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FAQ & LINKS Need further information? Have questions? Need some more
facts? Peruse these Frequently Asked Questions which feature a variety of questions
and answers. If you still want more information, post your questions on
the Forum or check out
our links to related web sites. 
Treasure Beach FAQ:
| Q: |
Is
Treasure Beach for me? |
| A: |
Treasure Beach
is a perfect destination for people looking for a quiet, peaceful community
with plenty of cool-out spots along the ocean, hammocks in the shade, and
friendly people always willing to 'reason' (chat) with a new mind.
If you are looking for jet skis, para-sailing, SCUBA diving, night clubs,
and discos, then we are not where you want to go. And that's fine. Negril,
Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay have all of that you can handle. |
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| Q: |
What
is the feel of the area? |
| A: |
The Lonely Planet
Guide to Jamaica describes us as "...a gem for travelers in search
of the off-beat. You won’t find a more authentically charming and relaxing
place in Jamaica. Treasure Beach is the generic name given to four coves–
Billy's Bay, Frenchman's Bay, Calabash Bay, and Great Bay —that stretch
for several miles…their rocky headlands separate romantically lonesome,
dark coral-coloured sand beaches." |
| Q: |
Is
it safe? |
| A: |
We are a small
town and like anywhere else in the world that means we have a lower crime
rate than the bigger cities. It is OK to walk the streets day or night and
passing residents will usually offer a friendly greeting. Because safety
is an important concern of our residents, we are active participants in
an island-wide Neighborhood
Watch program.
However, this does not mean to be careless. Use the same precautions
you would anywhere you are traveling. Lock your doors when you leave,
don't flash a large wad of bills while paying for a small tab, do not
invite strangers into your place, etc.
Your housekeeper or caretaker can be a good source of information and
advice if you have any specific questions. |
| Q: |
How
do I drive there from Montego Bay? |
| A: |
The best way to do it is to get a good map --the one sold at any Esso Station is the best-- and ask a lot of questions. [NOTE: Not all names listed below are marked along the road.]
When you leave out of the airport enter the round-about. Take the 3rd left exit out of the round-about and continue to the end of the road. At the T take a left. This will put you on the 'Hip Strip' of Montego Bay where you will pass lots of duty free shops, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Continue straight on this road until you come to the first set of lights. At this set of lights, take a right passing by Kentucky Fried Chicken. Continue on this road straight through three more sets of lights. At the 4th set of lights take a left. Continue to the end of this road passing a large shopping center on the right and take a right at the end of the road.
You are now leaving out of Montego Bay. Drive until the second set of lights and take a left up the hill towards Anchovy. Then on to Ramble.
As you pass a large orange grove on the right you will go over a bridge
and come to a road to the left. STAY TO THE RIGHT heading towards Savannah
La Mar. Do not head to Bethel Town.
Continue on through Haddo and on into Whithorn. In Whithorn you want
to take a right heading towards Ferris Cross. You will go down a good
sized hill with a beautiful view of sugar cane fields on the right. At
the bottom of the hill stay straight and do not take the right. Continue
on until you come to a T in the road in Ferris Cross and take a left heading
towards Black River.
Continue on through Belmont, Whitehouse, and into the Parish of St. Elizabeth.
At the round-about stay to your right heading towards Black River.
Once in Black River take a left at the one-way street and then take the
first right. You will wind past the market. Stay to the right and eventually
come to another T. Take the left and go over the bridge. Take your third
right at the Jack Sprat restaurant sign which will be about 3 - 4 miles out of
town and from there the signs are good directing you to Treasure Beach.
The trick is stop and ask a lot of questions, and when asking, ask for
directions to the next town on the map. Many people do not drive and may
not know how to get to Treasure Beach but will know how to get to the
next town.
Good luck and DRIVE ON THE LEFT! |
| Q: |
How
do I drive there from Kingston? |
| A: |
The first few miles of the trip from Kingston Airport to Treasure Beach is the hardest because you have to go right through parts of the city. There is no bypass road (at this time) for some of the journey. When you leave out of the airport you will almost immediately come to a round-about (rotary).
