RLH

We are going to Jamaica in August and staying at an all-inclusive. I know that we won't need much money at the resort since they don't allow tipping. However, if we go off the resort and want to buy something is it best to pay in Jamaican money or can we pay will US dollars or travelers checks? Also, is it easy to exchange us dollors or travelers checks for Jamaican money?

schmerl

They will love your American dollars.

benj

We were in Jamaica in May. Since we were doing the AI route we didn't exchange money at first. You really get a better deal paying in JA sometimes if you are shopping or dining off resort & not using credit cards. We also printed up a "cheat sheet" to keep the exchange rate easy. We used an ATM by the HiLo grocery in Negril to get JA money. Very good exchange rate & easy. We did shop at a gift shop near the HiLo & it took credit cards. Everywhere else was cash.

atticus

beji, not to disagree, but I was looking at a recent pic of a menu from 3Dives and did a calculation of the difference between price in JA$ and US$. It came out a US$ cheaper +/- to pay in US. I know that isn't the case all the time. I usually convert some money, but give tips in $1 and $5 US.

note: I am REAL bad at math.....

benj

You're right about 3 Dives. When we ate there the exchange rate was fine & we paid with US. The craft market & Devon House Ice Cream would have been better with JA money. I think jerk chicken along the road would have worked out better in JA. We got very little change when we used US. Also at the airport we bought some junk food in the "deli" there. The asked us if we were paying JA or US. We paid with US & needed some small change (JA) but had no JA left so the woman said "forget it". Very nice spirit there!

When on vacation who wants to do math?? I agree with you there. I use the cheat sheet if I have to.

SamH

As noted, J$ and US$ are both easy to use in Jamaica. Even away from the resort areas US$ are normally easy to use. I would reccomend exchanging some currency for small shops or buying gas. ATM's are normally available and give a fair exchange rate, often better than your hotel.
You might have noticed that no one has mentioned travelers checks. Thats because you don't need them with the availability of ATMs throuought the island.