Picture yourself soaking up the sun in Jamaica, while sipping on one of those tropical umbrella drinks…your vacation is ALMOST a reality! But, before you pack your bags for your all-inclusive vacation, let’s talk about how much money you need to bring with you.
You might not be sure how much cash you need to carry, especially since with the “all-inclusive” everything is already paid for.
So, how much money do you need to bring to a Jamaican all-inclusive? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, a good estimate is around $400-$1,000. This all depends on a variety of factors.
Keep on reading, as we go into all the little details that are necessary for you to fully enjoy your vacation.
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Do you Need to Bring Money to a Jamaican All-Inclusive Resort?
You’ve booked an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica, Big up yuhself (patois for congrats)! You’ve probably paid for everything upfront, so you may be wondering why you even need to bring money with you?
While most of the resorts have everything you need, you are going to want to have some cash with you.
Let’s look at a couple reasons why.
Tipping
While it’s not required, tipping in Jamaica can go a long way in making your stay more enjoyable. The staff at the resort work hard to make sure you have a great time, so it’s always appreciated to show a little gratitude.
Plus, it can help ensure you receive top-notch service throughout your stay. It is a good idea to, bring some small bills with you. You can show your gratitude your servers, bartenders, housekeeping staff, resort workers and anyone else who goes above and beyond to make your Jamaican vacation that more special.
Some Hotel Activities
for the most part, everything is included in your all-inclusive package. However, there are some Hotel activities, depending on the hotel, that might require payment. This can include some water sports, scuba diving and even the use of the spa.
Well, this can all be put on a credit card, having cash is a good option if you file doing one of these activities on the spur of the moment
Excursions and Off-Resort Activities
While some resorts may offer free excursions, many will charge an additional fee for off-site activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, or zip-lining.
You, may also want to experience the real Jamaica and venture off the resort to explore. Jamaica is a heavily cash-based system, so you might find some of the local shops or restaurants want to have credit card options. Having cash on hand, can make it easier to pay for some of these experiences that you will definitely want to have.
might also want to venture off the resort to explore the local area or try some authentic Jamaican cuisine. In these cases, having some cash on hand will make it easier to pay for these extra experiences.
Food
Yes, I mentioned it a while ago, but I had to create a section just for the food. While the all-inclusive options are impressive, if you are a real foodie, you will definitely want to go out and experience all the culinary options that Jamaica has to offer. Getting fresh fruits from a stall or authentic kind of jerk chicken, will all require you to have some cash on hand.
Souvenirs
This is going to be a trip of a lifetime and you are going to want to remember it with some really nice souvenirs. Whether it’s a cute t-shirt, a bottle of local rum, or a beautiful piece of artwork, there are plenty of things to buy in Jamaica.
Once again, many of the resorts have gift shops, that have all these things available. However, if you want a better deal or a wider selection, you will have to venture off the resort.
So, if you plan on doing any shopping, make sure to bring some cash with you.
As you can see, you will need some money when staying at a Jamaican all-inclusive resort, let us now look at how much cash you need to bring with you.
How Much Money to Bring With You To Your Jamaican Resort?
The amount of money you bring will depend on a few factors, such as how long you’ll be staying, what activities you plan on doing, if you’ll be leaving the resort and how much you plan on tipping.
Here’s a rough estimate of how much money you should plan on bringing:
- For a 3-4 day stay: $150-$250
- For a 5-7 day stay: $250-$500
- For a 7-10 day stay: $500-$1000
Of course, this is just a general guideline, and your actual expenses may be more or less depending on what you plan on doing.
To get a better idea of how much money to bring, consider creating a budget for your trip. This will help you estimate your expenses and avoid overspending.
To make things easier, here’s a table that breaks down the estimated costs for different expenses you might encounter during your stay:
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tipping | $1-$5 per person, per day |
| Off-site activities | $50-$200 per person, per activity |
| Souvenirs | $10-$50 per item |
| Transportation | $20-$50 round trip |
| Food and drinks not included in the all-inclusive package | $10-$50 per day |
Once again, remember, these are just estimates, so your actual expenses may vary.
However, having a rough idea of how much money to bring can help ensure you have a stress-free and enjoyable vacation in Jamaica.
Before You Go
So there you have it, everything you need to know about how much money to take to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica! Remember to bring some cash for tipping, off-site activities, and souvenirs. Keep in mind that the amount you’ll need can vary depending on your spending habits and travel plans.
Before you go, if you’re looking for more tips on budgeting for your Jamaican vacation, be sure to check out our article on ‘How Much Money to Bring to Jamaica,’ which goes into even more detail on this topic.
I hope you have a blast, soaking up the sun, sand, and vibes in my island home, the beautiful Jamaica!