Stay to the left and this will put you on a causeway. At the end of the causeway you will again bear to the left. Stay on this main road following signs to Spanish Town and Mandeville for a while. This road, however, is the road that will take you through the heart of the town. You will be going through lots of lights and intersections, but just keep on straight. You will pass through the industrial area of Kingston and then the traffic will get heavy.
After awhile you will see a Texaco station on the right of a large intersection known as 3 Mile. At this intersection you bear left heading out on Spanish Town Rd. This is a two lane road and you will stay on this for a long time. It will intersect with another major thoroughfare after a while. In about 2 miles you will see signs for the toll highway. Take this left onto the highway. You will travel on this highway for about 10 miles before coming to the toll booth. Pay your toll ($160 JA for cars)and proceed to the end of the highway. At the end the highway will merge into the 'old road'. From here on in the roads are well marked and you just continue to head towards Mandeville.
Stay on the highway past Mandeville heading down Spur Tree Hill. When you reach Gutters there will be a Texaco Station on the right and a turn to Junction, St. Elizabeth on your left. Take that left (it is well marked with signs). Follow that road for a few miles. You will go under a bridge (train tracks), shortly after look for the sign for Alpart on your left indicating the turn on your right. Take that right heading towards Alpart. When you come to the T in the road take a left. Drive past Alpart and into the district of Nain. You will come to an intersection. Just drive straight through the crossroads and continue heading towards the town of Junction.
After a few miles you will come to an intersection where one road Vs off to the left and the main road turns slightly to the right with a restaurant located on the left after the V. Immediately, you will come to a T in the road. Take a right which again is in the direction of Junction. You now stay on this road taking you through Junction, Top Hill, and Southfield. After Southfield you start to head down the Santa Cruz Mountains. When you are at the bottom of the mountain you will come to a crossroads with a Texaco station on the right. Take your left there heading towards Treasure Beach (there is a sign). You will come to a sign welcoming you to Treasure Beach. Stay on the road to your left of that sign. This road will take you right into Treasure Beach. |
| Q: |
When is hurricane
season? |
| A: |
The official hurricane season is June
1 through November 30. Some people take the extra precaution of obtaining travel insurance when
booking flights during this time in case travel plans are
interupted by a storm. Before you travel, you may want
to check out the Weather
Channel's Tropical Update for possible impending storms. |
| Q: |
How's the beach? |
| A: |
Interspersed throughout six miles of coastline
lie sandy beaches, private coves, and rocky shorelines conducive for
long walks. (Be sure to bring appropriate beach shoes.)
There are four public beaches well suited for swimming, snorkeling, and
body-surfing. Depending on the sea conditions and the season, the
waves can vary from six inches to six feet. The south coast seas tend to
be rougher than the north coast.
"That its beaches tend to
be less sprawling than those of other island resorts is more than compensated
for by the fact that they are also virtually deserted" - American Way |
| Q: |
How's the snorkeling/SCUBA? |
| A: |
Snorkeling here offers a variety of colorful
fish and coral reef to explore, though professional divers may find them
somewhat disappointing.
Keep in mind that the snorkeling is dependent on sea conditions.
Ask at your villa for good locations.
There is no SCUBA outfit in Treasure Beach. The nearest licensed operators
are in Negril and Montego Bay. |
| Q: |
How's the food? |
| A: |
There's something here for everyone. Fresh
seafood is our specialty, however everything from Jamaican fare to burgers
and pizza is available.
Prices range from US$5 - US$20 per meal with the average price being
around US$7. Red Stripes run about US$1.50-$2.00 and mixed drinks US$2.50. The
average cost of a bottle of good Jamaican rum is about US$10 in a grocery
store.
Please see our Places to
Eat and Play section for further information. |
| Q: |
How's the drinking water? |
| A: |
Safe to drink. The vast majority of Treasure
Beach is connected to the national water supply which is treated with chlorine
for safety. If you are still hesitant to drink the water, bottled water
is available in most every shop.
A reminder: This area is aptly named the desert coast and records the
least amount of rainfall island-wide. We ask that you please keep this
in mind and help us conserve this precious resource. |
| Q: |
What
currency is used and where can I exchange it? |
| A: |
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 Sterling , and the Euro. Other currencies are frowned upon
and may be difficult if not impossible to exchange.
