Money in Jamaica

Old Jan 29th, 2015, 04:48 AM
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Money in Jamaica

This seems like a simple question, but I'm not finding anything on a search and I haven't traveled in the Caribbean for years. .

We'll be at the new Hyatt Zilara resort (all inclusive) for four nights. Obviously everything there will be covered or charged to our credit card. I'm not sure if we'll even leave the resort, unless we do a day tour or hire a driver or rent a car for one day. Will we need any Jamaican cash at all? We've been told to take lots of US singles for tips at the resort, which always used to go against my grain, preferring to tip in local cash, but I guess US dollars really are preferred there.

So I'm mainly asking, should we get maybe $50 (US) just for any incidentals? ATM at the airport?
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 06:06 AM
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You could get some local currency, but everyone will take US dollars and many prefer that, even for tips. I've never actually gotten Jamaican currency in 6-plus trips, and I've even received change in US dollars in almost all cases.
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 06:18 AM
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Thanks, Doug. I know that's true in the resort, but if we're in town and buy something small -- are US dollars OK or should we get some Jamaican ones?
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 06:29 AM
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US currency is fine. Bring low denominations so you don't have to get change back. I have traveled to Mexico and the Caribbean over the last 15 years and have never used anything but US money. And, I have never used a credit card except to pre-book excursions/tours prior to arrival.
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 06:34 AM
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I do think you'll find a few local shops where US dollars won't be accepted, but they are rare, especially in tourist areas.

If you were doing a stay at a non-AI resort, then I'd say definitely yes exchange some money. But you aren't likely to need any at an AI resort. And you may or may not wish to go into MoBay. If you end up going to one of the big shopping centers near your hotel, then all the stores will take US dollars. If you take a tour, your admissions will be included and, again, the tourist attractions will all take US dollars.

If you want to exchange money, I'd actually just take $40 or $50 and exchange it rather than using an ATM. Sometimes they are blocked because there's a lot of ATM fraud in Jamaica, though I think that's less a problem now that it used to be.
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 07:20 AM
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Neo - The Hyatt Zilera is the former Ritz Carlton.I had considered going there on a few separate occasions. Let us know what you think of it after you return.
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 07:32 AM
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The first reports have been kind of horrible. They delayed opening from November to December, cancelling lots of people's trips. And there is still apparently a lot of construction going on and many "opening" glitches. Hopefully in a couple more weeks it will be much better.

I'm still a little confused as to what part was the Ritz Carlton and what part is all newly built. There are two sections -- the Ziva which is for families and the Zilara which is supposedly adults only. But most of the restaurants are in the Ziva part where the Zilara people can go, while the "kids" are supposedly not allowed at the Zilara part.

It will be my first experience ever at an all inclusive, in fact really my first full experience as any real "resort" rather than just a hotel. So I'm going with an open mind. It was just too good a deal to pass up -- being half price as a prebooked opening special.
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 09:15 AM
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I stayed in Negril & was not at an all-inclusive resort, just a regular hotel. I used only Jamaican for everything (except the shuttle ride to and from Montego Bay, that was USD).

I got JMD by exchanging cash-for-cash at a 'cambio' and by using a bank ATM (same as I would in Mexico to get peso).
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 09:25 AM
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The Ritz-Carlton was a gigantic, 3-sided hotel complex surrounding an expansive courtyard, and that seems to be intact. It looks to me as if they've more than doubled the area of the original resort (or perhaps incorporated an adjacent resort into the complex). And they've definitely improved the beach, which is all man-made and was pretty horrible before.
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Old Jan 30th, 2015, 09:26 AM
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NeoPatrick, I hope you will come back for at least a small trip report on your return. The Hyatt is within about 20 minutes of the airport, which makes it an ideal location for a quick trip to Jamaica. Or a longer one.

We've been all over the Caribbean and we rarely use the local currency. You'll sometimes get change in the local currency, however, so take lots of smaller denominations if you decide to use US dollars.
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Old Jan 30th, 2015, 09:35 AM
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Yes, Doug, from some blogs I've been reading, apparently the old Ritz Carlton complex is now the Ziva family resort (387 roooms). The new buildings are all part of the new Zilara adults only resort (234 rooms). There are some facilities sort of between the two, and most of the restaurants are open to both resorts. There are two restaurants, a very large pool, a bar or two, and some other facilities which are strictly on the Zilara (adult side) and off limits to those under 18.

Actually the reports on the beach itself still aren't very good, but after living for many years a couple blocks from the gorgeous Naples, Florida beach, that really doesn't mean that much to me. I do enjoy beach walking, however, and I'm curious if we'll be able to go very far on the actual beach.
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Old Jan 30th, 2015, 10:47 AM
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I stayed at the Iberostar a few years ago, and it has a similar set-up, with three resorts side by side, some sharing facilities. The set-up works just fine, and the beach at the Iberostar is also man-made and adequate but by no means as spectacular as anything you'd find in Naples. The Ritz-Carlton never had a great beach, and while the rooms were lovely it didn't have much of an island feel. I hope Hyatt does better with the property. It was beautiful.
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Old Aug 12th, 2016, 06:30 AM
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WE have a wedding invitation for November 2016. I need to do some planning.

The invite suggests Porgy Hotel, Paradise Inn, Bonnie View Plantation Hotel and Rio Vista Restor.

The wedding is at Frenchman's Cove Resort. That will be my first choice for lodging if I do go.

My family is concerned unsafe.
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Old Aug 12th, 2016, 07:27 PM
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joethebear: Do you have a question? If so, you'd do better to start a new thread of your own -- NeoPatrick's is more than 1.5 years old and about different properties/money.
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Old Aug 13th, 2016, 06:31 AM
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Ok will do!
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Old Aug 13th, 2016, 07:08 AM
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joethebear, Looks like the places you are asking about are in Port Antonio, if that will help with your research. As I mentioned for Patrick I've only ever stayed in Negril but have been there 3 times and loved each trip. Jamaica is a very beautiful island. I answered on your new thread.
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