FAQ | Treasure Beach (2023)

Is Treasure Beach for me?

Home to community tourism, Treasure Beach is a perfect destination for anyone looking for a laid-back, laid-back community, with lots of cool spots along the Caribbean Sea, hammocks in the shade, and friendly people who are always willing to “reason” (chat) with a new mind.

We are an alternative to the 'typical' tourist bustle.

What is the feel of the area?

The Lonely Planet guide to Jamaica tells us how

“...a gem for travelers looking for the unimaginable. You won't find a more authentically charming and relaxing place in Jamaica. Treasure Beach is the general name given to four bays - Billy's Bay, Frenchman's Bay, Calabash Bay and Great Bay - which stretch for miles... their rocky headlands romantically separate lone dark coral sands.

it's safe?

We're a small town, and like anywhere else in the world, that means we have a lower crime rate than larger cities. It's okay to walk the streets day or night, and passing locals usually offer a friendly greeting.

However, that doesn't mean to be careless. Use the same precautions you would wherever you travel. Lock the doors when you leave, don't show a big pile of bills while paying a small bill, don't invite strangers in, if there's a safe on your property, use it, etc.

Your housekeeper or carer can be a good source of information and advice if you have specific questions.

How do I get there from Montego Bay?

When leaving the airport, enter the roundabout. Take the 3rd exit on the left of the roundabout and continue to the end of the road. At the T turn left. This will take you to Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip' where you will pass many duty free shops, restaurants, hotels, etc.

Continue straight on this road until you reach the first traffic light. At this traffic light, turn right past Kentucky Fried Chicken. Continue on this road straight ahead, passing through three more traffic lights. Turn left at the 4th traffic light. Continue to the end of this road, pass a large shopping center on the right and turn right at the traffic lights at the end of the road.

After turning right, continue through three sets of traffic lights. Turn left at the fourth set of lights which will take you to Long Hill. Do not follow signs to Negril.

Passing a large orange grove on the right, cross a bridge and reach a road on the left. KEEP RIGHT on Savannah La Mar. Do not go towards Bethel City.
Continue through Haddo and head to Whithorn. At Whithorn you will turn right towards Ferris Cross. You will descend a good sized hill with a beautiful view of the cane fields on the right. At the bottom of the hill, keep straight and don't turn right. Continue until you reach a T in the road at Ferris Cross and turn left towards Black River.
Continue through Belmont, Whitehouse and into St. Elizabeth's Parish. Keep right at the roundabout towards Rio Preto.

Upon reaching Rio Negro, turn left on the one-way street and then take the first street on the right. You will stroll through the market. Keep right and eventually come to another T. Turn left and cross the bridge. Take the 3rd right at the sign for Jack Sprat restaurant which is about 3-4 miles out of town and from there the signs are good to direct you to Treasure Beach.

The trick is to stop and ask lots of questions, and when you ask, ask for directions to the next town on the map. Many people don't drive and may not know how to get to Treasure Beach, but they will know how to get to the next town.

Good luck and drive left!

How do I drive there from Kingston?

Upon exiting the airport, you will almost immediately come to a roundabout (roundabout). Stay to the left and it will lead you to a path. At the end of the hallway you'll take a left again. Stay on this main road following signs for Spanish Town and Mandeville for a while. You will pass several traffic lights and intersections, but continue straight ahead. You will come to a toll road which will be signposted for Mandeville. Go this way. You exit the highway on the right. After leaving the motorway you will come to a roundabout. Take the second left at the roundabout and follow signs for Mandeville. This will take you to the next highway. You will travel on this highway for around 16 kilometers before reaching the tollbooth. Eventually, the highway will join the "old road". From here the roads are well signposted and we continue towards Mandeville.

Continue on highway past Mandeville towards Spur Tree Hill. When you get to Gutters, there will be a Texaco station on your right and a turn to Junction, St. Elizabeth on your left. Turn left (it's well signposted). Follow this road for a few kilometers. You will pass under a bridge (train tracks), then look for the Alpart sign on your left, which indicates the right turn. Turn right towards Alpart. Upon reaching the T of the road, turn left. Pass through Alpart and enter the Nain area. You will come to an intersection. Just go straight through the intersection and continue towards Junction City.

