Cash, Traveler's checks, debit card?

[Al Drake]

Took travellers checks last year and had a hard time cashing them at beach road cambio. Had no problem in town next to Hi Lo. Big headache. This year we are bringing cash

For me the only downside of spending cash is the failure to have a record of where it goes. That's why I use nothing but my debit card at home. I haven't had cash since I carried it for a phone call or taxi.

[Al Drake]

I used to get Jamaican cash from the bank here, but now I just use my bank card and withdraw cash as we need it in Jamaica. I always use the Scotia ATM's (no fees for me - they're my bank here at home), we haven't had a problem yet. I don't like carrying a lot of cash with me...

I didn't know you could get JA dollars anywhere but JA. I have several thousand JA from my last trip. I bring it to pay for the taxi although not needed.

[Al Drake]

I keep one ATM card in Jamaica which I use to send money and get cash while I'm there.

I use Ja dollars exclusively.

Sounds like a good plan.

Thanks.

[HarryS]

I can get $JA from my bank... I asked about it before our last trip and found that their rates were worse than at MBJ. I bring a debit card and take $JA as needed (usually from the Times Square ATM), and find that since my bank refunds ATM fees I get a better exchange rate than at the cambios.

I also bring a credit card that stays in the safe for emergencies... thankfully we've never needed it.

[IRIEchic]

big roll of ones...some cash...and a debit card or two for the ATM's which give out the best rate....
people don't use traveler checks anymore.....never change money at the airport.......

I second this the way to go rolls of small bills...

[Melody]

Took travellers checks last year and had a hard time cashing them at beach road cambio. Had no problem in town next to Hi Lo. Big headache. This year we are bringing cash

What kind of problem did you have? I used that cambio my 2 trips last year and the one in April. One time I went, they told me to come back a couple of hours later...I guess they didnt have enough cash.

I can get travelers cheques free at my bank and I like to take about $150 worth in case the ATM machine isn't working (hasn't yet happened to me, but have read it happens a lot).

I have a Scotiabank account that I opened exclusively for Jamaica trips. It's a basic savings account and I get charged $1.25 each ATM withdrawal (even at my home branch), but that's all I get charged when withdrawing in Jamaica too. I believe Bank of America is affiliated and there are no (extra) fees withdrawing from the Scotiabank ATMs in Jamaica either.

I only use Jamaican dollars there now.

[Al Drake]

I can get $JA from my bank... I asked about it before our last trip and found that their rates were worse than at MBJ. I bring a debit card and take $JA as needed (usually from the Times Square ATM), and find that since my bank refunds ATM fees I get a better exchange rate than at the cambios.

I also bring a credit card that stays in the safe for emergencies... thankfully we've never needed it.

My bank also refunds ATM fees. The last time I used Traveler's Checks there was no fee from my bank. I still like the idea of a refund if lost or stolen unlike cash. I'm just not sure how long that process takes. I have never had a credit card in my life and still have a portion of my first paycheck stashed at my mom's house. That was well over 50 years ago. I also have a time capsule buried in her back yard with cash and other things from that era. Gee, I wonder how much that coin collection is worth.

[Al Drake]

What kind of problem did you have? I used that cambio my 2 trips last year and the one in April. One time I went, they told me to come back a couple of hours later...I guess they didnt have enough cash.

I can get travelers cheques free at my bank and I like to take about $150 worth in case the ATM machine isn't working (hasn't yet happened to me, but have read it happens a lot).

I have a Scotiabank account that I opened exclusively for Jamaica trips. It's a basic savings account and I get charged $1.25 each ATM withdrawal (even at my home branch), but that's all I get charged when withdrawing in Jamaica too. I believe Bank of America is affiliated and there are no (extra) fees withdrawing from the Scotiabank ATMs in Jamaica either.

I only use Jamaican dollars there now.

Have they discontinued any of the coins? I have some huge coins from past visits. They must be making then out of hub caps by now.

[captaind]

For me the only downside of spending cash is the failure to have a record of where it goes. That's why I use nothing but my debit card at home. I haven't had cash since I carried it for a phone call or taxi.

As a retired ship captain it's second nature for me to keep a log.

I have a complete expense report of all my trips as well as money spent to upgrade my yard, business expenses, money sent to the kids etc.

[Melody]

Have they discontinued any of the coins? I have some huge coins from past visits. They must be making then out of hub caps by now.

I haven't seen any large coins so maybe they are discontinued.