If you feel you MUST have J$ to spend on your way to your hotel(?), then the exchange at the airport is your option, but not a good one.... No commission, but they are 10J lower than the daily "buy" price, so that spread is actually their commission. So, on a $100USD exchange where you should get 8500J you will net 7500J, which is a 12USD difference! Or, a 12 percent commission!!! RIPOFF TO THE MAX!!
On the other hand, if you use an ATM, your local machine fee is about 250J($3US), you get the exchange rate that is correct, and your bank may not charge you a fee! Plus, you aren't carrying wads of $$$$ around. We hit the ATM as needed, for no more than 2 days cash at a time.
However, most food shops/convenience stores will be happy to take your USD, and most will give a fair exchange rate. For example, DrinksPlus(a little convenience shop next to BourbonBeach) gives you 85J to the USD on purchases, and gives you change back in J$, with a smile! We stopped at the chineyman store in Hopewell for some RedStripes this time down, paid USD, got the 85J exchange rate and change back in J or USD, as I wished....
Don't let your desire to seem "local" cost you $$ by exchanging currency at the airport...there is NO shame in using USD at any shop, just ask first. They know the exchange rate, they want your business, and trading J$ for USD is a win-win for the shop/store.
