Jamaica - Money
Currency & Money
Jamaican Dollar (JMD; symbol J$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of J$1,000, 500, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of J$20, 10, 5 and 1, and 25, 10 and 1 cents.
Jamaican law requires that local currency be used when paying for all goods and services, though that law is followed very loosely and the US Dollar is accepted almost universally. To avoid confusion determine which dollar unit is being quoted in the price prior to any transaction being made.
Plastic is invaluable when travelling in Jamaica. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted as are other cards bearing the Cirrus or Plus logo. Most Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards and many banks give credit card cash advances.
Most Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards and can be found at the airports, in larger towns and in major hotels and resorts. However the island’s ATMs still have a reputation for unreliability and shouldn’t be relied on exclusively. Bank cards supported by Visa and Mastercard will work in most situations and the island’s Scotia Bank cashpoints are generally considered the most reliable. As a precaution it’s recommended that you use ATMs during business hours and avoid visiting them after dark. If a bank is open but the ATM isn’t functioning, many banks will give cash advances on a credit card.
Although the concept of traveller's cheques has become antiquated in recent years, thanks to Jamaica’s erratic ATMs, traveller’s cheques in US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Jamaica.
Mon-Thurs 0830-1700; Fri 0830-1600, with 24-hour ATMs in major cities and resort areas.
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 or equivalent must be declared.
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