I apologize for asking again. I want accurate info so I know what to expect. What can I expect? Walking to stores for groceries etc.? What about using travelers checks in TB? Are they universally ( or generally) accepted? How much can I expect to find within walking distance as far as groceries are concerned? What about fresh fish from the beach and fresh fruits/vegetables either from stands, stores, or "donkey ladies"? What days?

You sound like I did my first trip! Walking to the stores is easy. The roads aren't busy just watch for the few cars. Very safe place to walk. The walk from ItalRest is about 10 minutes down the lane lines with a few houses and up the road to the right. The store is at the end of the beach, there is no sign but it's a brown block building. People will stop and talk to you just to say HI. Travlers checks can be cashed at most of the guest houses or at Jack Sprats. As for fresh fish, you can go to the beach in the mornings and buy from the fisherman. The little bar at the great bay beach, next to the grocery is where we hang out with the fisherman. If you miss out that day, just tell them you'd like some the next and they'll save you some. There is a fruit truck that comes buy a few times a week and sells fruits and veggies by the pound. I do not know what days exactly but ask anyone and they can let you know. He usually makes his rounds at all of the guesthouses so you'll see him. The grocery store in Great Bay is basic, mostly dry goods but there are great snacks and soups and stuff like that to buy there. They have some ice cream too. There is a new supermarket up the road from Treasure Beach you can get to by cab, they have everything there. http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z97/jeannie_brim/ THis is my link to some photos. The blue and yellow building is Bev's Chicken. This is the place across from Sea Crab, which also sells some food items and beer. If you have any questions feel free to email me. I love sharing my trip experiances!

What days in Jan. are you visiting? We are leaving treasure beach Jan 4th.

narv, I'm not sure where you will be staying but there is plenty of fresh food-fruits from Junior's bamboo stand and the food van comes around. There is also Black River Market.All the fish is fresh from the sea,unlike what most of us abroad get. You definitely don't need traveler's check, but an atm/abm/bank car will be helpful so you don't have to carry lots of cash. A small sum of cash is helpful to start out.Changing $$$ in TB doesn't get the best exchange. Other than that get there, relax and enjoy, no worries!!!

Travelers checks are difficult or impossible to use at almost any of the small stores in TB and none of the street vendors or fishermen or donkey ladies will take them. Cash is king, and US is the preferred currency. Have small bills handy as many people cannot make change for anything larger than a 20 US. Foreign coins even from the US are useless in Jamaica.

A bank or cambio will change your travelers checks. Make sure they are from a recognizable source such as American Express, etc.

You worry way too much. I would suggest that you change some money to J dollars to make things easier. Depending where you are staying will determine if you are walking distance from a larger grocery store or just one of the many small convenience stores in the area. Cook shops are everywhere, fish can be had on most of the beaches. Fruit and veggies can be found at Junior's or just flag down a passing farmer's truck. Best bet is to just ask someone. We have been going to Treasure Beach for 10 years, walk everywhere,and have never gone hungry. Just sit back, relax and enjoy. No worries mon.

DO NOT bring a bank card to TB. There are no banks there to use. The nearest bank is in Black River. American Express TC's can be change at most upscale places like Jake's, Sunset Beach Resort, Jack Spratts. Best to have a combination of US dollars, Jamaican dollars, and Traveller Checks.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Travelers checks are accepted everywhere as they are just as good as cash. You will need to put an i.d. number on the back like your passport number, sign it in the presence of the person you are giving it to and that is it.

If you take a boat tour up the Black River, or any other tours, you can ask your driver to stop at an ATM to use your bank card, so I would say take it with you in case you need or want extra cash.

Narv, share with us where you are staying and then people will be able to give you a better idea of what is available in the bay that you are staying in.
I only use a bank card for my travels to TB. oh and some Canadian cash. Carrying large amounts of cash is never a good idea no matter what country you are in. Travellers cheques can be a bit of a hassel, but you can cash them at Jakes - don't forget your passport when you are cashing them.
In the past I used the bank machine at CrossRoads, not a hassel at all. Having said that in Sept. and October that machine was out of order. I wonder if it is working yet? Can anyone shead some light on that?

two cents:
Staying at Ital Rest on Great Bay