How is the weather?

85F (30C), sunny with a light east breeze. Same as yesterday, same as tomorrow.

Although the above statement is true 90% of the time:

April/May and September/October are commonly known as the rainy season
June through November is hurricane season.
October/November and April/May can offer calmer sea conditions
The weather is unpredictable

You can find up-to-date information on the Weather Channel website.

When is hurricane season?

The official hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. We recommend that you take extra care to obtain travel insurance when booking flights during this time, in case travel plans are disrupted by a storm. Before you leave, you can check the Weather Channel's tropical update for potential future storms.

How is the beach?

Scattered along six miles of coastline are sandy beaches, private coves and rocky coastlines conducive to long walks. (Be sure to bring proper beach shoes.)

There are four public beaches suitable for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing. Depending on sea conditions and time of year, waves can vary from 15 centimeters to 1.80 meters. The sea on the south coast tends to be rougher than on the north coast.

“The fact that its beaches tend to be less extensive than those of other island resorts is more than compensated for by the fact that they are also almost deserted”

- American way

What is snorkeling/diving like?

Snorkeling here offers an array of colorful fish and coral reefs to explore, though professional divers might find them a little off-putting.

Please note that snorkeling is subject to sea conditions. Ask at your villa for good spots, but if the sea is rough there won't be any good snorkeling spots.

There are no wetsuits on Treasure Beach. The closest licensed operators are in Negril and Montego Bay.

How's the food?

There is something for everyone here. Fresh seafood is our specialty, but everything from Jamaican fare to burgers, pizza and award-winning fine dining is available.

Prices range from $6 to $35 per meal with an average price around $10. Red Stripes are about $2.00 to $3.00 and mixed drinks are $4.00. The average price for a bottle of good Jamaican rum is around $12 in a supermarket.

How is the drinking water?

Safe for consumption. The vast majority of Treasure Beach is connected to the national water supply, which is chlorinated for safety. If you are still hesitant about drinking water, bottled water is available in most stores.

A reminder: this area is aptly named the Costa Deserta and records the least amount of rainfall on the entire island. We ask that you keep this in mind and help us to preserve this valuable resource.

What currency is used and where can I exchange it?

The Jamaican dollar is the official currency. Click here for the current exchange rate and quick reference guide.

Other commonly exchanged currencies are the US Dollar, Canadian Dollar, British Pound and Euro. Other currencies are frustrating and can be difficult, if not impossible, to exchange.

You can exchange money at the airport, banks and Cambios (official exchange offices). Some places in Treasure Beach change money - ask your nearest accommodation.
Credit cards are not widely accepted, and only a few restaurants and attractions honor them. However, you can get a Visa or MasterCard cash advance from most banks, but not AMEX or Discover.

There is an ATM at Kingfisher Plaza connected to the Multilink network and an ATM at Jack Sprat connected to the Cirrus network. The next closest ATMs are in Black River (30 minutes drive) or Southfield (20 minutes drive). There is a machine near the arrivals check-in area at Montego Bay Airport. It is connected to the Cirrus network and can provide VISA and MasterCard advances. All local ATMs dispense only Jamaican currency.

The nearest banks are Scotia Bank and Sagicor in Black River. Its hours are approximately Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm.

Any taxes I should be aware of?

There is a 16.5% GCT (General Consumption Tax) on all goods and most services. However, most companies include the tax in their prices.

An advice;

Businesses here have come to appreciate the American habit of tipping. Some places add a fixed percentage to the bill, which is usually noted.

The rule for staff deposit on a villa is 15% of the villa price.

What about the vendors and jihadists?

Since all the beaches here are public, no one is forbidden to walk along them. This means that some people use them as places of business. You will likely be contacted by one of these sellers and asked to see their products.

If you are interested, take a look and good deal. If you don't feel like shopping, let them know. A friendly but firm "No thanks" is usually enough, but you may need to be just as persistent as they are.

