ATM at Sangster for arrivals

[Nurse Marcia]

Experiences can be so different. I don't agree with the warning not to use ATM's

As I've mentioned, my particular Credit Union does not charge fees - international fees or ATM fees.
As recently as April, NCB did not charge fees with my card. Scotia Bank, however, has recently put a fee on my transactions there -- about $2. So I tend to avoid them.

I avoid the machines with the $6 fee, like Cool Cash machines not associated with a bank.

I have not encountered beggars by the NCB ATM at the airport, and have used that machine at least 15 times. That's not saying it doesn't happen, but there are usually a LOT of airport workers using that machine, in my experience, that might discourage that.

I have probably made over 100 uneventful ATM withdrawals over the years in Jamaica, and the only problems I have encountered are machines that are out of cash or out of order.

So, if anyone is considering using a debit card for ATM withdrawals, first find out if your bank charges a fee. Then decide if any fees are worth the convenience. From my experience, using them is safe if you observe the same precautions you would in the US.

Credit cards, on the other hand, carry some risk if you don't regularly check your statements. I have had 3 fraudulent charges on mine that I suspect came from Jamaica. They were reversed with a phone call or completing a dispute form. But it's not worth the hassle for me any more to have to be that vigilant, since I know the risk is higher these days. That is not to say I won't use one - I still do. Just not as often.

Again, everyone's experiences are different. I'm just putting mine out there so people have a different viewpoint to base their decisions on.