Money

[Blake]

So I searched for any relevant threads and couldn't find anything and google is being extremely unhelpful because all of the answers are across the board.

I'm looking to find out whether it's better to convert my USD into JMD or to use USD while on a trip to Negril, Jamaica.

I will NOT be staying at an all Inclusive(I've stayed at one in Montego bay before and barely used any money) and it will be for 6-7 days.

Also it seems like everyone on google has a different opinion of how much money you should bring. Is $100 USD per day a decent amount for 1 person? I do plan to eat out pretty much every meal and drink a fair amount. I don't want to do all inclusive because I prefer the local food and it seems they have very little of it at any of the all inclusives I've read about or been to.

It's my understanding that it will be hard to break bills, how would you divide the $600-700?

IF using USD is more favorable then I'm thinking I'll just show up with $200 in Ones, $200 in fives, $200 in tens, and $100 in twenties.

Is there a negligible difference between using USD and JMD? Is JMD more favorable even after paying the cambios to exchange the money?

Thoughts? Opinions? Wish these forums had a poll option.

[Jenn]

I always take US $, but change it into JMD in Negril. The breakdown I use for my USD is the pretty close to what you posted. My tips are usually in USD, but when I'm out and about I use JMD. If you pay in USD, chances are you will get change in JMD. Hope that helps.

[Ras Walleye]

We always bring travelers checks for security. We get them free through AAA. We cash them at a cambio for $J. I also plan ahead for taxi's and tips and bring US $1 & $5 for those. So I guess a little of both is the way to go. As a rule of thumb, if the prices are listed in US pay US, if listed in J pay J. That way you'll avoid conversion hassles. Also there are cash machines downtown that will dispense $J and at least one that will give US. Be sure to check with your bank regarding any international fees. $100 per day should be okay unless you really indulge heavily.

Bless...
Ed

[garysteph1018]

You will save money paying in JMD. For instance, at 3 Dives a lobster dinner is $2500j while if you pay with USD the dinner will cost you 32.00....2500j is only $28 in USD. Although that isn't a lot, it does add up dinner after dinner. We took 1500.00 cash for a week stay and came home with ab $400.00 and we didn't skimp on anything. Always ate out, good stuff too, bought the things we wanted to bring home, and also paid for our transportation to/from the airport along with Rocky Thursday with that money.

Also if you have an iPhone there is a spectacular app called Currency+ that will do your exchange for you so you can keep up with your spending and see what you are spending b/w the two currencies. It was very helpful. Also, it's a free app.

[Flipadelphia26]

We ended up finding it was much easier to use JA. As stated above, a lot of places will accept US currency, but you will be getting JA back anyway.

I bank with Wells Fargo, and I noticed that you can buy foreign currency through them. I am not sure how much of % they are charging to do it though.

[Ras Walleye]

Typically buying currency at home gets you a horrible exchange rate. Last time I checked with my bank it was like 70/1 when the cambios in Negril were giving 85/1.

[Flipadelphia26]

Typically buying currency at home gets you a horrible exchange rate. Last time I checked with my bank it was like 70/1 when the cambios in Negril were giving 85/1.

You're right. WF is 78-1. That's right around what MoBay airport was giving in may if I am not mistaking.

[canuk cpl]

We find using J's the easiest, I started a thread a while back What do you spend a day in Negril, and you might find the responses helpful. Cheers!

[Blake]

We find using J's the easiest

But if the cambios in Jamaica are giving 85/1, and xe is 89/1, you're losing $4 JMD per dollar you convert, losing roughly 5% of your value.

I guess it beats pulling out a currency calculator every purchase....

[garysteph1018]

Its also fun to play with Jamaica money! We traded $160.00 & got like 14,000 JMD! We felt rich!!!!