How do I get around?

You have a few options here. Most of Treasure Beach is accessible on foot, with bike or scooter rentals. For longer journeys, taxis, public transport, car hire or tour operators can take you there.

Check out our Activities page for more information on transport options and where to go.

What is the dress code?

Overall, relaxed and comfortable is the fashion statement here. In a shop or restaurant, shoes and shirts are usually appreciated, but nowhere is a jacket and tie required.

At the beach, the swimsuit is the obvious choice. Most Jamaicans frown on nude bathing, so we urge you to avoid it or find somewhere very private.

And the insects?

Because it's a tropical island, we have bugs. However, our constant breeze and dry climate, unlike the more humid areas of the island, help to control the population.

That said, we recommend bringing bug spray.

What nightlife is available?

There are many bars and restaurants to choose from, some of which have music, dancing, billiards, dominoes, etc. There are always occasional street dances. How do you learn about them? If you stay within a kilometer radius, you can't miss it. Stay tuned or ask an employee where you live. Check the events calendar to find out what's happening while you're here.

But maybe the best activity is sitting on the front porch, looking at the stars, thinking about all the things you don't have to do tomorrow.

"...a remote, sleepy Jamaican town where hangouts are the order of the day."

- American way

And the marijuana?

Ganja is found all over Jamaica and Treasure Beach is no exception. However, not everyone deals with TB or approves of it. However, it can be easily purchased. But keep in mind that although the laws have been relaxed recently, it is still illegal to own ganja. Possession of less than 2 ounces is considered a misdemeanor not on the permanent criminal record. We recommend that if you drink, do so in non-public areas.

And the cigarettes?

It is illegal to smoke cigarettes in all public places, including restaurants and bars. Most accommodations also restrict smoking indoors. Best advice - take it out.

What language is used?

The Queen's English is the official language of Jamaica. It is taught in schools and used in any formal gathering. The everyday language though is called terraces, from the French word for dialect. It's English, Spanish, French and Afrikaans all rolled into one and it feels like a colorful, fluid language that's pleasant to listen to – but sometimes challenging to understand.

How do I call/fax/email Treasure Beach?

Contact your mobile operator if you bring your phone to find out about roaming charges for international use. Digicel and Flow, our two local mobile operators, offer a card for purchase for JA$1,250 which provides a total of 660 Digicel minutes and 800 minutes to send calls to any mobile/landline in America, Canada, China, Hong Kong ( Digicel only) and India and landlines in England and Spain. Most have a Digicel or Flow phone here that you can borrow to make international calls. Or just ask to pay off a phone card and borrow someone else's cell phone so you can put credit on the phone and make your call.

Most accommodations offer free Wi-Fi. The BREDS office at Kingfisher Plaza offers an internet cafe and fax services.

Can I rent a cell phone in Jamaica?

There are some people who can rent a phone for you. Ask where you live and they'll likely be able to help you.

Is high speed Internet available at Treasure Beach?

High Speed Access is now available on Treasure Beach. Please check with your specific accommodation as many now offer this. The average speed is 4MB – 8MB.

What about medical care?

Jamaica is a developing nation. Consistent with this is the level of medical care available. Be sure to bring any medications, especially prescription drugs, that you think you'll need while you're here.
In emergency:

Dr. Elliott has office hours at Crossroads (15 minutes drive) on Mondays from 8:00 am. at 15:00, Wednesday, at 13:00. – 5 pm, Friday, 8 am - At 3 am. and Saturday at - At 3:00. 876-545-6217.
The nearest private hospital is Hargreaves Memorial Hospital, an hour away in Mandeville. 876-962-2040.
Most accommodations have a doctor you can call in an emergency.
It is worthless, there are no poisonous snakes, insects, etc., and no rabies on the island. There are some insects with painful stings, such as scorpions, 40 feet, and nettles, but they are rare.

What kind of electricity is used?

110V, 50Hz with North American tripod plug. The only difference between JA and US/Canada is the frequency, so any device (except watches) will work.

Europeans should bring an adapter (hard to find here) to convert.