I found that Jamaican dollars are the preferred currency in Jamaican establishments and best value. I have some large US$'s as a hedge if for some reason my card won't work in an ATM. Why risk carrying a lot of cash?
I found that Jamaican dollars are the preferred currency in Jamaican establishments and best value. I have some large US$'s as a hedge if for some reason my card won't work in an ATM. Why risk carrying a lot of cash?
We're all in this together and none of us is getting out alive.
be careful of using the Jamaican $5,000J bill as it often gets confused with the $100J bill as they look similar.......lol
and good luck using the Jamaican $5,000J bill as a lot of places won't have change for it......
and if you use the Scotia Bank ATM downtown...it spits out $5,000J bills........
the NCB Bank ATM only spits out $1,000J bills with the limit being $30,000J's a day....
the ATM's usually give the best exchange rate but your bank at home might hit you with a fee on top.....ugh
as far as the Cambio goes........usually a copy of your Passport suffices for the exchange......
and usually not a good idea to be carrying around your Passport anyways......keep it in the room/safe
the Cambio's like crisp new $100US and $50US bills.....the banks however will take the ones the Cambios don't want
the exchange rate at the Cambios was only $120J to $1US & $92 to $1Canadian in beginning of September....
be interesting to see what it is this Winter.....the online rate did get over $130J to $1US this fall
but you can't use that benchmark for the real world Cambios in Jamaica which are usually much lower........true
having a bunch of ones is the way to go for tips and taxi fare etc......but using using 10's and $20's is a no no cause of the exchange rate
also paying out $100US or $50US bills aren't the way to go cause you get screwed on the exchange rate at different establishments
mi have seen establishments giving as likkle as $100J to $1US....when the Cambio rate is $120J to $1US.....ugh
and never exchange your money at the airport Cambios......going in or out.....you will be on the loosing end for sure
FYI - Always good to save some US dollars for when you leave the island....
so you not on the loosing end on the exchange rate when you turn the Jamaican money back into US/Candadian dollars
Cool Runnings, Marko
Americana Ocho Rios 82~HedoII 84,91~T-Water 85~Wexford Court Mobay 85~Miss Mary’s 86,87~Barry’s 88~Seawinds Mobay 89~LTU 91~Charela Inn 92~Negril Inn 92~SamSara 93,94~Ocean Edge 95,96~Singles 95,96~Thrills 95~Hilltop 96,99~Pee Wees 97~Kool Browns/Bentley's 97~Cottage 99-03~Roots Bamboo 03~Merrill’s I&II 04,05~Corals Seas Cliffs & Beach 06~Catcha Falling Star 07~Blue Cave Castle 08~SeaStar 10,12~(4x)Bourbon Beach 12~T&J Cottages on Ella Dr 12-18~PeWee Cottages 18~Lynch Cottages 19,20
I usually skip the $1's and bring $2's so I dont have to carry as many bills. Years ago the Jamaicans did not think they were real but now many find them very special to receive.
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