Money, Budget, and Shopping for Jamaica

Money

Currency

Currency: Jamaican dollar (100 cents).

Banknotes: 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 J$.

Coins: 1, 10, and 25 cents + 1, 5, 10, and 20 J$.

Exchange:

The Jamaican dollar has been the official currency of Jamaica since 1969, replacing the Jamaican pound that was previously in use.

Exchange

There are no major issues when exchanging the main currencies. Exchange bureaus can be easily found at ports and airports, in most banks, hotels, and many tourist spots. However, always check the rates offered, as they are not always the best at airports or hotels. ATMs are also widely available across the country, and most banks have them.

Which currency to bring

While the official currency is the Jamaican dollar, in tourist areas the US dollar is also widely used, sometimes even for higher prices than in the local currency. Therefore, it can be useful to compare prices when dealing with certain amounts. This means it’s a good idea to have both currencies for expenses, with Jamaican dollars obtained from euros. After all, if you’re exchanging cash for local currency, it’s better to do so directly from euros to limit fees rather than first converting to US dollars. The same applies to Canadians. In short, for cash, you can bring a mix of your own currency and US dollars.

Payment methods

Card payments are widely accepted on the island, as is cash in either US or Jamaican dollars. Note that, as is often the case, paying in US dollars may result in change being given in Jamaican currency. When using cards, be mindful of bank fees if you make too many small purchases or withdrawals.

Returning home

The Jamaican dollar is not easily exchangeable at good rates outside the country. The simplest option is to end your trip with mostly US dollars, which you can always use or exchange easily for another trip if you have any left.

Budget

Jamaica is an expensive destination, with tourism geared toward the luxury market, especially for beach resorts and all-inclusive stays, particularly during high season (mid-December to mid-April). In these cases, budgets and costs can be similar to, if not higher than, those in France or Quebec. However, by traveling "local" and budgeting for two people, you can expect to manage on a daily budget of around 50–70 € (65–90 US$).

What can be expensive

Staying in beach resorts for extended periods, especially in high season.

Organized excursions from hotels and all additional extras.

What can be affordable

Eating and traveling "local"

Price range

Double room in a "local" hotel: around 30–35 US$ for a basic option.

Double room in a "tourist" hotel:

Meal in a "local" restaurant: under 10 US$.

Meal in a "tourist" restaurant: expect at least 15–20 US$.

Budget car rental: around 40 US$ per day.

One hour in a "local" minibus: 1–2 US$ for 50 km.

One hour in an express/comfort bus: around 7–8 US$ for 50 km.

Urban taxi:

Bargaining and tipping

Bargaining

Rather than bargaining in the strict sense, negotiation is about ensuring you pay a "normal" price—or close to it—since tourists are often charged a bit more. So, if no price is displayed for a product or service, ask and negotiate if needed, ideally after checking the standard rate. For taxis, for example, always agree on the price before setting off.

Tipping

A 10% tip is generally expected in restaurants and hotels. However, some restaurants automatically include a 10–15% service charge in the bill, and some all-inclusive hotels have a "no-tipping policy." For taxis, tipping is not mandatory.