I have been wanting to come to TB for a long time. I've been to Jamaica before but to Negril. Now I want to experience a more real Jamaica. I love the people & the music.

My travel agent will not book me a trip to anywhere other than what is in her "official book" telling me that anywhere else is "dangerous". From everything I have seen & read of TB it does not seem "dangerous" but very laid back & friendly.

Shall I blow off my travel agents advice & come here anyway? (this is what I feel, I guess I'm just looking for someone to validate my feeling) She tells us horror stories of people being drugged, robbed etc. when they stay anywhere off the beaten path.

Hi Rastamama,
I have, in the past, vacationed at many of the all inclusive places around the country. I also once spent a week riding a motorcycle from parish to parish. Jamaica is a wonderful country and, like all countries, there is good and bad.

Treasure Beach is definitely the good. (I think it is the best!) Good folks, beautiful beaches, quiet nights. Very safe. The path to TB is, in fact, quite beaten down. But it is not the carnival that is Negril.

Personally, I will vacation no where else. If I'm lucky, I hope to move there someday.

Feel free to e-mail,
Tom&Vanessa

Well, I'll add my two cents here. In four years time, I have been to Jamaica 10 times and have spent the equivalent of 6 months there altogether. Eight of those trips were to Treasure Beach.

Like you, my first trip was to "official" Montego Bay. Luckily, a friend recommended Treasure Beach and now I don't go anywhere else. Once getting over my initial fears (created by those trying to convince me that Jamaica is dangerous), I have traveled all over the island. I hate to think of all that I would have missed if I hadn't found the courage to venture out.

My opinion is that Treasure Beach is one of the LAST places you would have to worry about your safety. It is a family oriented community of wonderful people who have been nothing but helpful, friendly and welcoming to me. I am proud to call them my friends and many are now my family!

My advice to anyone traveling outside of their own country is the same - be humble, be respectful of the rights of others and be accomodating of the potential differences in culture and you will have no problems. My experiences in Jamaica have given me a whole new perspective of my own culture, and it's not always a flattering one. I've learned a lot.

Treasure Beach is my heaven on earth. I say, blow off your travel agent, book your own flight and arrange accomodations through this website. You will be taken care of, you can count on it!

Take a leap of faith Rastamama!

Why would your travel agent refer you to a place (TB)that he/she isn't making any money off of!?!

The heck with the travel agent- buy your airline tickets online, and just go for it.

Those same horror stories can be told about New York city, but people still go there! :o)

While one should always be cautious wherever you travel, I'd say your travel agent is in the wrong line of work. Parts of Kingston, Spanishtown, and MoBay should be avoided (not all, just parts). The wise traveler leaves their jewelry at home, doesn't flash large wads of money and doesn't buy drugs from strangers. This advice is not only good in Chicago, New York, etc. but in Jamaica too. Treasure Beach may be too "quiet" for some, but dangerous it isn't.

ye, DO blow off your travel agent´s advice...............you will not regret....

I´d say it´s more dangerous in Negril and where all the tourists are, than in TB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trust your gut and can your TA.
Treasure Beach is still the antithesis of Negril.
Direct your agent to this site or the Virtual Tour/google keyword search under 'treasure beach, jamaica'. She needs enlightenment. Send her here.
But first come yourself...

One last question for all of you who answered me (or anyone new)-the places that appealed to me to stay are Jakes Place & Ital Rest (depending on my$ at the time). Have any of you stayed at either & if so have any comments on them?
Thanks a bunch!

Just do it! You're guaranteed to meet some wonderful people!

I've been to TB 5 times and NEVER feel unsafe.

Treasure Beach is lovely and very safe. Fire your travel agent ! You can book your room & transportation to and from the airport right on this site. You can book your own air on another site.

Rastamama:

The first thing to know is that Jakes and Ital Rest are almost at the polar opposites of the accomodations spectrum.

While both are clean and safe, Ital Rest is quite remote and more rustic. Jakes is in the middle of things (although there aren't that many things to be in the middle of :-) and has a lot more ammenities to offer.

Both are great, just geared towards different tastes.

