's...

[kylake]

HTC, I use debit cards at "ATM's only" whenever I travel internationally to withdraw the local currency and have never had a problem. Since you are from Canada have you thought of setting up a small account with Scotia Bank for debit withdrawals. That way if you go to any Scotia ATM in Negril there will be no charge. Just a suggestion and as Walleye mentioned make sure whatever bank you are using the debit knows (beforehand) your travel dates and location to prevent the card from being denied in Jamaica

[Mike_D]

That's good to know, Cap. My old bank account had a $350 daily ATM limit, and on days when we did excursions,etc. I would burn through that pretty quickly and then have to hit the ATM again the next day. I upgraded to a bank account with a higher daily limit, just for this reason, so I'm glad that I will be able to take advantage of it.

[SLP]

I bank with Scotia Bank and there is never a charge at their machines. I do call the number on the back to give them my travel dates.

[nutz4travel]

I bank with Scotia Bank and there is never a charge at their machines. I do call the number on the back to give them my travel dates.

Same here, I always just send them an email beforehand. Gotta love the bank balance in Jamaican dollars!

Cap - never thought to try that! Great tip - could cut down on trips to the ATM - thanks!

[Nurse Marcia]

ATM withdrawal on Jan 8 - I got 105.59JD to 1USD.
I didn't change any money at a Cambio so not sure what the comparable rate would have been.
Some restaurants, I noticed, when converting US to JD gave anywhere from 103 to 104 when converting on the bill.

[Lola]

Also, Thanks to Nurse Marcia for a great suggestion: include 900.00 JMD in your withdrawal amount to get some small bills (1 500 + 4 100's) ie., 20,900.00 jmd

[Nurse Marcia]

It's funny how the devaluation of the Jamaican Dollar (105:1 is just crazy) made small bills less of a problem for me this trip.
I brought $60 in singles and brought some home, and I took plenty of $5 bills too.
Unless you are spending a LOT of money, US and JD were pretty interchangeable this trip. Not as much of a savings by always paying in J$.
Of course, local cook shops, bars etc are the exception and J$ is the best for paying there.

[Weathermon & Mi Lady]

I used a prepaid Visa card at the ATMs for Jamaican dollars. I withdrew as much as 40,000 at a time. It worked splendidly. I am leery about using my debit card at home, much less in a foreign country. That's my checking account afterall.

[HCT]

Thanks for all the input. I am down now to 3 more sleeps. I have heard many people here say to never change money on the street. The last time we were there in 2011, there was a lady across from rooms that had a bar, sold towels, and exchanged money. We exchanged some money with her and no problem. I am wondering if anyone knows this placed I am talking about and if it is good to change money with her? It would be really convenient for us.