Quote Originally Posted by ukran1ans View Post
Well if you're not doing alot of cash transactions while visiting Jamaica, it's not worth worrying about a few dollars difference, but when I'm there for 10-17 days, relying totally on my jamaican cash reserves, the difference works out to giving me $200-$300 more US dollars of spending power over the vacation.
I can only say from my spending that it is not that much of a difference. I realize that everyone has a different spending pattern and some more frugal than others. I stay for 45 days each trip and here is how it goes for me.
My total spending in Jamaica for room, food, transportation and incidentals is about $3000 US If I get either $133.00 or $135.00 for 1 US dollar (as an example), the difference is two extra Jamaican Dollars times $3000 US or $6000 Jamaican Dollars. About $44 US dollars or $1.00 US dollar per day of stay. I know it is money I might be losing but not worth the hassle to get out of my comfort zone doing it like I always have done.

I bring in $2000 in Cash and exchange it in Sav La Mar at a good rate. Pay for my lodging and keep about $5000 Jamaican in my pocket for walk around money and the rest stored in a safe, secured place for later use. Then I have a PayPal Debit card with $1250.00 on it I use at an ATM when I need it. PayPal card is not linked to a bank account so the worse I can lose is the $1250. I have a turned off Wells Fargo card in case of an emergency. I have never had to turn it on and usually leave with $250.00 or more on the PayPal card.

Your way works for you and mine works for me. As long as we both get what we need and have a great time doing it, then there is no problem. Hope you have a great trip again this year.

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