Limo Mon's Palms review

[Limo Mon]

"My problem with the Palms (and other places, for example Push Cart) is that they charge U.S.$ for the drinks at the bar."
That's the case in most places on the beach and more and more places on the cliffs. I don't ever remember seeing that 10-15 years ago. As a matter of fact I remember some years back the US/JMD exchange rate changed so rapidly in a period of three months (went from something like 65-1 to 80-1 between November and February!) that they were busy changing prices on everything at HiLo. That's when it dawned on me - so many people out there DO NOT change their money to local currency and then suggest other do not either like its a big deal.

The result - higher prices, US priced menus....I too try to avoid places like that. Of the five or six beach places where I looked at menus for drinks and food only one (Wild Parrot) posted their prices in JMD.

On the cliffs you are more apt to see prices posted in JMD but there are places such as PushCart, Rockhouse, Ivans and LTU that price in US. At LTU where I'm known I always get my bill in JMD. At Ivans, after doing some quick math in my head, I found their exchange was fair. Haven't eaten/drank at Rockhouse in years - and was only at Pushcart once for their Grand Opening.

Seen few places with Jamaican prices most U.S. some both.

[rastagirl777]

"Seen few places with Jamaican prices most U.S. some both."
You need to check the West End more. Here I'd say more places price in JMD than in USD.

I'm a firm proponent of changing your money to local currency no matter what. First I've seen what NOT doing that does to a local economy (here in Jamaica) and why things have gotten so much more expensive in Negril in recent years. Second - think about - would you go to Europe, not change money and expect that they will take your US or Canadian dollar?

When in Rome, as they say...

And I'm with Rob - bring on that list!

[Limo Mon]

"Seen few places with Jamaican prices most U.S. some both."
You need to check the West End more. Here I'd say more places price in JMD than in USD.

I'm a firm proponent of changing your money to local currency no matter what. First I've seen what NOT doing that does to a local economy (here in Jamaica) and why things have gotten so much more expensive in Negril in recent years. Second - think about - would you go to Europe, not change money and expect that they will take your US or Canadian dollar?

When in Rome, as they say...

And I'm with Rob - bring on that list!

Its not that there are not places like you say on cliffs, I'm A beach Mon and our 8 days last week they beat up the Jamaican dolars.
I'm sure the cliffs wont belong before its like the beach area. Even Conch Hill had U.S. pricing.

short list: Palms, Sea wind, B Barn, Angela's, and your cliff area Blue cave castle as well Xtabi.

[Limo Mon]

[QUOTE=rastagirl777;29771]"I'm a firm proponent of changing your money to local currency no matter what.

I thought the same , but after my last 2 trips I'm not that firm about it. Like I post before for me its seems best to take small U.S. dollars.

[luvjabd]

While in JA, I try my best to avoid any establishment that post their prices in US $ only.

[Rob]

Limo Mon,

Please let me know where they have an exchange rate of 95 to 1 for us$ - I would love to go there and make a deal with them for all the us$ I can find! No problem!

I do not know of any "street rate" being 80 to 1, the street rate I am familiar with is 85 to 1. For certain places, they do have their own exchange rates and they are often posted somewhere on the property. You pay whatever the establishment has as their exchange rate - you cannot assume any "street rate" applies to a given business.

I am confused as to why you had what you described happen at more than 1 place. In all my years here - using up to 4 different currencies, I have never experienced this happening. And there are very few places in Negril that I have not been.

So please, do not feel hesitant to let us all know where we can get 95 to 1 for the us$.

[Limo Mon]

Limo Mon,

Please let me know where they have an exchange rate of 95 to 1 for us$ - I would love to go there and make a deal with them for all the us$ I can find! No problem!

I do not know of any "street rate" being 80 to 1, the street rate I am familiar with is 85 to 1. For certain places, they do have their own exchange rates and they are often posted somewhere on the property. You pay whatever the establishment has as their exchange rate - you cannot assume any "street rate" applies to a given business.

I am confused as to why you had what you described happen at more than 1 place. In all my years here - using up to 4 different currencies, I have never experienced this happening. And there are very few places in Negril that I have not been.

So please, do not feel hesitant to let us all know where we can get 95 to 1 for the us$.

You wont get that rate you have to pay that rate I think you miss my point. It's like im in the U.S. and buying something for 1 dollar and I want to pay in J's they want 95 J's I can see that but I'm not in the U.S. I'm in Jamaica . If you want to exchange U.S. you get 75 to 1 so Rob you cant make no dollars thats why its a beat up and when I say street rate of 80 last week most places be it jerk cart or beach resort it was 80 some 82 to 1 . Cambio was 84 to 1 last week. Maybe they seen me coming and gave special rates. but around town its was 80 to 1

[Limo Mon]

Rob so you understand If i buy something for 10 U.S. dollars in Jamaica and give them a U.S. 20 my change is 10 U.S. but they so no we give you change in J's and only give me 750J's. Then if I buy something for 10 U.S. dollars while in Jamaica and pay in J's they want 950 J's.

[Sweetness]

?? I am confused. I have never experienced what you describe I mostly use JDs in Negril but when I use USD I always receive the correct change (usually the going exchange rate 84 or 85 to $1US). If I pay for a meal listed at $10 - I give them $850J or if I pay with a US$20 they give me back $850J. I usually calculate myself but when I ask them how much in Js its always the going rate and trus me I watch every dollar regardless of US or J. It sucks if someone is trying to take advantage of you - maybe they are adding in a service tax or something?????

[Limo Mon]

?? I am confused. I have never experienced what you describe I mostly use JDs in Negril but when I use USD I always receive the correct change (usually the going exchange rate 84 or 85 to $1US). If I pay for a meal listed at $10 - I give them $850J or if I pay with a US$20 they give me back $850J. I usually calculate myself but when I ask them how much in Js its always the going rate and trus me I watch every dollar regardless of US or J. It sucks if someone is trying to take advantage of you - maybe they are adding in a service tax or something?????

Not so for me last 2 trips previous trips it was like posted, I liked when all prices where in J's and I exchange my U.S. for J's and paid in J's that wasnt so at most places on the beach this trips some the last but more this time. Another poster post about the same treatment. Cambio was at 84 most place are lower then that I didnt see the 85 to 1 you talk about in places on beach and cliffs or at the cambio. 80 norm some 82 to, but when they price in U.S. now and you pay in J's you dont get the 80 to 1 they say its 82 to 1 but they give 75 percent of the exchange so its not 82 to 1. Thats what they figure out on the calculators now a days never seen calculator so much even when buy 2 beers or 1 beer 1 coke they get the calculator out when im paying in J's while in Jamaica why? Its there dollar I'm paying with.