Do you use USD or Jamaica Dollars?

[ECO]

I noticed that a few places in Jamaica had all of their prices in USD and they acted like I was being a pain wanting to pay them with Jamaican money. The Bob Marley Tour was one and the coffee shop at the airport was the other.

When you go to Jamaica do you pay for everything with their money or do you carry currency from your home country?

[jellybean]

I always use the local currency. When you use US$ they always give change back in JA$.

[scorpiolady]

I use Jamaican currency

[Tequila and Lime]

Depends on what we are buying. Some things better is USD some in JA. Mostly, we use USD.

[ECO]

So my wife mentions to me this afternoon that I still have Jamaican money left over from my last trip. Lol, she ended up finding a $50---- that will buy me about 1/4 of a Red Stripe at some road side stand.

[Tequila and Lime]

Ha ha.....$50. I gave mine away to all the kids of friends of mine. They kept asking what is this worth ? Um, total? maybe a buck.

[ECO]

I didn't care for the Jamaican change at all so I would just leave it behind when I bought beers. I think they were $215 each so they made off with a $85 tip.

[LadySizzla]

i always used ja dollars. my general rule was if someone tried to charge you in american dollars they were ripping you off even more than they usually do.

[Wahoo]

Y'all can send all your unwanted $50s to me. I'm also accepting $100s, $500s, and $1,000s.

[Wahoo]

I expect that it's always advantagous to use the local currency (even if it does--in my experience--tax the thought processes trying to compute the conversion when you're drunk or stoned to the bejeezus belt). For instance, the night I went to Alfred's Ocean Palace, in early April 2007, two cover charges were posted--one in USD and one in Jamaican dollars. I can't remember exact amounts now, but the cover charge in USD was something like $5.00--quite reasonable. However, by paying the cover charge in Jamaican dollars, it amounted to about $1.00 US less. Percentage-wise, that's a substantial difference. And any fool who'd pay the cover charge in USD instead of Jamaican dollars would deserve to be taken to the cleaners.

[Nanoose]

I just had a look at some Jamaican money on line and decided that I will use Jamaican currency if I ever make it to Jamaica . Its nice looking money plus it would be a good way to strike up a conversation with a local as well as get a free history lesson. (ask them who’s picture is on the bill and what did they do)
I also noticed that it is the law to use Jamaican currency for goods and services in Jamaica and I only plan on breaking one law well I’m there. Cheers!

[jellybean]

When I went to the grotto caves the price is jadlrs 500 - vs usdlrs 25.

[ECO]

When I went to the grotto caves the price is jadlrs 500 - vs usdlrs 25.

Was the $500JMD a price for locals like at some of the other attractions? If not they whack people 4 times the JA rate for using USD!

[jellybean]

When I went to the grotto caves the price is jadlrs 500 - vs usdlrs 25.

Was the $500JMD a price for locals like at some of the other attractions? If not they whack people 4 times the JA rate for using USD!

sorry, yes 500 for ja residents and usd for tourists but we did a deal and both got in for 1,000 jadlrs

[faith]

You will almost always get a better deal paying with JA. A lot of Jamaicans don't know the current exchange rate- even when it was 62 to 1, it was my experience that it was figured closer to 50 to 1. I never use USD unless the cambio is closed and that is all I have.

[JamaicaSteve]

You are also helping JAMAICA by using their currency instead of the US$... Their economy is dire enough, anything and everything we can do collectively to help at all is worthwhile.

Besides, it's lends to a more 'authentic' experience when you deal with Jamaican currency...

I actually have a Jamaican $2 bill that I got years ago when $2 in Jamaica was still worth about a dollar US !!!

Blessings and respect to all.

[damswell]

I always use JMD, im not american dont have USD!!!!

[Wahoo]

Probably not a good idea to flash a fat roll of bills, but do take enough cash on you to cover anticipated purchases and charges when you go out. Don't make the mistake I did & assume that major credit cards are accepted. When I produced my Visa card to pay my tab at Canoe last April, I was taken aback to be informed that they don't accept credit cards, only cash. Lady Luck was with me that day 'cause I had exactly enough cash, in both US and Jamaica dollars, on me to pay my bill and leave a decent tip--I even had, I recall, two $100 Jamaican bills left. But if I hadn't had enough cash on me that day, Wahoo would have been up a proverbial creek in Canoe without a paddle!

[ECO]

Some of the hotels will offer a cash discount if you pay your bill with cash instead of credit cards...........the discount exceeds what they would pay in CC fees.

[JamaicaSteve]

Greetings all, long time no 'see'!

sorry to deviate, but can anyone tell me why my avatar photo seems to have disappeared?

Blessings and respect to all.
Steve