money exchange
 

We are arriving in Montego Bay this thursday around 6:00 pm. Is there any place to exchange American $$$$ that late in the day?

You can use your American currency in Mobay.

Figuring 1 hour max to clear customs , you should be able to exchange at better-than-airport rates at SuperPlus supermarket in Bogue (next to the KFC).
US currency accepted everywhere (tho you'll have probs with US$20s -- and don't bring anything larger);your change will always be in Jamaican dollars. US$1s and 5s come in real handy.

I'm not sure if this works the same way it does in France, but I have found getting cash out of the local ATM's has provided me with the best exchange rate. They don't charge or at least don't charge much of a fee like some physical exchange places.

I know you will need some cash on your trip, however as a flight attendent that travels everywhere, you will get the best eachange rate if you use your credit card. I then suggest for cash use an ATM, then bank, last choice is the airport and hotel. You won't get the best exchange rate that way

U.S. ATM cards may not work in many Jamaican ATMs. If you need to change a few dollars, you can easily do it at your hotel, but the truth is you don't really need to exchange any money unless you are going into areas of hte island that are more or less untouched by tourism. You can easily pay with U.S. dollars.

Most all Jamaican ATMs, even those out in the country like Black River, WILL accept MasterCard and VISA for cash
advances in US dollars. Rates will vary wildly, but not significantly enough to go trampoosing around to find the best rate.. Banking is a pain on island -- both in terms of lines and hours of operation. Go to SuperPlus and get it done with on arrival day.

Doug's advice is incorrect. While US dollars are accepted everywhere, most places outside the cities and resortlands, rarely have change for even a Jamaican $1000 bill/about US$17 -let alone a US$20. You'll find a small cache of US$1 and US$5 bills very handy.

Correction: All island ATMs will pump out JAMAICAN dollars, not US, for MasterCard and VISA advances.

I've never had trouble using my ATM card in Jamaica, unless the ATM was out of cash which can happen occasionally.

Most do give J'can $$ but there is at least one now in Negril that gives US$.

I use JA$ whenever possible, except we bring quite a few $1s and $5s since even J'can small bills are hard to come by.

Tiv is exactly right about large bills - useless. And credit cards are accepted some places but not as many as you might think, we've stayed in more than one Negril hotel that didn't take them, and very few local restaurants or craft stalls take them, though the tourist shops and hotel restaurants often do.

PS: the airport exchange rate is AWFUL - I wouldn't change anything there, just wiat until the next day and use US for your taxi or whatever you need that night.