Money at Sangster International (MBJ)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Montego Bay uses the JMD (J$). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly USD 25–40. USD accepted at airport; JMD in-country.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Sangster International (MBJ)?
Jamaica uses the JMD (J$). Airport ATMs dispense JMD directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from MBJ to the city cost?
Expected fare on the MBJ → Hip Strip route is roughly USD 25–40. Around USD 60+ is already high, and USD 80+ unofficial is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at MBJ?
10% is appreciated. Drivers in Jamaica don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at MBJ?
USD accepted at airport; JMD in-country. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of JMD notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at MBJ?
Only if you need $10–20 of JMD to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.