This will be our 10th trip to Jamaica and we have always exchanged money but the last couple years I see a lot of people using US . Which is better?
This will be our 10th trip to Jamaica and we have always exchanged money but the last couple years I see a lot of people using US . Which is better?
Last edited by Lovin Negril; 01-07-2020 at 08:00 PM.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
i exchange and also use a credit card where accepted
I am from Canada so I exchange my Canadian dollars for Jamaican. The only time I use US is to pay for my ride to and from MoBay and for the coffee I buy. Most places accept US but often give J change and the rate is low when they do.
Irie Sue
It has been very common this trip for vendors to quote me a price in USD and when I ask for the price in JMD they say an even 100x the amount. For example, they ask for $7. and when I ask "How much in Jamaican?" the answer is 700 JMD, which is about $5.28 USD. So yes, I convert money (actually, withdraw Jamaican money from an ATM).
I avoid using a credit card because of foreign transaction fees and because when I do use one in Jamaica, it seems to be fairly common for my card to be blocked due to security alerts. This doesn't cost me anything except annoyance as I have to wait for a replacement card to arrive in the mail. Maybe I've just had bad luck, as it has happened 2 out of the past 4 years.
Last edited by wrtiii; 01-06-2020 at 10:06 PM.
I carry some of each. If the price is listed in $J I pay that way. If the price is $US I pay that way.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. KJV Psalm 68:4
We change USD to JMD, accepted everywhere. No short change issues.
'01 Perseverance Resort. '03 Perseverance Resort/ Ben Harver House. '12 Samsara.'13 Samsara.'14 Samsara.'15/'16 Xtabi.'17 Xtabi.'18 Xtabi.'19Xtabi
Exchange money for what?![]()
We do not. Mostly because we had a bad experience one time trying to get money from the ATM. I charge whenever possible, and I notify my CC companies when and where I will be traveling, and I use US$. It is better to pay with JA as far as the exchange rate goes most of the time though, so my laziness does cost me.
We always exchange $US for $JA ............ better purchasing power using $JA .................. plus when you use $US you will always get your change in $JA ............. now you have BOTH $US and $JA ........... good luck figuring out how to pay in both currencies at the end of your vacation.
We typically get JA $ out of ATMs, and use credit cards, as well. Have been told using JA $ will save you a little.