Dollars? Rupees? Yuan? Baht? Riyals? Euros? Pounds?
What is your local currency called and what is it worth?

The local currency in Jamaica is called the Jamaican Dollar (JMD).

The currency of Jamaica comes in a variety of paper bills and coins. Coins come 10 cents, 50 cents, and 1-5-10-20 dollar coins (yes, coins!). Paper bills start at the 50 dollar amount, and go up to $5,000!

For a current exchange rate visit xe.com

What do Jamaican  Dollars look like? Check out these pictures below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCESSING YOUR MONEY ABROAD:

Overall, keep in mind that you’ll want to have cash, and that many small stores and stands do not accept credit or debit cards. Do not depend soley on credit and/or debit cards as your sole source of money while in Jamaica! Credit cards and debit cards are accepted at most hotels, resorts, and most larger shops. Many smaller shops, craft markets, etc. do not accept credit cards or debit cards (cash only). Cards with the VISA and MasterCard logo are accepted at the greatest number of locations. American Express cards are accepted at most larger hotels/resorts and a limited number of shops (mainly larger and more upscale shops). Other brands of credit and debit cards, for example Discover cards, are not widely accepted in Jamaica.

You can bring US dollars and/or travelers checks. In Jamaica the best places to exchange money are banks, cambios, and hotels/resorts. Money can also be exchanged at the airports in Montegeo Bay and in Kingston (both in the arrival and departure areas). Banks, cambios, and most larger hotels/resorts will exchange US dollars. The exchange rate will be different between banks, hotels/resorts, stores, etc.

For using your debit or credit card to withdraw cash, most banks in cities such as Kingston and Montego Bay have 24-hour ATMs in secure booths. You are, however, given Jamaican dollars — not U.S. dollars — at these machines. Always try to use ATMs during regular business hours!  Muggings of visitors who use ATMs at night is a concern.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USING YOUR DEBIT CARD ABROAD:

Using ATM cards enables you to access your own personal bank account from any ATM machine around the world. Check with your bank to make sure you can use your card in Jamaica, and ask how effective it will be.  Please ask your bank about their fees associated with international transactions, they may charge you anywhere from $5.00 to $7.00 per transaction, and that adds up!

Additionally, don’t forget to inform your bank that you will be abroad! Give them your dates, and all the countries you anticipate traveling to. It is not uncommon to be cut off from your bank account after using your card abroad, even after giving them forewarning. If this happens, don’t panic! Banks do this to protect their clients, and we should be grateful! If this happens to you, you just need to contact your bank to ensure them that you are in possession of your card and that you need to have access to your account while you are abroad.

In order to withdraw cash from an ATM using a debit or credit card, you must have a 4-digit pin. While you’re most likely very familiar with your debit PIN, you might not know a PIN for your credit card. Be sure to ask before you travel, banks will not release this information over the phone, via text, through an email or in any other way than to mail your PIN to the mailing address associated with your account.