Local produce,
handicrafts and
duty-free bargains are just some of the reasons to hit the shops. Jamaica is renowned for its fine hand-loomed fabrics, embroidery, silk screening, woodcarvings, oil paintings, sandal-making and woven raffia. There is also a popular Quaker-run
workshop specializing in wicker furniture, floor mats and other tropical furnishings at
Highgate Village in the mountains. At the In-
Craft center, it is also possible to buy custom-made rugs and reproductions of pewter and china from the 17th-century ruins of the ancient
submerged city of Port Royal.
Jamaican specialties include
rum and rum-related products, such as
Ian Sangsters Rum Cream. The island’s most famous produce market is
Coronation Market, Kingston. Other
markets:
Linstead Market, St Catherine;
Brownstown Market,
St Anne; the
Savanna-la-mar Market, Westmoreland; and the
Albert George Market, Falmouth. Also locally made and sold are
Pepper Jellies, jams, Blue Mountain coffee, hot sauces and spices.
So-called ‘in-bond’ shopping allows tourists to purchase international goods free of tax or duty. Goods are sealed (hence the ‘bond’) until away from Jamaican waters and must be paid for in Jamaican Dollars.
Shopping hours Mon-Fri 0800-1600; Sat 0800-1300. Some shops close half day Wednesday in Kingston, and Thursday on the rest of the island.
Currency Information:CurrencyJamaican 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.
Currency ExchangeExchange bureaux are located in airports, hotels, cruise ports and commercial banks. Hold onto receipts when changing money as black market exchange is illegal.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsPlastic is invaluable when traveling 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.
Traveller's ChequesTraveller's cheques in US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Jamaica.
Currency RestrictionsRestrictions apply.
Banking HoursMon-Thurs 0900-1400; Fri 0900-1200 and 1430-1700, with 24-hour ATMs in major cities and resort areas.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Jan 09 |
| £1.00= | J$124.97 |
| $1.00= | J$80.50 |
| €1.00= | J$107.59 |
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