I'm a AAA member so get the free ones there. I cash them at cambios as needed. Usually get a combo us $100, $50 and $20's.
They give you the serial #s on a piece of paper, put them somewhere away from the checks in case the checks are lost or stolen. I'll often leave a copy of the serial #s at home too, so I can call home and have someone there handle getting the replacements for me.
Ive never had a problem w/ TC... never been given a lower rate of exchange, and feel much safer when I don't have a safe in the room.
I carry both TC and cash but I've never used either.
I use JA exclusively from landing to take off.
The ATM is cost free for me, has the best exchange rate (JA Gov't rate at the instant you get the cash). Never had a problem.
The ATM I prefer is the NCB at the Petco next to the aerodrome.
Linston's Zion Hill Taxi
Captain Dave
Thanks for all the info...I'll have to look into how much my bank will charge and see if it's worth doing. How much less
is the exchange at the cambio? Also, I have a Scotiabank card and have used the ATM before for a fairly good exchange rate...just wondering though if the ATM is reliable enough to count on for cash? Is there ever an occasion where the ATM is down or simply out of money? Don't want to leave myself stranded with no cash.
Occasionally ATMS are down or without cash, yes. Maybe plan to use those but buy some TCs for emergencies? But also check what your bank charges for overseas/not-their-bank ATM use. Some have really high fees.
As I recall IF the rate for TCs is lower than cash, and it isn't always, it's a J$ or 2 per US dollar less.
I have always received the same exchange rate using TC at the cambios.
Scotia has 2 ATM's outside, one that gives JA or USD, the other JA only. (Is there also an ATM inside the bank?)
The ATM's are serviced frequently.
Just remember-ATMS can run out of money easily, and of course power outages (something not unusual) plus if your card gets eaten,etc. by the machine(it wont be easy to get it back-or even if you can just simnply get back form the bank-dealing with those things arent easy like the usa)-Just always good to have a back up plan (TC,cash,an extra card)
" Ones destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." (Henry Miller)
definitely use checks.....even if it costs you...and cash them in a hundred at a time
AmericanExpress travelers checks are FREE to card-holders (i.e., no fee(s))
be hapPpy
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