Bring $CAD cash or use ATM in Negril?

[Weeboy1]

As a Canadian, I've yet to understand Canadians bringing US...just change your Canadian money to Jamaican.

I agree, just bring Jamaican $. However some people for whatever reason prefer not to deal in foreign currency and the USD is acceptable and usable in negril , Mexico etc. Canadian currency not as acceptable nor usable. That was my point

[Bnewb]

I agree, just bring Jamaican $. However some people for whatever reason prefer not to deal in foreign currency and the USD is acceptable and usable in negril , Mexico etc. Canadian currency not as acceptable nor usable. That was my point

Ya...but my point is ...you don't have to bring US currency as a Canadian or a Brit ect...just bring your own countries currency and exchange for Jamaican currency.
Why spend the time and extra fees exchanging to another countries currency (CAD to US) first?
Obviously, everyone takes Jamaican currency here...

[ukran1ans]

Ya...but my point is ...you don't have to bring US currency as a Canadian or a Brit ect...just bring your own countries currency and exchange for Jamaican currency.
Why spend the time and extra fees exchanging to another countries currency (CAD to US) first?
Obviously, everyone takes Jamaican currency here...

Yep, I agree... like paying a middleman!

[wrtiii]

Here's my post on the topic from a couple of years ago. Although the exchange rate was different last year, the overall results were the same: withdrawing from an ATM was best, even though my credit union charged me $1.50 US per transaction, as long as I did relatively large transactions ($250. US). If you mistakenly withdraw $300 JMD when you mean to withdraw $300 USD, the fees will be greater than the amount of cash you get.

https://negril.com/forum/showthread....l=1#post174566

Personally, I have never had an issue with fraud on my ATM card, but then I use only bank ATMs and never a third-party ATM at a store etc.

[Rob]

Not really.

Unless you are changing a whole lot of currency at one time, the difference between all the cambios currently is pocket change...

[ukran1ans]

It really depends on your bank. I use ALLY online bank. With my debit card, I was getting $132 (out of $136 international rate) back in sept after charges were applied when using it at a Scotia bank ATM. I've never had issues with my card being compromised. If you can join an online bank in Canada (like Tangerine or PC Financial), I'd advise to do so since their rates tend to be better with the lower overhead they have (it's easy to transfer money to that account before you travel).