Jamaica also suffers from occasional foreign exchange shortages, a poor internal transport infrastructure, and declining real income for the majority of the population, which limits the country's purchasing power. Top Exports Alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rum , coffee . Top Imports Machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, fuel, food, chemicals. Traveler's Checks Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars only can be exchanged at banks, exchange shops, wire transfer outlets, hotels, and international airports at tourist exchange rates, which can differ from place to place. They place a charge in the exchange.
Banks offer the best rate of exchange.
Hotels will usually offer 2 to 5 percent below the bank rate. Avoid black marketers at all cost , i.e., changing money on the street . Consult with banks about exchange rates. Cash, especially US dollars, can also be exchanged without a charge, but try to take only crisp and new notes, wrinkled and soiled notes are likely to be refused. Outside Kingston, try to carry a lot of small bills, several establishments may not have change for larger notes.