visit regrets and $ ramblings

[slimjim]

I don't understand the angst of my fellow Canadians. In the last 2 years the C$ has dropped roughly 20% in value against both the US and Jam $ so in my opinion it doesn't matter what currency the hotels use. Accommodation, food, etc for Canadians is 20% more than 2 years ago.
I suggest we look at the issue from an American perspective. If the us$ increases against the Euro or pound, an American gets more bang for their buck in Europe. Since most things here in Jamaica are priced in us$, American visitors are not gaining any such advantage from their strong dollar.
In my opinion it's the Americans that should be vexed.

[TAH]

Slimjim; that was very well put, and is absolutely true. I understand the need to look at cheaper places with their dollar going down, but those places would be cheaper in the good times as well. It isn't a JA/CA dollar thing, it's just the overall value of the currency dropping. It will affect all destinations equally on a percentage basis.

[Corso]

Only posting 11 times I didn't think... Next time ill use the word FRUGAL lol

[Rasthai]

Slimjim, rather be discussing all the good times Negril offers instead of increased costs but 2 yrs ago was about 1.08 to the US now 1.46 so increase is more than 20%. Cdn $ was not actually doing too terrible against other currencies till relatively recently, we (as most other currencies) were losing to a rising US $. Of late we have been decreasing against pretty much every $ due to our excessive correlation to the price of oil. However you are right for J$ as 2 yrs ago was about $96 and now 85 so not so bad really. But the pricing of rooms in US that you pay ahead of time is quite painful, especially when credit cards tosses in a lousy exchange and 2.5% charge because they can. Either way still rather be in Negril than pretty much anywhere!!

[jamaicarob]

Slimjim, rather be discussing all the good times Negril offers instead of increased costs but 2 yrs ago was about 1.08 to the US now 1.46 so increase is more than 20%. Cdn $ was not actually doing too terrible against other currencies till relatively recently, we (as most other currencies) were losing to a rising US $. Of late we have been decreasing against pretty much every $ due to our excessive correlation to the price of oil. However you are right for J$ as 2 yrs ago was about $96 and now 85 so not so bad really. But the pricing of rooms in US that you pay ahead of time is quite painful, especially when credit cards tosses in a lousy exchange and 2.5% charge because they can. Either way still rather be in Negril than pretty much anywhere!!

hey, it is not the exchange of Canadian to Ja but having to pay in U.S. while in Jamaica, that makes as much sense as charging visitors to Canada U.S. , soon come

[Irieonline]

The value of our Canadian dollar does put a damper on things but that will never stop us from spending our time and money in Negril. As I said in a previous post we are staying at an AI this trip but mainly to accommodate one of my wife's sisters health concerns. She doesn't want to have to walk or travel around to much to eat and drink. That being said we will still go out to eat and drink at other places and she will come when she feels up to it but if she can't we know she will be taken care of at where we are staying. This year we will just make sure we have an ample amount of American and Jamaican money with us to pay the bill in what ever currency the bill is in. We always did that in the past and figured out on our first trip to Negril that was the smart thing to do. Not all us Canadians are tight with our money lol. Spend it while u have it cause u can't take it with u when u die. We work hard and we play hard and nothing good is ever really cheap. Nothing can ruin a vacation in paradise more than worrying about how much something costs and the things we enjoy seem to cost more in Canada than they do in Jamaica. To quote a board member here he writes the most enjoyable trip reports ever "If you are thinking about gong to Negril just push the button and do it man because you won't be disappointed" Cheerssss and My dear sweet Negril we will see you in 70 days

[Big_frank]

I truly didn't mean to start such a debate, and I really don't like seeing bitterness. We would still go to Negril no matter what the cost above anywhere else, and I would never even consider Cuba or Mexico for my own reasons. However, some people simply looking for a 'Sun Spot' might. Just pointing out that I don't like seeing USA dollar pricing in shops, bars, restaurant and even taxi men will quote you "10 dollars" to travel beach or west from the taxi park. I'm far from a cheapskate. Ask any of the service people who received generous tips for services rendered all over Negril. I witnessed one American give a server 150 Ja on a 78 dollar U.S. tab. Now that's a tight-wad. Someone posted stats that 1.2 million Americans visited the island in 2014 vs. 400 thousand Canadians. Think about this. USA has 350 million people (or more). Canada has 35 million. Per capital; who loves Jamaica more?

[Drifter141]

hey, it is not the exchange of Canadian to Ja but having to pay in U.S. while in Jamaica, that makes as much sense as charging visitors to Canada U.S. , soon come

Honest question: where in Negril do you have to pay in $US, and they don't accept $JA?

Are you speaking specifically about having to book your hotel in $US? If so, it's more about the fact that the American dollar is stable right now, while Jamaican dollar is not. If they listed in $JA they would have to adjust the prices like every week. Plus it makes it easier for prospective customers to know how much it's gonna cost to stay there.

[Big_frank]

Drifter 141. You are correct ; and make a very good point. Hotels of course must be in USA dollars.

[Troublemaker_420]

Per capita spending doesn't reflect OVERALL spending by a long shot. That seems a rather silly point to make, IMO. I think the idea of a "loyalty discount" to Candadians would be insulting to other visitors who also spend freely in Negril. That seems as biased, or quite possibly moreso, than things being priced in USD