Coin shops in Ocho Rios Jamaica

I'm going to Jamaica in a couple of weeks and am staying at an all inclusive resort near Ocho Rios. Does anyone know of any coin dealers in the area? Thanks.

 

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yes, stop in New York

 

Florida?

 

Is it even recommended (safe) to leave the resort, unless you are on a guided tour?

 

I was in Ocho Rios one time about 10 years ago. Stopped in while on a cruise. It's a pretty city, but the locals can be overwhelming! It's a poor area, and they can surround you and block your way as they tray to sell their wares to you.

As I went from shop to shop, in the matter of about 50 feet, I was offered everything from drugs, prostitution, you name it.

Just keep your wits about you and stay with someone. The buddy system is highly recommended.

 

I too was there in the early 2000's. "Overwhelming locals" is a bit of an understatement.
I would strongly advise against coin shopping there. Two major reasons:
1. Finding a trustworthy dealer
2. If you find a nice coin, you would need an escort back to your resort.

Apologies if my opinion of Jamaica is harsh. I am an adventurous soul but leaving the resort was too much for me. Ask for directions...you get a hand out. Find a cab, someone flags it down...another hand out.
I had a guy trying to sell me a bong shaped like male genitals...and even then NO was a challenge to get the guy to accept.

That would have been quite a trip back through customs though. Heck it may have been worth it just for the stories back home!

 

I was in Jamaica this summer. My impression is more or less the same as everyone else's here. You will be treated like a $20 bill blowing down the street in Ocho Rios. I didn't see any coin dealers there or in Montego Bay. I would not say it was unsafe in the daytime; I used both local taxis and local transport (vans) without incident. If you have a trip in mind, choose between the high posted prices for official taxis that will be displayed in your resort, and negotiating a price with one of the drivers who will be hanging around outside the gates.

I really saw nothing of numismatic interest in either town, or in Falmouth which is a town between them often visited by cruise ships.

 

Having been on the island many times I can assure you that there's no coin shops.
Yes some of the higher jewery stores and shops you may find cobs or reales. But more so gem stones and watches.
As stated I've been on the island many times, Ocho Rios, Mo bay, Negril, up in the blue mountains, once took a train up the mountains across the island from Mo tego bay.
First let me tell you the Jamaican people are very warm and friendly....most are poor.... Like being in any other country other than yours....you are a guest.
That said you must be willing to accept local customs,foods,etc.
Like any where else on this planet or others...lol there's a.ways a chance of having an issue .
My main advice is look the locals in their eye, speak when spoken to, and understand these people know you have $$$$ how so well you're visiting the island they aren't visiting you!
If someone tries to sell you something if interested make a fair offer...they expect you to . If not interested just say.." I don't need that" or "it is very nice but I have no use....."
As long as respect is involved you'll have no worries long!
Jamaica is a beautiful country....enjoy the sights Dunne river falls, horse back riding on The beach or mountains.
As long as you respect you'll be fine....
The rum and coffee is some of the best the Caribbean has to offer. Appleton Rum,Blue Mountain coffee you will want to bring back home with you.
Taste everything offered....the fruits and food is alive with flavor.
The straw markets....well everyone should experience a Caribbean straw market.
Fun and very different then most have experienced.
If you never traveled in the Caribbean / Mexico before your in for a treat.
As everything is and will be a new learning experience.
Let see some images when you get back .......
The Jamaicans have a saying erie Mon means GOOD ,also SOON COME this is a time frame....lol and like the pace on the island SOON COME can be a few minutes or days.....you're on island time....enjoy.

Having made land fall on just about every rock in the Caribbean I can assure you Jamaica is far from the worse for locals being pushy. St.Lucia by far was a tad bit wild...
But again you're on their turf not yours.

 

a few images of the island and Ocho Rios

 

This last one well ......that was taken when " the Mother Ship " paid a visit lol

 

Either the Royal Princess or Regal Princess, I think ... I don't think the Majestic Princess (same class) has ever called there ... I agree with you on St. Lucia, there were parts of Castries I walked through where I did not feel safe.

I like Jamaica and am going back by cruise ship this spring and maybe by air this summer. But I know people who won't get off the ship there. I find that in general once you get a little bit away from the cruise port or the resort, it's a little less intense.

Again, I saw nothing of numismatic interest other than the circulating currency. Maybe there's something at the Central Bank in Kingston, where I've never been.

 

The ship in the image is the Grand Princess
Which I have sailed her, the Golden, and Caribbean princess many times.
I prefer by sail boat as in my youth I traveled all throughout the Caribbean.
These days I prefer comfort and convenience more so....the images posted above were a trip I won back in 2007.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I do plan to take a couple of excursions, Blue Hole/tubing combo and maybe the Luminous Lagoon, they will be thru reputable tour operators. As far as numismatics go Ill just go to an ATM and withdraw a little cash. I just like getting coins and currency from countries I visit. I've been to Cancun so I know what pushy people are like. When I was in Cancun visiting Tulum this guy kept pushing Cuban cigars on me. I don't smoke but the guy wouldn't leave me alone until I told him to eff off mainly cuz he was really creepy to begin with. I have also been to Punta Cans they weren't as pushy but when I went to Santo Domingo for a day tour a kid tried to panhandle us.

 

It used to be illegal to have (physical) Jamaican dollars outside of the country and to use other currencies within Jamaica - that was how they controlled the flow of hard currency. If you needed US$ or Dmarks or whatever to import something, you had to buy them - at auction - from the BoJ.

The current law just says all contracts must be in Jamaican dollars.

 

I'm not a fan of Cancun Mexico ,last March we passed on a vacation there as the wife's office pays for its employees,and the spouses pay for their expenses.
I've been all over the Yuctan, as well as the Baja .
Cancun is a mess...it's smells like sewage, even in the nicer areas.
I do love Mexico....Cancun isn't Mexico it's a money making corporate hole.

Another tid-bit on Jamaica don't be surprised to see has prices posted In hundreds of dollars! The Jamaican dollar is pretty much worthless. Gas stations post in Jamaican dollars....so to see a price of $900.00 @ gallon for petrol.
Again be smart and check the exchange rate daily.

Today's rate is 1 US $ = $127.04 Jamaican
This is why all the locals want U.S. dollars.

 

I stayed in Puerto Morelos is just south of Cancun. The first day you do smell the swamp but by the 3rd day you don't notice it anymore. I've been looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor for my resort in Jamaica and the #1 complaint is a musty smell. Your in the tropics of course its gonna get musty.

 

The resort above is an Riu It was new and the rooms were very nice.

 

The

The one in Ocho Rios?

 

Yes..... it is......

We also stayed at a Riu in Cancun.

 

One of the biggest problems for most travelers is that they fail to realize that we aren't in Kansas any longer Dorthy!
Somehow they leave their homes ,and country then expect that the place they are visiting to be just like home.
So many times I have heard or over heard a tourist go off over an issue that truly wasn't one.
As long as one remembers that we are guest and as such must play by a set of different rules.

Like the rule when using public transportation where you're sitting on a bus and a woman holding a pig under her arm sits next to you...