Money Exchange

[brewsells]

Alright, ladies. Help me out. Since we are going to Jamaica for the honeymoon I don't know what I should do. I know the majority of vendors accept American money. How should I handle this? Should I take some American, some Jamaican, all American, All Jamaican. SHould I get travelers cheques?? I haven't traveled out of the US before, so I don't know how to go about this...

[Kacie_bride]

I'm not to sure about the money exchange, but I do know I would defiantely get travelers checks. They are much safer.

[rainbowtreat]

I am not sure about Jamaca vendors. If they are street vendors will they be taking travelers checks? I would say take some though. And maybe a little cash to have on you. I would say get a little of their money. And it may be cheaper for you to exchange it here before you go. I would look into that. See how much they would give you for your dollar and see how much we would give you for it. It is owrth it to have a little bit of cash.

[LaceyinPgh]

If you have credit cards, don't take traveller's checks. It is a waste of time to get them. Use your Visa and pay it off with your traveller check money when you get home. Traveller's checks aren't safer. WIth your credit card you have fraud guarantees and it SHOULD require the same amount of identification. Your card will work with Jamacian currency. There will also be ATM's that you can withdrawl Jamacian money out of. But, those have higher international rates for withdrawl so call your bank and ask if they have a partner relationship with banks on the island to lessen the rate. Also, American Express gift cards work well to travel with. You can get those online. Heck, my grocery store sells them.

As for exchanging the money, I wouldn't. Those little exchange kiosks in the airports and hotels rip you off because they aren't always up to date. In touristy places like the Caribbean the American dollar spends about the same as the local currencey. Plus, any change you get back will be in the local currency. If you do insist on exchanging currency, contact a bank in the states or your banks partner in Jamacia to do so. The rates will be more update so you will be getting the highest value for your dollar and they won't have the percentage fees that those kiosks can charge you.

With the exception of the Euro the American Dollar is one of the most stable currencies in the world. You will go to few places in the Carribbean, Central America, Africa, ect that won't take your American money over the local currenecy.

[WebLady]

I would bring some cash and credit cards. We usually have some travelers checks when we travel. There is a risk of fraud with TC's and some ppl won't accept them because of that. But credit cards as well as cash can be stolen and would definitely be a pain in the arse if this happened on vacation.

Lacey mentioned American Express gift cards, I am sure other credit card carriers have these too. I know at least Visa does cause I've used them before.

But the furthest away from the US I've ever been was the Bahamas and everyone there took US cash or credit cards ;) We still had some of our travelers checks left when we came back, so we just traded them in at the bank.

[brewsells]

Thanks Ladies for your advice. My folks keep telling me I should exchange the majority of the money we are taking, but I didn't think it was neccesary. Thanks again.

[septemberbride06]

credit cards are probably what I would do.