-Eric

Eric-I thank you & everyone else who has convinced me that TB is a place I will love & want to come back to many times. I loved Negril but it left me wanting something more-something more real. It's funny that you mentioned the difference between Ital Rest & Jakes. I've read about & looked at both of them & what can I say-they both appeal to my "split personality". I am a native of Chicago who is energized everytime I visit home but I now reside in CO where I love the the solitude of a rustic cabin in the mountains or camping. Go figure. Jakes sounds wonderful because it sounds funky & fun but the pictures of Ital Rest make me want to sit on the porch of that thatched roof rustic place & just drink rum & watch the sea (& get an herbal massage from Shirley). So the outcome is I think we will have to spend 1/2 a week at both :-) thanks again for everyone's input!

I have stayed at Irie Rest & Vikings house, I would recommend both places.

While at Vikiings I did tour Ital Rest. The rooms, verandas and grounds are quite nice. It is rustic (no current, mosquito netting over beds) but looks to be very clean, safe & comfortable.

I just checked with the folks at Ital Rest and they now have mosquito netting over all their double beds in their cottages. There are two rooms which have a single bed in addition to the double bed and those single beds do not have netting over them.

I didn't get bit by ONE mesquito (or any other bug for that matter) the whole time I was there!

Open up a window on both sides of wherever you stay, and let the wind keep pushin' em thru! LOL

:o)

And to clarify...when Nurse ratchet said 'No current...', (s)he meant that there is no electricity (called "current" in Jamaica)

-Eric

I first came to Treasure Beach in the mid 80s, and was there most recently in August 03. I love it there. Sure, it has gotten "faster" but no where near the hustle and bustle of other areas, & this is what I love. There are wonderful people who live there. Go. You'll not regret it.

ital rest is a very fine place,a little bit outside,but when you stay there you feel like in family.thomas(vienna)

Ital Rest is "a little bit outside" but I would feel VERY safe there.

Rastamama:

Both places are very nice - my preference is Jake's for your first time to Treasure Beach.

It has the 'rootsey' look, and the laid back atmosphere plus the modern amenities that we need on holiday without getting too modern! E.G. hot water, good food, air conditioning if it gets too hot, and there is mosquito netting over all the beds. Jake's is good too as it is more central and next to Jack Sprat (part of Jake's) and you can have another menu for lunch/dinner over there (seafood and great pizza...) The staff at both places are lovely, I just think for a first time trip to T. Beach - try Jake's now - and Ital Rest the next time :-)

Re: Mosquitoes.

I was in TB a few weeks ago and my feet and lower legs were covered with bites. Funny thing was, no one else was getting bitten. Not sure if it was mosquitoes, ants, fleas???
Anyway, one person may get off bite-free, but someone sitting right next to them may be a feast for the little buggers.
I am still de-toxing from all the Deet I used. Imagine sleeping in your socks in Jamaica?!?!?

BUT! I have also been in TB other times and come home with hardly an itch. Hope this is the case for you.

My husband and I have been to Jamaica many times. The last 2 times we stayed at Lyric in Treasure Beach. It was idyllic for us but the best part was meeting the people and going to TB church. We always felt very safe. Please say hello to Polly Reid and Lancel Graham for us. We look forward to seeing them again some day. Fire your travel agent.

I agree - you should definitely fire the travel agent. I also have stayed in the "Tourist traps" e.g. Mo Bay, Ochi, Negril - But I have to say I love Treasure Beach. It is a beautiful place and the people are so friendly. I am counting the days down until I go back in May!!!!

Ital Rest is my favorite place in Jamaica! My wife and I have been all over the island - including the all inclusives, Negril, Ochos Rios, etc... Nothing is more romantic and peaceful than Ital Rest. Jean and the gang are great - they really make you feel like part of the family. Lack of electricity is not a problem - as their are lot's of candles (my wife thinks it's more romantic). If I could, I would retire there - it's heavan on earth. The Beaches are very private and close. I would not suggest Jake's - too expensive, for what you get - and kind of trendy and busy - not as "authentic" as Ital Rest. I can't wait to go back again.

