For meals, transport, tips - whats the safe amount to carry in Jamaica ? Trying to plan a daily budget for a month long trip
I loved Jamaica but it wasn’t as cheap as I expected. In Ocho Rios, a plate of jerk chicken and rice at a tourist café was $18, while the same thing at a roadside stall was $6. Transport was mixed - route taxis were super affordable, just a couple bucks, but I once paid $35 for a short private ride. Tips add up too, usually 10%. On average I spent $60 per day, though beach bar nights pushed it higher. If you want to stay under $50, stick to local food and avoid private cabs.
Think of Jamaica as two choices: live like a local or go tourist style. Local meals $5-8, resort or tourist restaurants $20-25. Public transport $1-2, route taxis cheap, private taxis pricey ($30-40 for longer trips). Tips at restaurants are 10-15%. A safe daily figure for meals, transport, and tips is $50-60. That covers eating at smaller restaurants, route taxis for local travel, and tipping at sit-down spots. Days with excursions like Dunn’s River Falls will add $30-40 extra. For a long stay, sticking to local joints helps the budget.
When I did a month in Jamaica, I budgeted around $70 per day. Local meals were $5-8, but I often went for sit-down restaurants in Kingston or Montego Bay, which averaged $15-20 including drinks. Transportation was split between route taxis and the occasional chartered cab - $20-40 depending on distance. Tipping is common, 10-15%. If you plan to relax at all-inclusives, your daily cost jumps much higher. But if you want a balance of local food, a few tours, and some comfort, $70 daily is realistic.
Jamaica can eat into your wallet if you only stick to resorts, but living local is way cheaper. Street food like patties or jerk chicken from roadside stands is $2-4, and filling meals at small cafes are $6-8. Route taxis between towns cost about $1-3, though private taxis quickly jump to $20+. Tips are expected in restaurants, usually 10%. A backpacker can get by on $35-40 daily, especially if staying in guesthouses and eating local. Add extra for excursions like Blue Mountain hikes or rafting in Port Antonio.