I'm looking for a vacation destination for 8 adults and 2 kindergarten aged kids. I really like the sounds of Treasure Beach and am thinking that renting a large villa would be perfect. A couple people in the group are skeptical. They are wondering what to do after spending a couple of days drinking beer by the pool and sitting on the beach. (my answer was to spend a couple more days by the pool/beach) Are there any gift shops, etc? Is there an actual town to walk around and explore? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Dan

Dan look at the link above 'See it & Do It'

itīs not a town... donīt know why pple sometimes call it a town...
it is a fishing village with goats and chicken on the road, the children might love it...
and then of course you can make day trips, to Y.S. waterfalls, a boat tour where they might see dolphins, then up the river where they see crocodiles, fruit shopping in Black River market, etc...
that is what children love if they are not completely hooked on TV
Itīs a good idea to book a large villa ... ;-)

Hello Dan. Treasure Beach has wonderful shops and plenty to do right here in the village. Visit a local artist like Guilty, check out the new Treasure Hunt craft shop at the Treasure Beach Women's Group, stop by Mermaid Gallery or play pool at one of the local watering holes. If you want to be within easy walking distance to the central business area, check out the maps in 'Where to Stay' above and choose a villa in Frenchman's or Calabash Bay. Explore this website further and you will find countless ways to stay busy in our magical village.

Dan Just go with a friend that really wants to go. 8 people plus two kids is hard to please.Its laid back and Red stripes and the beach is the way to go.Locals are great.Walk down to Carols in Calabash bay and watch the fishermen come in and talk and drink with the locals.Been four times and love it.

Walking the village, chilling at the pool and beach would be the most relaxing part of your trip..for those needing more excitement I'd suggest what scotch bonnet suggests in this order with an addition or two...

YS FALLS

BLACK RIVER/DOLPHIN SIGHTING/PELICAN BAR combo boat tour (book with capt.Dennis 435-3779)

GUTS RIVER, MILK RIVER, MANATEE SIGHTING LIKKLE OCHI FOR LUNCH day trip (Treasure Tours can link you up for this one)

MIKARABEE ESTATES DAY TRIP (I've not done it but it looks pretty cool and their ad is now here on TB.net)

That is 4 full day adventures for your crew. Assuming a 7-10 vacation, with 2 travel days of arrival and departure day, no way you could do it all and have time to get bored (if you tried it all you may not have much time to relax either!)

Remember around TB there is alot to explore on foot/bike for nature lovers be sure to take the kids to Great Bay beach and check out the Pedro Bluff. Everyone usually spends at least part of their trip getting seafood/pizza/ice cream at Jack Spratt and the beach is right there to enjoy as well.

Tell your two skepical friends that there are other things to do other then relaxing at the beach are pool. Like the above poster said, just checkout the "See It Do IT' section of this website.
However, tell them that there is no other place in Jamaica that is as relaxing, and cool as TB. There is a reason why most tourists keep returning to TB year after year. My wife and I have been going to Jamaica for over 25 years, and have not founded another place as great as TB. They have the best relations between tourists and locals as any place in Jamaica !!!
And if you want an authentic Jamaican experience without all the hassle that you get in the more touristy areas, then TB is the place to go.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

There is not much to do.. it is just a chill out place where u can relax. Can check out some of the few places, but its more of a place to just sit back and relax and meet the locals and have a chat. Some people find it boring but if you can appreciate something different to upbeat lifestyles this is the place. Kids will love it once they are near the water. Its a beautiful place and the weather and ocean is great.

Your children will easily make friends with local children. The housekeeper in your villa will be certain to make introductions, assuming that's okay with you. Children's eyes open up in Treasure Beach when they find there is much more to enjoy than TV, video games and a host of scheduled activities.

You might want to plan a vacation in Treasure Beach where you have several days to do not much more than chill and be pampered - and several others that are full of activities.

Finding eight adults that want to do exactly the same thing for a solid week is kind of difficult. But what's the problem if half want to do one thing and the other half want to sit and drink Red Stripes?

For a group your size, I would suggest a big 4 or 5 BR villa with plenty of space for privacy for those who occasionally want to get away from the others. Look on Where to Stay to find the perfect place; then check some references.

Best of luck in finding your special paradise. We have.

"I would suggest a big 4 or 5 BR villa with plenty of space for privacy for those who occasionally want to get away from the others"

...or a setup like Sparkling Waters which has separate 2BR villas (there are 3), with two different pools and hangout areas. I did this in Nov with 6 adults and 4 kids and it worked out really well...we always ate dinner together, some of us ate breakfast together, I was in the "grownup" villa so we retreated there when we were ready for a break from our friends' kids....I went out a few times - boat trip, afternoon in great Bay,some shopping - but the other two families were very happy to stay at the villa and do the pool and beach and games and hang out.

....and we all still talk about the food., It was the best.

Good idea, Ohliz. A BIG place like Rainbow Tree (5 bedrooms and on 5+ acres) could also fit the bill. They even have several separate eating and verandah areas. Also the way it is built provides lots of quiet and privacy.

Thanks for all the great advice. Now I'll just have to see if the rest of my gang is convinced.

Dan...be very careful. My wife and I spent our honeymoon at Jake's and fell in love with Treasure Beach. We actually became friends with a few workers who work here on Cape Cod seasonally. We couldn't wait to go back, so 4 years later we rented the 2 villas at Blue Marlin, and went with 5 couples and 6 kids ranging in age from 1 to 5. The Blue Marlin (and Coquina) are beautiful, and Sally and her sisters took great care of us, with their wonderful cooking. The problem was that one couple hated every minute they were there, and made things miserable for the rest of us. Another couple had fun, but were overly cautious with everything they(and their one year old) did. The rest of us had such an amazing time that we still talk about it, and wonder when we could make it back there. Really think about who is going, and whether they really are a good fit for TB. It is not for everyone. For those that want to go where you become part of the mix and don't want to be in a generic vacation spot, TB will make you feel at home in a different way. It is a special place, so leave the impatient and uptight people at home and enjoy a little slice of heaven. Be well, Steve

Years ago, I was considering organising personalised tours. I offered two couples who where staying in an upscale house in Westmorland a free day tour to TB. I get to be host and learn some of the ropes of the art.

A little voice told me to pay attention when I saw the careful nail polish and the designer slippers. Sure enough, we barely got to Congo's bar/social spot when the whining started.

The bugs, the Dreads. Their first taste of Yard; TB style.

They departed promising a feedback letter. Still looking for it.

My kids missed TV and socialising with their Kingston crew. They made friends anyway and talk lovingly of those times nowadays.

I wear nail polish which is carefully applied to both my fingernails and toenails. I LOVE Treasure Beach. I don't whine.

The only point is not to make generalizations.