Stay up-to-date with all that's new at My-Island-Jamaica, Click Here to subscribe for my updates and don't miss a thing!

Have a QUESTION?

Living in Jamaica - general cost and currency?

by Dylan
( Ontario Canada)

QUESTION:

Hey Wellesley

I have recently been to, and fallen in love with Jamaica.

Throughout my interactions with the amazing people of your island, I realized all the things I take for granted being a Canadian.

I was hoping you might help me with a few questions I was too embarrassed to ask while I was there.

At the resorts and tourist attractions, everyone uses the USD as currency, so my question is this; In the rest of Jamaica, do you live on the USD or the JMD?

What is minimum wage or average wage?
What is the cost of necessities on the island i.e. bread and milk and eggs?

From what I can gather, a days wage is about $80 JMD or $1 USD and that is roughly a loaf of bread, is this accurate?

I love your site, your people and your island. I hope to make it my home away from home some day.

Much respect!

Dylan

ANSWER: January 16, 2010 by Wellesley Gayle

Hi Dylan,

I'll try, no problem.

You'll find that the resorts and attractions use USD, maybe they want to keep it simple and convenient, for the tourists- since most are from the US and perhaps because the USD is a universally accepted currency.

No doubt they are benefiting from the exchange rate conversion as well, as tourists are usually quoted a lower price

than the market exchange rate.

And yes, JMD is usually accepted at the resorts and attractions - if I go, I pay the local price.

By the way, I always encourage my site visitors to exchange some of their currency at a cambio.

Depending on what you'll be doing and where you are going, you'll find that it is quite handy to have both.

What is the cost of basic necessities?

Well, I can tell you that parity considered, it is usually a little cheaper to by basic items in JA vs the US; A loaf of bread in Jamaica, for example, is about 180JMD now (recently increased), that's about 2USD right?

Not sure if you can get a regular family sized loaf for that in the US.

A patty here is 70JMD or 0.78USD, much cheaper than the US, but that is still high for us, based on the our measly wages and high unemployment.

The minimum wage is currently 3700 per week, still a joke, although it was last increased in 2008 by 17%. Remember though that this is the lowest weekly wage that employers may legally pay employees.

I hope that help.

Read more visitor related informaion about the country in my Jamaica Travel Guide. Stay in touch.

Related Pages:

Jamaica's Currency
Places to Visit in Jamaica
More Jamaican Visitor's Q&A
Our Blog Page.
AND EVEN MORE...Search Here

Comments for Living in Jamaica - general cost and currency?

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 21, 2017

Is this a good move?
by: Danyell

Hello,
I am currently working on a Social Work/Psychology degree in the U.S. I would love to finish my degree and move it to Jamaica. What would my salary be? Would I afford a decent life in Jamaica?

Oct 22, 2010

Life in Jamaica
by: Margaret Kidd

Hi,
The minimum wage in Jamaica is currently JM$4070.00/5 day week. This is the lowest wage payable to a worker under the law.

This is only applicable to largely so called unskilled workers and labourers eg household helpers, gardeners etc.

Otherwise semi-educated Jamaicans earn very decent wages when compared to American wages.

The problem is our cost of living is very high eg Utilities , Motor vehicles, housing etc. This is where it becomes very difficult for the poor to survive.

The minimum wage is impossible to live on and the basic things we take for granted are impossible for the poor to enjoy. Basic ammenities.

Oct 22, 2010

Interesting....
by: Jamaica My Way

Dylan I'd like to know who told you a day's wage is $80 JMD????

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to JamaicaQuestions.

Sharing IS Caring... Its now YOUR turn to...

If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, My Island Jamaica Digest here.

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica!

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Talk To Me
Was the information helpful? Something needs changing? I welcome your feedback here.

Recommended For You ...

P.S. Didn't find exactly what you were looking for? Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

About The Author

A patriotic Jamaican who adore its culture, Wellesley has been using this medium to share what he calls 'the uniqueness of Jamaica with the world' since April 2007.

To date, he serves over 9,300 unique readers / viewers per day.

His efforts have earned this site featured positions in local publications, including the Jamaica Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica, Carlong Publishers, as well as recognition from numerous prestigious international agencies and universities. Read more about him here.

He invites you to subscribe to this site to stay updated on all the latest and check out his unique Jamaican products on his Etsy store.

If you are on social media, here are the links to follow his latest posts

You are also invited to join his exclusive JAMHearts community where like-minded Jamaican enthusiasts discuss all things Jamaican.