Situated in St. Elizabeth’s parish on the island’s south coast, Treasure Beach comprises of 5 coves: Fort Charles, Billy’s, Frenchman’s, Calabash and Great Pedro.
The area is quiet and laid back with no resorts, but rather a handful of charming villas and small hotels, and restaurants serving authentic Jamaican cuisine.
A paradise within a paradise, Treasure Beach is a beach destination that attracts travelers keen to get off the beaten path.
Although there are many things to do in the area, most people go to Treasure Beach just to relax and enjoy a peaceful vacation. Read on for the ultimate guide to Treasure Beach.
What to Do in Treasure Beach
Treasure Beach offers a variety of attractions and activities to enjoy. Here, visitors can:
- Experience the vibrant culture of Jamaica at its most authentic
- Explore the beautiful Four Bays
- Go on a Black River safari with local fishermen
- Zipline at the Breds Treasure Beach Sports Park
- Enjoy a refreshing dip at the beautiful YS Waterfalls
- Grab some lunch of Jamaican cuisine at a local eatery
- Enjoy a delicious dinner at Frenchman’s Reef
- Carve out your name at Floyd’s Pelican Bar
- Join a day trip to see nearby attractions
- Enjoy some shopping at the Africa Village Arts
- Rejuvenate your mind, body and soul at a spa
- Soak up natural beauty at Bamboo Avenue in Lacovia
- Go on a boat tour to Pedro Bluff
- Swim and snorkel at the serene Guts River Beach
What Day Trips Can I Take From Treasure Beach?
Visitors to Treasure Beach can also go on day trips to see various attractions in the surroundings, including:
- Manchester Golf Club: Situated about 15 miles inland in the Don Figuerero Mountains, Mandeville is home to the oldest golf course in the Western Hemisphere. Built in the 1860s, the Manchester Golf Club offers a nine-hole course.
- Coffee Factory: Also located near Mandeville is the Jamaica Standard Products Company’s coffee factory where visitors can go on a tour of the facilities.
- Nine Mile: Every reggae fan will want to take the 1 hour drive across the island to Nine Mile, the birthplace and final resting place of reggae legend Bob Marley. The drive itself offers stunning rural scenery, while the museum has a shop, snack bar and vegetarian restaurant.
Where is Treasure Beach Located in Jamaica?
Treasure Beach is located within the parish of St. Elizabeth in Jamaica.
How Do You Get to Treasure Beach?
There are several ways to get to Treasure Beach:
- Fly: Although expensive, flying is the fastest and safest way to get to Treasure Beach.
- Private Transfer: Private transfer is best for those who would like to make stops along the way, such as for shopping.
- Shuttle Bus: Shuttles may take longer depending on the number of stops to drop off guests staying at other hotels.
- Car Rental: You may rent a car at the airport in Montego Bay and drive yourself to Treasure Beach.
- Route Taxi: Route taxis are generally not recommended for tourists in Jamaica unless you know what you’re doing and exactly where you’re going.
How Far is Treasure Beach from Montego Bay?
The distance from Montego Bay to Treasure Beach is 109.3km. It takes about 2 hours to drive to Treasure Beach from Montego Bay via the B8 and A2 roads.
How Far is Treasure Beach from Negril?
The distance from Negril to Treasure Beach is 98.2km. It takes about 2 hours to drive to Treasure Beach from Negril via the A2 road.
How Far is Treasure Beach from Kingston?
The distance from Kingston to Treasure Beach is 138.1km. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive to Treasure Beach from Kingston via the T1 and A2 roads.
How Far is Treasure Beach from Ocho Rios?
The distance from Ocho Rios to Treasure Beach is 192.0km. It takes about 3 hours to drive to Treasure Beach from Ocho Rios via Highway 2000.
Which Airport Is Closest To Treasure Beach?
Located at a distance of 70.9km, the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (Code: MBJ) is the closest airport to Treasure Beach. It takes about 2 hours to drive to Treasure Beach from the Montego Bay airport.
Other airports nearby include:
- Negril (NEG) – 77.3 km
- Ocho Rios (OCJ) – 100.4 km
- Kingston Tinson (KTP) – 100.9 km
- Kingston (KIN) – 103.9 km
Treasure Beach vs. Negril
Treasure Beach and Negril offer two entirely different vacation experiences. The main difference between the two destinations is that Negril is a highly populated tourist town, while Treasure Beach is a sparsely populated village.
