J or usd to bring

[wrtiii]

ATM WILL ALSO COST YOU 500 j OR 5.00 CANADIAN TO WITHDRAW.

You might want to read this thread...

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...referrerid=664

[Bnewb]

I could write a fun short story on my experiences. I am Canadian and it just is brutal with the exchange. I bring a good amount of american and a reserve of Canadian … in case. Above is correctly noted a $5 charge at the ATM, I'm not sure that was not American?? No bother. At any rate, there are not that many ATM's around … and they often will not be able to disperse your required funds. I think I have had success 80% of the time. Bank of Jamaica had to send me to Sav La Mar as the Mastercard and credit was down … could be a day, could be two …Nothing like needing to take an advance and paying interest from that moment on. But I had cash. Personally I don't think I would bother getting Jamaican dollars before going … US is always accepted and converted to Jamaican at point of sale. Canadian dollars need to go to an exchange or hotel lobby often do too to Jamaican. I have seen many tourists have problems with the ATMs. Me too hahaha.

Carrie...I'm curious how you ended dealing with Bank of Jamaica...something sounds a little strange as Bank of Jamaica is not a commercial bank and has no ATMs anywhere?

Just for everyone's reference...off the top of my head, I can think of 12 ATMs around Negril...5 at Scotia Bank, 2 in Sunshine Plaza, 1 at Value Master, 1 at Coral Seas Plaza, 1 at Time Square, 2 at Rutland Point. A few are listed in the Things to Do section of Negril.com.
If anyone can think of any others...please add.

[Carrie]

In answer to your question, I wanted to access a larger amount of cash than I could at the ATM; being a mastercard, I was referred to National Bank of Jamaica. They sent me to Sav as their system was down. Could have been bad advice, but I did have success. The Bank of Jamaica in the west end does have an ATM in the bank; it only dispenses Jamaican dollars, but it's there, but subject to business hours. Warm regards.

[SLP]

ATM WILL ALSO COST YOU 500 j OR 5.00 CANADIAN TO WITHDRAW.

It depends. If you bank with Scotia in Canada and use Scotia here there is no charge.

[Bnewb]

In answer to your question, I wanted to access a larger amount of cash than I could at the ATM; being a mastercard, I was referred to National Bank of Jamaica. They sent me to Sav as their system was down. Could have been bad advice, but I did have success. The Bank of Jamaica in the west end does have an ATM in the bank; it only dispenses Jamaican dollars, but it's there, but subject to business hours. Warm regards.

Still confused here ...do you possibly mean the NCB (National Commercial Bank) at Sunshine plaza?
NCB is very different from the Bank of Jamaica which has no private customers...essentially they control and print the money here.

As far as the Bank of Jamaica in the West End...again maybe you mean the NCB at Sunshine Plaza.

Just trying to clear it up in case we have someone running around looking for the Bank of Jamaica.

[Carrie]

I apologize if I used an improper name. I'm sure you are correct, and I do believe that I mean the National Commercial Bank .. It is in that complex for sure. Nothing like doing your banking with a armed man at the door.

I'm sorry for further confusion. Warm regards.

[Bnewb]

No worries, Carrie. Thanks for clearing it up.

[Carrie]

At least they did not have to go all the way to Sav … I'm still unsure if Scotia Bank could have done a mastercard advance.

Okay … so I will out the silly story … it did all start with the need for cash that I just could not pull out of the machines. I have actually been refused a transaction (June and September), as can only withdraw $500 every 24 hours. Canadian exchange meant I could not get $500 US as I was allowed $500 Canadian per transaction. Over my 24 hour allowance. Understand I'm pretty floored… I could not understand the restriction on my account. I'm a little stressed, but I understand the issue. Quick math I'm having a hard time harnessing … stupid stress. I'm thinking that if I took $700 Canadian with the exchange I may get $500 american. This machine is at the downtown Scotiabank. I get declined as the machine is out of american … but can offer me Jamaican dollars. Ok … I am beyond being able to do exchange. American to Canadian, or Canadian to American and what may be allowed to withdraw at this time. I was trying to get close to $500 anything … my guess in Jamaican on exchange got me $180 Canadian.

[Carrie]

Footnote … in November I could do $500 american on an ATM withdrawal. I just feel on edge … paper money sure feels secure.

Can I please bore you with one more heads up … we all hear now that we do not have to advise our banks of time out of the country. I did miss a beat on not including my debit card in thailand. Survived.

You need to know … I was very prepared to error on the side of caution. I went to pay my deposit at the hotel upon arrival … all good. I then went to pay for car rental … declined. I had plan for 100 minutes that got eaten up asking "what". Only 15 minutes … to ask they release hold. The moral of the story … I will let them know so that I have recourse. On that note, I'm stepping off my soapbox and looking forward to January. Love, peace, warmth, joy … and let loose. xo

[dom]

Bring two different cards...Scotia with no fees at Scotia machine...max 30000 j at a time....bring another card for backup...no problem...also...cibc machine beside bk almost always has money...there is a fee...but good for backup....