We strongly encourage the use of traveler's checks. Why? Traveler's
checks are the easiest to exchange and most widely accepted. All you need
to provide is a passport number or identification number on the back of
the check before cashing.
You can change money at the airport, banks, and Cambios (official money
exchanges). A few places in Treasure Beach exchange cash and traveler's
checks --ask at your guesthouse for the closest one to you-- and most
of our establishments will accept them as payment.
Credit cards are not widely accepted, with only a few restaurants and
attractions honoring them. However, you can obtain a cash advance
on Visa or MasterCard at most banks, but not with AMEX or Discover.
There are no money machines in Treasure Beach. The nearest ATM is in
Black River, a 30 minute drive from Treasure Beach. There is also a machine
near the arrivals pick-up waiting area at the Montego Bay airport.
Both are plugged into the Cirrus network and can give advances on VISA
(airport only) and MasterCard. All ATMs dispense only Jamaican currency.
The nearest banks are Scotia Bank, National Commercial Bank, and Workers
Bank in Black River, and Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago (RBTT) in Southfield. Their hours are approximately
M-F, 9-2. |
| Q: |
Any
taxes I should know about? |
| A: |
There's a 16.5% GCT (General Consumption Tax) on all items and most services.
However, most businesses include the tax in their prices. Grocery stores usually don't. |
| Q: |
Does
one tip? |
| A: |
Businesses here
have come to appreciate the North American custom of tipping, although Jamaicans
rarely do. Some places do add a set percentage to the bill, which is usually
noted.
The rule of thumb for tipping staff at a villa is 15% of the cost of
the villa. |
| Q: |
What
about vendors and hustlers? |
| A: |
Since all beaches
here are public, no one is restricted from walking them. This means a few
people use them as their places of business. You will more than likely be
approached by one of these vendors and asked to look at their wares.
If you are interested, by all means have a look and happy negotiating.
If you are not in a shopping mood, let them know. A friendly but firm
"No Thanks" will usually suffice, but you may need to be
as persistent as they are. |
| Q: |
How do I get around? |
| A: |
You have a few options here. Most everything
in Treasure Beach can be accessed by foot or by bicycle which can be rented.
For longer journeys taxis, public transport, car rental, or tour operators
can get you there. Please see our section on Transportation for more details. |
| Q: |
What
is the dress code? |
| A: |
Overall, casual
and comfortable are the fashion statements around here. In a shop
or restaurant, shoes and shirts are usually appreciated, but nowhere are
jacket and tie required.
At the beach, swimsuit is the obvious choice.
Nude bathing is frowned upon by most Jamaicans, so we ask that you either
refrain or find a very private spot. |
| Q: |
What about insects? |
| A: |
Being a tropical island we do have bugs.
However, our constant breeze and dry climate, unlike that of the wetter
parts of the island, help to control the population.
That being said, we still recommend bringing insect repellent. |
| Q |
What
night life is available? |
| A |
There are several
bars and restaurants to choose from, a few of which have music, dancing,
billiards, dominoes, etc. There are always occasional street dances. How
do you find out about them? If you stay within a mile radius of one, you
can't miss it. Follow your ears.
But perhaps the best activity is sitting on your verandah, watching the
stars, thinking about all of the nothing your going to do tomorrow.
"...a remote and sleepy Jamaican town where hanging out is the order
of the day." - American Way |
Q: |
What
about ganja? |
A: |
Ganja is found
throughout Jamaica, and Treasure Beach is no exception. However not everyone
in TB is involved with or approves of it. Nonetheless,
it can be readily purchased. Since it is not a shelf displayed item, it
has no price control. In saying all the above, please be warned that ganja
like other drugs is illegal in Jamaica, and if caught you will
be punished by the law. Although not many people know, if you are
a foreigner without a Jamaican parent, under Jamaica's constitution
you can be deported. |
| Q: |
What
language is used? |
| A: |
The Queen's English
is the official language of
Jamaica. It is taught in schools and used at any
formal gathering. However, the everyday language
is called patios, from the French word for dialect. It's
English, Spanish, French, and African all blended into one and comes off
as a colorful, flowing language, nice to listen to --but sometimes a challenge
to understand. |
| Q: |
How can I call/fax/email
from Treasure Beach? |
| A: |
The easiest way to make overseas phone calls is to purchase a "More Time" phone card. These can be purchased in most shops. Denominations include JA$100 (for about 3 - 5 minutes), JA$200 (for about 6 - 10 minutes), and JA$500 (for about 20 - 30 minutes). International calling cards (AT&T, Sprint, etc.) do NOT work in Jamaica. Direct dialing is not available from a regular phone without a special ICAS code or a World Talk card.