Each place has its pros and cons, which should be carefully considered when deciding on where to go.
Ultimately, your choice between Treasure Beach and Negril will depend on your vacation needs. Here are some pointers to help you decide:
- If you’re a beach connoisseur, look no further than Negril which has the best beaches in Jamaica, including the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. On the other hand, the sands in Treasure Beach are brown, although they are often virtually deserted.
- While Negril boasts areas of lush jungle, Treasure Beach is a dry area, with lots of cactus and grassy plains. That said, Treasure Beach is set against a lovely backdrop of a big mountain range.
- If you want a laid back, quiet and relaxed atmosphere, then Treasure Beach is your best bet. However, if you want lots of energy and entertainment, go to Negril which has a more vibrant nightlife and live music.
- Negril is best for fun, while Treasure Beach is the place to go for a peaceful holiday.
- In terms of accommodation, Negril has many big resorts. On the other hand Treasure Beach has no resorts but rather several small hotels, villas and guest houses.
- Negril has bigger and more restaurants, bars and shops than Treasure Beach whose restaurants, bars and shops are smaller and more “rustic”.
- Treasure Beach is the type of place where you can walk around alone and feel perfectly safe. On the other hand, because Negril is a prime tourist destination, crime does occur.
- While hassle is a part of life in Negril, it is virtually non-existent in Treasure Beach. Most of the beaches and streets in Treasure Beach have no vendors whatsoever, except for the occasional guy selling trinkets on the beach.
Treasure Beach vs. Montego Bay
Treasure Beach and Montego Bay are two different tourist destinations. The main difference between the two is that while Treasure Beach is a sleepy beachside village, Montego Bay is city with a port.
Each place has its pros and cons, which should be carefully considered when deciding on where to go.
Ultimately, your choice between Treasure Beach and Montego Bay will depend on your vacation needs. Here are some pointers to help you decide:
- Montego Bay is closer to the airport, with most hotels being a mere 15 minutes’ drive away. To get to Treasure Beach, you will most likely arrive via the Montego Bay airport.
- For a more relaxed vacation, Treasure Beach is a better choice. On the other hand, Montego Bay offers plenty of activities for active vacationers. For instance, avid golfers will have the best golf vacation in Montego Bay, which boasts 4 championship golf courses.
- Montego Bay has a city-like vibe, with everything fast and busy. On the other hand, Treasure Beach feels more rustic and untouched, thereby providing a more tranquil vacation option for travelers.
- Perhaps the most compelling reason to choose Montego Bay over Treasure Beach would be its proximity to Negril, which has the best beaches in Jamaica and where you can go on a daytrip.
Treasure Beach vs. Ocho Rios
Treasure Beach and Ocho Rios are two different tourist destinations. The main difference between the two is that while Treasure Beach is a sleepy beachside village, Ocho Rios is a cruise port town.
Each place has its pros and cons, which should be carefully considered when deciding on where to go.
Ultimately, your choice between Treasure Beach and Ocho Rios will depend on your vacation needs. Here are some pointers to help you decide:
- If you want to see the major attractions of Jamaica, Ocho Rios is your best bet. Most hotels in Ocho Rios are located a mere 15 minutes away from popular sites such as Dunn’s River Falls, Mystic Mountain and Dolphin Cove. Because Treasure Beach does not have many attractions close by, you will have to travel at least 1 hour to reach the closest attractions.
- For family vacations, Ocho Rios is a better choice, with several child-friendly attractions. On the other hand, Treasure Beach offers a relaxing beach destination for those seeking a quiet vacation.
- Ocho Rios is normally full of tourists when cruise ships have docked in the port. On the other hand, Treasure Beach enjoys fewer tourist crowds.
- Treasure is more casual with a laid-back beach vibe that’s perfect for relaxing, while Ocho Rios has more of a city vibe.
Is Treasure Beach Safe?
Yes, Treasure Beach is perfectly safe to visit. Just be sure to use your common sense.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Treasure Beach?
While the weather in Treasure Beach is balmy all year round, the summer months of July to September do experience an increased risk of hurricanes.
December through March is the most popular time to visit, and as such prices will be at their highest.
You can find great weather, good flight and accommodation rates between April and June.
