Exchange rates and saving money

[Captain Oil]

Yes food prices up at some higher end establishments .............. but that is the same at home also. However MOST of the time it was a better deal to use $JA then $US when we were there this April. Did not do a converse calculation at every stop so can not say for sure about every location.

Here is my money changing / money saving ideas from an earlier post http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...What-are-yours

Find a way to cheaply convert your US dollars into Jamaican dollars and pay for most things in Jamaican dollars. ATM's charge a service charge which can vary but $5 US or more per transaction is not unheard of. Your bank may charge a ATM fee AND a foreign transaction fee which can run from zero to 15%. The exchange rate you get at a restaurant or bar will always be less then a Bank or Cambio. For example, beers on the beach can cost $150 to $400 Jamaican But you only have US dollars? They will charge you $1.50 to $4.00US. Might not seem like much, but with an exchange rate of $115 JA to $1US you just paid $230JA for a $200JA beer. Total those savings and it is a easy 15% - 25% savings just in simple currency management.

If you ask around there are plenty of good, honest people or establishments who will change money at a very good rate. If you have a favorite driver they will know someone who can help you with $$$. If they don't offer a competitive rate walk away and find another. If you are not comfortable with the situation just walk away. This not only saves some time and the hassle of going to town but it keeps your Debit card safe from hacking issues. That issue is discussed at length in another thread http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ly-upon-return!!

Our personal routine is to change enough money on the ride from the airport to last us 4-5 days. Then we know people who supply that same service without having to go to town. No taxi ride, no ATM fees, no hassle from people hanging around the ATMs, no taxi ride back, no need to leave the beach and just as good a rate as at the Cambios.