Some local businesses offer phone and fax services at a per minute rate.
Collect calls are provided by AT&T, MCI, Sprint, and Cable and Wireless Jamaica (the local phone company) at the numbers listed below. Please check with them for their rates.
AT&T 1-800-872-2881
MCI 1-800-888-8000
Sprint 1-800-877-8000
CW Jamaica 1-800-876-1000
Several businesses offer email and Internet services, but you should check to see which particular outfit has managed to get the computer, phone line, and Internet account all working the day you plan to use it. More and more places are offering high speed Internet. See the next question for details.
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| Q: |
Is high speed Internet available in Treasure Beach? |
| A: |
High speed access is now available in Treasure Beach. Check with your particular accommodation as many now offer it. The system is ADSL and tends to be slower than the cable or DSL you may be used to off island, but it definitely faster than regular CWJ dial-up.
Breds Foundation offers several computers with high speed access for rent by the hour. They're located in Kingfisher Plaza down from Miss Dolly's shop.
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| Q: |
What kind of electricity
is used? |
| A: |
110V,
50 Hz with a standard three prong north American plug. The only difference
between JA and US/Canada is the frequency, so any appliance (expect clocks)
will work.
European's will need to bring an adapter (they are hard to find here)
for conversion. |
| Q: |
Can I rent a cell
phone in Jamaica? |
| A: |
Yes,
Digicell has a booth located at both the Montego Bay and Kingston airports.
There is a deposit of $200 US which will be returned to you once you return
the phone. The charges are $10 US per day with a minimum charge of $50
US for usage. All major credit cards are accepted.
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| Q: |
Were can I find
related web sites? |
| A: |
All
links open into new windows. (Except for a few which point to pages that
are within our site.) You can always return to this window and continue
to another link.
NOTE: While we do research who we link
to, we are not responsible for the content of their site.
General Travel Information
WebGuideJamaica.com
- Rated the fastest search engine, directory, map and web guide for
information on the most popular web sites in Jamaica.
Cockpit Republic - Iinvites you to experience the real Jamaica and would like to provide you with all the tools necessary in making the Cockpit Country an important stop on your trip to the island.
Montego Bay Marine Park - The marine park in Jamaica's 'second city'. Its mission is to restore and protect a healthy Montego Bay ecosystem for the betterment of the nation and the world.
Great-Adventures.com
- Good info on the country and links to other sites.
Jamaica Etiquette Guide -
Description: Everything you need to know when visiting Jamaica; learn Jamaican etiquette and fit right in; learn what each area of Jamaica is like from MoBay to Kingston.
Tripadvisor.com -
Read opinions and compare prices on hotels and vacations around the world.
TravelXL.com -
70,000 direct links to hotels, campgrounds, vacation rentals, museums,
theme parks, etc. around the world.
A Dutch view on Jamaica -
A comprehensive and relaxed look at the island of Jamaica, its people, its towns and parishes. An interactive
guide and community for all who love this island in the sun!
Online Travel Directory resources.
Just for Fun
ReggaePlus
- Radio on the Internet exists, first and foremost, to provide a
constant stream of listening enjoyment for mature people, world-wide,
who share the love of the various musical styles that appeal
to the folks who hail from the West Indies.
It's Hard to Write
a Blues Song in Jamaica by Mitch. Check out his web site, facethemusicblues.com.
Caribbean Information
Zubby.Com - A
Caribbean Search Engine.
Misc
www.paperboyja.com - Day of issue newspaper service
Richardsitler.com - Richard Sitler served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica and has a few web pages devoted to bits of Jamaican culture Richard felt were worth sharing
U.S.
Peace Corps - The official site for United States Peace Corps. They
organization has been very active in Treasure Beach for the over 30
years. Please visit their site for more information on what they do.
PeaceCorpsOnline
- The independent news forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
A free counter
service.
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