Cash, Traveler's checks, debit card?

[Melody]

I bring just a couple hundred $US in cash and my left over JA$ from prior trip to get me from airport to Negril.
I bring 1 CC (the one with no foreign fees) and use it for big purchases - like hotel and car rental (World MC covers the CDW - HUUUGE savings).
I bring my ATM - but just as backup and try not to use it. I've used it in the past but got local ATM fees + my bank fees + 3% foreign exchange fee (~$17 total on $300 withdrawal - way too much for me). So non-Canadians w/out Scotia - be careful on ATMs. Try it once, then login to your bank next day or two and check your fees. I recently switched banks - so will try the ATM next reach and see if fees are more reasonable (this one at least has no 3% foreign exchange fee).

For my daily spending cash - I cash Travelers Checks for JA$.
I like doing it daily because forces me to stay on my budget - once that daily "allowance" is gone, my drinking is done.
(NOTE - have to be careful to plan for weekends and holidays when cambios/banks are closed).
But I also always keep the prior referred to backup stash of 1-days spending - just in case.

TCs used to be free at AAA but they started charging a few years ago (at least in Dayton, OH) - luckily they are still free at my bank.
I use Banmark when staying on the West End and the one in front of Bourbon Beach when staying on the beach - never a problem.
Actually, they only need me to bring my Passport on first visit each reach - after that, just my license - very convenient.

I've used them at cambios all over the island - Negril, Ochi, Treasure Beach, Port Antonio, Mandeville - and no problem.
BUT last trip (March 2013) we spent the last 3 days in MoBay before flight back.
Not one cambio there would take them - even with passport and 2 IDs. They all said I have to go to a bank for TCs.
If you've never been in a JA bank - that meant a several-hour wait in line. So never again trying to use TC in MoBay.
If that practice spreads to Negril, I'll have to figure out another method.

One final point, whatever method you do...I strongly advise NOT having the cash for the whole trip in one place.
Check posts here and other trip sites like TripAdvisor, and you'll find posts of even people leaving valuables in hotel room safes being thiefed.
That's why I like the daily w/drawal - my money is on me, not in the room (except a little stash) - and that way no more than $200US is ever at risk of loss, theft, drunken mistakes, etc.
A loss of that amount would suck - but my vacation would not be ruined.

I think Bank of America is affiliated with Scotiabank and those customers also have no fees. I think I've read that there are a few others as well. US boardies can fill in more. If that's not your bank, you could consider opening an account there specifically for saving/spending in Jamaica; that's what I did with Scotiabank, they are not my regular bank.

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

Thanks for the tip on BofA - has relationship with ScotiaBank ATMs in Caribbean.
I checked online and found it seems to be correct:
Picked "International locations" link on this page: http://locators.bankofamerica.com/lo...catorAction.do
And it does say you can use a BofA ATM at ScotiaBank for Canada and Caribbean, with Jamaica being on list.

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

Reading the info in link of my just prior post more closely:
Only in China and Mexico have they made arrangements for no Operator Fees or Non-Bank of America International ATM fees - not Jamaica.
And it also says:
"International Transaction Fees of 1% for converting your currency may apply."

Also from https://www6.bankofamerica.com/forei...e#rate_who_set, one of the FAQs under "Exchange Rates", it says:
"Each time you use your Bank of America debit card in a foreign ATM there is an International Transaction Fee applied."

So it sounds like similar to what I have now - have to pay both ATM fees + foreign transaction fees.
The 1% foreign transaction fee is less than the 3% I had been getting.
But even still BofA ATM card does not seem to allow free ATM withdrawals at ScotiaBank (for us non-Canadians).

[Melody]

Not sure, just read several posts from US citizens that they don't pay fees with B of A, same as Canadian Scotiabank customers. Hopefully someone will post. Even at Scotiabank at home, I was told I'd pay fees, but opened the account and tried it based on what I'd read posted. The only fee I was charged on my statement (while withdrawing in Negril) was the $1.25 ATM withdrawal fee that I am charged at my home bank. I've also read that non Scotiabank customers using their Jamaican ATMs get charged $5-$7 per transaction.

B of A customers, please post from your experience!

[Beachin.Ann]

I bank with Bank of America (US account) and can attest that there are no fees. I use my check card to withdrawl cash as well as a Visa issued by BOA and there are no fees.

[HarryS]

I use TD Bank here in the states, and as long as you have what they call a Premier account (I think you need $2500 minimum balance) they will refund all fees associated with using an out-of-network ATM anywhere. They even refund the exorbitant fees that some ATMS charge (like $10 on a cruise ship or the high fees in Vegas casinos... I forget what those were, $5?). The charges show up on my statement, and then are refunded to me at the end of the month. It's nice not to have to worry about hunting down an ATM from a specific bank so you don't pay a fee.

They also don't charge fees for currency exchange at foreign ATMs.

[booger]

I use BofA with no fees at Scotia in Jamaica. I am in Mexico right now and have not seen a Scotia bank to try it out, however the two I have used hit me with the fee.