Cash/credit card?

[Thatswhatshesaid]

I'd avoid the CC, I had one skimmed a couple years ago at a well known resturant. And literally within and hour someone had run it through at another hotel and took $240 dollars out. It even said "swipped" at the other hotel. These guys were pro's. If you use one, use one with a low limit, I have one like that for use there, and it was the one that got skimmed. The folks next to us at the same resturant weren't so lucky. The card was used to buy $3000 US of electronics in Mobay the very next day. They were staying at the same hotel as we were and asked if we had seen anything funny on our card. Thats when I check and sure as heck it had been skimmed.

[JaJodi]

We've done a little bit of everything. Traveler's checks exchanged at the cambio for J$, we like this best but TCs are getting harder to come by. We have exchanged $50US for $J at the airport (yes, ripoff), we bring small bills and $J from the last trip and skip the airport now, but it did give me a little peace of mind to have some $J on us. We do use the credit card for the hotel and charges there, and purchase with our Debit card at Hi-lo and get cash back (this was free with a limit to the $J you can get back like at groceries in the U.S.). And we use a Capital One credit card and they do not charge the 3% fee, it is hard to find a card that doesn't.

[sunwise]

I use credit at Ivans and mostly cash for the rest. Don't convert money at airport as it is a lower rate in Negril.

Hi,

Can I please get some cash advice? We are leaving on Sunday for our first-ever trip to Negril (honeymoon)! One thing I'm not entirely clear about is the cash situation. I've read that we should avoid using credit cards at restaurants and grocery stores due to incidents of people stealing CC numbers. Is this true? Also, if we were to bring cash, what's the recommended amount for a 7 day trip? I think we plan on converting to Jamaican currency . . . but can we do that on a Sunday? And is it best to do this at the MBJ airport or at a grocery store? (For reference, we are staying at Villas Sur Mer on the cliffs.)

Thanks in advance!

[gregandkelly63]

I guess I am a rare one. We have been to Jamaica 10 times and I have never once used a credit card (haven't had one in the last 15 years) and also have never used a debit card in Jamaica. I have never exchanged US currency to Jamaican nor have I ever used a travelers check in Jamaica.

I usually take about $2,000 in cash for a week even though we stay at an all-inclusive. (I usually bring about $1,500 back home).

Before we travel, I go to the bank and get a couple of hundreds in $5 and $10's for tips and small purchases and about $300 more in 20's. The rest is in $100's. I have never been anywhere in Jamaica that will not take US dollars and I usually tell them ahead of time that that's all I have. No problems. The exchange rate is easy enough for me to do the math in my head.

I have carried a money clip in my front pocket for years and have never carried much money in my wallet. When we travel to Jamaica, I have a little bit of cash stashed everywhere on my person and my carry-on which is with me at all times. (On my last reach there was even about $400 in the case behind my Kindle.) Once we get to the resort, the money goes into the safe. We take money out of the safe as we think we will need it when we go on excursions such as the pub crawl, etc.

I know it seems like a wacky system, but it has always worked for us.

BTW.......before we travel, I let the bank know we will be in Jamaica just in case of emergency we might be using the debit card. I also transfer a few thousand dollars to the checking account in case I need to use it for some emergency.

[negrilal]

Those who are having problems finding travelers checks, if you are a member of AAA they will provide travelers checks at no fee. I always travel with cash and travelers checks. If I don't have currency from my last trip I will exchange a small amount at the airport till I can get the better rates elsewhere. I also agree the best method is to have US and $J with you and pay according to the bills currency. If a bill is in US they will skim if you pay in $J and if the bill is in $J and you pay in US the same will happen.

[captaind]

On the plane I put away my US cash and put Jamaican in my pocket. I always carry a few thousand JA and stop at the ATM.

At this point in my return I now think in JA dollars as soon as I reach. When we land till I'm in line to board going home I only use JA.

For visitors it may be better to use US. At the very least you won't have to figure out the exchange rate and currency system.

I use my CC (with no foreign transaction fee) to pay the bill at SS.

[jahbobby]

A few years ago I bought a money belt for $15-20 or so. It looks like a real belt & I can easily stash $400-$500 in 50s. I've used it with no problems in Jamaica & in Europe. When I get to the hotel, I'll put the cash in the safe. I agree with most posts that you are better off using cash for small purchases & save your credit card for paying for expenses at your hotel. Be sure to take lots of small bills with you & when you use JD make sure that you understand the price in US or Canadian. It can be disconcerting at first until you realize that the $400 J that you are paying for a beer is only a few dollars at home.

[Biggs of the week]

Traveller checks & a little cash is the way to go.Not a good idea to post how much in cash one brings on a public board alot of prying eyes.Just sayin ! lol

[gregandkelly63]

Thanks for the warning. I'd like to see the person that could take it from me.

[dash]

You probably wouldn't see him......