Eric from NY...

Eric from Ny, you convince me that Ital Rest is the place. Now all I have to do is talk my husband into the no electricity thing. I'm telling him we like to go camping here in the states, in a tent, so what is the difference? We don't have electricity in our tent either & at Ital at least you have a cabin & a bed to sleep in! I'm with your wife, it sounds romantic to me. I hope I win this one :-)

At Ital Rest, get an upstairs room. The upstairs catches a breeze a little better than downstairs.

Rastamama,

Don't worry about "no electricity". They provide lots of candles at Ital Rest. We also bring a little flashlight/lantern along. There is electric at the bar at Ital Rest - we use it to recharge our digital camera, iPod, etc... There is nothing quite like sitting on the front porch of Ital Rest, listening to the chorus of treefrogs. I'm missing it just thinking about it.

The level of privacy, as well as the view from the front porch at Ital Rest can not be beat. I've also found that the beaches in front of Ital Rest are very private - you basically can have your own beach. At Jakes, that would not be the case - as it is in a slightly more populated area ("Downtown"). If you stay at Ital Rest, try to take the hike up to "Back Seaside" - especially if you like hiking and camping - the view is absolutely breathtaking.

Take my advice - I've been to Jamaica lots of times - and Ital Rest is my absolute favorite. They also provide a kitchen for your use, with coolers (they provide the ice) and cooking utensils. The Genus's (owners) and their family are very warm - and really make you feel like part of the family.
Another plus of this part of Treasure Beach is the complete lack of hagglers - you don't get pressured to buy stuff from the vendors. Not that it is so bad downtown, but they are there. Of course, nowhere in TB will you find the level of begging and haggling that you find in Negril.

My wife adds - make sure you get a massage and herbal steam bath from Shirly - she if famous on the Island for this, better than any in Negril, Ochos Rios, etc.

Check out my pictures on this site (Eric From NY) - they will give you a taste of the beauty all around Ital Rest.

Respect,
Eric

you might want check out Blue Marlin in great bay close enough to TB to go when you want to but also peacefull and serene. the web site is:
bluemarlinvillas.com

Reply to : "Should I come to T.B."
Re. safety: very honest folks (not the double standard: tourist & native pricing), note the many Churches which indicates an acceptance of some moral code.
Negril (wife & I visited in 2000)lot's of hawking on beach so that a strole is "running the gaunlet".
To visit T.B., I hope you enjoy reading and/or doing art, or getting high on the scenery. You'll save enough coming to T.B. to come again, as opposed to one visit to the tourist spots on Jamaica.

thank you very much rebecca for the oilbarrel-we will paint it soon-surprise!
axel&andrea

Thank you all for your wonderful advice. You'll be glad to know I have taken it (especially Eric from NY) & made reservations for Ital Rest & can't wait even though I have a very long wait until Jan '05.

Does anyone reading this board from the US have a clue on how to get cheap airline tickets? I've been on line trying alot but they keep coming up $700. - $800.00 a ticket which I don't know if we can do. I'm afraid the name your own price ones would get you to Mo Bay past midnight or worse yet the next morning. So if anyone knows some trick I don't know please let me know. Thanks!

If you search for airfare too far in advance, you'll always get higher fares.

There's a 3 month window, up until about 2 weeks prior to your anticipated departure, that the good fares come in. Its like: the left over seats of the plane that they just want to fill with a warm body.

I dont know when you were planning on leaving, but if its after July, your best bet is to wait a little while before booking.

Also, my travel agent told me that if you go online at midnight (shortly after), all the airlines post their discounted fares. So, at like 12:10-:15 am, is the ultimate time to search on say, travelocity, or hotwire, etc.

I know it's tough to wait until the last minute for things as important as airfare, but this is one of those cases that ya just gotta!

Always remember after you make your resevations keep checking the price right up until you leave and if they are lower you should be refunded the difference in the ticket price Alot of people do not know this Treasure Beach is great been twice and going back the end Of Jan for 10 days Enjoy

I'm planning a five day trip to Jamaica and am seriously considering a private villa in TB. I'm going to celebrate turning 30 with 3 of my best friends. Would it be a bad idea for four women to stay in a villa alone? Is the scenery at TB beautiful? I read some reviews that said the water was polluted with dead fish, trash and nets. Is this true? I know that some people are never happy no matter what, and I'm hoping thats the case with TB. I'm looking for a place to enjoy nature and cold drinks!

