Cash/credit card?

[mindfulgirl]

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!

[Boogzy]

Forget using your credit card. Either bring travelers cheques and cash them for Jamaican currancy at one of the cambios or use your debit card in the many ATM's around town

[Flipadelphia26]

I didn't use a CC a single time the last time I was down in Negril. (that said, it wouldn't hurt to have one stashed in your room in case you need it)

My GF and I each budgeted for $100 a day. We ended up coming home with extra money - which we pushed into our next trip.

The airport rips you off with their exchange rate. Bring a bunch of $1 bills with you to tip, that should be all you need until you have a chance to change money on the island. Have you driver take you to a cambio. They have the best exchange rates.

I found it much easier to deal in local currency, as the places you visit are more likely to have change in JA. Also a lot of the places lit their prices in JA, so it just makes things simpler.

[mindfulgirl]

Thanks so much, Boogzy and Flipadelphia! Do you think I'd have any trouble finding a cambio or ATM on a Sunday?

[Flipadelphia26]

Thanks so much, Boogzy and Flipadelphia! Do you think I'd have any trouble finding a cambio or ATM on a Sunday?

I am not certain of the Cambio days/hours.

ATM should not be a problem.

[Ras Walleye]

I know my favorite cambio, fx trader by the Hilo is closed sunday but the ATMs are available 24/7. There is one next to Hilo and several at the Scotia bank.

[Yvonne]

I've had my credit card number compromised more often in the states than in JA. W/ the automatic swipe, much less an issue anymore. Back when an imprint of the whole card was made & a paper copies remained, too easy anywhere for anyone to steal your cc info. Those haven't been around for a few years so you might be too young to remember :-) My issue w/ using a cc is the 3% fee they charge. Doesn't matter if your charge is in US $$$, you will be changed a 3% currency conversion fee. Take the travelers checks & exchange for J$ as needed. Bank of America is associated w/ Scotia Bank (in town) so no cost to w/d $$$ there using the ATM. Just be sure you request J$. You'll get a great exchange rate, better than at the cambios. BTW... skip the guys outside the cambios who want to give you a better rate. They don't. They'll manage to put some of your $$$ in their own hands instead of yours. Cambios are closed on Sundays. Hope this helps.

[NoWorries4 me]

Another reason to stay away from CC is the conversion charges made by your company. I just got my statement and was charged $26 conversion for charging the room fee at our hotel!

[Saskgirl]

Forget using your credit card. Either bring travelers cheques and cash them for Jamaican currancy at one of the cambios or use your debit card in the many ATM's around town

And we have always used our credit card to pay for dinners and when we stock up at the HiLo and never had an issue and we have been to Negril 5 times. But we do always take cash in case we can't use our CC ...

[marley9808]

Hey Mindfulgirl! Have a safe and fun trip.....we also arrive Sunday, woo hoo!

I typically bring some Js from my previous trip and a little cash and then just hit up the ATM to get Js. That is just how I do it and it seems to work just fine
But one word of advice, if you plan to use your debit or atm card, call your bank first and tell them you are traveling to Jamaica and need to be able to use your card. Many cards now have international blocks on them and unless you call and authorize you won't be able to use them at all outside the country.

Have fun, maybe we will see you around!