Money & Payments in Montego Bay (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Montego Bay ATMs are available but unreliable—use them during business hours and don't rely exclusively on them. Scotia Bank ATMs are the most dependable option.
Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels and established restaurants, but cash is essential for local shops, markets, and street vendors. Small independent businesses rarely take credit cards.
Tipping in Montego Bay is customary in tourist areas but not obligatory. Many restaurants include a 10-15% service charge automatically—check your bill before adding an additional tip.
Small US dollar bills (USD 1s and 5s) are useful for tipping; however, Jamaican dollars are often more appreciated by local workers, especially outside resorts.
Airport ATMs and currency exchanges offer worse rates than ATMs elsewhere in town. Withdraw cash in-town if possible.
Always inform your bank in advance that you'll be traveling to Jamaica, as they may block international transactions as a fraud precaution.
Some all-inclusive resorts (Sandals, Beaches) have strict no-tipping policies—staff can be disciplined for accepting tips. Always check with your resort's concierge first.
Never tip with US coins; they cannot be exchanged in Jamaica and are essentially worthless to the recipient.

ATM Access

Safety Tip: Use ATMs during business hours and avoid them after dark.
Best Option: Scotia Bank ATMs are generally considered the most reliable.
Availability: ATMs are available in Montego Bay and major towns, including at the airport, hotels, and resorts.
Currency Options: Some ATMs dispense only Jamaican dollars, some only US dollars, and some offer both—you must specify which currency you want.
Transaction Fees: Expect international transaction fees (typically USD 5-7 per withdrawal). ATM exchange rates are generally better than airport or hotel exchanges.
Reliability Warning: ATMs have a reputation for unreliability and should not be relied on exclusively.

Tipping Norms

Tipping Status: Customary in tourist areas; appreciated but not obligatory.

Tour Guides

Standard Tip: 10-15% of tour cost
Private Guide: USD 20-50 depending on length and quality

Taxi Drivers

Suggested Amount: 5% or simply round to the next significant amount
Standard Practice: Rounding up the fare is customary; tipping is not required but appreciated.

Bars And Drinks

Craft Cocktails: Consider a larger tip for skilled bartenders
Standard Approach: USD 1-2 per drink or round up the bill

Currency For Tipping

Both Accepted: Yes
Note: Both USD and JMD are accepted. USD is standard at resorts and tourist restaurants; JMD is preferred by local service workers as they can use it immediately.

Restaurants And Cafes

Standard Tip Percent: 10-15%
Exception: Check if service charge (10-15%) is already included in the bill. If included, additional tipping is not expected unless service was exceptional.
Higher Service Tip: 15-20% for exceptionally good service

Hotels And Accommodation

Housekeeping: $0.00
USD 1-2 per day (or approximately J$160-320), left daily, not at checkout
Bellhop Porter: $0.00
USD 1-2 per bag
Front Desk Concierge: $0.00
USD 5-10 for special arrangements
Resort All Inclusive Policy: Many all-inclusives include gratuities; however, most staff will accept additional tips for exceptional service. Some properties (e.g., Sandals and Beaches) have strict no-tipping policies—confirm at your resort.

Card Acceptance

Where Accepted: Large hotels, established restaurants, and tourist-oriented businesses. Smaller shops, local restaurants, and craft stalls typically require cash only.
Key Note: Many smaller businesses and independent vendors accept cash only.

Not Recommended

Diners Club
Discover

Widely Accepted

Visa
Mastercard

Limited Acceptance

American Express

Banking

Overview: Expats can open current or savings accounts in Jamaica. Process requires in-person visit to a branch and substantial documentation. Account opening can be time-consuming.
Minimum Balance: Varies by bank; Jamaica National J$ account requires approximately 2,500 JMD to avoid fees
Processing Notes: Applications typically made in-person; customer service and processing times can be slower than Western standards. Non-residents may need notarized documents or use consular certification.

Documentation Required

Two valid government-issued forms of identification (one must be a passport for non-residents)
Proof of address (recent utility bill or tenancy agreement)
Letter of employment (with employer name, address, job title, salary)
Tax identification number (TRN for local residents; tax ID from country of residence for foreigners)
References: names, addresses, phone numbers, and occupations of two people who have known applicant for 2+ years (not bank employees or closely related to bank employees)

Major Banks In Jamaica

National Commercial Bank (NCB)
Branches
Nationwide including Montego Bay
Account Opening Notes
Offers online and in-branch account opening for residents and non-residents
Scotiabank Jamaica
Branches
35 branches across Jamaica including Montego Bay
Employers
Over 2,000 staff
Established
Since 1889
Sagicor Bank
Branches
16 branches throughout Jamaica
Account Opening Notes
Offers online savings account opening
CIBC First Caribbean
Branches
58 branches across the Caribbean
Services
Retail banking, corporate banking, credit cards, investment banking

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Montego Bay

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Montego Bay