How do the businesses in Negril determine their exchange rates?

[Mike_D]

Jamaicans use Jamaican currency when they purchase things, and outside of the tourist areas USD is often not used at all. Although it is a convenience for a tourist to be able to use US currency, it is a hassle for Jamaicans to receive it. They have to convert it to JA dollars before they can spent it at home. Therefore, most businesses will charge you for that hassle. You would never get anywhere close to the actual exchange rate at a money exchange place in the US or Canada, so I wouldn't expect to get a good rate at a business in Jamaica. It is well known that cambios and ATM machines provide the best exchange rate, and by using them you will get more for your money.

This reminds of the time I saw a tourist stop at the cambio at Sangster Airport with a puzzled look on his face. There was a brisk business at the counter this day, as even I stopped to exchange a few bucks to get me through a stop at the jerk chicken stand. Wondering what everyone was doing, this guy asked the lady at the counter what the cambio was for. The lady responded, "for exchanging money". The guy then asked, "For exchanging what? Euros to US dollars?" The lady behind the counter said, "No, for exchanging whatever you have into Jamaican dollars". It appeared that this guy had no idea that Jamaica even had its own currency. It looked like he was staying at an AI, so he probably didn't have to spend any cash on this trip anyway.