Tourist rarely if EVER come out on the short end of the conversion rate. The current rate at the Cambio today was 114.7 to 1 (JA$ to US$). For ALL the places charging LESS than 114.7 to 1, the tourist as well as Jamaicans are receiving a "local discount" by paying in Jamaican currency. I know of no restaurant, bar or hotel charging even 114.8 to 1 or more. The tourist, by paying in Jamaican, is ALWAYS getting the LONG end of the "conversion" every single time.
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
Yeah can't complain too loudly about a refund at least they just didn't change it and tell you to stuff it. I used to love the direct flights out of Regina but they only lasted a couple of years. Now we fly through Toronto down but gonna see if we can come back through Winnipeg in January. If you are forced to overnight it might as well be where you have friends!
Some people were born in the wrong century....I was born in the wrong country!
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I love connecting through Winnipeg vs Toronto. Such a small airport, in and out and the flight home to Saskatoon is just over an hour.
Jerms, don't forget to get in on the Nov roll call.
Mi Irie
~Just my two cents worth - I mostly only comment on places I've seen and or eaten at personally.
I have a 1000 dollar credit with WestJet so kind of locked in with them this trip. I know Sunwing has direct as well but they want like 1500 bucks. About two weeks before flights leave that comes down a lot but just don't want to play that game as losing would suck!
Some people were born in the wrong century....I was born in the wrong country!
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I booked early in the year for this winter, and selected a non-inclusive. I probably should have gone all-inclusive. It appears you can still get a decent deal in Canadian dollars. I have to save a little more then I planned for this time around. I'm not very happy about that, but I'm surely not cancelling.
Craig123,
The average business in Negril is not a Cambio, and does not and cannot legally operate as one. Their only requirement for "full disclosure" is to let you know what rate, if any, they are giving for foreign currency. They are not required to accept foreign currency at all. It is done as a convenience to their clients.
The current Cambio US$ rate is 114.7 to 1 - so a us$10 dinner, if paid in US$, in current cambio rates would be Ja$1147. If the restaurant has an exchange rate at 110 to 1, which many are doing to keep the conversion simple, you are paying Ja$1100 for that same dinner. Ja$1100 is LESS than Ja$1147. The tourist and local paying in Jamaican currency are getting the better deal than paying in US$, although it only works out to be about 47 US cents.
To make it very simple, a popular bar on the beach charges us$2.50 or Ja$250 for a beer. Exchange your us$20 at the Cambio and you get Ja$2294 back. US$20 at the bar will buy you 8 beers with no change. Ja$ will buy you 9 beers and have Ja$44 left over. Once again, paying in Jamaican currency comes out ahead for both tourists and locals.
I have never heard any tourist or local getting a "worse deal" by paying in the local Jamaican currency at any bar or restaurant.
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!