Cash/credit card?

[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.

[Limo Mon]

My advise would be to take travelers cheques and cash them for Jamaican currancy at the cambio. As for Sunday Most are closed. Your hotel should exchange your money on Sunday not a great rate, get just enough to make it to Monday. DON'T EXCHANGE MONEY ON THE STREET even if they give you A better rate. DON'T EXCHANGE MONEY ON THE STREET you will get ripped off. Also take 5's 10's 20's keep them for later use and some 1's. When your out figure out which is best US or J's. Enjoy your stay. Limo MOn Soon Come

[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.

[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......

[Smokin Kevan]

100.00 per person, per day is a groovy and normal(Non-AI) figure for us....

We were in Negril this past July and rarely use a credit card there...

Imagine my surprise on Dec. 26th when my bank texted me a potential fraud alert.

On the way back, we stopped in Miami. Someone, possibly from a Miami airport restaurant or shop

used my Debit card, charging 38.50 at two different Publix stores on Dec. 26th, lol,,,

Soooo, keep your cards close to the vest and for emergency. This was the 1st time someone hustled my card in 9 trips to Jamaica

and I've got a feeling, it happened in Miami,lol! Finally, make sure and alert the card company of the card you are taking and the dates.

Happy Travels

Skb

[gregandkelly63]

Oh my. Now I'm worried. Someone is going to figure out who I am and where I'm from and what I look like. Then they are going to figure out when I am going to Jamaica. Then figure out which flights I'm going to be on. Then, since they know I am carrying cash on my person, will figure out where I am carrying my money and separate me from my carry on luggage and steal it because I'm too stupid to know they have done it.

Great. Now I have to cancel my trip.