Which would be better to take to jamaica?

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Mandark

While I agree with Bob about buying things in JA$, I'd get travellers cheques if I were you. Yeah, it may be a bit time consuming or inconvenient but better off being inconvenienced changing travellers cheques than having your pocket picked and having no money. Besides, there are Gambios (exchange bureaus) all over the place where you can change money. Which is better: a 15min wait with peace of mind or always looking over your shoulder? The pickpockets there aren't as crafty as the ones I've seen in Jerusalem but they are there nevertheless.

Sliteofhand

Take travelers checks and bust them one at a time unless you need more at the moment.
They are insured against loss whereas USD is not.
Any monies you accrue in the currency of the country your are visiting should be spent first as it will only be a souvenir should you bring it back to the States.
Watch others and see what they tip as often being too generous with your money will only bring the sharks into your immediate presence where it can get pretty hairy and is never fun for the new tourist. it almost always insures you getting ripped off.
Have fun and be sure who you are dealing with should you decide to purchase anything illegal; i.e. pot as often tourists are set up and busted.

tom4bucs

Traveler's Cheques -- probably free at your bank

and Jamaica will love USD

have a great trip

GOOD BLACK WASHINGTON

yo da i n i need the usd abot ten dolla tip needed!

Bruno

Take US dollars with you. Convert it with locals, you'll get a better rate. Be sure know the conversion rate before you go. You can always check on line.

Lala

Take the USD and convert it in JMD when you get here. The conversion rates are much higher.

Professor Oglevee

Take a few cash and change it at the Cambio. You get more money when you change it at the cambio than the bank.

freehandcutting

USD is use all over in Jamaica so is Credit card. i would say take USD cash and convert small amount as needed, its best to spend Jamaican dollar most place like the super market stores etc, just about every where use credit cads as well.

Takoda m

A general rule of thumb is have both. I'm Australian and when I travel I make sure I have both because it's always good to have some US green in case either something is in US dollars (they always take it in their own currency but it's easier if the price is already USD) and also in case you run out of the countries currency you know you're not totally broke and can exchange your money.

But as a rule of thumb take mostly the currency of the place you are traveling. People want to sell you stuff cos they need the money, but talking to locals in places all over the world...there is nothing worse then an American coming in and demanding you take their money, even though they usually have to pay a rate to get it exchanged into their own currency. It comes off as VERY arrogant.

Also, be mindful of the conversion rate. Take a calculator and remember what the conversion rate so you can work out what a price is in USD, because understandably if you look clueless and just accept a price at face value, you are going to get ripped off.

People in other countries usually understand you need to work out the conversion and you can often borrow a shopkeepers calculator or take a few seconds to work it out in your head.

If you want to book day trips or anything, go directly into stores and booths yourself and work it out, don't be taken in by offers on the street, these are the offers for chumps who don't know better and could cos you a bit extra.

Anything else?

AWomenWhoKnows

Take USD. They have US money there to give you change. There was only one place we went that paid us back in Jamaician money.

Bob D

Obviously never change out all your cash for JA dollars, but definitely use JA dollars for your purchases. A few reasons for that. You'll get a better deal since everyone will be offering a LOWER rate than what is normal for exchange when you buy things ( trying to screw ya over ). The other is the math isn't easy to figure sometimes even for the store owner, since they get used to US currency....ask what an item is in JA money & chances are it'll be lower than the US price.

Disregard the other answers suggesting travelers cheques....waste of time...you'll have more hassle changing them into cash than the safety purpose they serve.

Carry a small calculator with you. The exchange rate right now is 87-1, so do your division on items you wish to purchase. For example, the lady that does your hair wants J$2000 ...divide that by 87, and its roughly US$24, then you decide if its worth it

Henry Ev

Check the currency rates online because they obviously will change from time to time.

As far as I know though, the US dollar exchange rate is still higher.

Better be sure though!

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