Staying in a villa can give you more space, more privacy -- it's your home where you call your own shots -- plus, perhaps a better entre into the real lives of Jamaicans, since you bond quickly to your staff who are attuned to your concerns, questions and comfort -- and helping you understand Jamaica -- a new culture. Villa, guesthouse, boutique hotel -- you'll find that true anywhere you stay in tb. A rare thing. But often more immediate with a villa stay. Besides beachcombing and blissing out, simply walking down a countryroad here is a panacea to 24/7 hurry-hurry life. The landscape can be green, can be sere. Much like Kenya.
Savannah, lowland forest, rainforest and mountain terrain are all within 40 minute radius. From Backseaside, Pedro Bluff and Great Bay to Fort Charles, each area is subtly different. You'll see dolphin off the coast of many villas, pelicans, seabirds.Definitely bring your camera, if not an open mind's eye. You should, however,
plan on a week at least ... Not only to enjoy Treasure Beach and St.Elizabeth , but also because most villas are one-week minimum rentals in Winter High Season (15 Dec-15 April), sometimes fewer nights in Summer/Fall Low Season.

As a woman who travels alone, I can recommend TB. Occasionally I recived persistant offers of attention; however, I never felt threatened or in danger, even late at night. Everyone was open, interested and friendly.

This is for the Girlsweekout who are planning a trip to TB.I would just say go and see for your selves but, at the same time do not forget that Tb is still recovering from Ivan, that terrible huricane.
Florida a rich State is so far behind in their recovery compare to TB a little quaint fishing village with crystal clear waters,friendly natives and humble nice places to stay.If there are dead fishes as you mentioned then you better not venture to Michigan and some other States where the beaches are covered with same.
Personally I have never seen that in TB but, like I say after the hurricane anything is possible and that is mother nature doing her thing.
Please go, Have Fun enjoy the sun and tropical breeze and drink to you hearts content.
There are nice places to go for drinks and dinner so when you go ask for Rebecca she can help to guide you along the way also some of the nice people of TB .

HI I NEED HELP FIND MY FRIEN VHAT LIVE IN TREASURE BEACH SOMEBODY HELP ME?MY CONTACT JACCOBART@CENTRUM.CZ

I visited TB alone last August and felt much safer than I do in the Florida city in which I live. I was able to walk at night as well. I can't wait to roundup some girlfriends to go back with me, but I would be happy to go alone again for a personal retreat as well.

My 1st trip to TB was solo. I stayed at Irie Rest. Lennie & Pauline took wonderful care of me. I found people in the area to be friendly, kind & helpful. I used to go next door to Skip's to have a cold strip & play the poker machines. (I'd never go in to a bar alone in the states). I never felt unsafe.

I took route taxi's to black river. The 1st driver was not going that far. He took the time to wait and make sure I got in the right taxi.

In Black River some ladies selling produce out side the shops sat me down in one of their chairs while I waited for a route taxi. They also made sure I got in to the right taxi back to TB.

The people in St.Bess are the absolute best.

You can say that again Nurse Ratchet!

My first trip to JAMAICA was solo to TB, though I did have a friend in Great Bay who had invited me to come. I rented a room from my friend's aunt and had a great time.

I've since been back to Jamaica 6 times. ALL to Treasure Beach. I have made so many friends there, I can't bear the thought of going somewhere else!

Forget the travel agents. Book a flight to mobay on line, hire a driver thru TB.net, rent a room/cottage/villa same way.
You won't regret it.

Hello... Im planing to visit TB with my girlfriend in march. We want to stay as cheap as possible... are there any campsites etc? Please send mail with idéas... I've been trying to find something for ages now... thanks

There are lots of inexpensive rooms to be found in TB (check where to stay on this site).

I believe Ital Rest offers camp sites.