Money in Jamaica

by G Dhillon
(London, England)

Money in Jamaica


QUESTION:

Hi, I am coming to Jamaica in two weeks. Is it better to use the US Dollar or the Jamaican Dollar, I am getting mixed responses

Many thanks.

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ANSWER: Feb-23-2009 by Wellesley Gayle

Hi G Dhillon,

In brief, I would say you need both.

Regardless of your reason for visit- business or leisure, you’ll still be able to conduct transactions in both currencies.

I suspect you might need more USD but it is still useful to have some Jamaican- especially to hand off as tips or to pay for some local services.

If you should force me to tell you how much of each, I would probably say, an 80/20 split, (USD vs Jamaican)

Of course, you recognize that the Jamaican Dollar is not going to be of much value when you get back home- if you have leftovers, so there goes another reason not to keep too much Jamaican.

Please take a look at my page on the Jamaican Currency for even more detail and exchange rates.

Regards,
Wellesley