Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Jamaica take card payments at check-in
My hostel in Port Antonio refused card and wanted cash in Jamaican dollars only. Luckily, I had withdrawn earlier at a Sagicor Bank ATM. Cards work more reliably at larger hotels, but hostels often avoid them to skip processing fees. If you’re aiming to dodge last-minute ATM runs, you’ll need at least some cash. While a few tourist-oriented hostels accept Visa or Mastercard, the majority will expect JMD notes upfront. Better to plan for cash and treat card as backup.
Jamaica isn’t the easiest place for card payments in hostels. In Montego Bay, one hostel had a working card machine, but at another, the machine was “down” all weekend. I ended up relying on NCB ATMs in Half Way Tree. My advice is don’t assume you can check in with card everywhere. For peace of mind, keep enough cash for the first few nights. Hostels vary widely, and you don’t want to get stuck finding an ATM late at night.
When I checked into a hostel in Negril, they flat out told me “cash only,” so I had to walk to the nearest Scotiabank ATM. In Kingston, however, my hostel accepted Mastercard with no issues. It really depends on location. Touristy areas like Ocho Rios are more likely to take cards, while rural hostels stick to cash. If you want to avoid scrambling for cash, plan to withdraw once early in your trip and keep small JMD bills ready.
Jamaica leans cash-heavy, and many hostels I tried in Kingston and Negril wanted Jamaican dollars upfront. At one hostel in Montego Bay, their card machine worked, but they added a 5% fee. ATMs from NCB and Scotiabank are common in cities, but machines occasionally run out of cash on weekends. To avoid last-minute ATM runs, I’d recommend carrying some cash in JMD, even if a few hostels accept cards. Card acceptance is hit-or-miss outside touristy zones.