Quick answer. Most visitors leave Sangster on a prepaid resort transfer or with a licensed JUTA or JCAL taxi, priced in US dollars: roughly $15 to $25 to the Hip Strip and $80 to $120 to Negril or Ocho Rios. US dollars work at resorts and on tours, but change comes in Jamaican dollars at a poor rate, so for anything local take JMD from a bank machine. Scotiabank is Bank of America's Global ATM Alliance partner in Jamaica, which waives BoA's flat non-network fee; BoA's 3 percent international fee still applies and is never waived. The Knutsford Express coach is the cheap way to Kingston, Ocho Rios and Negril.
Where to get Jamaican dollars at MBJ
At MBJ, a bank machine in Jamaican dollars is the cheapest source of cash. Paying in US dollars is convenient but loses money on the change. Figures assume the equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank ATM with a Bank of America card | Arrivals and town | Network rate; BoA's flat fee waived, its 3% still applies | ~$103 |
| Bank ATM with a no-FX-fee card, in JMD | Arrivals | Network rate; small operator fee | ~$101-102 |
| Paying in US dollars and taking change in JMD | Taxis, markets, shops | Seller's rate, often 5-10% off | ~$105-110 |
| Exchange bureau | Arrivals | Wide spread | ~$105-110 |
Bank machines at Sangster (MBJ), and the taxi and transfer desks
Sangster handles most of Jamaica's tourists, landing from the US, Canada and the UK into a long arrivals hall lined with resort transfer desks, tour operators and licensed taxi counters. Bank machines from Scotiabank and NCB (National Commercial Bank) are in the public arrivals area. Scotiabank is the Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner in Jamaica, so a BoA debit card avoids BoA's flat non-network withdrawal fee at its machines; BoA's 3 percent international transaction fee still applies and is never waived. Withdraw Jamaican dollars, not US dollars, unless you need dollars for a specific tour. The exchange bureaus in arrivals give a poor rate. Our Montego Bay money guide covers the Hip Strip, route taxis and resort-versus-local prices.
Arrivals hall
American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, Air Canada, WestJet, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and charters
After customs, Scotiabank and NCB machines are in the public hall. Withdraw Jamaican dollars and decline any conversion offer. Resort and tour desks are on the same level.
Licensed taxi counters
JUTA and JCAL taxis and private transfers
Use the licensed counters or the ranks outside, not drivers who approach you in the hall. Fares to the main resort areas are fixed and posted, in US dollars; agree the total for your group before leaving.
Knutsford Express and the road out
Coaches to Kingston, Ocho Rios, Negril and other towns
The Knutsford Express terminal is in Montego Bay itself, a short taxi ride away. Tickets are sold online or at the terminal, priced in Jamaican dollars and payable by card.
Do you actually need cash at Montego Bay (MBJ)?
Not if your transfer is prepaid. For taxis and tips, US dollars work, but small JMD notes go further:
Licensed taxi to the Hip Strip (roughly $15-25): About 10 minutes; fixed fares, cash in US dollars common.
Resort transfer to Negril (roughly $80-120 per vehicle): About 1.5 hours; often prepaid with the hotel.
Resort transfer to Ocho Rios (roughly $90-130 per vehicle): About 1.5-2 hours along the north coast.
Knutsford Express coach (roughly JMD 2,500-4,500): From the Montego Bay terminal to Kingston, Ocho Rios or Negril.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Montego Bay (MBJ) to Montego Bay?
Not if your transfer is prepaid. Licensed taxis take US dollars in cash. Once in town, Jamaican dollars are better for route taxis, jerk stands, markets and tips outside the resorts.
Can I order Jamaican dollars before flying?
Not needed: US dollars are accepted for tourist services and a bank machine gives Jamaican dollars at the network rate. CEI Currency Exchange ships US dollars to a US address in 2-5 days if you are not American and want them in hand.
Should I use US dollars or Jamaican dollars in Montego Bay?
Both work in tourist areas, but Jamaican dollars are cheaper for anything local. Resorts, tours and transfers are priced in US dollars. Shops, route taxis, jerk stands and markets price in Jamaican dollars, and if you pay in US dollars the change comes back in Jamaican dollars at the seller's rate.
Which ATM at Montego Bay airport has no Bank of America fee?
Scotiabank. It is Bank of America's Global ATM Alliance partner in Jamaica, so BoA does not charge its flat non-network fee there. BoA's 3 percent international transaction fee still applies to the withdrawal and is never waived.
How much is a taxi from Montego Bay airport to Negril?
Roughly 80 to 120 US dollars per vehicle for a licensed taxi or private transfer, a drive of about 1.5 hours. Shared shuttles cost less per person. The Knutsford Express coach is cheaper again but leaves from its terminal in town.