1st time going to Negril this Saturday

[wrtiii]

We've been to Negril several times, but never to Rick's or Margaritaville. But then, we don't really drink, so we've never been to most of the other bars people will recommend. There are many options, but don't let people talk you out of one you're interested in.

Whatever cab you decide to take, use only ones with red license plates. You can do some searching on this forum if you want to read more about it.

I would be surprised if you encounter a single person who will refuse to accept US dollars for whatever you want. The advice on changing money assumes you care about getting the best exchange rates. Since you're at an all-inclusive, the difference in spending for your entire trip will be modest; if you don't want to deal with it, no problem. Of course, you'll be paying the "tourist rate" for everything - which is quite appropriate, as you're a tourist! - and there will be an additional surcharge because the people need to go exchange the money you give them. Nobody will want US coins, however, even dollar coins. $1 US = $120 JMD, or in the reverse, $100 JMD = $0.83 US at the official rates, and you'll get around 3% less than the official rates even from a bank. You'll encounter people who are asking $300 JMD for something but who will accept $3 US, and people who are asking $300 JMD but if you ask how much in US will say $5 US. The difference is probably not going to break you either way. When we travel, we do like to use the local currency just as part of the experience, but then we also spend some of our vacation hours changing money.

Cambios are at Bourbon Beach and by the roundabout downtown. They keep pretty much banker's hours, so no good on Sundays. There's also one at the HiLo grocery store just a bit out of town on the West End road. But ATMs are available in several places, including by the craft market as you enter Negril from the north, at Times Square and at the Scotia Bank downtown, and I think also by the HiLo. If you are going to use the ATMs, call your bank and tell them when you'll be in Jamaica, and maybe get your daily limit increased.

Changing your money on the street is exactly like playing three card monte on the street in NY City. You're going to lose! The only way those guys have of making money is to short-change you, after which they will take your US dollars to the cambio and change them back into more Jamaican dollars than they gave you.

Tip generously, and directly to the individual who provides a service to you - even when you're being charged a "service charge". I have never come home from a trip feeling bad because I was too generous. Tip your hotel cleaning people etc. at the beginning of your stay rather than at the end.

Depending on where you go, you may encounter an aggressive beggar or two. This is most pronounced around the cambio and Scotia Bank downtown, where of course everyone can see that you just came out with money. You don't have to give them anything. It can be a little scary the first time or two, but I never have had any trouble (beyond being annoyed).