Most visitors to Jamaica go to the island for its all-inclusive resorts — those classic adult theme parks where you can sip sugary cocktails at breakfast, float tipsily in the pool by noon, and show up sunburned for dinner, with Reggae music reminding you where you are.
Of course, Jamaica has incredible beach resorts for that perfect vacation vibe. But, aside from being a resort hot spot, Jamaica is a gorgeous island with friendly people and beautiful culture. It's worth getting off the beaten path to explore these hidden gems and experience the local way of life. Treasure Beach is one such gem, remotely situated away from the busy tourist hubs around Jamaica.
Treasure Beach offers an authentic slice of island life with hospitable residents, great food, and locally owned small businesses that emphasize ‘community tourism.’ Most travellers fly into Montego Bay on the north side of the island, or Kingston, the capital city on the south side of the island.
Treasure Beach, tucked in the southwest corner, is more than two hours of overland travel away from both Montego Bay and Kingston, so to get there, you could arrange ground transportation, or rent a car. Hiring a driver, though, may be helpful.
Considered one of the best beaches in Jamaica, Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth Parish is a stretch of several beaches with small bays and fishing villages built around them. The bays that comprise Treasure Beach are Billy's, Calabash, Fort Charles, Great, and Frenchman's.
Treasure Beach’s sands are both golden and brown, in a laid-back spot, with locals saying that the energy there is unmatched elsewhere. And, because these are fishing villages, the fish there is always seasonal and incredibly delicious.
There are plenty of great spots to stay on Treasure Beach, but one of the best is Jakes Hotel on Calabash Bay, a delightfully eclectic waterfront property with a variety of unique villas and bungalows decorated in reclaimed items, shell-and-wood walls, and bohemian art. Referred to as "the heart and soul of the community”.
Treasure Beach offers countless opportunities for adventure. Jakes Hotel organises day trip excursions of all kinds, including farm tours, snorkelling, hikes, and even bar crawls. You can eat local ackee and salt fish at Pardy's or Smurf's Cafe, then head to Frenchman's Bay for a swim and lunch at the popular Frenchman's Reef restaurant.
The region is also home to an incredible destination bar. Often called the coolest bar in the world, Pelican Bar is located just off Treasure Beach's shores.
Made of driftwood, rising above the Caribbean Sea on stilts, and only accessible by boat, Pelican Bar is a great spot to eat fresh lobster and drink a cold Red Stripe. For a half-day adventure, you could explore YS Falls, located about 30 miles or an hour's drive up into the rainforest away from Treasure Beach, or zipline over the trees and massive waterfalls.
You can also go bird watching for species like olive-throated parakeets, Jamaican parrots, and tiny Vervain hummingbirds, and stroll the expansive gardens. Or take it easy and spend the day tubing down the river and soaking in the clear natural springs.
Then, for another 30-mile drive from Treasure Beach, there’s Appleton Estate, a beautiful sugarcane farm that produces rum, where you can take tours, taste samples, shop, and more. For all this, and much more, it’s probably best to just “wing it”.
