Many tourists ask if they should use Jamaican dollars or United States dollars when in Jamaica. The answer, as explained below, is that it depends on a number of factors. Where you stay and where you shop (where you spend your money) are the two most important factors.

Jamaican Currency First, the official currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar. Jamaican bills (banknotes) come in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 dollars. Jamaican coins come in 1, 5, 10, and 20 dollar denominations (older coins, which currently have no real value but are still legal, come in denominations of 1, 10, and 25 Jamaican cents).

For more information on Jamaican bills (banknotes) see:

http://www.boj.org.jm/currency/curren...

For more information on Jamaican coins see:

http://www.boj.org.jm/currency/curren...

General Second, most places in Jamaica, but not all, related to the tourist industry will accept both Jamaican dollars and United States dollars. Places that are not related to the tourist industry often will only accept Jamaican dollars. You need to ask yourself where are you staying in Jamaica and where will you spend money.

Third, places that are located away from the major tourist areas, not in or near Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, etc., will more often than not use only Jamaican dollars. However, most places, even in remote areas of the island, related to the tourist industry will often accept both Jamaican and United States dollars.

All Inclusive Resort Are you staying at an all inclusive resort? If yes then you will see that all prices at the resort will be in US dollars, for example for such things as tours and spa services, and you should pay in US dollars.

Large Non Inclusive Resort Are you staying at a large hotel which is not all inclusive? If yes then you will see all prices at the hotel in US dollars, for example for such things as meals, drinks, tours, and spa services, and you should pay in US dollars.

Small Non Inclusive Resort Are you staying at a very small hotel, bed and breakfast, etc.? If yes then prices may be in either currency. Contact the hotel to find out which currency they use for room charges plus food and drink, if offered. The smaller and more 'Jamaican' the hotel the more common it is for a small hotel to use Jamaican dollars. Check the exchange rate and use the currency with the lowest cost (in most cases this will be Jamaican dollars). Only a very small percentage of small hotels accept only Jamaican dollars.

Shops, Bars, etc. Are you at a bar, vendor stall, shop, etc. that sells mainly to tourists? If yes then prices will probably be stated in US dollars and you should consider paying in US dollars. However, if a such a bar, vendor stall, or shop will also accept Jamaican dollars you will often get a poor exchange rate when using US dollars. In many cases one will pay 15 percent more to use US dollars. Remember that each bar, vendor, shop, etc. can set its own exchange rate. Do the conversion yourself and use the best currency.

Are you at a bar, vendor stall, shop, supermarket, etc. that sells mainly to Jamaicans (except for places like supermarkets, these are not common in most of the major tourist areas)? If yes then you should note the currency being used from the prices on signs, or tags on shelves, or on labels on the items being sold or you should ask which currency they use. They may take one or the other or both currencies. However, if a such a bar, vendor stall, or shop will accept US dollars it is often at a poor exchange rate. In many cases one will pay 15 percent more to use US dollars. Remember that each bar, vendor, shop, etc. can set its own exchange rate. Do the conversion yourself and use the best currency.

If you stay at a large all inclusive resort and do not leave the grounds except to go to the airport to return home then only take US dollars. If you stay at a small bed and breakfast and eat, drink, shop, etc. in true Jamaican shops then plan on using only Jamaican dollars. For the majority of travelers only US dollars are required. For most of the rest of tourists to Jamaica, mainly US dollars will be used with a minority of purchases made in Jamaican dollars. Only a small percentage of travelers will need to exchange large amounts of foreign currency into Jamaican dollars.

Change Note that by Jamaican law change may always be made in Jamaican dollars. Many hotels and shops do not give change in US dollars or any other foreign currency. If you pay in US dollars it is best to pay the exact amount or to use $US1 or $US5 bills (banknotes). If you pay in any currency other than Jamaican dollars and the change is given in Jamaican dollars the hotel or shop will set the exchange rate.

Not From US Tourists who normally use a currency other than the US dollar at home should see the following table. In using the table below you first need to determining if you will be spending Jamaican dollars or US dollars when in Jamaica by reading the sections above. Second, you need to ask if your normal (home) currency is highly convertible or not. Some of the highly convertible currencies are: Euro, British pound, and Canadian dollar while most others currencies are not highly convertible in Jamaica.

Some, but not all, of the larger hotels and some, but not all, up scale shops will also accept selected highly convertible currencies for large purchases (for example your entire hotel bill or a solid gold Rolex watch). Few if any small shops or small hotels will accept currencies which are not highly convertible (currencies other than the British pound, Euro, Canadian dollar, or US dollar).