Hey everybody!

A friend and I will be coming to Treasure Beach at the end of January to spend 5 weeks soaking up the culture. I'd love any advice or contacts anyone has to offer. We're both really laid back travellers from NY, I've been a few places, but I think I'm most excited about this adventure. In the past 2 years I've visited or revisited Portland OR, Vancouver BC, Tennessee, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, London, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Mazatlan MX. Before my last trip I was living and working on a commune. I'm a recent grad really interested in community and utopian ideals...and that's taking me straight to Treasure Beach. We're trying to do this trip on a dime, so any advice about saving money would be appreciated. How much should we really expect to spend just to live simply? Also, we need to get to TB from the airport in Montego Bay. What's the cheapest easiest way to hire a driver? THANKS so much, hopepfully I'll meet some of you!

All love,
Jenna

The cheapest way to get to TB is by public transport. Get the bus from Mobay to Sav-la-mar, transfer to a bus/route taxi for Black River, from Black River get a route taxi to TB($25USD). That's the cheapest and typical way that most Jamaicans travel as most people don't have cars. The quickest most convenient and expensive way is to hire a private taxi($100~$125 USD/one way).
While in TB definitely have breakfast @Morris', new spot Pardies, and the Coffee Shop. Check out dinners @ South Jammin and some of the local cook shops. Saturday morning M&D Grocery(located @ the hill after Calabash Bay going in the direction of Frenchman Bay) has great conch soup and jerk chicken. Can't forget Junior's bamboo fruit stand next to South Jammin for fresh blended juices and healthy filling delicious peanut porridge-sounds a little different, trust me it's delicious! A little pricier for meals are Jack Sprats(pizza & ice cream), Treasure Beach Hotel for traditional Jamaican breakfast and lunch-their pool is also available for a daily fee. Of course, Little Ochie for outstanding seafood dinners and lunches and Floyd's Pelican Bar- be sure to have the boat captain make prior arrrangement for food if you'd like to eat @ Pelican Bar. Ocean Breeze Restaurant & Hotel 876-965-6000 located near Lover's Leap has great food but be sure to make reservations and eat outside on the balcony so you can soak up the breezes and view of the Caribbean Sea. Go to Milk River Bath(Clarendon) for a therapeutic radioactive bath and continue along that road(by car) to Farquahar Beach(you'll know it because the road ends there, the rest of it was washed away by Hurricane Ivan) where there are lots of seafood cookshops and you may hire a boat to take you to Alligator Hole River and Milk River where the rivers meet the Sea, there is the most incredible black sand beach which is uninhabitated and has spectacular shells-this takes you out onto the sea so expect quite a ride- I wouldn't recommend this if you're not adventureous. You can also do this trip by boat from Alligator Pond/Little Ochie. Jamaica is a country where negotiation of prices is expected just don't be insultive and you can usually get a favorable price and maybe a friend.The Shallow Bar is new and looks like a great time(I haven't been on it yet but will definitely check it next year. Visit this site's banner of where to stay, eat & play for lots more! Enjoy your trip!!! I'm sooo longing to be back in TB. Everyone in TB is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful; so speak with folks and they will also help you out during your stay.

Hi Jenna,

Please check your email as I sent you some info on TB.

-Mike.H

jenna

i too have sent you an email, with some info

one love
de

Sent you one too

Hi there. My wife qan I are coming to TB for a month in February. We live in Maine in the U.S. and can't wait to escape the the ice and cold. I'm grateful for the suggestions in the first answer in this thread an if anyone has other tips for a first timer in TB, I'd be thankful and love to get them. Hope to meet some of you and make new friends soon.

Hey Togus - I see you are from Maine. My wife and I live in Franklin County, western Maine. We have visited TB on two occasions and plan another in late '08. This morning, we had 4 degrees at 6;30. Anyway, my suggestion would include mixing in with the locals. TB folks are very kind and helpful people. We stayed at Jakes both times. Great food there. Just up the street from Jakes, you will find the best jerk pork around, on Friday and Saturday only. TB is a very relaxing atmosphere, with plenty to do, or just do nothing. Stopping by Dougies Bar is a must. It's at Jakes. So, enjoy your stay. I can't believe you're staying for a whole month. I'm jealous.

Channel 6/Portland would sure appreciate pix from you Mainers away in TB with a crossbar or kingfish or dorado or marlin on their
Friday 'Big Ole Fish' segment. Bettah than ice-pond caught pickrel, for sure ;)